downtown river precinct - owen sound · 2018. 3. 14. · block number of parking spaces existing...

Downtown River PrecinctMunicipal Class Environmental Assessment

Follow Up to Public Meeting

March 13, 2018

AGENDA:

1. Project for Public Spaces Video

2. The Vision (Northwood & Associates)

3. Traffic Study

4. Archaeological Assessment

5. Public Input - September 2017 & Responses

6. The Plan

7. Break Out

Project for Public Spaces:

Link to Video: https://www.pps.org/article/streets-as-places

https://www.pps.org/article/streets-as-places

Project Area and Goals:

Using an urban design approach…based on the 2001 Master Plan

develop a conceptual and schematic design for the Downtown River Precinct

Project Goals:

• Improve the character, make it inviting and inclusive

• Strengthen the image and identity of the downtown

• Embrace and highlight the natural environment of the river

Public Input:

• September/October 2012 – One-on-One Meetings

• November 5, 2012 – Public Meeting

• December 3, 2012 – Public Meeting

Downtown River Precinct:

Preliminary concept

Continuous riverside trail linking the Harbour to the Mill Dam


Extend the Percy England Parkette to the top of the riverbank


Develop a ‘promenade’ along the top of the riverbank


Remove 6 or 7 parking spaces and create a comfortable place for all people


Realign 1st Avenue East north of 8th Street


Create a ‘Market Square’ focused on the river


Develop a multi-purpose Civic Square for special events (and parking)


Create ‘landings’ for short-term boat tie-up and launching canoes/kayaks


Strengthen existing paths and create more walkways, trails, nodes


In the 900 block: remove the visual barriers (fortress), add benches, trees, tables…


…a food concession, and canoe and kayak rentals


In the 800 block: more ‘art’ and a story-telling circle (mini-amphitheatre)


Develop Riverworks: a pedestrian district with restricted vehicular access and limited parking; ‘back-door’ shopping,

cafes with patios, seating…


Lots of reasons to be here…


Downtown River Precinct: Conceptual Design

Downtown River Precinct: Conceptual Design:800 Block 1st Avenue East & West & Farmers’ Market

Downtown River Precinct: Conceptual Design:900 Block – 1st Avenues East and West

Council Resolution: January 28, 2013

Resolution R-130128-004:

“THAT City Council hereby approves, in principle, the Downtown River Precinct conceptual and schematic plan prepared by Northwood Associates Landscape Architects, and further

THAT the plan be considered an addendum to the City’s Downtown and Harbour Master Plan, and further

THAT implementation of the plan be referred to the Community Planning and Heritage Advisory Committee.”

Carried.

Traffic Study: Existing Road Network:

Traffic Study: Clockwise (Option 1):

Traffic Study: Counter Clockwise (Option 2):

Traffic Study: Data Collection:

One way clockwise is the best combination of

traffic operations and alignment to support the

vision to improve the streetscape in the

Downtown River Precinct

Traffic Study: Conclusion

Archaeological Assessment (ASI):

Figure 2: Downtown River Precinct

Study Area (Approximate Location)

Overlaid on the 1847 Plan of

Sydenham

Archaeological Assessment (ASI):

•Commercial Downtown Access

•Parking

Public Input: Global Issues

Public Input: Commercial Downtown Access

Public Input: Commercial Downtown Access:Turning Lanes

Public Input: Commercial Downtown Access:

Block

Number of Parking Spaces

Existing Proposed (Option A) Proposed (Option B)

Downtown River Precinct – Master Plan: WEST Side

1st Avenue West (800 Block) 43 32 23

1st Avenue West (900 Block) 44 43 Not Applicable

Downtown River Precinct – Master Plan: EAST Side

1st Avenue East (800 Block) 39 24 35

1st Avenue East (900 Block) 5 4 Not Applicable

Farmers’ Market Schedule B EA

Farmers’ Market and City Hall 61 60 60

Total Parking Spaces 192 163 118

Public Input: Parking:


45%55%

Public Parking - Downtown

Street Parking (374)

Parking Lots (456)

