SUMMARY REPORT

The skewed intersection of Kings Highway with Davis Street (SH 180), Seventh Street and Tyler Street presents safety and access issues to pedestrians, cyclist and motor vehicles, according to area residents and business operators. Community members initiated the study and with the assistance of District 3 and District 1 Councilmembers and the City of Dallas Public Works Department in January 2011. The study area consists of the public right-of-way found inside of the orange line as illustrated below.

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Planning Process
This project is intended to be a public laboratory where the City can work with the community to test the potential of the study area to meet the objective of improving safety, fostering community and stimulating the economy. The following goals guided the project:

1. Reduce conflicts between pedestrians, cyclist and motor vehicles 2. Improve the comfort and image 3. Strengthen access and linkages to neighborhood 4. Complement the existing uses and activities and provide capacity for expansion 5. Support the sense of pride and ownership that already exists
Stakeholders
People who use a public space regularly provide the most valuable perspective and insights into how the area functions. They also can help identify issues that are important to consider in improving the space. Uncovering and incorporating their ideas and talents is essential to creating a successful and vital community place. Over fifty stakeholders representing property owners, business owners, residents and community leaders in the study area guided the recommendations of this study.

Observations and ideas captured on paper and in-person.

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Street Program
Consensus was formed amongst the stakeholders that the objective of improving safety and the five goals above could be met with some form of street closure and conversion of street space into a community space. A full street closure was met with some apprehension by a business owner, so a trial period of half closure and full street closure was agreed upon.

30 Day Trial of Half Street Closure See schematic and cost estimate
During this period observations will be made as to the impact of the half street closure on auto, pedestrian and cyclist safety and impact on commerce.

30 Day Trial of Full Street Closure See schematic, cost estimate and program
During this period observations will be made as to the impact of the full street closure on auto, pedestrian and cyclist safety, impact on commerce and use of the space.

Street Materials
Temporary street closures are typically performed with barricades and cones. Best practices from New York City and San Francisco in the creation of vibrant public space demonstrations illustrate the need to use aesthetically pleasing treatments and combine publicly procured materials with local materials installed by volunteers to instill ownership in the newly formed space. If proven successful these materials can be integrated into the permanent community space makeover or simply relocated and used for the next project.

Paint

Combination of contractor installed reflective markings and community painting

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Bollards, Planters and Dividers

Combination of procured planters and bollards and recycled materials installed by volunteers

Signs

A combination of MUTCD and private signs convey changes in the street space and advertise new destinations.

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Plaza Program
The full closure of Kings Highway between Davis Street and Seventh/Tyler Street provides the opportunity to test a community space. The Stakehloders defined the character, activities, uses, and meaning in the community of such a space through a survey.

31 Total Submissions. Recurring ideas: 12 - Trees 11 - Sidewalks 10 - Bike amenities (lanes/racks) 9 - Pedestrian amenities 9 - Benches 9 - Street closure 8 - Art 6 - Lighting 4 - Crosswalks 4 - Bollards 5 - Food Tree or Shade Cover

Shade from trees, umbrellas and covers are critical for public spaces.

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Bicycle Facilities

Bicycle parking can be functional for bikes and as a perimeter for separating auto and pedestrians on the edge of public space

Seating

Primary and secondary seating should be used to make a place inviting.

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Benches

Primary and secondary seating applies to benches as well.

Pedestrian Amenities

A wide range of elements to make the pedestrian experience more comfortable

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Lighting

Street lighting comes in standard light pole forms, light strings and light permeating from glass frontages.

Other Programming
Design is an important component of creating a place, but not the only factor. Providing access and creating active uses, economic opportunities, and programming are often more important than design. During the sixty day trial period the space will be programmed with events that reflect the community.

Food

Allowing food entrepreneurs to the space

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Art

The presence of art inspires and beautifies the community. Murals are integral to the reduction of graffiti and statues promote public spaces as destinations.

Games

Attracting people aged eight to eighty requires a cross section of activities triangulated to each other for interaction.

