This project revitalized historic Main Street and attracted new shoppers and businesses by converting the street to two-way traffic and beautifying public spaces.
Blighted Conditions:
- One-way traffic reduced visibility to businesses and made parking difficult to find
- Crumbling sidewalks and unsafe pedestrian crossings
- Outdated utility lines not reliable for local businesses
- Unclear bicycle right-of-way makes bicycling unsafe
- Lack of streetscape amenities such as furniture, lighting, trees, bike parking
Improvements:
- Converted Main Street to two-way traffic and changed traffic direction on some side streets
- Added new street amenities, including 13 trees, 50 street lights and several public art installations
- Repaved roadway and sidewalks and restriped bicycle symbols
Impact:
- Economic
- Increases visitors and spending downtown by making Main St. more attractive: the number of people riding the municipal elevator to access downtown has increased 30% since 2009.
- Signals public commitment to downtown to property owners and developers: 48 new businesses have located downtown since the project was completed
- Livability
- Enhances public spaces downtown with new lighting, furniture, trees and artwork
- Provides improved spaces to host community events downtown, such as the summer farmer's market
- Sustainability
- Conserves energy through new LED streetlights
- Reduces carbon emissions by planting new trees
- Encourages sustainable transportation by improving bike lanes and sidewalks