Downtown Master Plan Section 03

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LAKE ELSINORE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN

PUBLIC OUTREACH

The Lake Elsinore Redevelopment Agency engaged the services of the Cooper Carry team to undertake a comprehensive downtown master plan. The purpose of the downtown master plan is to identify the goals and opportunities for future development within Downtown Lake Elsinore. The purpose of the Downtown Master Plan was to set the guidelines for the future development as it relates not only to the City Hall / Civic Center but to the downtown as a whole.

The public outreach process began in October 2008, and has been coordinated by Cooper Carry throughout the master planning process. From the outset, the RDA and the City of Lake Elsinore have embraced an open dialogue with the community and required that the master plan and its implementation respond directly to the needs and desires of the public and community stakeholders. The community outreach has continued throughout the process with stakeholder meetings, public workshops, small forum group meetings and a study session with City Council members and officials.

In addition, the consultant team and City officials have engaged in regular working group meetings, to discuss specific details.

One of the objectives of the Downtown Master Plan was to engage the community and citizens of Lake Elsinore in a consensus-building process. A series of public workshops were scheduled to determine the goals and objectives within the community of Lake Elsinore.

PURPOSE The Lake Elsinore Downtown Master Plan provides a vision and strategic framework to guide the future development of its’ downtown.

The purpose of this Master Plan Document: 1 - Identify the goals, objectives and desires of the community to create a vision and organizational framework for downtown Lake Elsinore; 2 - Create a master plan that is grounded in reality... a plan to build for generations to come.

3 - Develop a phasing strategy for implementation, through public and private partnerships;

The goal of the public outreach is to gain input and support from the community about the future of their downtown. We recognize that the success of every downtown is all about the people who will use it on a daily basis, whether they live, work, shop, play or eat there.

On December 6, 2008, a public workshop was held to establish the goals and objectives for the downtown master plan. The workshop was divided into three parts, metaphorically based on important components of a traditional waterfront downtown: the Town Square, Main Street, and the Pier. The idea was to encourage maximum participation throughout. Convening at the Town Square to be introduced to the happenings downtown, participants would then take a stroll down Main Street to identify what would make downtown viable and livable. Ending at the Pier, they would consider ways to make downtown Lake Elsinore a truly memorable place. The following pages summarize the findings from the public workshops.

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PUBLIC WORKSHOP SUMMARY The City of Lake Elsinore, the Lake Elsinore Redevelopment Agency, and Cooper Carry, Inc. conducted a consensus-building workshop on December 6, 2008. The purpose of the workshop was to identify clear goals for the future of downtown Lake Elsinore. The workshop was divided into three parts, metaphorically based on important components of a traditional waterfront downtown: Town Square, Main Street, and Pier. The idea was to encourage maximum participation throughout. Convening at the Town Square to be introduced to the happenings downtown, participants would then take a stroll down Main Street to identify what would make downtown viable and livable. Ending at the Pier, they would consider ways to make downtown Lake Elsinore a truly memorable place.

town square

The Town Square was the stage for a public forum. Participants were asked to respond to the important issues that have arisen from the General Plan update process and Civic Center Design Competition. Their comments, listed below, reemphasized some points already identified and brought new issues critical to the success of downtown Lake Elsinore to light.

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CONNECTIVE ARCHITECTURE Connective Architecture strives to re-engage people to people, people to environment, and people to place.

How do we make Downtown Lake Elsinore Viable?

VIABLE was defined as capable of working, functioning or developing adequately; having a reasonable chance at succeeding; financially stable; having the ability to grow, expand and develop.

How do we make Downtown Lake ElsinoreLivable?

LIVABLE was defined as fit or pleasant to live in; suitable for living in; habitable; comfortable; worth living; endurable.

How do we make Downtown Lake Elsinore Memorable?

MEMORABLE was defined as noteworthy, significant, worth being remembered or noted; remarkable.

DOWNTOWN WORKSHOP COMMENTS • bike paths and walking paths respectful to property owners – linear connective spine • transportation water taxi or ferry across lake, bus system, trolley bus, etc.

• large public area at lake direct access to lake • connection of boat launch and senior center along lakeshore • signage • flood prevention • connectivity of downtown • connective architecture connect 2 sides of lake?

• don’t ruin nature/character of lake elsinore unique • what is memorable about Lake Elsinore?

• safety in downtown no lights, sidewalks, stores open, cctv, more people • no landscape around lake why isn’t it cleaner/safer?

• parking on main street (City Hall) • water features, windmills on the hills • historic instead of “Old Town” references; there are places that don’t have the same historic fabric as Lake Elsinore – “Faux” downtowns • civic center as a part of downtown • sidewalks by schools • stronger stadium connectivity • lake activities sail vs. power boats, fishing, no casino • reuse of old buildings why are they not being reused?

