2014 Downtown Master Plan

Temple, TX 2014 Downtown Temple Strategic Plan

Contents Executive Summary

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Objective Overall Vision Planning Principles

Process

Background Studies Survey Results Charrette

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Opportunities & Constraints

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Master Plan

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Historic Buildings Rail Lines Infrastructure Adjacencies Land Acquisition

Key Ideas Street Network Open Space & Trail Network

Districts Town Center Santa Fe Plaza 1st Street Corridor MLK District South Gateway to TMED

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Introduction Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

Objective The 2013 Downtown Temple Strategic Plan had one major objective: To provide a framework plan to help guide city leaders, property owners and future developers in the creation of an overall unified plan made up of a variety of urban districts. The intent is to identify the best land use options and to provide a cohesive urban design strategy to unify these areas.

The overall intent is to give the city guidance in future capital improvement projects, potential development and redevelopment areas and budget for the possible improvements.

This plan aims to provide opportunities to expand on the cultural aspects already prominent in Temple by offering incentives for new development and creating new outdoor venues for such activities to occur.

Included in the list of significant buildings and historical significance are the three depots which will act as anchors and significant landmarks for the community. The overall master plan incorporates each landmark with a separate green-space and specific functionality to activate the building.

2. Walkability

4. Activity

The most successful cities generally have a core that is largely pedestrian-oriented or at least, easily walkable with a variety of land uses and successful day and night activities.

Temple has some retail which encourages pedestrian traffic and activity, however with the improvement of streetscape and renovations, more retail and services are expected to provide more activity and better walkability. Currently, most people spend an average of 1-2 hours but the aim is to increase the variety of options to allow people to stay longer.

region. Cultural and performing arts have been an important part of Temple’s community.

During the three-day charrette, the attendees came up with a list of favorite downtowns and the reasoning for the success of those cities and towns. The following are general strengths of the favorite downtowns:

Throughout the charrette, stakeholders and officials expressed their issues with the walkability of Temple’s downtown core. Many attendees attributed the issue with inadequate and inconvenient parking. While this may be true, the design team came up with several solutions to address this particular issue.

1. Culture

3. Historic Significance

Culture is imperative to any successful downtown because it is the heart and soul of a community. Cultural arts, entertainment, theater and festivals play a vital role in the livability of a

An important staple of Temple’s downtown are the many late 1800/early 1900 buildings, many of which have been altered over the years.

Attendees of the workshop were in agreement that revitalizing and renovating these buildings was high on the list of priorities.

Planning Principles

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Process Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

Background Studies

Survey Results

TBG Partners met with city staff, as well as engineering consultants, Kasberg, Patrick & Associates, LP (KPA) prior to the charrette to gain a base knowledge of issues and opportunities at hand.

The most valuable information gathered prior to and during the workshop was feedback from the Community and Stakeholders. Prior to the charrette, invitees were asked to fill out a digital survey. The responses were analyzed and presented on the first day.

TBG created basemaps and gathered base information in order to make efficient and effective use of the short window of time allotted for the charrette.

Q6: Businesses that should not be allowed Downtown (Over 50% agreed)

1. Other than work, what do you do downtown and how long do you typically stay? 

The majority of people said they typically do one or a combination of the following: shopping, eating, happy hour, banking, errands and meetings.

Typical visit to Downtown Temple Less than 1 Hour 1-2 hours More than 2 hours Did not specify amount of time 2. Rate the following about Temple’s Downtown District.

See “Q2: Current Conditions in Downtown Temple” on page 6.

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3. What is Downtown’s greatest STRENGTH?

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Downtown Temple’s Greatest Strengths Restaurants Governmental (City Hall, banks, government offices) Businesses (Small, Public, Private and Daytime) Train Depots Historic Buildings Potential Friendly People Ease of Access Skyline

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4. What is Downtown’s greatest WEAKNESS? Downtown Temple’s Greatest Weakness Appearance of Vacant/Under-utilized buildings Lack of businesses/Retail/Diversity of land uses Poor infrastructure Lack of Residential No unified plan No sense of destination Homeless people Government employment

11 7 5 2 2 1 1 1

5. The activities most important to Downtown: See “Q5: Most Important Activities to Downtown” on page 6.

6. What type of businesses should NOT be acceptable Downtown?

See “Q6: Businesses that should not be allowed Downtown (Over 50% agreed)” on page 5.

