The following elements of this plan will aid in helping the
North Avenue Corridor achieve its vision and guiding principles: create
services at the neighborhood level; improve mobility and safety for
pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders; and create a significant
neighborhood of residential, retail, commercial and public activity
areas.
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
Creating a more unified street edge will improve the overall
character of the corridor. This can be accomplished by:
(a) Consolidating existing curb cuts and parking lots.
(b) Providing more definition to vehicular entryways.
(c) Adding sidewalks and plantings.
(d) Adding pedestrian scale street lights, trees, benches and other amenities.
These suggested changes to North Avenue will create a more pedestrian
friendly environment and encourage local residents to walk. Most of
these improvements can be made within the existing street right-of-way.
East of 1st Street, the future overall width of the right-of-way will
be 100 feet with right-of-way dedication needed up to 50 feet from
each development on both sides of North Avenue.
|
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
The design of an intersection requires a balance between the
needs of vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, freight and transit. The
following are attributes of good intersection design for pedestrians,
as documented in AASHTO’s guide for the Planning, Design and
Operation of Pedestrian Facilities (2004).
(a) Clarity.
Making it clear to drivers that pedestrians
use the intersections and indicating to pedestrians where the best
place is to cross;
(b) Predictability.
Drivers know where to expect pedestrians;
(c) Visibility.
Good sight distance and lighting so that
pedestrians can clearly view oncoming traffic and be seen by approaching
motorists;
(d) Short Wait.
Providing reasonable wait times to cross
the street at both unsignalized and signalized intersections;
(e) Adequate Crossing Time.
The appropriate signal timing
for all types of users to cross the street;
(f) Limited Exposure.
Reducing conflict points where possible,
reducing crossing distance and providing refuge islands when necessary;
and
(g) Clear Crossing.
Eliminating barriers and ensuring accessibility
for all users.
Signalized intersections typically have marked crosswalks, walk/don’t
walk indications, and regulatory signing. Motorists expect pedestrians
and pedestrians are reasonably well protected when crossing at these
locations. The North Avenue West corridor currently has six signalized
intersections. Most of these signals are located at approximately
one-quarter-mile intervals.
|
In urban areas, pedestrians must be able to cross streets at
regular intervals. They rarely will go more than 300 to 400 feet out
of their way to take advantage of a controlled intersection. Consequently,
the crossings at uncontrolled locations deserve serious consideration
as urban arterial corridors redevelop. Treatments commonly used on
higher volume multilane streets throughout the United States include:
high-visibility markings with double-posted pedestrian crossing signs;
refuge islands; flags; and flashing beacons. Signals that are used
just for pedestrian crossings are used primarily at mid-block crossings.
|
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
North Avenue Pedestrian Crossings
|
Signalized and Striped
|
|
Unsignalized and Not Striped
|
1st Street
|
5th Street
|
3rd Street
|
7th Street
|
10th Street
|
|
|
12th Street
|
|
There are six pedestrian crossings identified within the study
area that are the most ideal locations for pedestrian traffic to use.
Five of these crossings are currently signalized with crosswalks painted
on the existing pavement. The sixth crossing is located in a place
that has potential gaps in vehicular traffic affording the pedestrian
opportunity to cross. Future analysis and review of this sixth location
will be needed to determine signal warrants for a safer and friendlier
crossing.
Over the life of this plan (the next 25 years) as pedestrian-oriented
development occurs on 3rd Street north of North Avenue, an area identified
as a neighborhood mixed use core for the Neighborhood Center, a signal
will likely be needed.
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
There are many tools that can be used in design of a streetscape
that improve the look, functionality and vitality of a corridor along
with establishing a sense of place that brings people back. Street
furniture such as benches, art sculptures, plantings and trash cans
dispersed within pedestrian ways and civic spaces encourages pedestrian
use and provide a sense of belonging. Pedestrian lighting provides
a safer environment in the evening encouraging businesses to stay
open longer hours, providing a catalyst for activity and nightlife.
The creation of a more unified street edge condition along North
Avenue will improve the overall character of the corridor. This can
be accomplished by consolidating existing curb cuts and parking lots,
providing more definition to vehicular entryways, and adding walks
and plantings. The addition of pedestrian-scale street lights, trees,
benches and other amenities will create a more pedestrian friendly
environment, and encourage local residents to walk or ride a bicycle.
Most of these improvements can be made within the existing street
right-of-way.
