September 2007 Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

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Project Meeting Minutes – 2^nd Steering Committee Meeting

 

Date:               Thursday – September 13, 2007

Time:                9:30AM to 11:30AM

Location:         Durango Office Suites – Conference Room 100

 

In attendance: Keith Walzak, Jack Rogers, Beth Drum, Christina Rinderle, Walker Christensen, Katie Nelson, Bill Carver, Nicole Killian, Diane West, Watson Lunt, Rick Feeney, Peter Schertz, Jack Llewellyn, Bill Frownie  

John Viner – observer

 

Keith Walzak opened the meeting with an overview of the objectives for the Steering Committee:

·         To clarify the vision for Main Avenue,

·         To review and understand the individual Alternatives as presented,

·         To introduce the decision-making matrix, design criteria and evaluation ‘weighting’, and;

·         To obtain input from the Steering Committee on Selection Design Criteria (verifying criteria is complete) & Evaluation ‘weighting’ matrix

 

He then went on to clarify the project goals:

·         Build upon the recommendations of the Downtown Vision and Strategic Plan

·         Create a stronger pedestrian-friendly downtown environment

·         Replace existing concrete sidewalks to reduce trip hazards and safety concerns 

·         Consolidate existing street amenities and reduce clutter in the public right-of-way

·         Develop a consensus approach as a part of the decision-making process

 

The Steering Committee generally agreed/concurred that these Project Goals as stated were understood – no formal motion was required. 

 

Keep all this in mind for the next steering meeting in October, when the committee will:

·         Review traffic impact data

·         Review estimated costs for each alternative. General cost information will be provided corresponding with each alternative item, i.e., tree replacement.

·         Clarify any concerns or questions regarding each alternative in order to move forward comfortably with everyone’s participation (informed consensus).

·         Evaluate each alternative using the decision–matrix under development 

·         Jeremy Klopp (Fehr and Peers Transportation Consultants), who worked with the Civitas consulting team for the Downtown Vision and Strategic Plan, will be at the next Steering Committee meeting to present traffic data findings.

 

Keith Walzak then gave an overview of the project timeline and schedule as posted on the website, and then moved into this meeting’s agenda. 

 

I.                  Data Gathering Update                                               

a.      Existing Conditions Summary Report

                                                              i.      Field Survey: Moreno Surveying will have completed the field survey work by September 14^th.  They have located every fixed object and noted elevation distances from building face to curb to street.  Russell Engineering will obtain this information and develop AutoCAD base sheets for future Phase II: Design Development. 

                                                             ii.      Inventory (site analysis): A block by block detail has been conducted and is available for viewing on the website

                                                           iii.      Subsurface building assessment: Loris and Associates evaluated 14 sub-surface basement structures along Main Avenue in response to a request to access private properties from property owners. A total of 27 basement structure we observed as either probable or possible encroachments into the public right of way. However the additional locations were not surveyed because permission was not provided for by the property owners as required. The 14 properties that were assessed represented variations from 2-3 foot crawl spaces to fully finished, full height office space.  The report with their recommendations will be posted on the website.

II.               Downtown Vision and Strategic Plan &

Opportunities and Constraints                                  

a.      Overview: The Steering Committee is charged with evaluating the impacts of each alternative and to provide a recommendation for design decision.  Ultimately City Council decides on the decision based on the Steering Committee’s recommendation, public input and budgetary considerations.  There is an estimated 80’ right of way from building face to building face across Main Avenue.  Keep in mind the block from 6^th St. to 5^th St. is different along Main Avenue, with 19’ of angled parking on either side of the street.

Opportunities

·         Redesign how traffic signaling works

Four green squares are the current signalized intersections; There could be an “all pedestrian free crossing signal,” where all traffic stops and allows for diagonal pedestrian crossing, as well as limiting right turn of cars for safer street crossings.

·         The possibility of removing, changing or adding traffic signal intersections, as suggested by Peter Schertz. 

·         Four Lane to Three Lane alternative has been added to the table based on Bill Carver’s and other’s suggestions. 

Fehr & Peers will conduct a detailed traffic analysis based on the resulting reduced flow, and data needs to be analyzed.  City Public Works has concerns about this alternative and these concerns will be posted to the website.

·         Gateway entrances to Main Avenue indicated by green, dashed circles.  

The vision plan suggests a gateway at 14^th Street. However, with existing grade and view sheds a gateway feature may be best located a perhaps 13^th Street or 12^th Street as a more appropriate location.  Consider that for vehicular traffic, 14^th Street should still be considered.  

·         Gateways at 6^th Street, 9^th Street, and 13^th or 14^th Street

·          Potential redevelopment areas noted by salmon-colored squares

·         Potential transit stops and shelters

·         Potential for kiosks and artwork The Way-finding Consulting Team is looking at this

·         Street Trees – look at keeping them in the same location, moving them out further, adding more, etc

·         Reduce Clutter-add newspaper corrals and group stands together

·         Pavement material change for pedestrians to offer visual cues; these could become a plaza/ event area when Main Ave is closed for events

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