7. What are the most important improvements needed for the Downtown District?

See “Q7: Most Important Improvements Needed” on page 7.

8. Downtown Temple needs the following: See “Q8: Downtown Temple Needs” on page 7.

9. What could the City do to help businesses thrive and keep property values strong?

See “Q9: City Improvements to help businesses thrive and keep property value strong” on page 7.

10. Please rank the best options for addressing the struggles of East Downtown.

See “Q10: Options for Addressing East Downtown Struggles” on page 8.

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Q5: Most Important Activities to Downtown

Process Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

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Attendees included the following:

Charrette Engineering consultants, KPA Engineers hired landscape architectural firm, TBG Partners out of Dallas, TX to involve the city in its first of two in a series of design charrettes. The first of which focusing on the core downtown area of Temple.

Design charrettes are intensive, hands-on workshops which bring people from varying disciplines and backgrounds together to explore design solutions for a particular site or district.

The goal of a charrette is to capture the vision, values and ideas of the community and 8

collaborators to create meaningful and innovative solutions in a short amount of time.

The charrette was held October 7-9, 2013 at Temple’s Public Library.

Attendees A – Design Team Judy Morales Kim Foutz Jonathan Graham Kayla Landeros Steve Wright Bob Browder John Kiella David Patrick – KPA Mark Meyer – TBG Jim Manskey – TBG Dean Wilson – TBG Brent Spraggins – TBG Sherri Collison – TBG Travis Crow – TBG

B – Stakeholders Danny Dun Russell Schneider Perry Cloud Tim Davis David Blackburn Brynn Myers Thomas Baird Charlie Ayers Rod Henry Kenny McCarty David Nix John Tipton Bryan Smith Alesia Dawson Louis Flores

Process Downtown Temple Charrette 2014 Schedule Monday, October 7 Time 8:30-9 9-9:30

Agenda Group Presenter Breakfast AB Introductions/ AB David Patrick Favorite Downtowns 9:30-10 Mark the Map AB Mark Meyer 10Successful Cities AB TBG 10:30 Presentation 10:30- Downtowns AB Mark Meyer 11:15 11:15- Review marked map/ AB Mark Meyer 11:45 Survey Results 12:00- Lunch AB 1:15 1:30-5 Breakout Session A 5-6 Dinner A 6:30-9 Breakout Session A Continues

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Tuesday, October 8

Activities

Time Agenda Group Presenter 8:30-9 Breakfast AB 9-10:30 Team Presentations AB Mark Meyer, David Patrick 10:30- Breakout Session A 12 12-1 Lunch A 1:30Breakout Session A 6:30 6:30Dinner A 7:30 7:30-10 Breakout Session A Continues

Wednesday, October 9 Time 8:30-9 9-1 1-2:30

Agenda Breakfast Presentation Prep Presentation

2:303:30

Next Steps

Group Presenter A A AB Mark Meyer, David Patrick A

In addition to the survey, attendees were also asked to contribute in several ice-breaker activities that provided further feedback on specific assets, issues and opportunity sites.

Favorite Downtowns Each attendee was asked to describe their favorite Downtown. The descriptions assisted in determining the planning principles which helped to guide the discussions and overarching goals.

“Mark the Map�

Survey Results

Presentations

Attendees were asked to use colorful sticky notes to pinpoint areas of opportunity, preservation or growth.

The results from the survey were presented to attendees. See Survey Results on page 5 for further information.

These presentations focused on not only addressing the issues and opportunities presented but were open to questions, comments and concerns, in order to get the best real world solutions.

Breakout Sessions These sessions were primarily dedicated for the design team to address the solutions and problems presented, through varying graphics.

