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CHAPTER 5 <br />46 <br />Connections to Surrounding Areas <br />While this plan focuses on the downtown core roughly between Everett Avenue, <br />Broadway, Pacific Avenue, and Marine View Drive, it is important to remember <br />that the health of any downtown depends on both good connections to other <br />parts of the city and support from adjacent districts and neighborhoods. <br />Therefore, the redevelopment concept includes a consideration of actions <br />outside the core. Figure 33 illustrates the key recommendations to better <br />connect and integrate downtown to the rest of the city. <br />In terms of connections, it is critical that the streets, transit routes, and trails into <br />downtown provide access that is not only convenient, but also attractive and <br />welcoming. As one citizen at a Planning Commission meeting noted, the <br />"gateway streets", particularly from 1-5 and the Riverfront, are downtown's <br />welcome mat, and they should be more attractive than they are now. Therefore, <br />the City should take steps to upgrade the performance and attractiveness of the <br />gateway streets. Street trees and entry signage are a cost-effective approach to <br />this action, but pedestrian improvements and lighting should also be considered, <br />especially where there is likely to be foot traffic. <br />Broadway is a special case since it is a commercial land use corridor as well as a <br />transportation corridor and transit improvements are programmed on it. The City <br />should pro -actively initiate a planning study to determine the preferred street <br />configuration and development character. Pedestrian conditions are especially <br />important in the Everett Events Center/Everett Station vicinity because it is <br />critical to better link the station to downtown. <br />Pedestrian and bicycle routes are equally important. This plan recommends <br />implementing the recommendations of the Everett Shoreline Public Access Plan <br />of 2003 and the bicycle links recommended in the transportation plan. <br />Additionally, the routes to the neighborhoods north and south of the core are also <br />critical. <br />MAKERS architecture and urban design <br />0509_rpt_draft.doc - 6/29/06 <br />