Midwest Active Transportation Conference 2017Zia Brucaya, AICP, Associate Planner

Urban Assets

Monroe Street Reconstruction Case Study

Multimodal Design Challenges & New Ideas for Public Engagement

Today’s Presentation

1. Project Context

2. Public Engagement Process

3. Lessons Learned

Project Context

Monroe Street

Commercial Nodes

Existing Bike Routes Active Living Index

Capital Region Sustainable Communities: www.capitalregionscrpg.org/

Hard to Categorize

Monroe’s curb-to-curb width ranges from 42-46 feet, with an average daily traffic volume of 14,000-23,000 cars.

If this was a new street in an undeveloped area: If this was a new street in an undeveloped area:

Neighborhood Engagement Process

May 2016 – July 2017

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

2015 Monroe “Green” Street Resolution

• Reconstruct Monroe Street as a “Green” Street

• Emphasizes sustainability principles related to complete streets, placemaking, walkability, green infrastructure and multi-modality

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Our Timeline and Strategy

• 12-15 months• Goals:

– Engage the community in a meaningful way.

– Respond to neighborhood interests and identify shared priorities.

– Successfully advance the project. • Tools:

– Engagement Resource Team– Online community survey– World cafes & hands-on workshops– Focus groups

Engagement Resource Team (ERT)

Role• Help implement a

broadly inclusive engagement process.

• Provide input on appropriate engagement strategies and opportunities.

• Publicize project information and encourage community involvement.

Members1. Alder2. Neighborhood Associations (2)3. Merchants Association4. Friends of Lake Wingra 5. Madison Bikes6. Wingra School7. Edgewood College8. University of Wisconsin9. City Project Engineer

Kickoff Meeting

“Monroe Street a Model for Madison”

“Madison’s Cooperative Spirit Realized on Monroe Street”

“On Time and On Budget”

“A Greener, Safer Monroe Street Emerges”

“Businesses Thrive on Revitalized Monroe”

“Smooth Ride on Monroe”

“Copenhagen Looks To Monroe Street For New Model Of Multi-Modal Transit And Placemaking”

“The Most Transparent Planning Process in the History of Madison! All Parties’ Needs Were Met Within Budget”

Community Survey

• 2,779 responses• 63% aged 31-60• 47% live in a

neighborhood other than Vilas or Dudgeon-Monroe

• 33% live within three blocks of Monroe Street

Community Survey Results Community Survey Results

Community Survey Results Community Survey Results

What qualities would you most like to see improved or invested in?1. 54%: Walkability

2. 46%: “Green street” with more plant life and sustainable design

3. 43%: Bikeability

4. 42%: Comfortable commuting route

5. 40%: Vibrancy of the commercial districts

Community Survey Results

What is most important to achieve as a result of the Monroe Street reconstruction?1. 70%: Better pedestrian-friendliness and safety

2. 65%: A reconstructed street, free of cracks and potholes

3. 51%: Better bike-friendliness and safety

4. 46%: A “greener” approach to stormwater management

5. 42%: Slower vehicular traffic

Community Survey Results

What do you most agree with?1. 30%: I would most like to see a bike

path through Wingra Park.2. 21%: I have no opinion about bicycle

enhancements on or adjacent to Monroe Street.

3. 20%: I would most like to see better bicycle connections made from existing adjacent bike paths to destinations on Monroe Street.

2,390 responses

Community Survey Results

It is “somewhat or very important” that Metro continues to operate at the same level of servicealong Monroe Street after reconstruction.

It is “somewhat or very important” that Metro maintains or improves current travel times and on-time performance after reconstruction.

46%

45%

Takeaways - Priorities

#1: Improve walkability and pedestrian safety, especially at intersections.• Destination street • Multimodal enhancements• Reduced speeds• Good Metro access• Improved parking• Enhanced streetscape (peds, natural environment)• Improved bike parking & connections• Comfortable commuting route• Sustainability demonstration opportunities.

Cross Section Workshop

AM PEAK HOUR, EASTBOUND

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Traffic Modeling Results

Proposed Solutions

• Unknown future transportation needs and vehicle technology changes

• Ongoing densification• Trends toward alternatives to

driving• Potential bus rapid transit• Future modifications can be

made by simply changing paint & signage

Focus on Flexibility

PHOTO: AP

NELSON/NYGAARD

PHOTO: JOHN HART, WSJ

Community Survey Results

What strategies would encourage you to access destinations on Monroe Street via walking?1. More visible crosswalks2. Slower automobile traffic3. Less automobile traffic

1,268 responses

Pedestrian Improvements Example

Bus Stops and Parking Bicycle Infrastructure

Considered widened sidewalk but not feasible at this time

Bicycle Infrastructure Green Infrastructure

• Catchbasins to collect sediment

• Explore & encourage opportunities outside of main corridor– Rain gardens on side street

terraces– Rain gardens on private

property– Underground stormwater

treatment structure in Wingra Park

Placemaking Node 1: Crazy Legs Triangle

MONROE ST. COMMERCIAL DISTRICT PLAN, 2007

Placemaking Node 2: Wingra Park

Full width, 50’ into park from back of sidewalk

Future raised intersection

West corner of Commonwealth

On-Site Workshop On-Site Workshop

Next Steps

• Preliminary corridor design workshop– Need to address

parklet policy

• Final corridor design workshop

• Project out to bid in fall 2017

• Construction 2018Source: http://www.monroestreetmadison.com/

Lessons Learned

Takeaways

1. Establish an interdisciplinary staff team.

2. Tap into local networks & expertise to guide the process.

3. Always do a survey.4. Allow people to engage in a

variety of ways:• We retain 90% of what we

see, hear, and do.• Design concepts are best

demonstrated in context.• Seeing is not always believing,

but it helps.5. Prepare good data & visuals.

Thank you!

Discussion

1. How does your community typically approach planning and public engagement for street reconstructions?

2. What innovative engagement processes have you organized or participated in?

3. What are the most common challenges to balancing multimodal needs in your community? What is standing in the way of greater change?