Successful Downtowns TBG prepared a presentation on successful cities with backgrounds and population sizes similar to Temple, which faced similar issues; McKinney, Texas and Owensboro, Kentucky.

Each city approached their opportunities and constraints with different solutions.

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Opportunities & Constraints Downtown Temple Charrette 2014 Temple was founded in the late 1800’s as a small railroad community which quickly built a hospital just ten years after its’ initial establishment. Both the hospital and the rail have shaped the community over the years and has a large impact on the existing community even today.

Historic buildings Renovations

Santa Fe Depot The Santa Fe Depot was completed in 1911 for the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railways.

Currently the Depot is home to a small Amtrak station and the Railroad & Heritage Museum.

The original main floor waiting room is now a beautiful space with gray marble floors, dark wood wainscoting and trim. The space is primarily used for private events and will serve as a beautiful anchor to a plaza or park.

An important staple of Temple’s downtown are the many late 1800/early 1900 buildings, many of which have been altered over the years. Attendees of the workshop were in agreement that revitalizing and renovating these buildings was high on the list of priorities.

Moody Depot

Depots/Community Landmarks 11

The Moody Depot currently is home to the Central Texas Area Model Railroaders. It was relocated near the Santa Fe Depot. The proximity to the Santa Fe Depot gives this part of downtown a unique character and history. It is important to keep this history but to hopefully activate the first floor of this building.

MKT Depot The MKT Depot becomes a landmark for entering downtown and the east side. Due to its adjacency to rail, it is currently vacant and cut off from the community but has great potential to becoming a successful hub of activity.

Relocation of Several Existing Organizations During preliminary discussions, several organizations mentioned that they may be interested in moving to a new headquarters or office space. These organizations moving into new locations in downtown becomes a great opportunity to activate new or renovated spaces and allows planners greater flexibility with focusing core groups of people.

Hotel Locations Further economic studies may be needed to determine the viability of a hotel in downtown Temple but many stakeholders believe there would be enough traffic from nearby medical centers to warrant a small boutique hotel.

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Rail Lines Although the railroads crossing through Temple produce some of its best landmarks and features, they also create a number of issues with the largest being the disconnect and isolation of the area east of Downtown.

Although a rails-to-trails solution is not viable here with the rails being active, there is still plenty of opportunity to create a meandering trail parallel to the rail which connects residents, greenspace, the historic depots and downtown.

Gateways / Branding Three main bridges cross over the rail lines surrounding downtown. The bridges create both opportunities for branding grander gateways into downtown and potential problematic areas of barriers to pedestrians.

East Side Over the years, the neighborhoods east of downtown have been isolated and cut off by the rail line which caused neighborhood streets and pedestrian conditions to be severed. In some areas, residences located adjacent to the tracks have seen influxes of crime and poverty which results in vacancies and dilapidated buildings.

Fortunately the Rail and creek running through parts of these neighborhoods, with some improvements of trails and landscaping, can become prominent connections for the residents to downtown and a variety of parks.

Opportunities & Constraints Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

Infrastructure

Adjacencies

Parking

TMED Proximity

Stakeholders expressed their issues with the lack and proximity of parking to their intended destination. The biggest issue with parking is more of a perception than an actual issue which this plan addresses in several ways.

The most prominent north-south corridor connects downtown Temple with TMED. Third Street connects the two hubs however many lower income pedestrians with limited mobility find it hard to traverse this corridor due to lack of sidewalks, ramps and overall poor conditions.

Street Widths Many streets are oversized, causing unsafe and unfriendly pedestrian conditions which should be addressed.

Third Street has a great opportunity to create a grand entry to and from downtown with the bridge that crosses the rail line.

Neighborhood Services Many typical neighborhood services such as groceries and pharmacies are located outside of downtown and towards the highway, making it difficult for residents to the North and East to shop and run necessary errands.

The plan recommends creating stronger connections to the Mercado, which is a local, Mexican grocery and a local favorite. The city should consider seeking out and facilitating spaces for more of these neighborhood amenities.

Land Acquisition The City of Temple has been purchasing tracts of land in the urban core of downtown which creates a great opportunity for growth and control over quality development which follows the proposed Master Plan.

