The North Avenue West Corridor Plan is divided into three districts.
Each district is unique and should transition from one to the next.
The goal for each is to establish its own identity providing a sense
of place. “Placemaking” is a process of creating a place
that will attract people because the place is pleasurable or interesting
and encourages people to come back again and again. Maintaining North
Avenue as a destination is very important to its long term sustainability
and for the City as a whole. Creating three districts along this section
of North Avenue allows diversity and encourages a unique vision for
each. (Additional maps are located in the Appendix.)
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
Located on the west end of North Avenue and comprising only
seven properties, the plan is recommending little change for the Automotive
Sales and Service District. This area has long been established as
a commercial area with car sales and services. The area currently
comprises a mix of automotive sales and service businesses, a furniture
store and other retail and service businesses. The continued indoor
and outdoor retail and service are appropriate and expected to continue
for this area of the plan.
The Automotive Sales and Service District serves as the west
entrance to the four-mile-long North Avenue corridor. The large existing
landscaped open space within the public right-of-way along the south
side of the corridor is extremely important as an entry feature. It
is important to maintain this feature into the future.
(a) Vision.
Continue to serve as an automotive and services
center for the Grand Junction area.
(b) Street Cross-Section.
North Avenue (through this district)
is a State Highway (U.S. Hwy 6) designed with a frontage road along
the north side and an interchange using slip lanes at its intersection
with I-70 Business Loop. The plan does not recommend any changes to
this street section as it does for the other two districts, except
for providing for future pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
Pedestrians and bicycles are now left to their own to navigate
this section of the corridor. It is recommended that off-street pedestrian
and bike paths be constructed on both sides of the corridor. Along
the south side of the corridor a future path should be located within
the landscaped open space. On the north, a path should be constructed
along the existing frontage road and any future frontage road that
is built as part of redevelopment of that area.
(c) Existing Traffic Issue.
Vehicular traffic currently
backs up along westbound North Avenue at the intersection of 1st Street.
This traffic issue is the result of motorists’ need to get in
the right lane prior to the left-turn lane for the Ed Bozarth car
dealership. West of 1st Street the left through lane ends and requires
a left-turn movement at Ed Bozarth; therefore, many motorists are
queuing up in the right lane east of the traffic signal at 1st Street
and North Avenue to avoid this conflict. This plan recommends that
a dedicated left-turn lane be constructed at Ed Bozarth allowing both
westbound lanes to be used by vehicular traffic heading west (see
exhibit). This will allow for the motorist not to have to move over
to the right lane east of 1st Street which often creates a back-up
of traffic for a block or more.
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)
Students define a large part of what is happening and what is
expected to happen in this district. This plan encourages future business
growth centered on the needs of the student population (both high
school and college students) and the needs of a higher learning institution,
in addition to the community at large. During the planning process
both Colorado Mesa University students and Grand Junction High School
students voiced their desire and need for more student-oriented services
including food establishments and entertainment venues within this
area of North Avenue from 5th Street to 12th Street.
Apartment living already exists in this district and adjacent
areas, many of which house college students. Colorado Mesa University
added new on-campus housing over the past several years for nearly
1,000 students. As the student population grows additional housing
for students will be needed. Students commuting to the university
often park on the residential streets near the campus adding to the
number of pedestrians using this corridor. With students comes the
need for pedestrian access and amenities.
Parking for businesses and students creates high demand for
parking on neighborhood streets. Parking along Glenwood Avenue and
Belford Avenue helps meet this parking demand; however, shared parking
facilities need to be considered and planned for as the demand for
parking continues to increase.
(a) Vision.
Provide appropriate housing, businesses and
services for the student population and in support of the existing
and future university educational facilities.
(Ord. 4486, 11-2-11)