Analysis Summary - May 2018

DOWNTOWN MASTER PLANCITY OF MERIDIANPRELIMINARY

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The City of Meridian Downtown Master Plan was initiated to support the city’s vision for growth and development through the Live Love Grow campaign. This initiative aims to:

• Give the citizens of Meridian reasons to feel good about where they live.

• Recognize incentives for businesses to invest in the city.• Encourage citizens to be involved in their community.

MASTER PLAN GOALS

The goals of the Master Plan are to:

• Create a visionary planning framework that will support and enable the objectives of the city’s Live Love Grow campaign.

• Create a pedestrian-oriented community through a definedpedestrian network.

• Planforthehighestandbestuseofthecity’ssignificanthistoricaland cultural assets through sustainable, planned development.

• Create gathering spaces and amenities for increased quality of life and visitor experiences.

• Developcomprehensivetrafficandparkingrecommendationstosupport the master plan and growth projections.

• While the purpose of a master plan is to propose long-term strategies, the plan will identify smaller moves that make an immediate impact.

PURPOSE OF THE CAMPUS MASTER PLAN

The City of Meridian is at a critical juncture where the decisions it makes will have a long-term impact on the quality of life and economic development for downtown Meridian. LPK Architects was selected to create a master plan that provides a planning framework and action plan for the city. The downtown master plan was directed to provide a framework for the decision-making process while advocating design concepts that support the mission and vision of the city. The development

of the master plan is organized as a multi-phase planning process. Data collection and research for the Master Plan commenced in July 2017.

PLANNING ISSUES

Asaresultofthedatacollectionprocess,specificplanningissueswerenoted:

• Lack of parks and green space – Urban life is encumbered by the lack of suitable outdoor community spaces. These spaces should enhance the vitality of the city.

• Car culture – Cities of the past century were designed for cars. Successful cities of the 21st century rely on pedestrian infrastructure to ensure a quality urban experience.

• Trafficflow,streetscape,andparkingissues.• Underutilized building and streetscape infrastructure. • Quality – Vacant and poor building conditions are a major issue.• WayfindingandAccess–Pedestrianandvehicularmovement

throughoutthecityareinconsistentanddeficient.• 22nd Avenue Entry Corridor – Negative entry experience.

MASTER PLAN RESPONSE

Initialopportunitiesandconceptshavebeenidentified:

• Landscape Plan – Develop a landscape plan for enhanced parks, green space, and streetscape design.

• TrafficandParkingPlan–Developacomprehensiveplan.• Existing Cultural and Architectural Assets – Organize the planning

frameworkaroundthesignificantassetsindowntownMeridian.• Front Street – Enhance the pedestrian infrastructure along this

spine to create a mixed-use zone along a rail park.• 22nd Avenue Entry Corridor – Implement boulevard

improvements between I-20 and the 22nd Avenue bridge.• Growth – Ensure the highest and best use of existing buildings

and spaces while planning for future development opportunities.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PRELIMINARY

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PROCESS

The development of the master plan is organized as a multi-phase planning process. Data collection and research, the first phase ofthe process, commenced in July 2017. During this time, the planning team conducted individual meetings with the mayor and council. The planningteamconfirmedthescopeofworkandinitiatedatrafficstudywiththetrafficconsultant.Stakeholderfocusgroupscontinuedintothefall of 2017, with a 1-day public design charette held in early November. The design charette, which included representatives from the community, downtownbusinesses,andcityofficials,identifiedplanningissuesandprioritized goals of the master plan.

During the analysis phase, the planning team conducted various studies including existing land use, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, parks, infrastructure, and new development. In early April, a work session was held during an executive city council session, during which LPK provided an update on the master plan and presented this analysis to the city council. At this meeting, LPK recommended that a public hearing should be held to solicit questions and input from the community. The public hearing was held in mid-May.

With the community and council’s input, data collection, and analysis, the planning team will move forward to develop initial concepts in a draft report. Following review by the city, the concepts will be prepared as finalpresentationgraphicstobeusedinamasterplandocument.Thepurpose of this document is to serve as a living master plan and roadmap for implementation. The planning team has worked throughout this process to identify “low-hanging fruit,” or goals that are easily achievable, to help move the master plan forward. The planning team has guided recent discussions on plantings, landscape, crosswalks, and lighting in downtown Meridian. LPK values their role in the development of the City of Meridian’s vision and will assist in outlining the implementation process to achieve the master plan goals.

MASTER PLAN PROCESS AND ORGANIZATION

The process was organized into the following phases:

WHAT WE HEARD

No one knows the City of Meridian better than the people who live, work, and participate in the community. The design team held a series of meetings with the mayor, council, and representatives from the community and downtown businesses. Throughout the analysis phase, business leaders in the downtown community submitted input through compiled questionnaires. Common themes emerged, which include:

• “This is an investment we all need to make.”• “Create a comprehensive communication plan.”• “Planning consistency is key.”• “Create green space along the railroad.”• “Install parking meters to increase revenue.”• “Close the gap between I-20 and downtown.”• “Make downtown Meridian a pleasant place for shoppers and visitors.”• “We need to work together to ensure the preservation of our downtown – it’s now or never.”