Oversized Roadway

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Oversized Roadway

City Owned Properties 14

Master Plan Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

Key Ideas Create an Overlay District / City Ordinances An overlay district is recommended in order to incorporate modern zoning, land use and street standards appropriate to a downtown.

Current standards allow for an unhealthy range of zoning and suburban standards which hinder walkability and viability of a downtown, urban area.

1. Land Use / Zoning During the survey review, it was apparent that many inappropriate land uses are still allowed in the urban core. The recommended action is that the land use and zoning codes should be updated as quickly as possible in order to avoid further unwanted development.

2. Street Standards Current Street Standards are recommended to be updated to meet more modern urban street standards. Some improvements have been made to the streetscape in Temple however many of the street widths are oversized. Many of these oversized roads can be used as opportunities for expanding the pedestrian realm and allowing for sidewalk 15

cafes and spillout from retail. Refer to “Street Standards� on page 19 for recommended street types.

3. Parking Standards In any downtown, too much or too little parking always seems to be an issue. For Temple, studies show that parking is low for the expected growth but the bigger issue seems to be the lack of congruent streetscape activity which subconsciously makes the pedestrian feel as though they are walking farther than what they are actually walking.

Modern urban street standards are designed to increase the ease and safety of walking for pedestrians and provide safe, efficient movement for automobiles.

4. Designated food truck locations Designated food truck locations are popping up all around the nation. Food trucks generate foot traffic, especially in transitional locations.

One suggested location is street designated parking for trucks on the southeast side of S. Main Street and E. Central Avenue. The old facade of the building which has been converted into a parking lot would be a great

transition area into a temporary plaza space with seating while the trucks are open.

Convert Central and Adams to two-ways Perceptions of parking issues prohibit people from wanting to travel to downtown. One solution to this problem, is to convert Central and Adams to two-way streets. When every other street is one-way, a driver looking for on-street parking would have to pass through 8 intersections in order to loop back around to the same area. If these two streets convert to two-way, the loop for the driver is cut by 3/4 and the amount of intersections is only four.

Branding at Gateways Temple has a unique opportunity that three main gateways into the downtown area are large bridges that slope gradually over the railways surrounding the core of downtown.

This provides Temple with a place making opportunity to brand these bridges.

Currently the bridges provide little to no safe pedestrian access and provide even more challenges to disabled pedestrians.

District Plan 16

Master Plan Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

Policy & Program Initiatives

Program Initiatives

All or most of these policy improvements should be addressed within six months to two years.

1. TISD Administration - Facilitate a new downtown location

Policy Initiatives 1. Consider hiring a Downtown Development Manager

3. First Baptist Campus - Find new user

2. Consider updating Downtown Ordinances

5. Wheatley School - Consider reprogram to Magnet school

3. Consider enhancing or relocating the City’s Farmers Market to another downtown location

Incentive Program Consider establishing incentives for the following: 1. 2nd Floor Residential and Office Incentives 2. Facade Restoration 3. Former Hawn Hotel Redevelopment 4. Historic SPJST Redevelopment 5. New Hotel 6. Santa Fe Plaza Park Mixed-use Development 7. North-side Pharmacy and Grocery 8. Redevelopment along Central, Avenue C and 2nd Street 17

2. Chamber of Commerce - Find new location

4. Historic Post Office - Facilitate a new user

Open Space & Trail Network The goal of the overall open space and trail network is to provide connectivity in areas that have been divided by rail. The Santa Fe district has been strategically expanded but more importantly the Santa Fe Trail has been expanded to run southeast along the rail and connects north towards the MKT Depot and the Mercado.

Other parks, plazas and pedestrian promenades branch from the park and trails along the rail to connect downtown to the trail system. Designated improved streetscape completes the loop through the city.

Street Network

Open Space & Trail Network 18

Master Plan Downtown Temple Charrette 2014 Streetscape Improvements Every year the City should consider allocating money to improving one town center block.

See Recommended Streetscape Improvements on this page.

