Streetscape Design and Street Reconstruction Sample Clauses

Streetscape Design and Street Reconstruction. The DCC supported full reconstruction of University Avenue in its DEIS comments and, upon further study, passed a resolution supporting use of environmentally friendly and sustainable best practices for reconstruction and streetscaping. Preliminary Engineering investigations have revealed that the St. Paul segment of University Avenue is in better condition than anticipated and that full reconstruction is not needed; however, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks will be rebuilt. (The CCLRT Project will cover 85 percent of these improvements and the City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County will be responsible for the remaining 15 percent.) The extent to which streetscape improvements will be included in the project budget is not yet known. Research conducted for the DCC found that LRT station areas with robust pedestrian environments, cohesive urban design elements, and a strong “sense of place” were more economically successful than those that lacked these key characteristics. • Because the CCLRT Project will require rebuilding of 85 percent of the street and in light of our research findings, the DCC recommends that the SDEIS include development of a sustainable, environmentally sensitive streetscape designs for all of University Avenue. These designs should reflect the unique, neighborhood character of different stations areas and they should be developed with input from the local jurisdiction(s) and appropriate neighborhood, community, and business organizations. • The SDEIS should carefully consider the environmental impacts of the project on the pedestrian realm, open spaces, and green infrastructure opportunities along the alignment and develop mitigation strategies that will encourage, not preclude, sustainable green/streetscape alternatives and implement as many best practices as feasible. The City of Portland is one of the leaders in this field and may prove to be an excellent source of information. • In this same vein, the DCC also strongly recommends the SDEIS conduct a thorough analysis of strategies to retain and protect existing canopy trees in the Minneapolis segment of University Avenue from the border with Saint Paul to the 29th Avenue Station area. These mature trees make a significant contribution to the pleasant pedestrian realm in this neighborhood and are integral to its character. They also provide energy efficiencies for nearby buildings. These benefits should be taken into consideration as mitigation strategies are developed.