Phase I: Data Collection

Outline Goals, Identify Areas of Analysis, Technical Data Gathering, and Discovery Meetings

Phase II: Analysis

Comparative Analysis, Analysis of Systems, Initial Concepts, and Divergent Thinking

Phase III: Concept Refinement

ConceptRefinement,DetailedRecommendations,and Sustainable Strategies

Phase IV: Plan Development

Document Preparation Following Final Presentation of Ideas to the City of Meridian

PLANNING PROCESS

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• Outline Goals

• Identify Areas of Analysis

- Traffic Study

- Assets & Liabilities

- Infrastructure

- Parks & Green Space

• Stakeholder Focus Groups

- Meetings (Elected Officials)

- Small Group Meetings

- Design Charette

• Comparative Analysis

• Initial Concept Development

• Presentation of Analysis &

Initial Concepts

- Traffic Study Results

- Pedestrian-Oriented

Community

- Utilization of Assets

- Wayfinding & Signage

- Lighting & Safety

• Preferred Options

• Cost Estimates & Phasing

• Shell of Master Plan Report

• Presentation of Concepts &

Review

- Mayor & Council

- Lauderdale County

- MSU Meridian

- EMBDC / Local Businesses

- Other Stakeholders

• Prepare Draft Report

• Final Presentation

• Final Documentation

• Living Master Plan

PLANNING PROCESS

Documentation / Publication

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PLANNING PROCESS

Status of the Master Plan process, presented at the public meeting held May 14th, 2018.

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CHARETTE FINDINGS

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RESOURCES & ANCHORS

OBSERVATIONS

Throughout the data collection process, specificresources and anchors were noted:

• Cultural & Educational – The City of Meridianhasseveralsignificantculturaland educational resources including the MSU Riley Center and MAEEX. Future projects and cultural opportunities will be incorporated in the master plan.

• Civic & Historical – Resources within and around the established Downtown Historic District and the African American Business District include City Hall and the historically significantUnionStation.

• Economic – The East Mississippi Business Development Corporation and Medical District are important participants in the continued development of downtown Meridian.

• Development – Building upon successful projects in recent years, additional opportunities for major development projects to serve as anchors for the overall master plan occur at the old mall site, the former cotton compress site, and the proposed Children’s Museum.

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LAND USE

OBSERVATIONS

Overlaying land use, building use, and vacancies in and around downtown Meridian, highlighted several planning issues:

• Isolation – At present, the downtown core is isolated from the main access point (I-20 & 22nd Avenue off-ramp) by the rail corridor and industrial use.

• Vacancies – Several buildings and lots remain vacant. Recent proposals include the planned re-use of the old police station and redevelopment of the former Sears site for the Children’s Museum.

• Inconsistent Use – Buildings and property should contribute to the highest and best use of the potential land use opportunities to improve overall conditions.

• Thelackofdefineddistrictshindersthesense of cohesive community. The city should focus on developing a mixed-use district within the downtown core, a consistent commercial zone along 22nd Avenue with boulevard and signage improvements, and provide amenities to promote public health for the entire community and surrounding residential neighborhoods.

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TRAFFIC & PARKING

OBSERVATIONS

Overlaying major/minor vehicular routes and both surface parking and parking structures provide an analysis of movement to and around downtown:

• 22nd Avenue – This route provides primary access to the downtown core, which requires major improvements and will support existing and new development.

• Parking – Although large areas of surface and street parking exist, a comprehensive parking plan is needed to address current parking issues for downtown businesses.

Atrafficstudywasalsoconductedbytheengineeringconsultant, Pickering, Inc. The study evaluated the traffic impacts of proposed development, whichis anticipated in the city’s master plan. The study assessed trip generation for proposed development, projected trip distribution based on the generated trips, and evaluated the capacity and level of service ateachstudyintersection.Basedontrafficvolumesat each study intersection, the study conducted signal warrant analysis of existing unsignalized intersections. Finally, the study assessed the need for mitigation measures based on the impacts. Thesefindingwillbeincorporatedintooverallmasterplan recommendations.

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URBAN ANALYSIS DIAGRAM

OBSERVATIONS

Urban analysis revealed the following opportunities:

• Revalue the rail corridor (NYC High Line & Charleston Low Line Park concepts).

• Pedestrian network opportunities (streetscape design and trails).

• Enhance pedestrian connections across the rail corridor.

• Encourage mixed-use development.• Expandtrafficstudytoincludea

comprehensive parking plan.• Utillize green space and development

anchors to organize future development projects.

• Improve public transportation.• Improve access to groceries and markets to

provide healthy food options.• Improve front door entrance at 22nd Avenue

corridor.• Create development opportunities at old

mall site.• Revalue Sowashee Creek (entry to

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INITIAL CONCEPTS

MASTER PLAN RESPONSE

Initial planning concepts include:

• Rail Park (NYC High Line, Charleston Low Line, and Birmingham Park concepts).

• Comprehensivetrafficandparkingplan.• Front Street Mixed-Use Development.• Public and private development

opportunities.• Meridian central green (City Hall Park).• Downtown alley re-use concept to support

dining and entertainment.• Improve public transportation (trolley link

between cultural and park assets).• Pedestrian friendly (Trail Network).• 22nd Avenue corridor street improvements

(boulevard concept).• Recreational and commercial development

at the old mall site.• Sowashee Creek restoration.

The planning team will move forward to develop preferred concepts in a draft report. Following review by the city, the concepts will be prepared as finalpresentationgraphics.Themasterplanwillbeevaluated at regular intervals and serve as a living master plan and roadmap for implementation.

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