Resolution 6106 - Laserfiche WebLink

5. Implementation Because of the substantial cost and level of effort needed to construct street improvements, implementation of this streetscape plan will necessarily be accomplished over time through a variety of measures. Therefore, this streetscape improvement plan is designed to allow implementation to take place in several ways. Some streets will be improved by City-initiated comprehensive street improvement projects. In other instances, the City and/or property owner may improve a key intersection or portion of a street, such as a curb bulb or median. Street improvements will also be accomplished as part of requirements for new development. Finally, it is suggested that some systems, such as lighting or street trees, be installed on a street without demolition and reconstruction of the street itself. Each of these implementation measures carries advantages and disadvantages. Comprehensive street improvements, in which the City designs and constructs improvements along a whole downtown street segment such as was accomplished on Hewitt and Colby Avenues, generally provides the greatest impact, can coordinate and upgrade old street systems, and provides cost efficiencies due to scale, planning, and financing. However, the high cost of such a project can be daunting. Therefore, such full "make-over" projects should be reserved for those streets where: • Such improvements would provide exceptional public benefit in terms of circulation (especially pedestrian and transit), amenities, support for other public facilities, and/or stimulus for desired private development, • Property owners benefiting from street improvements contribute to funding the project through a mechanism such as a local improvement district (L.I.D.), and/or • The street's engineering systems require replacement so that streetscape improvements can be added at modest cost increases to the total project budget. Streets that merit high priority for comprehensive improvements are Rucker Avenue (because of the City's desire to foster a residential neighborhood) and Wetmore Avenue (because of the new park, Performing Arts Center, government offices, large pedestrian volumes, and transit route). It is recommended that the City consider augmenting public funds through appropriate property owner assessments for such projects. The extent of private contributions can be determined depending on the amount of stimulus the City wishes to provide local developers. If property owners contribute through an assessment, they would be relieved of street improvement costs when they redevelop. Relative to their cost, intersection improvements, especially curb bulbs, can provide large benefits in terms of pedestrian safety, traffic calming, and visual appearance. This plan recommends that the City establish an annual fund for intersection improvements, augmented with funds from parking meter revenues and other sources. Figure 17 indicates intersections with high priority for curb bulbs. Also, streetscape improvements such as curb bulbs and Everett Downtown Streetscape Plan 43