What are the issues, costs? Some buildings are eyesores and need more City involvement • add social security office downtown • civic center new roads, one-way streets, improved roads • city park to stay deeded in perpetuity – water tower deeded to city • seniors in downtown - better connection • hot springs underground well – reuse within downtown • new business park not on the lake but integrated into downtown • boardwalk around lake private ownership issues – opportunities for connectivity 29

main street

Leaving the Town Square, the workshop participants took a walk down Main Street. Six shop fronts (with tables behind) were set up along the theoretical street, three on either side of the street. Each shop represented a different topic important to creating a viable, livable, and memorable downtown. The color-coded quote cards determined at random the six discussion groups and the shop at which they would begin. The six topics were: Architectural Character, Civic, Commercial, Public Realm, Residential and The Waterfront.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER The influence of existing architecture on the form of future developments in downtown will begin to define an Architectural Character. Historic buildings in Lake Elsinore date from the late 19th century and were built to meet the functional and aesthetic needs of the City and its people. These needs may not be the same today, and the architecture must respond appropriately.

there is an opportunity to spread these uses along Main Street to help catalyze new investment and development around existing historic shops and other uses, while also addressing some of the vacancies and infrastructure needs in downtown. Traditionally, Civic buildings are the most prominent features of a downtown, embodying the spirit the community at large. They become the visual representation of where a city has been and where it is going.

COMMERCIAL Commercial development is integral to establishing viability in downtown Lake Elsinore. The Proposed General Plan calls for commercial development along Main Street from Lakeshore Drive to the I15 Freeway, a mile-long corridor. The feasibility of attracting viable commercial uses to cover the length of Main Street, especially in current market conditions, is questionable. A more focused hub of commercial activity may be a wiser strategy that ultimately contributes to a stronger downtown.

PUBLIC REALM

CIVIC The Civic Center Design Competition presented the need for a new city hall, council chambers, post office, public library, business incubator, and other government offices in downtown. Instead of concentrating these uses into one Civic Center,

The Public Realm is the inter-connective fabric of downtown where people can gather and interact with other people and the environment. It is this interaction that begins to create the sense of place, shaping its unique character and ultimately making

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it memorable. The Public Realm includes sidewalks and crosswalks, parks, landscape and hardscape features, signage, lighting, awnings and shading structures, street furniture, piers, boardwalks, and other components that influence and inspire the pedestrian experience. Improvements within the public realm can change negative perceptions of downtown, enhance connections along Main Street from the I-15 Freeway to the lake, and make downtown a more pedestrian-friendly, vibrant, and memorable place where people want to be.

RESIDENTIAL Integral to making downtown Lake Elsinore a safer and more active environment is creating more opportunities for people to live downtown. Currently, downtown consists primarily of commercial uses and land vacancies. When businesses and shops close at night, there are no “eyes on the street,� which can make one feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

Encouraging people to live downtown can help to deter these negative perceptions. More people living downtown can make businesses more viable by creating local demand, extending the hours of shops and restaurants. Main Street can then become an inviting place to be from early in the morning until late in the evening.

WATERFRONT The Waterfront is one of the most important components of downtown, providing an opportunity to make a visit to the City a memorable experience.

Historically, the City developed around the quality of life supported by the lake, the largest of the handful in southern California that are natural. Today, downtown is disconnected from the lake. The Waterfront discussions sought to identify how to re-establish this important relationship. The Proposed General Plan allocates the waterfront area in downtown as Open Space/Recreation, which allows currently for open space and passive/active recreation, as well as commercial recreation facilities provided they exhibit exceptional architecture / site design / amenities.

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the pier

The workshop culminated with a visioning session held on The Pier. An oversized board game was set up, with empty squares (similar to the property squares on a Monopoly board) forming two rows. Workshop participants were asked to identify the elements from the Town Square and Main Street discussions that they believed were most critical to making downtown viable, livable and memorable.

These elements were then written in to the squares to fill out the board. Each participant was then given three fake ten-dollar bills. By placing money in the squares, they indicated where they wanted the City to invest money. The table opposite lists the elements, in order of dollars allocated to them.

top 5 dollar investments

pier ($240) street improvements ($150) streetlights, landscape, sidewalks city/public-purchased land ($120) boardwalk ($100) city hall ($80) lake accessibility ($70)

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additional dollar investments: $50 main street to lake connection waterfront park $40 canal/channel riverwalk ferry $30 library performing arts center p.r. / perception and marketing home rehab grants $20 green initiatives geothermal, sustainability affordable housing museum post office maintenance lakeshore drive connection $10 sulphur springs parking structure law enforcement entry archway workforcetraining ymca/boys and girls club earthquake retrofit facades grants stoneman road crossing $0 water tower park revenue/public boat slips retrofit of main street public art code enforcement trolley connecting to the lake

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These “5 in 5” Guiding Principles outline the Vision for re-establishing the downtown as the heart of the City.

A revamped waterfront with new civic projects are the cornerstones of the Urban Design Master Plan, which strives to achieve viability through a mix of uses. The development of high quality mixed use development, along with the restoration of the historic value of the existing downtown, will create a livable, viable and memorable place for residents and visitors alike.

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• Physically connect downtown to the lake with the re-alignment of Main Street, Lakeshore Drive, Library Street • Enhance the existing City Park with the re-alignment of Main Street, with a new civic gathering space with views of the lake • Provide public access to the water with a new Waterfront Park and pier, at the termination of Main Street

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• Create vibrant livable, viable and sustainable environment in downtown.

