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Executive Summary September 2005

Lincoln Downtown Master Plan

The Fundamental ConceptThe Lincoln Downtown Master Plan issimple in its essence; it is based on a fewproven concepts intended to ensure thelong-term vitality and viability of thedowntown.

Maintaining RevitalizationMomentumThe plan builds on Lincoln’s recentdowntown successes and strengthens,its established downtown areas, thecentral business district and theHistoric Haymarket District. Itrecognizes the importance of makingdowntown more “people-friendly” – forpedestrians, shoppers, residents,tourists, motorists, and investors alike.

Fundamental Concept Diagram

The key concept is to create a clearThe key concept is to create a clearThe key concept is to create a clearThe key concept is to create a clearThe key concept is to create a clear“retail corridor” – a pedestrian-“retail corridor” – a pedestrian-“retail corridor” – a pedestrian-“retail corridor” – a pedestrian-“retail corridor” – a pedestrian-oriented street on which anchor retailoriented street on which anchor retailoriented street on which anchor retailoriented street on which anchor retailoriented street on which anchor retailand attractor uses are strategically-and attractor uses are strategically-and attractor uses are strategically-and attractor uses are strategically-and attractor uses are strategically-located at each end. This retaillocated at each end. This retaillocated at each end. This retaillocated at each end. This retaillocated at each end. This retailcorridor links to a local network ofcorridor links to a local network ofcorridor links to a local network ofcorridor links to a local network ofcorridor links to a local network ofequally pedestrian-friendly streets,equally pedestrian-friendly streets,equally pedestrian-friendly streets,equally pedestrian-friendly streets,equally pedestrian-friendly streets,greenways and open spaces leading togreenways and open spaces leading togreenways and open spaces leading togreenways and open spaces leading togreenways and open spaces leading toand providing amenities for adjacentand providing amenities for adjacentand providing amenities for adjacentand providing amenities for adjacentand providing amenities for adjacentdistricts and neighborhoods.districts and neighborhoods.districts and neighborhoods.districts and neighborhoods.districts and neighborhoods.

The Lincoln Downtown Master Planstrengthens P Street as the primaryretail corridor. Destinations on the five-block P Street retail “string” include:

The City’s “living room” – Civic Square– a new, centrally-located public openspace.Primary retail anchors – at each end of

the blocks of core retail.

P Street also serves as the pedestrian-friendly connection between theHaymarket and central businessdistricts. By strengthening thisconnection, the Master Plan reinforcesthe uses in each district.

The plan also capitalizes on theproximity of these established districtsto adjacent potential development areas– the “emerging” and complementaryWest Haymarket, South Haymarket andeast downtown/Antelope Valleydistricts.

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Executive Summary September 2005

Lincoln Downtown Master Plan

Capacity DiagramThe capacity diagram is a snapshot ofthe character and intensity ofdevelopment that could occur in thefuture. It is notnotnotnotnot intended as a literalillustration of proposed projects andfacilities. Rather it serves to paint avision of how the plan’s concepts couldbe realized and to aid in calculating thelong-term development potential ofdowntown.

A Vision for Build-OutThe diagram illustrates design schemesand development intensity that arerealistic and economically feasible. Thediagram is based on:

Market research that identifies thepotential for new development.

Fundamental requirementsnecessary to attract investors,including proximity to publicamenities and availability ofparking.The public’s desire to stimulateeconomic development whileimproving community livability.

How the Diagram is UsedThe capacity diagram is used toidentify potential developmentinvestment in the downtown. Newprivate investment for retail, office,residential, and support services canbe generalized from this analysisdiagram. Public improvementsrequired to stimulate private

Capacity Diagram

investment are also considered and canbe used to determine the likely “returnon investment ratio.”

