Revitalizing Columbia’s Main Street

Can you dig it?

Streetscape Project

Objectives• Replace decaying infrastructure• Improve the aesthetics of Columbia’s principal

business district• Reduce traffic speeds through city core• Encourage more pedestrian activity• Increase pedestrian safety• Increase ambient lighting• Support reinvestment on Main Street

Streetscape Project

Project HistoryJuly 2005 Applied for funding (Phase I)Aug. 2006 Funds allocatedMarch 2007 Began meetings with CPCDec. 2007 City Council decided lights styleApril 2008 Preliminary plans dueMay 2008 Applied for funding (Phase II)

Submitted design to IDOTDec. 2008 IDOT approved design

Streetscape Project

Civic Progress CommitteePublic Hearing – March 10, 2008Results1. Approved the Conceptual Plan2. Asked for additional review of parking

requirements3. Okayed proceeding with construction4. Endorsed applying for additional funding

Streetscape Project

Project Scope: 11 blocks – from Whiteside to Madison

Streetscape Project

Project Scope New curb, gutter and sidewalk Stamped concrete edging along curb Stamped brick crosswalk Street trees every 50-100 feet Ornamental lights every 50-100 feet Pedestrian bump-outs

Streetscape Project

View when completed – looking north from Cherry & Main

Streetscape Project

Streetscape Project

Project Team City of Columbia Illinois Department of Transportation Oates & Associates

Lead consulting engineer BRiC Partnership

Electrical engineer

LewisitesLandscape architects

Streetscape Project

Funding A moving target Initial grant from Illinois Department of

Transportation (ITEP) Additional funds requested from ITEP American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act (‘Stimulus’) funding

Streetscape Project

Community Outreach Keep public apprised of progress Communicate, communicate,

communicate Mitigate negative impacts to Main Street

property owners, merchants Encourage reinvestment, renovation

during and after construction

Streetscape Project

Activities Public forums One-on-one meetings with business and

property owners Press releases Newsletter Direct phone access to contractor Twitter feed

Streetscape Project

Questions?