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• Restore historic facades with seismic retrofitting, where feasible • Encourage the infill of vacant lots with quality mixed-use development with a variety of residential, office/commercial, retail, cultural and civic uses

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• Encourage quality, mixed-income and affordable housing developments for all age groups to activate downtown and Main Street • Enhance and improve the quality and mix of retail shops on the historic Main Street; outdoor dining

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• Celebrate the location of the downtown as the “City on the Lake” with a new “Waterfront District”

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• Develop business incubator on Main Street with retail ground floor • Attract quality office development in downtown; allow Class A office buildings in the Gateway District • Improve public safety and perception of downtown, through streetscape improvements, lighting and new sidewalks using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles • Provide for a variety of cultural and arts facilities and programs that will draw citizens and visitors to the downtown, including farmers market, art events • Convert existing Cultural Center back to a community playhouse/community center • Develop programs for the relocation of architecturally significant homes to vacant lots • Develop grant and educational programs to assist with property upgrades and shopfront enhancements • Celebrate the waterfront environment with lakefront

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and creek improvements, with riparian zones

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create a civic identity

• Celebrate Lake Elsinore as the “City on the Lake” with a new “Waterfront District” anchored by a new pier as an extension of Main Street with new Waterfront Park • Create memorable public buildings, and new city facilities as catalysts for infrastructure improvements: City Hall, library, museum and cultural buildings • Enhance the existing City Park with the re-alignment of Main Street, and create a new public square on Main Street with close proximity to City Hall • Purchase land developments

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• Protect historic building character within the historic downtown district • Create a public circle or roundabout to reduce the perceived length of Main Street • Develop design/art program for gateway portals, district markers and water features • Encourage community participation in public gardening, streettree planting, and supplemental maintenance of the public realm

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improve walkability and connectivity

• Enhance connectivity from the downtown to the lake

• Develop retail/storefront criteria to enhance pedestrian/retail experience

• Create walkable districts based on 5-minute walking zones to minimize perceived length of Main Street

• Enhance civic identity of downtown to passing traffic on I-15 Freeway

• Create walkable streets with new sidewalks, curbs, streetscaping, and quality lighting

• Develop a wayfinding and signage program for downtown

• Re-align Main Street to improve connectivity to the lake at Lakeshore Drive; connect Lakeshore Drive to the downtown with a new bridge over the creek • Provide adequate parking with easy access within downtown • Restore Main Street to its historic cross section with parallel parking • Improve pedestrian access by creating a lakefront boardwalk and enhancing creek edge • Build pedestrian bridge at Flint and/or Pottery • Celebrate gateway opportunities • Implement green strategies in all public right-of-ways as appropriate, using native trees, waterwise plants, pervious paving, bio-swalkes and urban agriculture • Provide alternative transportation options

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develop an urban design framework and guidelines

• Prepare a creative Downtown urban Design Master Plan to guide the future development within the downtown • Produce Downtown Urban Design Guidelines to guide futre development within the downtown connecting to the lake

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connecting to the lake

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existing street diagram

proposed street diagram

The Big Idea for the City of Lake Elsinore Downtown Master Plan is to reconnect the City to the Lake. This bold and creative gesture requires the re-alignment of Main Street and Lakeshore Drive to physically connect the downtown to the lake. The Downtown Lake Elsinore Master Plan intends to reconnect the City to the lake. Main Street will be extended to the lake, and the waterfront will be activated with a variety of uses. This new interface with the City’s prized resource will be the centerpiece of a viable, livable, and memorable downtown.

master plan process recognized the importance of reconnecting the City and its’ residents to the lake.

Many of the historic buildings in Lake Elsinore are located near the lake. The City Park, on Main street, is land that has been dedicated to the City as public lands. The connection of Main Street to the lake would require the realignment of several roads within the downtown.

Citizens attending the workshop expressed their strong desire to reconnect to the lake.

The City of Lake Elsinore historic Main Street is located adjacent to the lake. Currently Main Street is disconnected from the lake front. The downtown downtown master plan

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t r u c k co n n e c t i v i t y

ve h i c u l a r a n d t r a n s i t c o n n e c t i v i t y

bicycle connectivity

pedestrian connectivity and green streets

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Limited Avenue Bridge over Temescal Creek, Lake Elsinore

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ve minute walking districts

ve distinct districts

5 Minute Walk Methodology

Lake Elsinore’s Districts

The 5-minute walk, a distance of a quarter mile or 1,320 feet, refers to the distance in which most people are comfortable or willing to consistently walk. As an urban design strategy, the 5-minute walk is essential to setting an urban fabric, block dimensions, street cross sections, land use mixes and densities, to create self-sustaining and walkable neighborhoods or districts. The districts for the City of Lake Elsinore were set up off of the 5-minute walk, with Main Street intersecting the core of each of these districts.

The City of Lake Elsinore will be made up of 5 districts, each with its own unique identity: Gateway District, Garden District, Cultural District, Historic District and Waterfront District. The Main Street corridor connects each of these districts and will become an eclectic, mixed-density, and mixed-use street – a great street linking all of downtown to the lake.

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