New Development CapacitySummary

Retail: 900,000 SFRetail: 900,000 SFRetail: 900,000 SFRetail: 900,000 SFRetail: 900,000 SF.....Residential: 2,800 unitsResidential: 2,800 unitsResidential: 2,800 unitsResidential: 2,800 unitsResidential: 2,800 unitsOffice: 4,900,000 SFOffice: 4,900,000 SFOffice: 4,900,000 SFOffice: 4,900,000 SFOffice: 4,900,000 SFParking structures: 12,400 spacesParking structures: 12,400 spacesParking structures: 12,400 spacesParking structures: 12,400 spacesParking structures: 12,400 spaces

KEY:

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Executive Summary September 2005

Lincoln Downtown Master Plan

Land Use Frameworksupport the retail uses on their groundfloors, and benefit from nearby transitservices.

When parcels contain a vertical mix ofuses, the color shown on the Land UseFramework typically indicates thepredominate or most important groundfloor use; or in some cases, as withparking structures or housing, thepredominate use can be the upperfloors which make up the bulk of thebuilding, even when ground floor usesdiffer.

New development sites and historicbuilding renovation opportunities areidentified for local and national retailersand businesses. Development should betransit- and pedestrian-friendly andemploy sustainable practices forconstruction and habitation.

Land Use Framework

The Land Use Framework provides apractical, proactive guide outlining thepreferred community vision fordevelopment of downtown Lincoln. It isintended to attract both new users andmaintain and strengthen existingdesirable uses.

The Framework is realistic andachievable, addressing and meeting themarket outlook for Lincoln over thenext twenty years, as projected in theLong Term Market Analysis andPreliminary Retail Strategy prepared byEconomics Research Associates.

A Mix of UsesThe land use framework promotes amix of uses, both vertically andhorizontally. For example, mixed-usebuildings with housing on upper floors

Uses proposed by the Land UseFramework are allowable under thecurrent zoning ordinances; theframework adds specificity, makingdevelopment more likely to occur.

Existing private property shown forpublic uses would operate as is untilacquired by a public entity ortransferred to public use by easement,dedication or other means.

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Executive Summary September 2005

Lincoln Downtown Master Plan

Transportation Framework

Transportation Framework

Today, the Lincoln transportationsystem is critically dependent on theautomobile. The transportationframework broadens this focus,providing a balanced network ofalternatives for getting into and arounddowntown, and knitting together areascurrently separated by heavy autotraffic.

Key ElementsKey elements of the transportationframework are shown on the compositediagram below - the Auto, Transit, andBicycle Frameworks.

Auto Framework: Describesproposed additions andimprovements to the city’s existingstreet grid in order to improve

Bicycle Framework

Auto Framework

circulation in downtown Lincoln.Transit Framework: Illustrates a newvision for improved transit serviceswithin and around downtown Lincoln.Bicycle Framework: Depicts a systemof bike lanes and trails through andaround downtown providing cyclistswith easy access around the city.

The transportation framework works inconjunction with the pedestriancirculation system (detailed in thepublic realm framework) to provide asafe, convenient and comprehensivesystem of transportation options forLincoln residents, workers and visitorsalike.

.

KEY:Transit Framework

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Executive Summary September 2005

Lincoln Downtown Master Plan

Public Realm FrameworkMuch of Lincoln’s downtown is in thepublic realm – the City’s streets andsidewalks. This publicly-owned land canhelp create a memorable identity fordowntown.

The public realm framework focuses onexpanding and improving thepedestrian environment – thesidewalks, pathways, parks and openspaces that residents, workers andvisitors all use.

The framework provides a blueprint forpedestrian improvements to existingstreetscapes as well as for the creationof new pedestrian amenities and openspaces.

Public Realm Framework

A Coherent SystemThe key elements of the public realmframework establish a coherent systemof streets, promenades, greenway “parkblocks,” and open spaces. These keyelements comprise a varied,complementary set of street and openspace types:

Public SquarePrimary and Secondary RetailStreetscapesFestival/Event SpacesParks and Open SpacesArts and Cultural CorridorPromenade

KEY:Primary Retail Street

Secondary Retail Street

Promenade

Arts and Cultural Corridor

Festival/Event Space

New Parks & Open Space

Civic Square

Pedestrian Emphasis

Existing Open Space