Put sidewalk dining, art and a new business on it!
by Allen Davis
Before: This building is just one example of a good adaptive reuse potential. (It's currently state-owned for a future transit center.) But it could be other things too...
After: Put sidewalk dining, public art, and new business on the street.
This concept for encouraging the adaptive reuse of older buildings by permitting breweries in certain parts of Wilmington, NC was submitted by Allen Davis, an urban designer for Wilmington.
Put a buffered bike lane, street trees and flowers on it!
by Keihly Moore
Before: I'm not sure what the plans are for this "street diet" but I hope they look like the following.
After: Take up that extra lane space and give the bikes and pedestrians more of a buffer. Adding trees and plants will create more enclosure and encourage cars to drive slower. It will also beautify the environment, creating a more attractive gateway into Uptown and Wesley Heights.
Put street trees, street lights, outdoor dining and mixed use buildings on it!
Before: South Boulevard near Atherton Street and home to a brand new Valvoline
After: Walkable mixed-use development closer to the street transforms South Blvd into a more desirable place
Put a painted crosswalk, street trees, and spot medians on it!
by Keihly Moore
Before: South Boulevard crossing at Rensselaer Ave.
Note that the above picture does show an improvement. This "pedestrian island" was installed just a few months ago. Many have noted that the busy South Boulevard acts as a divide for pedestrians between Dilworth and South End. The wide street with fast moving traffic does little to invite a crossing on foot, despite the tasty places like Crispy Crepe and Nova's Bakery, found on opposite sides near this intersection.
After: Add painted crosswalks, street trees, and spot medians to slow traffic and help pedestrians feel safer.
These improvements, seen above, really would be a first step in a series of improvements to dissolve the walking-driving conflict on this corridor. More on-street parking and bike lanes can also be used to make it a more welcoming street to cross.
Put a neighborhood pavilion and a splash pad on it!
Before: Vacant neighborhood lot in Reid Park
After: Put a neighborhood pavilion and a splash pad on it!
This concept to put the park back in the Reid Park neighborhood is a part of Dylan McKnight's Master thesis work. Working with the community, they came up with a vision and presented it to the the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation department. The funds have been committed to this project and the park will be constructed in the near future, all though a community-led process!
See this video for a look at how the community design process unfolded.
Here is a link to the beautiful boards Dylan designed to communicate his ideas.
Put a rain garden, environmental education, and public art on it!
Before: Just a trail along a ditch.
After: Adding a rain garden absorbs stormwater, creates new habitats and makes an interesting place.
These images are apart of the Greenville West Side Comprehensive Plan, 2013-2014.
Put a mural, little free library, and benches on it!
Before: The Swamp Rabbit Trail crosses under a train bridge. It's an unmemorable moment on the trail.
After: Adding a little free library, a mural, benches and lighting make it inviting and interesting.
This image is a part of the Greenville West Side Comprehensive Plan, 2013-2014.
Put parallel parking, trees, outdoor dining and benches on it!
Before: Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood is home to some unique Charlotte shops. The street and sidewalk, however, lack character and spaces to linger and enjoy the street life of the neighborhood.
After: Addition of street trees, off-peak-hour on-street parking, outdoor dining and benches transforms Central Avenue into inviting and safe place for residents and visitors.
Put a bike lane, and a wider sidewalk on it!
by Keihly Moore
Before: 7th Street bridge. 5 lanes - turning to where? You might ask. Wide lanes.
Talking to a few of my would-be bicycle commuter friends, they find this bridge to be one of the scariest parts of 7th Street because it is so wide open and cars go really fast. Wide lanes and an extra turn lane leave plenty of room to give an extra few feet to those on foot or two wheels. This is one of the few entrances into Uptown, can we try to make it a little more all-people friendly?
After: 7th Street bridge sidewalk widened and bike lane added = more safety and enjoyment for those not in a vehicle.
Put a crosswalk on it!
by Keihly Moore
Before: No formal crossing from Romare Bearden Park to Latta Arcade.
Romare Bearden Park just opened in late August 2013. It's a much needed public open space for Uptown. There are, however, a few more opportunities that could dramatically improve the park's access. Traffic on Church Street is one way, and it moves fast. Vehicles need to start learning to slow down on this block where restaurants, bars, and other shops pull visitors from the park, and vice versa. There should be a mid-block crossing to formalize, and make safer, this relationship.
After: with raised crosswalk to enhance the connection between Latta Arcade and the park.