Overall spaces in the “impacted area”


638

192


Unimpacted Area Impacted Area

Current Total:

830 parking spaces downtown


638

163

29


Unimpacted Area

Impacted Area

Parking Reduction in

the Impacted Area

Of the 192 parking spaces in the impacted area, only 29 of

those spaces will be reduced or a 3.5% reduction overall

Location Average Use Max Capacity Use Level

2nd Ave E – 700 Block 55.8% 26 Optimal

2nd Ave E – 800 Block 73.0% 32 High

2nd Ave E – 900 Block 75.5% 33 High

2nd Ave E – 1000 Block 40.9% 43 Optimal

All Complementary 60.0% 134 Optimal


Public Input: Parking:Location Average Use Max Capacity Use Level

1st Ave W – 800 Block 36.2% 43 Optimal

9th St W – 100 Block 44.9% 3 Optimal

1st Ave E – 700 Block 24.4% 6 Low



2nd Ave E – 600 Block 10.1% 27 Underused

3rd Ave E – 700 Block 28.8% 2 Low

3rd Ave E – 800 Block 36.4% 15 Optimal

3rd Ave E – 900 Block 27.7% 24 Low

8th St E – 100 Block 46.5% 10 Optimal


8th St E – 300 Block 11.9% 11 Underused

9th St E – 100 Block 68.3% 4 High



All Parking Meters 34.9% 240 Optimal


Lot 1 59.1% 61 Optimal

Lot 2 (900 Block) 20.9% 44 Low

Lot 3 16.2% 18 Underused

Lot 4 46.2% 90 Optimal

Lot 5 22.0% 171 Low

Lot 8 24.1% 48 Low

Lot 9 3.5% 24 Underused

All Parking Lots 30.7% 456 Low




All Downtown 36.6% 830 Optimal

If total parking spaces downtown are reduced from 830 to 801,

use level remains optimal

Shift parking on 1st Avenue West from east to west side of the street

Public Input: 1st Avenue West – 800 Block

• Access

• Parking

• Land acquisition and impact on private property

• Roadway alignment


Changing this block to one-way north limits access to the downtown core

Public Input: 1st Avenue West – 900 Block:

Potential traffic congestion at 9th Street East & 1st Avenue East relating to “drive thru”

Public Input: 1st Avenue East – 800 Block – North:

Public Input: 1st Avenue East – 800 Block - North:

Decreased access for transport truck deliveries and patrons entering the rear of stores:

• Turning conflicts 9th

Street East & 1st Avenue East

• Congestion with drive thru traffic

• Conflict with Tim Horton’s loading

• Fulford’s unloading


Intersection of 1st Avenue East & 8th

Street – Potential Concerns:

• Southbound left turns may interfere with stacking on 8th

Street East

• Potential sight line issues for cars turning left on 8th Street East

• Lack of pedestrian crossing on 8th

Street East

Public Input: 1st Avenue East – 800 Block – South:

Public Input: 1st Avenue East – 800 Block – South:

Sidewalk along the east side of 1st Avenue East.

Is this necessary?

Public Input: 1st Avenue East – 800 Block:

Public Input: 1st Avenue East – 800 Block

• Vendor parking requirements

• Change in pavilion

• Loss of parking

Public Input: Farmers’ Market

Public Input: 1st Avenue East: Impact on FoNL:

“The FoNL will

evolve its displays

and lighting to

match this

transformation.”

What can be…

Festival of Northern Lights: Change the focus so fences are no longer necessary

Businesses require truck loading zones


Public Input: 1st Avenue East – 900 Block:Crown Patent Lands

“But our cities change, people change, demographics change, technology changes and so must our streets. They must evolve to meet more demands and more diverse needs.

We can’t get there by just saying no to projects, and we can’t wait any longer to make the kinds of changes we need.” JSK

“A successful City is

one with walkable,

bikeable streets, not

one with free

flowing traffic”. JSK

Final Thoughts…

The Plan

downtown river precinct - owen sound · 2018. 3. 14. · block number of parking spaces existing...

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