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G1. TIP Number: |
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G2. State: |
Kansas
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G3. Multiple agencies / jurisdictions?
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No
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G4 Project contact: |
Tim McEldowney
tmceldowney@gardnerkansas.gov
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G5 Purpose and need:
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Following extensive coordination with KCATA, a mobility hub is planned on Park St at the corner of Center St. RideKC buses will travel along Main Street/Hwy 56 to and from the mobility hub, from I-35. The mobility hub itself is proposed to include a covered shelter for bus patrons to be protected from the elements. The shelter includes an electronic messaging board to alert riders of the bus schedule and provides the opportunity for advertising and wayfinding elements as well. Adjacent to the bus shelter, racks for bicycles (personal bicycles and bike share) as well as scooter shares will make this mobility hub work for several different modes of transportation. If desired, this location can also function as a formal ride sharing pick-up/drop off location for all of Downtown Gardner. Additionally, bike boulevards will be added to Washington, Shawnee, Elm, Sycamore and Warren St to ensure safer travel conditions for cyclists
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G6. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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0.10000
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G7 Functional Classification:
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Not Applicable
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G8 Connected KC 2050 Decade?
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--Select--
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G9 Muli-Agency Plan?
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No
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G10 Included in a CIP?
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Yes
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G11 Planning stage:
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Conceptual Plan
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G12 Reviewed by state DOT?
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No
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G13 Right-of-Way acquisition: |
Not started
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G14 ROW by local public agency process manual?
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Yes
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G15 Other unique local goals and objectives?
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Yes
This project will improve the whole user experience (and thus encouraging non-vehicle use) by including enhanced lighting, wayfinding, ridesharing, and electronic messaging. All of these strategies are also consistent with the Smart Moves 3.0 Regional Transit Plan and the Integrated Corridor Management Initiative.
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G16 Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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There are 141 households in Gardner with NO motor vehicle and the highest percentage of veterans living in Johnson County, reside in Gardner. There is also a significant number of Gardner residents who receive public assistance and a high percentage of disabled residents live in close proximity to this project. These vulnerable populations require safe and accessible routes to schools, grocery stores, public transportation and other services. The project will provide improved access to public transportation. Access to grocery stores and other businesses, thru the addition of sidewalks where there currently are none, will positively affect all of the disadvantaged populations. In addition to connecting to services, the project will provide safe places for increased physical activity. Walking is an easy way to start and maintain a physically active lifestyle. Walking can be done by people of all ages and abilities. Many people with disabilities are able to walk or move with assistive devices, such as wheelchairs or walkers.
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G17 Relevant Public Engagement:
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In addition to the Steering Committee meetings, the public engagement process involved many opportunities to engage the public. A “benchmarking bus tour” took place on a RideKC Bus and participants toured various public spaces and streetscapes throughout the Kansas City metro. The intent of this engagement was to allow residents to see firsthand how other communities have rallied around the process of developing a public community asset and actually implemented their visions. The locations visited included: Overland Park Farmers Market; Linden Square - Gladstone, MO; Downtown Liberty, MO; Uptown Market - Independence, MO; Downtown Lee’s Summit - Lee’s Summit, MO; and Park Place - Leawood, KS. These locations exemplified different types of public spaces but all share one thing in common: they have made a difference by bringing about the opportunity for people to gather together and be proud of their community. There were several other opportunities for the public to offer their ideas to the planning team throughout the project. Those opportunities engaging with folks at a Food Truck Frenzy + Farmer’s Market in Downtown Gardner, and individual meetings with stakeholders. In addition to those events, two online surveys were administered and distributed through various social media outlets as well as the City’s website. Providing a way for Gardner residents to give feedback when it is convenient for them garners higher levels of response. This feedback was of value to the planning team in crafting a vision that satisfied the community at large.
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G18 Planned Public Engagement:
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For the general public, the City will keep them informed of the process through the City’s website, social media sites and the city newsletter. The City also has standing committees of citizens that are regularly engaged in the public process. These advisory committees include: ADA; Economic Development; Parks and Recreation; Streets, Sidewalks and Stormwater; and Citizens Police Advisory Committees. Public engagement has been an integral part of all recent planning projects and many Council decisions. The City is fortunate to have active participants in five standing citizen advisory committees. There is also a full-time Communications/Public Information Officer to respond to citizen inquiries & provide community updates through newsletters & social media postings.
