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CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
June 21, 2004 | |
Author: |
Brigid Kudzius | |
Phone No.: |
604-871-6471 | |
RTS No.: |
04065 | |
CC File No.: |
5701 | |
Meeting Date: |
July 6, 2004 |
TO: |
Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic |
FROM: |
General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the Director of Current Planning |
SUBJECT: |
Thurlow Street Pedestrian Amenity Improvements |
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT a series of pedestrian bulges on Thurlow Street be constructed at an estimated cost of $420,000 to be funded from 2003 Streets Basic Capital Budget for Downtown Transportation Plan (Order Group CB1EA4AD).
B. THAT commencing in 2005, the Streets Operating Budget be increased by $6,400 for horticultural maintenance, without offset and subject to annual budget review.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council approved the Downtown Transportation Plan (DTP) on July 9, 2002, to improve downtown accessibility and liveability by creating a balanced transportation network and a walkable downtown.
Thurlow Street south of Robson Street was identified in the DTP as primarily a residential street where pedestrian amenity could be improved, but which would also be retained as a major downtown circulation street.
PURPOSE
This report seeks Council's approval to proceed with the implementation of a series of pedestrian bulges along Thurlow Street as identified in the Downtown Transportation Plan.
BACKGROUND
The Downtown Transportation Plan vision promotes `pedestrians first' recognising that pedestrian travel is growing and is important to the economic vitality and liveability of downtown. The vision is one where the function of the street facilitates the movement of people and helps to define the neighbourhood as a place for activity, socialising and commerce.
Thurlow Street was identified in the DTP as a location where pedestrian amenity could be improved. Because Thurlow Street lacks the street trees and boulevards typical elsewhere in the West End, both long term and short term solutions were proposed. In the long term it is proposed to create wider sidewalks along most of Thurlow Street, between Robson Street and Beach Avenue, to provide a greater opportunity for boulevards and street tree plantings. The sidewalk widening would likely be achieved as part of future street reconstruction and redevelopment opportunities. As a first phase, the construction of a series of pedestrian bulges along the street is proposed.
On June 10, 2003, Council approved the Downtown Transportation Plan Implementation Schedule which included the implementation of corner bulges at selected downtown locations.
DISCUSSION
To improve the pedestrian environment along Thurlow Street in the short term, a series of pedestrian corner bulges is proposed (see sketch in Appendix A). Pedestrian corner bulges help pedestrians because they narrow the road width at intersections, which reduces the pedestrian crossing distance and improves the visibility of pedestrians. The reduced crossing distance allows pedestrian crossings to be made in less time and reduces pedestrian exposure to traffic. Bulges also prevent motorists from parking too close to the intersection thereby improving the overall intersection safety. Corner bulges also present opportunities for landscaping or additional sidewalk space for pedestrians queuing to cross.
All of the intersections along Thurlow Street were reviewed for potential corner bulge construction. Locations where pedestrian bulges could not be built, or where bulges would have very limited pedestrian benefit, were eliminated. Of the remaining potential locations the following bulges are recommended to be installed this year. All of these locations are adjacent to existing 24 hour parking and no moving lanes of traffic or rush hour regulations need to be removed. Also, no loss of parking spaces is anticipated as a result of the pedestrian bulge construction.
· Thurlow Street & Nelson Street - SE and SW corners
· Thurlow Street & Davie Street - All four corners
· Thurlow Street & Burnaby Street - All four corners
· Thurlow Street & Harwood Street - All four corners
· Thurlow Street & Pacific Street - NE and NW corners
Several other potential locations for pedestrian corner bulges are also identified below. These bulges are more suitable to be considered as part of other future initiatives and would require further consultation.
· Thurlow Street and Robson Street - subject to further consultation with the Robson Street business community and Robson Street Business Improvement Association;
· Thurlow Street & Comox Street - to be considered as part of the proposed Comox Street Greenway;
· Thurlow Street & Pendrell Street - to be considered as part of any redevelopment of the Providence Hospital site; and
· Thurlow Street & Beach Avenue - to be considered as part of the proposed Beach Avenue bike facility.
The intersection of Thurlow Street and Barclay Street was identified as a desirable location to provide enhanced pedestrian facilities due to the relatively high volumes of pedestrians crossing Thurlow Street. However only a small bulge on the western side of Thurlow Street could be constructed at this location, with limited benefit to pedestrians. Therefore, staff will continue to monitor this location for more suitable options to enhance the existing crossing of Thurlow Street.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Input from the community was gathered via a letter distributed to Thurlow Street residents and property owners. Approximately 1500 letters (see Appendix A) were delivered seeking feedback on the proposal. 13 responses were received from residents and property owners. Seven of these respondents were in favour of the project, 2 were opposed and 4 were neutral. A summary of the responses is included in Appendix B.
Representatives of the West End Residents Association (WERA) have been working with staff from the project's conception, to develop the proposed bulge locations. Beginning in September 2003, a series of meetings were held over approximately 6 months with WERA to develop a list of locations for corner bulge installations. WERA supports the proposed pedestrian bulges. Although they would like to see more bulges constructed, they acknowledge some of the issues associated with various intersections.
The Davie Village Business Improvement Association have reviewed the proposed bulges and support the construction of the pedestrian bulges proposed for the intersection of Thurlow Street and Davie Street.
Concerns have been raised by some property owners on Robson Street about the proposed corner bulge at the intersection of Thurlow Street and Robson Street. They have requested an additional 6 months to review the proposal and provide their feedback. Therefore the bulge proposed for the SW corner of Robson Street and Thurlow Street will not be constructed at this time to allow for more discussion with the business community.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The estimated cost to construct the 16 proposed pedestrian bulges is $420,000. Funding is available for this project from the 2003 Streets Basic Capital Budget for Downtown Transportation Plan (Order Group CB1EA4AD). The following is the estimated cost breakdown for each intersection.
Thurlow Street and Nelson Street (SE and SW corners) $35,000
Thurlow Street and Davie Street (all corners) $115,000
Thurlow Street and Burnaby Street (all corners) $100,000
Thurlow Street and Harwood Street (all corners) $100,000
Thurlow Street and Pacific Street (NE and NW corners) $70,000
$420,000
It is also recommended that commencing in 2005, the Streets Operating Budget be increased by $6,400, without offset, for maintenance of any landscaping associated with the proposed pedestrian bulges.
CONCLUSION
The Downtown Transportation Plan seeks to improve downtown accessibility and liveability by creating a balanced transportation network and a walkable downtown. The pedestrian bulges proposed for Thurlow Street are an important component of the plan and are consistent with the DTP vision of putting "pedestrians first". The bulges proposed for construction have been generally well received by the West End Residents Association, the Davie Village Business Improvement Association, residents and property owners.
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