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
In areas where buildings front the street, suggested improvements
include sidewalks that connect building entrances to sidewalks along
North Avenue, defined curb cut entrances, and the relocation of parking
between buildings. These improvements will enhance the street edge
by reducing the number of parked cars in front of building entrances,
provide space for street tree plantings, and reduce the expanse of
asphalt.
Building adjacent to the street makes the buildings easier to
see and identify from North Avenue. A front door on North Avenue invites
foot traffic to go from one business to another. Additional sidewalks
provide a clear, safe pedestrian path between parking lots to building
entrances, and provide pedestrian connections to North Avenue.
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
Reducing the quantity of curb cuts along North Avenue will greatly
enhance the overall character of the corridor, and improve vehicular
and pedestrian circulation. Curb cuts can be consolidated in areas
where parking lots can be linked and shared by adjacent uses. Consolidating
curb cuts also provides additional space for plantings and sidewalks
adjacent to North Avenue within the right-of-way and less discontinuity
of the sidewalk. It will result in fewer interruptions in traffic
flow. Curb cuts will be consolidated at the time of redevelopment
of a site.
Areas of potential redevelopment along the corridor provide
an opportunity to greatly enhance the character of the corridor, by
creating pockets of redevelopment that will stimulate further improvements.
Redevelopment will consist primarily of additional residential, office,
retail/commercial areas, or new mixed use developments.
In all cases, each project should provide connectivity to the
pedestrian network and include public open space.
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
Multifamily developments adjacent to North Avenue will provide
a distinct living option for residents along the corridor. Multifamily
development is currently needed by Colorado Mesa University students.
That need for housing will continue to grow as the student population
grows. Located within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, bus
service, and employment opportunities, multifamily development offers
a very desirable alternative to single-family housing.
One of the guiding principles includes minimizing neighborhood
impacts to existing and future residential areas. Minimizing such
impacts includes buffering between land uses with landscaping and
berms, as well as providing good traffic circulation. Creating and
enhancing a grid system of streets and corridors provides traffic
a number of choices, thereby dispersing the traffic.
A green corridor in a walking environment will create a pedestrian
connection with existing neighborhoods and North Avenue providing
convenient access to the street for existing residents. On-street
parking along the side streets provides parking for visitors. On-site
parking areas must provide buffering with residential areas through
the use of berms and landscaping.
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
Commercial and retail buildings along North Avenue are best
located close to the street, which helps to define and increase the
use of the street edge. Generous sidewalks with spaces for outdoor
seating, active open space, pedestrian lights, and street trees enhance
the character of the corridor.
Building signage can be located directly on the face of the
buildings, which can be readily identified from passersby on North
Avenue. Front door access to retail/commercial uses should be provided
on North Avenue with additional access from the interior side, providing
easy access from nearby parking.
Civic spaces such as plazas, corridors, or pocket parks create
a permeable frontage along North Avenue that provides easy pedestrian
flow between the street and commercial or retail uses. Parking lots
must buffer themselves from adjacent and across the street residential
areas through the use of berms, fencing and landscaping.
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
North Avenue is the highest transit use area for Grand Valley
Transit (GVT). All transit stops on North Avenue should be off-street
pull-outs. Bus shelters should be incorporated at higher use transit
stop locations.
North Avenue Bus Routes
|
|
GVT Route 7 Bus Stops
|
West of 12th Street (Colorado Mesa University)
|
West of 11th Street
|
East of 8th Street
|
West of 7th Street (REI Sports)
|
West of 5th Street
|
West of 3rd Street (former Harbert Lumber)
|
|
|
GVT Route 9 Bus Stops
|
7th Street and 12th Street are bus transfer points connecting
passengers to other routes in the City.
|
East of 8th Street
|
East of 9th Street
|
West of 11th Street
|
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
Improvements to signage along North Avenue can be accomplished
by minimizing the quantity of pole-mounted signs, and replacing them
with monument signs. This will aid in reducing the visual clutter
of the pole-mounted signs, and also provide an opportunity for street
trees to be planted. Because monument signs are low, they are not
in conflict with the larger canopy of the street trees, and can be
readily seen from passing traffic. This philosophy supports a distinction
of commercial areas as opposed to individual pad development. It encourages
a walking environment and provides for a group of retailers to engage
the property as a whole.
|
Encouraging buildings to be constructed next to the street allows
the building along with signs on the face of the building to advertise
the business to passersby on North Avenue. In effect, the building
becomes part of the sign advertising the business, helping the public
identify the business.
|
|
These recommended changes to signage west of 12th Street are
also part of the recommendations found in the 2007 North Avenue Corridor
Plan adopted by the City of Grand Junction for North Avenue east of
12th Street.
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)