a better classen presentation
TRANSCRIPT
A BETTER CLASSEN
A BETTER CLASSEN
> Study conditions along Classen. > Develop key principles for A Better Classen. > Identify short-term pilot projects for Classen. > Imagine a long-term vision for Classen.
INFORMATION GATHERING
RESEARCH
> HISTORY > PLANNING CONTEXT > NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT > STREET DESIGN > TRAFFIC > INTERVIEWS AND MEETINGS
HISTORY
“Will it be Classen Blvd. abbreviated,
a quick if frightful way to get home?
Or Classen Boulevard,
nine letters, in the fashion of the world’s great social
streets?” Phillip Morris, The Oklahoman, 1964
HISTORY
“What appears to be at work is the fallacy that ruined Oklahoma City’s central business district: the misconception that cities ‘happen’ and need not be designed.” “Smaller structures have frontside parking that runs sloppily into the street.” “Will a strong sidewalk system, landscaping, and high-quality street furnishing be added to make it a livable street?” “That is the prime Classen Boulevard question. Whether to become just another traffic carrier, in which case the green strip and landscaping always will be secondary to paving and pedestrians sacrificed to automobiles. Or to become a boulevard in the traditional sense, a place to live with trees and walks (by some strange reversal of present practice) counted first…”
Downtown Development Framework
Central Oklahoma Commuter Corridors
Study
PlanOKC Oklahoma City
Comprehensive Plan
PLANNING CONTEXT
NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT Existing Strong Neighborhoods Urban Commercial Districts “Corridor of Hope” Higher Densities Walkable Urbanism Infill Opportunities
STREET DESIGN
STREET DESIGN
STREET DESIGN
STREET DESIGN
STREET DESIGN
TRAFFIC
24,215Classen at 15th
21,166Classen at 18th
14,633Classen at 11th
7,570Classen at 7th
11,231Classen at 4th
4,6184th at Shartel
3,539Western at 19th
Daily Traffic Volume13th to 23rd 20,000 to 25,000 vehicles per day Reno to 13th 8,000 to 15,000 vehicles per day
TRAFFIC
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
Southbound trafficNorthbound trafficAll traffic0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
Southbound trafficNorthbound trafficAll traffic
Hourly Volume: Classen at 20th Hourly Volume: Classen at 5th
AM and PM Peaks
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Max VPLPH, Classen at 37thSouthbound TrafficNorthbound Traffic
Max Vehicles Per Lane Per HourClassen at 37thPM Peak NB
Max VHPLPHClassen at 20thPM Peak NB
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Max VPLPH, Classen at 37thSouthbound trafficNorthbound
Max Vehicles Per Lane Per HourClassen at 37thPM Peak NB
Max VHPLPHClassen at 5thPM Peak SB
VPLPH: Classen at 20th VPLPH: Classen at 5th
TRAFFIC Vehicles Per Lane Per Hour
TRAFFIC
INTERVIEWS
> Neighborhood groups > Nonprofits > Schools > Commercial Districts > Architecture Firms > Developers
PUBLIC MEETING
SITE VISITS
SITE VISITS
KEY PRINCIPLES
East – West Crossing
North – South Travel
Commuter Corridor
Identity and Appearance
Transit Corridor
RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
> Intersection Interventions > Public Art Opportunities > Active Transportation > Development Patterns > Classen Design Scenarios
INTERIM DESIGN
Near-term Long-term
INTERIM DESIGN
INTERIM DESIGN
INTERSECTIONS
> 18th > 16th > 5th – 6th
18TH AND CLASSEN
18TH AND CLASSEN Long crossing distance with difficult light timing Feels uncomfortable existing Mesta Park
18TH AND CLASSEN Protected bicycle lane exiting Mesta Park Curb extensions Bike box at traffic signal Marked conflict areas
PORTLAND
CHICAGO
SEATTLE
16TH AND CLASSEN Slip lanes encourage fast traffic toward Mesta Park and Plaza District Confusing intersection for drivers Difficult to navigate as a pedestrian or cyclist
16TH AND CLASSEN
16TH AND CLASSEN Close slip lanes with pavement to plaza techniques Bold crosswalks The gateway to the Plaza District
CHICAGO
CHICAGO
5TH AND CLASSEN 86’ curb-to-curb paving width 95’ ramp-to-ramp crossing distance Traffic counts no longer support double left turn lanes
5TH AND CLASSEN
5TH AND CLASSEN Replace turn lane with pavement to plaza median Include planters or public art element The gateway to downtown
5TH AND CLASSEN Replace turn lane with pavement to plaza median Include planters or public art element The gateway to downtown
NEW YORK
NEW YORK
SAN FRANCISCO
PUBLIC ART
> 5th – 6th Median > 7th – 9th Retaining Wall > Including Public Art with All Changes
PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY
PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY
PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY
PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY
PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
> Neighborhood Streets > Protected Bicycle Lanes > Walker, 4th, 6th > Ideas for Western, Classen, Shartel
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
BICYCLE ACCESS Many safe streets for cyclists.
BICYCLE ACCESS Many safe streets for cyclists.
BICYCLE ACCESS Many safe streets for cyclists.
WALKER, 4th, 6th Walker Extension 6th west to Linwood connection 4th east to Deep Deuce, Katy Trail
SHARTEL ALTERNATIVE Protected lanes on Shartel Hill between 6th and 9th
CLASSEN ALTERNATIVE Protected lanes on Classen Boulevard to 18th Shared bus/bike lanes
WESTERN ALTERNATIVE Protected lanes on Western Avenue Shared use path where Western and Classen converge
CONNECTIONS SOUTH
CONNECTIONS SOUTH
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS
> Zoning and Overlay Protection > Access Management > Pedestrian-Oriented Site Design
ZONING AND OVERLAY
ACCESS MANAGEMENT
ACCESS MANAGEMENT
PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED
CLASSEN DESIGN SCENARIOS
> Scenario One: Existing Curbs > Scenario Two: Four Travel Lanes > Scenario Three: Peak Hour Bus Lanes
EXISTING CURBS
EXISTING CURBS
EXISTING CURBS
EXISTING CURBS
FOUR TRAVEL LANES Reduce number of lanes Provide protected bicycle lanes Expensive
INDIANAPOLIS
INDIANAPOLIS
SEATTLE
PEAK HOUR BUS LANES Outside lanes for buses and right turns during peak hours Prioritizes and incentivizes public transportation trips
CHICAGO
CHICAGO
START SMALL
MOVING FORWARD: KEY PRINCIPLES
> EAST-WEST CROSSING > NORTH-SOUTH TRAVEL > COMMUTER CORRIDOR > IDENTITY AND APPEARANCE > TRANSIT CORRIDOR
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