Title
Change to the Sidewalk Pattern on Primary Corridors (B)
explanation
In October 2003, the CRA approved Design and Technical Streetscape Standards for College Park University Heights (CPUH), Downtown, and for Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street (FAPS) areas. Those standards are currently being updated to include the ADA changes that were adopted by the City, to review median standards created by the City Beautification Board, and to create standards for the Eastside district.
The Standards break down the roads in the CRA into various groupings, including Primary Corridors, Mixed Use Corridors, and Commercial Core. Primary Corridors include Main Street, University Avenue, 6th Street, 13th Street and South 2nd Avenue. Since it was anticipated that all of the Primary Corridors would eventually undergo a complete streetscape project, the CRA approved a sidewalk pattern that would provide for an enhanced look to new sidewalks without requiring completely bricked streets. A pattern of concrete and brick was approved to accomplish this goal.
There are now several projects along Primary Corridors that will begin implementing this pattern and it appears that a simpler pattern may be more appropriate. Two options have been suggested. The first option is where the sidewalks would be primarily concrete, with brick accents. This pattern would require the least amount of brickwork, which is most costly to remove and replace in the future. This pattern would more closely resemble the Bricks on the Avenue interim improvements in the CPUH district. The other option is the opposite, with brick in the majority of the sidewalk, with concrete accents. In this case, it is anticipated that the brickwork would be lost during major streetscaping. This pattern is similar to the one used Downtown.
With the Design and Technical Standards being updated, and with several major projects planning streetscapes at this time, this would be an appropriate time to make changes to the Standards.
Fiscal Note
Once a pattern is chosen by the CRA, staff will work with the consultant to amend the contract for the additional work. Each of the districts has streetscape funds that could be used for this.
Recommendation
Executive Director to the CRA: Amend the Design and Technical Standards to change the Primary Corridor sidewalk pattern to primarily concrete sidewalks with brick accents.