DLI TOWN HALL – DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DRAFT AND PARKLETS - PowerPoint Presentation

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2. DLI TOWN HALL – DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DRAFT AND PARKLETS

3. DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DRAFTSummary of Downtown Master Plan Draft“A blueprint that will direct growth, investment, and development in the Downtown area over the next 10 years.”Process began in November 2018Public Input Process has been ongoingPublic ForumsSurveys / QuestionnairesSteering Committee of downtown stakeholdersDraft recently released for public comment

4. DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DRAFTKey ElementsGuiding Principles and Visioning StatementLand Use: “Mix of uses is essential”“Mixed use buildings should continue to be predominant land use and development type.”“could support a greater level of residential density”“retail is essential”“explore flexible alcohol regulations”Encourage affordable housing options

5. DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DRAFTKey Elements11 Functional SubareasNew use restrictions, parking guidelines, and height restrictions are established for each subareaNorth Lawrence – “greatest opportunity for redevelopment”Riverfront – “the City should consider consolidating its current offices6th & Mass – “a prominent employment hub for Downtown”Mass Street – height limitation of 2-4 storiesNew Hampshire Street – 4-6 stories and 2-3 stories adjacent to single family residential uses.

6. DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DRAFTOpportunity Sites“highlighted because of their untapped potential”Redevelopment SitesParking Lot RedevelopmentCatalyst SitesStrategic InvestmentsFaçade Enhancement Proposal – “to encourage reinvestment in building facades.”Discourage Vacancy through a Vacancy fee or tax Design Guidelines – “recommended that the City updates its Downtown Design Guidelines to provide a range of design principles”Historic Preservation Ordinance – Recommends some revisions to review process

7. DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DRAFTParking 3,180 public spaces, 193 private spaces“can accommodate roughly 7,500 visitors”“downtown visitors…perceive parking as difficult”Location and visibility of parking may contribute to this perception.“downtown is well supplied with parking”“not feasible or desirable to accommodate parking that would allow all users to park in such close proximity to the shop or restaurant they are visiting”Solutions:Foster a “park once” approachSignage, wayfinding, walking distance signs, parking counts at garages, more streetscape elements to link garages.

8. DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DRAFTParking Cont’d.“City should begin planning and budgeting to convert existing surface parking lots in strategic locations to parking decks.”“City should revise Code to only exempt nonresidential uses from the requirement to provide off-street parking spaces”“The City should continue to support the use of parklets to provide benefits to local businesses, residents, and visitors by creating unique public spaces that attract customers and foster community conversation.”WalkingEnhancements to sidewalks on North Lawrence Bridge

9. DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DRAFTImpact on DLIDLI is noted as one of the stakeholders that the City should include for the plan to be successful (p. 111)The Plan recommends that the City coordinate with DLI on the assessment of vacancy taxes on landowners (p. 43)The Plan recommends that the City work with DLI to develop educational materials and inform business of the real benefits of hosting public events. (p. 79) A Business Improvement District (BID) is noted on page 111, as a possible funding source for improvements to Downtown Lawrence (p. 111)

10. DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DRAFTThis is a non-exclusive list of key points of the draft master planThe Plan is broad and has much more to offerIf you are property owner – look at the subarea that applies to your propertyThe full plan is available on the City’s website. Google “Lawrence Downtown Master Plan”The consultant is actively encouraging feedbackWebsite: lawrenceks.org/strategic-plan/downtown/Email the CityContact a downtown master plan steering committee member

11. DOWNTOWN PARKLET PROGRAMDowntown Parklet and Revisioning Program – a brief historyCreated in response to the pandemic and stay at home order in Spring of 2020, to allow business to operate within the health orders – outdoor retail space, outdoor dining, curbside pickupCollaboration between the City, Gould Evans, DLI, and several other downtown stakeholdersTwo revisioning options were proposed in May of 2020Parallel parking on Mass Street; orParklets requested through ROW process

12. DOWNTOWN PARKLET PROGRAMTimeline:June 16, 2020 - Revisioning plan approved, pending 30-day review.July 1, 2020 – first parallel parking plan installed. Uninstalled within two weeks, opting for parklet ROW application plan.August 4, 2020 – 30-day review at City Commission, parklet plan extended to 10/31/2020. September 2020 – 715 restaurant requests extension of parklet program through end of 2021. October 20, 2020 – City Commission extends program through December 31, 2021.March 2021 – City hosts four Informational Sessions and Discussions for downtown businesses.

13. DOWNTOWN PARKLET PROGRAMStatus of Parklet/Curbside Pickup Program23 businesses are participating. Not all have parklets. Parklets58 total stalls for parklets13 parklets on Mass (43 spaces)6 parklets on side streets (15 spaces)Curbside Pickup32 curbside pickup stalls on Mass10 curbside pickup stalls on side streetsParks and Rec will be taking over the administration of the parklet program from the City ROW teamCity Commission will receive update June 1, 2021

14. DOWNTOWN PARKLET PROGRAMIssues of Concern:Duration of program beyond December 31, 2021Aesthetic appeal of BarriersMaterials/Design ReviewSafety and Fire GuidelinesMonitoring during closuresPick up zones instead of exclusive curbside pickupMaximum number of parklets? Per block?Back surface lots available?Investment in parklet if temporary program?

15. DLI TOWN HALL

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