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G19 Sustainable Places Criteria:
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----------------
Complete Street Design---------------
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------------Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm---
------------Strong Suburban Downtown---
------
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G19.1 Describe PSP relationship:
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This project will help connect people to places by providing transportation choices, accommodate walking, biking, and public transportation as well as the automobile. It will create better access to more destinations using different modes of transportation and reduce transportation costs, all while reducing air pollution and connecting people to jobs and services- including attracting investments to the adjacent downtown area. It will also improve public health through more walking and biking. Additionally, there is a Complete Streets Policy as well as a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan within the current Comprehensive Plan. An emphasis on multi-modal transportation corridors, and the habitual integration of multi-modal design elements (bike lanes, trails, sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, bicycle parking) into roadway design and subdivision/development planning is also included in the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
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G20 Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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Yes
The project implements Strategies T5.0, T5.1 and G2.4 of the Gardner Main Street Corridor Plan and Concepts 4.2 and 4.3 and Park Street implementation items 3A and 3B of the Gardner Destination Downtown Plan. The Park Street improvements include a mobility hub and improved sidewalks and installation of streetscape elements from Center to Elm. In coordination with the KCATA, the mobility hub is planned on Park Street at the corner of Center Street. It will include a covered shelter with electronic messaging board and wayfinding elements, bicycle racks, and scooter shares.
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G21 Serves Regional Activity Center?
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Yes
High-Intensity and More_Walkable Centers
As the City proceeds forward & refines the Main Street Corridor and Gardner Destination Downtown Plans, consideration must be given to not only how the corridor looks & functions today, but also how it will look and function in 20 yrs. Development in every direction from Gardner’s existing city boundaries will require careful planning and strong support from the City Council, in order to entice private developers to include Gardner in their plans. An enhanced pedestrian environment will strengthen local business opportunities with diverse and distinct destinations like restaurants, craft breweries, unique shops and entrepreneur space. The new Land Development Code supports the establishment of outdoor dining areas and mobile food vendors to add vitality to the landscape. In combination, these amenities will enhance the vibrancy of the downtown area and support the community identity by adding inviting gathering places at frequent intervals along the streetscape.
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G22 Environmental justice tracts?
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No
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G23 Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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Yes
Connecting public transportation, bike lanes and walking paths — makes it easier to get from place to place without a personal vehicle and fewer vehicles on the road means cleaner air. Reducing the number of cars on the road reduces vehicle emissions, which have a large impact on ozone formation.
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G24 Natural Resource information:
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As part of the discovery process involved with the Main Street Corridor and Gardner Destination Downtown Plans, participants were instructed to identify natural areas that could provide natural stormwater management, along with public recreation opportunities along pedestrian corridors. Participants were provided with prototypes of natural stormwater techniques, native prairie plantings, edible landscaping and other elements supporting environmental stewardship and were encouraged to locate them on the project map. Many of the civic and open space types of the Land Development Code utilize these techniques. These include: natural areas, parks, trails/greenways, greens, squares and plazas/courtyards. Participants were introduced to the criteria for locating the various contextual types of open spaces and their particular design elements.
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G25 Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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The City will implement guidelines from its Land Development Code to protect existing plants; provide specifications for appropriate plantings, mulch, setting and backfilling; and specify warranty and maintenance requirements. Best management practices for erosion control measures will be implemented during construction to prevent sediment from being carried offsite and into downstream communities and parks. Native plantings will help reduce runoff once the project is complete. The area is mapped as low for conservation priorities and medium for restoration priorities according to the Greater Kansas City Green Region Explorer.
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G26 Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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The Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2014, along with the Economic Development Strategy. The major themes of the Comprehensive Plan include: support housing variety & local employment growth; improve community image and identity; address regional transportation; provide for fiscal sustainability; enhance a strong city center & provide green connections. The major themes of the Economic Development Strategy are: support a healthy business climate; create a quality community; strengthen downtown; pursue business retention & expand/ engage in business development. The Main Street Corridor Project will also help to update the provisions of the 2009 Park System Master Plan & the 2009 Transportation Master Plan for this area. Gardner recently adopted a new Land Development Code.
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