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G8.1 Project title:
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Center Street Sidewalk Improvements
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G8.2 Project description: |
The project will include the construction of a new sidewalk on the west side of Center St from Shawnee to McKinley and widening of the existing sidewalk on the Center St bridge over BNSF railroad. The bridge sidewalk was recommended in the recent Main Street Planning for Sustainable Places Study.
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G8.3 Project contact: |
Tim McEldowney, 913-856-0959, tmceldowney@gardnerkansas.gov
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G1. Project Type: |
Non-Motorized Transportation - Facilities and SRTS Infrastructure
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G2. Funding Stream: |
TAP
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G3. TIP Number: |
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G4. State: |
Kansas
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G5. Project county: |
1. Johnson
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G6. Project municipality: |
1. Gardner
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G7. Multiple agencies / jurisdictions?
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No
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G8.4 Purpose and need:
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There is an existing sidewalk gap on the west side of Center Street and pedestrians are forced to walk in the grass. The project will provide a continuous sidewalk. The area serves many students and also several disabled individuals. There is an existing pedestrian crossing at Shawnee Street, which is uncontrolled will be removed with this project. The improvements will provide direct access to the downtown area and access to a signalized pedestrian crossing at the Center and Main intersection.
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G9. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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G10. Functional Classification:
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Not Applicable
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G11. In Transportation Outlook 2040?
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No
Decade:
--Select--
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G12. Muli-Agency Plan?
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No
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G13. Included in a CIP?
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No
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G14. Planning stage:
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Conceptual Plan
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G15. Reviewed by state DOT?
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No
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G16. Right-of-Way acquisition: |
Not started
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G17. ROW by local public agency process manual?
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Yes
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G18. Other unique local goals and objectives?
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No
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G19. Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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There are 141 households in Gardner with NO motor vehicle and the highest percentage of veterans living in Johnson County, reside in Gardner. These vulnerable populations require safe and accessible routes to schools, grocery stores, public transportation and other services. The project will provide improved access to public transportation. Access to businesses, thru the addition of sidewalks where there currently are none, will positively affect all of the disadvantaged populations. This project will address identified safety concerns, improve access to schools, enhance connections to parks & trails and serve areas of high density development. Input from the police and fire departments were utilized in the analysis. The highest need for improvements generally related to school access, improving non-motorized access along streets with higher speed traffic and addressing areas where pedestrians are forced to walk in the roadway.
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G20. Relevant Public Engagement:
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This project was identified in the summary of findings from the market research and public engagement activities conducted in the Main Street Corridor Planning for Sustainable Places planning project. The Streets, Sidewalks and Stormwater Advisory Committee, made up of Gardner residents, also studied and prioritized areas where sidewalk connectivity was missing. They identified areas where the addition of sidewalks would improve the quality of life of citizens. Most of the areas prioritized by the committee for pedestrian improvements are contained within the project study area along the Main Street Corridor.
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G21. Planned Public Engagement:
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The City of Gardner has standing committees of citizens that are regularly engaged in the public process. These advisory committees include: ADA; Economic Development; Parks and Recreation; Streets, Sidewalks and Stormwater; and Citizens Police Advisory Committees. The project scope will also include a public meeting to gather information from concerned citizens. There is also a full-time Communications/Public Information Officer to respond to citizen inquiries & provide community updates through newsletters & social media postings.
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G22. Sustainable Places Criteria:
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----Active Transportation/Living-------Compact, Walkable Centers---
Complete Street Design---Connected Street Network-----------
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------------Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm---
------------Strong Suburban Downtown---
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G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
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The addition of the sidewalk will improve public health by encouraging/allowing more walking and biking. The widening of the sidewalk on the bridge will make crossing over the bridge, whether bicycling or walking, safer and provide mobility options for populations that do not drive (141 households do not have a car in Gardner). This sidewalk will allow new walkability and strengthen local business opportunities with access to the downtown area from neighborhoods to the south of the BNSF bridge and from areas northeast of downtown.
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G23. Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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Yes
An enhanced pedestrian environment will strengthen local business opportunities with diverse and distinct destinations like restaurants, craft breweries, unique shops and entrepreneur space. The new Land Development Code supports the establishment of outdoor dining areas and mobile food vendors to add vitality to the landscape. In combination, these amenities will enhance the vibrancy of the downtown area and support the community identity by adding inviting gathering places at frequent intervals along the streetscape.
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G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
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Yes
Less-Intense and Less-Walkable Centers
This project provides greater pedestrian access to the downtown area, Cornerstone Park, Gardner Aquatic Center, and the County Fairgrounds. For the City to move forward with the Main Street Corridor plan, consideration must be given to making it easier for people to travel there by different modes. This project fills an important gap that will promote pedestrian activity in an area that the city has identified for improved walkability.
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G25. Environmental justice tracts?
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No
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G26. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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Yes
By encouraging pedestrian activity as an alternative to driving vehicle miles traveled can be reduced . Providing walkability and biking options will reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled, reducing emissions and thereby improving air quality.
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G27. Natural Resource information:
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Best management practices for erosion control will be implemented during construction to prevent sediment from being carried offsite and into downstream communities and parks. Possible development techniques used are: natural stormwater techniques, native prairie planting and other elements supporting environmental stewardship.
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G28. Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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Native plantings will help reduce runoff once the project is complete. Site development plans will incorporate rather than replace the natural landscape, especially trees, when possible.
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G29. Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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The City recently adopted a new Comprehensive Plan and a new Land Development Code. Both of these documents strongly support creation of a walkable community, in particularly in the downtown area. The major themes of the Comprehensive Plan include: support housing variety & local employment growth; improve community image and identity; address regional transportation; provide for fiscal sustainability; enhance a strong city center & provide green connections. The major themes of the Economic Development Strategy are: support a healthy business climate; create a quality community; strengthen downtown; pursue business retention & expand/ engage in business development. The Main Street Corridor Project will also help to update the provisions of the 2009 Park System Master Plan & the 2009 Transportation Master Plan for this area. Gardner also recently adopted a new Land Development Code.
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G30.1 Complies with MARC’s CSP?
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Yes
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G30.2 Exception to the MARC CSP?
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No
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Traveler Type (All Ages & Abilities)
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Pedestrians:
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Mobility Aids:
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Bicyclists:
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Transit Riders:
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Cars:
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Trucks:
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Motorcycles:
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Buses:
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Green Streets:
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