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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - MAIN ST STSCAPE (2)NEW BUSINESS DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: April 22, 2008 Chris Price PRESENTATION ON STREETSCAPE DESIGN FOR MAIN STREET IN OLD TOWN NEWHALL Community Development RECOMMENDED ACTION Redevelopment Agency receive a presentation of the streetscape design options for Main Street, and provide staff with direction to complete design of the project. BACKGROUND On December 22, 2005, the City Council and Redevelopment Agency approved the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan (DNSP). One of the most important and visible changes outlined was the strategy to transform Main Street between Lyons Avenue and 5th Street. The first phase of the project was completed with calmed traffic circulation and the addition of angled parking. The next phase is the design for landscape and streetscape improvements to Main Street. The creation of an amenity -rich public space and streetscape will be supportive of existing activities and helpful in establishing the conditions necessary for long-term implementation of the DNSP. A contract to the landscape architecture firm of Pacific Coast Land Design was awarded by the City Council on November 13, 2007. Since that time, staff has worked with the consultant to develop conceptual designs for Main Street enhancements. These enhancements- have been presented to the Newhall Redevelopment Committee (NRC), the Old Town Newhall Association (OTNA), a special community meeting for merchants and property owners in Old Town Newhall,. the City Council's Economic Development Subcommittee, and a second meeting with the NRC. 4--o eebCea w, *k f�e '( I. adj`4' uhrd if desiq 0 (O(®fll0rl This preliminary work and feedback from the community has been useful in determining an appropriate standard for the Main Street enhancements, but additional direction is needed to move forward in completing the design in a timely manner. The presentation will consist of two design options ("Organic" and "Traditional") for all ten blocks, and a detailed description of improvements for the block between 6th Street and the Market Street intersection. During the earlier meetings held to discuss this project, public participation seemed to lean toward the "Traditional" design. The two Council members on the Economic Development subcommittee admired aspects of the "Organic" design option. During the NRC's second meeting, a unanimous vote in support of the "Traditional" design was cast. Members seemed to agree that the traditional design represented Newhall while some felt the organic one was more representative of the Valencia community. Staff is generally more supportive of the traditional . design as well mainly from a construction and maintenance standpoint. The block between 6th Street and Market Street will be constructed as the pilot project for Main Street and will assist in refining the streetscape plans for the remaining blocks. Construction documents and plans will be designed for the ten blocks of Main Street, however, the project will be constructed in phases. This phased approach allows the City to apply for annual state Proposition C grant funds to use towards construction of the streetscape. Additionally, throw away costs will be minimized as new developments for entire blocks will not damage already completed sections of streetscape. , ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT None ATTACHMENTS Main Street Conceptual Design Options o: Mn+e ^6 ''� �� •i R =' G� ;� C� �i • '� O• Y• �.:: Streetscape Meeting 3/10/08 OTNA has researched streetscape renovations with various cities two of which, Pleasanton and Livermore, which are of similar size and makeup as Newhall. They provided vital information to insure a smooth transition through the construction period. 1. Hold weekly meetings between the contractor and a committee representing the community. The committee formed of merchants, property owners and OTNA, acts as conduit for information to and from the merchants and property owners. This keeps the community informed and prevents the contractor from being overwhelmed by individuals. 2. Insure construction starts after and is completed before the Holiday season. Schedule construction January thru October. November and December is the essential season for retailers. Construction inhibits consumers and it will be fatal to some merchants. Just hearing of construction deters consumers from coming to an area. 3. The funding entity, as part of their budget, must provide significant added advertising, publicity and transportation for the Downtown merchants before, during and after construction. The construction will significantly deter customers and it is the responsibility of the entity, whose construction is creating the Jul], to support the merchants at this time. 4.� The Streetscape should be done all at once even if it takes a couple of additional years of tax increment to bond the entire job. Piece meal construction, that is doing one block at a time when funds are available, prolongs the negative environment of construction. Done this way, downtowns get the reputation of being continually under construction. Consumers stay away from construction areas even if it is on a different block. Years of construction will permanently damage the reputation of Old Town Newhall. 5. Consider distributing overrun penalties to the merchants or for the merchants' benefits such as additional advertising, publicity and events. This is especially important if construction continues into the holiday season OTNA has discussed these points with merchants and property owners representing the majority of Main Street and along with these below.,figned, recommend the above. Ricardo Jimenez Ricardo Auto Victor Feany/Newhall Hardware Auto.',kecMS�"k lr' Ilagefty Howard Stowitts DDS Lissette Rivera/Flower's Lisette Botanica Lasauyisima �. $loris Sanch¢/Gloria's William Pape/Newhall Ice Mimi Hiller/Cookbooks Plus Maria Vasquez/Marias. Salon' ,% Raul Bojo%uL1M, Trocadere Carlos Marroquin/Planet Soccer Adrian Gammert/Property Owner Pedro LopmNidencia W*le��� Dennis Verner/$igt-a-"r7um Robert DardashWhimprac for Randy Lawrence/Property Owner Maria Dolores Gonzalei Art Resierm.4 • , , Roger Hasper/Newhall Bicycle Jose Reyns/OTNA Board Member Rosa Sanehez/Sanchez's "„ Stephanie Weiei)Poka Dott Michael Owston/REP Thomas Bayer/Abe's Pawnshop Sam Asker ""` SabiiwFetter/Capelli Sofia Baltazar DDS Julio Garcu"CBM Joseph Jasik/German Autohouse =°"'Mike Redmond Juan Bermbe(Jaz vin's Silvia Sill/Abe's Pawnshop uawnsterra`pacbell.n t Tony Maric/Newhall PaintStore Manual Santana (Old Jail House) Arnold H illmann ational Glass Bill Boden/Billy's, KEUIVED AW MADE A PAT OF HE RECORD AT �( 2z 2$ MN6 ITS"" 1)0 G DY'} FROM: LAP -4e-1 t (LO