Ben Weiss joined to introduce the improvement opportunities at S 3rd and Myrtle and to answer questions.
The Issue:
There are local, state, and federal laws that prohibit parking within 20 ft of a non-controlled crosswalk (and within 30 feet of a controlled crosswalk). The owner of Bernice’s came forward with concerns about pedestrian safety at 3rd and Myrtle, in front of their store. Now that they brought it to our attention, we need to address it as a city. Simply removing the parking won’t help safety, it will just widen the roadway. We want to come up with a better solution. It’s a great opportunity to do something that improves accessibility and visibility, to add art, seating areas, bike parking, to turn an unfortunate situation into something positive for the neighborhood.
Permitted height of infrastructure and plantings in the public right of way
On Bernice’s side, there is room for discussion. On the other side, vegetation has to be below 30 inches, or above 8 feet. We’ll need to check alley entrance regulations for visibility. Possibility of a bulbout on the Myrtle side of the street.
Effect of the Higgins Bridge Construction on this intersection
In the Hip Strip Society meeting, we talked about the completion of the bridge as a good timeline for improvements at this intersection. That gives us roughly 2 years to work with the neighborhood, develop a project, and consult with city engineers, to have a plan ready to go when the bridge is finished. As part of the bridge construction, both corners of third will be squared off,
resulting in a tighter 90 degree right turns. The pork chop island will be incorporated into the block creating pedestrian space in front of the first few shops of the Hip Strip.
Parking challenge:
Most people agree that there are parking challenges, and the discussion of this intersection could spur changes in parking on this side of the river. There are disagreements even within the Hip Strip Society if and how parking should be
managed. The parking commission has to be formally invited. It would be a multi-year period of transition, probably first just enforcement of 2 hour spaces, then payment, as well as looking proactively at ways to increase parking supply. Currently there are parking requirements for new construction, unlike in the central business district, so if the Hip Strip burned down, it could not be rebuilt with the density it has today.
Parklets
Parklets are public spaces and seating areas created using parking spaces. We do temporary ones for First Friday in the summer. The difference between a parklet and a sidewalk cafe is that even if a business sponsors a parklet, it is still
public. The committee has an interest in making a plaza, changing the feel of the whole intersection, possibly altering the pavement. Alli suggested that permeable pavement, flooding and stormwater management, would be desirable, and might
also open up a funding source.
Opportunities
For a project like this, the Hip Strip has a lot going for it: 3rd street is a great pedestrian corridor between Orange and Higgins. The businesses like each other and want each other to succeed. They have a regular meeting.
Next step:
Start engaging with the Hip Strip Society to come up with a solution. The city can lend technical expertise, and consultation on access, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and what has worked in the past, but the project development should come from the neighborhood.