GR Forward April Public Forum

AND THE RIVER CORRIDOR?

Public Forum: 4.16.15

WHAT IS A VISION?

A VISION STATEMENT describes a potential future. It is aspirational and provides guidance in taking steps to achieve the outcome you want.

GOALS (we talked about these last time) are statements designed to help achieve the vision. They should provide a framework for organizing strategies.

STRATEGIES are the specific actions that will fulfill your goals and the vision. The GR Forward strategies must describe what should be done, where, when and how (funding and partners).

GRAND RIVER RAPIDS RESTORATION

CONCEPT PLAN (upper reach)

CONCEPT PLAN (lower reach)

RAPIDS RESTORATION PROJECT GOALS

• Restore the rapids to the Grand River for everyone, with enhanced access and recreational opportunities

• Improve habitat and connectivity, water quality, riparian functions and aesthetics

• Create economic opportunities, enhance underserved communities and instill stewardship ethic

THIS IS THE BREAKDOWN AFTER NEGOTIATIONS…

PROGRAM

THIS IS HOW WE CAN DISTRIBUTE THEM

PROGRAM

EACH PARK CAN HAVE AN IDENTITY

KEY CONSTRAINTSoFlood protectionoI-196oPost office switchbackoCost to relocate Post OfficeoScale of the siteoView shed from Trowbridge Street and nearby usesoExisting electrical substation

FLOOD PARK

PRECEDENTS

BISHAN PARK - SINGAPORE YARDS PARK –WASHINGTON, DC

STRATEGY

POTENTIAL GREEN CORRIDORS

IMPROVE GATEWAYS – MAKE A STATEMENT

IDEAS:> Improve underpasses – Create Gateways> Humanize 131

EAST - WEST

PROPOSEDHEALTHY PEOPLE – HEALTHY BUSINESS STREET

BRIDGE STREET ATSEWARD AVEFACING EASTEXISTING

GATEWAYS

BRIDGE STREET UNDER US-131 – EXISTING

GATEWAYS

BRIDGE STREET –THE BUSINESS/HEALTH STREET

BANDWIDTH

EXISTING CONDITIONS

NO TRAIL

EXISTING CONDITION

TRAIL TYPE XLEAST COST UPGRADE EXISTING TRAIL

TRAIL TYPE XLEAST COST UPGRADE EXISTING TRAIL

TRAIL TYPE 1MINIMUM COST WITHIN SITE ON EASEMENT (ON GRADE)

TRAIL TYPE 2MEDIUM COST –CANTILEVER

TRAIL TYPE 3HIGH COST –ON STRUCTURE

TRAIL TYPE 4 MAXIMUM COST –LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM AND REDEVELOP

TRAIL TYPES

OPTION 1

Rental & For-Sale Lofts/Apartments

Downtown can support approximately 2,000 new housing units over the next 5-7 years. Units like:

For-Sale Townhouses

For-Sale Urban Houses

both reuse of existing building and new ones

KEY CONSTRAINTSoFlood protectionoExisting sewer linesoCost to relocate / demolish existing usesoView corridors from nearby streetsoExisting 131 off rampoNearby uses and look of Market Street

GREEN LIVING ROOMPRECEDENTS

BRYANT PARK – NEW YORK, NY MILLENIUM PARK – CHICAGO, IL

GOAL 3:

> Support a car-lite lifestyle

Bike SHARE

Car SHARE

Technology

Accessibility & improvements for all users

Pedestrian enhancements

NORTH - SOUTH

IONIA + DIVISON –EXISTINGFACING NORTH

NORTH - SOUTH

IONIA + DIVISON –PROPOSEDFACING NORTH

MANAGE TODAY AND TOMORROW’S PARKING DEMAND/SUPPLY IDEAS:

GOAL 4:

> Identify opportunities for inexpensive, flexible work space close to downtown

> Protect suitable existing and potential work space from conversion to other uses: Potential Production Development and Space Modernization fund

IDEAS: space

Map of opportunity areas coming soon

IDEAS: programs> Create university apprenticeships / co-ops

> Leverage/expand programs to address the trailing spouse issue – tailor for small businesses

> Targeted Recruitment Strategy for Relocation to Downtown

IDEAS:

> Temporary Programming

>Parklets

> Outdoor dining / food truck rally, etc

STRATEGY:

> Create active / healthy landscape for Calder Plaza, government center, medical mile

Section of Michigan? Drawing showing trail and programming in Calder? Rendering / diagram showing trail coming down to Monroe?

WHAT IF…

STRATEGY:

STRATEGY:

STRATEGY:

NEXT STEPS:

> Refine the ideas: edit / add / change

> Implementation: identify priorities & funding

> Draft Plan: May / June

YOUR TURN TO TALK:

THANK YOU!