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Implementation Plan
2/23/2011 Salcedo Group Inc. Preliminary Opinion of Probable Cost King's Plaza - Kings Highway between Tyler and Davis Street City of Dallas, Texas

Phase 2A King's Highway - Half Closure (Temporary) ITEM # PAVING / DRAINAGE Landscaping Traffic Control DESCRIPTION Painted Striping Planters Large Trees Traffic Control Signage UNITS L.F. Each Each Each QUANTITY 206 11 11 6 $ $ $ $ Unit Cost 1.00 100.00 120.00 50.00 $ $ $ $ Item Total 206 1,100 1,320 300 2,926 2,926

$ Subtotal $

ITEM # PAVING / DRAINAGE Site Facilities Landscaping Traffic Control -

Phase 2B King's Highway - Full Closure (Temporary - In addition to above) DESCRIPTION UNITS QUANTITY Paint Street Lighting Strand Umbrellas Caf Moveable Tables & 2 Chairs Planters Large Trees Traffic Control Signage S.F. L.F. Each Each Each Each Each 9250 220 10 20 13 13 6 $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Unit Cost 0.15 3.00 200.00 475.00 100.00 120.00 50.00 $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Item Total 1,388 660 2,000 9,500 1,300 1,560 300 16,708 16,708

$ Subtotal $

Construction Management $ Total $

5,000 24,634

Activity
Property Owner Consent Letter Coordinate with Traffic (Beth R.) Inform volunteers of Build Day Procure materials Coordinate with Traffic Build Day Inspect with Traffic &PW Program and Observe

Lead
Andrew Howard Andrew Howard Amy Cowan Andrew Howard Andrew Howard Jason Roberts Andrew Howard Andrew Howard

Partners Status Cost Deadline

Charlie Purdue Keith Manoy Jason Roberts Luis Salcedo Keith Manoy Andrew Howard Luis Salcedo Jason Roberts Initiated Initiated Planned Planned Planned Planned Planned Planned $0 $0 CM est $19,634 CM est CM est CM est CM est March 7, 2011 March 7, 2011 March 11, 2011 March 18, 2011 March 19, 2011 March 19 20, 2011 March 21, 2011 May 22, 2011

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Public Meetings Summary

January 15, 2011 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Over fifty people participated in public meetings for the project. The meeting began with introductions of the project team, a description of the project objectives and agenda for the meeting. Participants used a survey to describe current conditions at the location in five categories and offer ideas for improvements.
Access and Linkages Access concerns how well a place is connected to its surroundings both visually and physically. A successful public space is visible, easy to get to and around. Physical elements can affect access (a continuous row of shops along a street is more interesting and generally safer to walk by than a blank wall or empty lot), as can perceptions (the ability to see a public space from a distance). Accessible public places have a high turnover in parking and, ideally, convenient public transit.

Comfort and Image Comfort and image are key to whether a place will be used. Perceptions about safety and cleanliness, the context of adjacent buildings, and a places character or charm are often foremost in people's minds as are more tangible issues such as having a comfortable place to sit. The importance of people having the choice to sit where they want is generally underestimated.

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Uses and Activities Activities that occur in a place friendly social interactions, free public concerts, community art shows, and more are its basic building blocks: they are the reasons why people come in the first place and why they return. Activities also make a place special or unique, which, in turn, may help generate community pride.

Sociability This is a difficult but unmistakable quality for a place to achieve. When people see friends, meet and greet their neighbors, and feel comfortable interacting with strangers, they tend to feel a stronger sense of place or attachment to their community and to the place that fosters these types of social activities.

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1. What do you like best about this place?

The People. Mix of office, residential, retail, art gallery, education, car repair and personal services creates eclectic population.

Small Businesses. Affordable small spaces.

The Form. Classic buildings to the street.

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2. List things that you would do to improve this place that could be done right away and that wouldnt cost a lot:

Slow and restrict traffic. Paint, planters and signage.

More space for people. Shade, seating and kiosks.

Keep it affordable. Allow for food trailers to activate the street.

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3. What changes would you make in the long term that would have the biggest impact? Change the traffic pattern. Twoway Tyler and add bike facilities.

Make it beautiful. Fountain and attractions.

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4. What local partnerships of local talent can you identify that could help implement some of your proposed improvements? Please be as specific as possible.

Make it uniquely Oak Cliff. Use local artist in remake.

Give it a voice. Form a Merchant Association.

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