Agenda Date: 09/27/2022
Subject:
Title
Downtown Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Plan
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Keith Reester, Public Works and Utilities Director Adrienne Burton, Senior Project Manager |
PURPOSE:
The City of Littleton is soliciting planning services for the development of the Downtown Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Plan. The final product will build on previous vision work to develop a framework for future capital improvements in historic Downtown Littleton. The planning effort is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2023 and this presentation will review the draft scope of work and projected project schedule.
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Adrienne Burton, Senior Project Manager, Public Works
Keith Reester, Public Works and Utilities Director
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
Envision Littleton concurrently developed the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan as well as the city’s first Transportation Master Plan in 2019. These planning efforts joined community members and city leadership to create an integrated set of policies and priorities for the greater city; with the Downtown Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Plan being a key recommendation. Downtown has various challenges, but has opportunities to address downtown parking, multi-modal connectivity, pedestrian safety improvements, wayfinding and streetscape. The Downtown Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Plan is the launch point for the future execution of these goals. This presentation will provide an overview of the scope of work for the project including necessary consultant expertise. There will be a public engagement process, the details of which will be determined by the consulting team and staff after selection. Council will have several check-in points including a final adoption of the proposed plan. The request for proposal scope of work includes the following tasks:
• Task 1 - Project Management
• Task 2 - Communications & Outreach
• Task 3 - Planning Integration, Data Collection & Existing Conditions Analysis
• Task 4 - Visioning - Goals & Objectives
• Task 5 - Design Concept Alternatives & Analysis
• Task 6 - Streetscape Materials Palette & Green Infrastructure Toolbox
• Task 7 - Implementation Plan
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the Transportation Master Plan identified additional study needed to better understand mobility and streetscape improvement opportunities in Downtown Littleton. Downtown is recognized as Goal 4 on the 2022-2023 City Council Work Plan. Over the past three years Council has reaffirmed the goal of developing then implementing a plan to lay the foundation for downtown success in mobility, economic development, community leadership, events, streetscape, and safety. Council has also discussed this during Downtown Development Authority discussions, community forums, and participation in downtown business associations.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
The city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Master Plan, as well as Denver Water’s plan to replace several hundred feet of water main in downtown, necessitates the need for a guiding document. The mobility plan will delineate mobility, pedestrian-oriented safety and streetscape improvements in addition to policies, programs and strategies to celebrate and enhance the heritage of historic Downtown Littleton. The final product will also expand into the corridors that feed downtown to assure the preservation and economic vitality of neighborhoods beyond the central core such as Prince Street, Littleton Blvd., and Bowles. One additional component will incorporate green infrastructure goals seeking to enhance downtown through innovative solutions to reduce runoff, avert flooding, provide for urban forest components, and reduce impacts through modern solutions to longstanding challenges.
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
Goal 3: Innovative Infrastructure (I2) - Strategic investments (objectives 1 and 2), implementation of the Transportation Master Plan (objective 3), and annual investments (objective 5)
Goal 4: Downtown - Downtown streetscape, utilities, and parking (objective 2)
Objective 7: Environmental Stewardship - Aligning resources (objective 3)
Fiscal Impacts
2023 - Mobility Plan Cost - $350,000 (currently proposed) 3A Funds
Beyond 2023 Mobility Plan costs - Potential costs for streetscape and utility improvements in the core will likely near $10,000. Other investments will be determined based on the complexity, cost, necessity, funding availability, plus community and business partnerships.
Alternatives
Approve the scope of work and proceed to RFP.
Provide alternative direction regarding next steps for planning and improving downtown infrastructure
Provide alternative direction reprioritizing downtown improvements with regard to other Council goals.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends providing direction regarding the scope of work prior to the advertisement of the Request for Proposal.
Proposed Motion