Street Standards Improving the streetscape must be paired with the proper street types to create a harmony between pedestrian and automobile.

This plan recommends that the city update their master thoroughfare plan with modernized urban street standards similar to these. Current street widths are oversized and can be given back to the pedestrian realm for spill-out spaces like sidewalk cafes and retail.

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Urban Street Type A

Urban Street Type B

Urban Street Type C

Urban Street Type D

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Districts Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

Town Center Due to a concentration of buildings and commercial uses located along South 2nd, 4th and 6th Street, a new town center is proposed just north of the concentration of buildings. East Central Avenue, which is already one of the strongest corridors in terms of significant historic buildings, could serve as a primary street and core of downtown Temple. This district has two key buildings which are ripe for redevelopment, the Historic SPJST and the former Hawn Hotel. The two buildings are the largest in the Downtown area and are adjacent to fairly large expanses of under-utilized or vacant properties which are ideal for new development.

This new town center proposes exploring the consolidation of government services into this district. The district is already home to the County government annex and the police station. The plan recommends exploring other consolidation in the future, such as City Hall and other Municipal services.

A major land use currently missing in downtown Temple is residential. The SPJST and the Hawn Hotel would be excellent 21

options for adaptive reuse into either a boutique hotel, apartments or condos.

District Master Plan Goals: Re-brand and redevelop this district as core of downtown by focusing renovation efforts towards key historic buildings.

Main Ideas 1. Former Hawn Hotel redeveloped 2. Historic SPJST redevelopment 3. Explore consolidating government services into this district 4. Pedestrian-oriented block on Central between 4th & 6th for Festivals

Proposed Projects 1. Consider establishing incentive programs for the following: 2. Former Hawn Hotel Redevelopment 3. Historic SPJST Redevelopment 4. Pedestrian oriented block along Central 5. Consider allocating funds annually to improve our Town Center Block

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Districts Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

Santa Fe Plaza District Master Plan The Santa Fe District uses the Depot as an activity anchor and catalyst point. The park will relate back to the depot in regards to alignment and use. The Depot is recommended to be used for public and private events with spill-over space onto the pedestrian street which is currently Avenue B. Closing off this street is recommended to allow for a safer and more efficient public space.

Whistle Stop Park is already a point of pride for the City but the area adjacent to the park could be better incorporated into the framework and connectivity of the city.

Surrounding development would draw activity and people to the park space.

Main Ideas 1. Expand Whistle Stop Park to create linear park alongside rail 2. Incorporate downtown gateway branding on Central 3. Creation of Santa Fe Plaza north of Santa Fe Depot 23

4. Develop Santa Fe pedestrian plaza on Avenue B 5. Create incentives for mixed-use development surrounding Santa Fe Plaza

Proposed Projects 

Whistle Stop Park Expansion

Proposes connecting the existing whistle stop park, playground and the new Santa Fe Plaza and greenbelt trail.



Santa Fe Greenbelt Trail

The linear trail has been sectioned off into phased portions. The first portion is recommended to begin by being incorporated into the Santa Fe Plaza master planning then moving east. 

Santa Fe Plaza

The city has already allocated money towards the plaza so it is recommended to be completed in the beginning of the Downtown re-development.

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Districts Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

1st Street Corridor

Main Ideas

District Master Plan

1. Restructure 1st Street to be Pedestrianoriented and create linkage from Santa Fe Linear Park to City Hall

South 1st Street currently has a descent amount of historic buildings. Although many of the buildings need renovation, it has maintained a fairly consistent street frontage.

Like other streets in downtown, S. 1st street is oversized so the design team proposed that the street become parallel parking instead of angled parking on both sides to allow larger sidewalks. This allows for a more successful pedestrian promenade which connects north to the current City Hall. City Hall could incorporate one bay of parking in the large parking lot to create a pedestrian plaza for events.

On the south end of 1st Street, the road has already been shut off and is incorporated as part of a quiet zone for the rail. Fred Springer park and the existing farmers market can be connected to become part of the linear park system along the rail which is connected to other parts of the city by the future Santa Fe Trail.

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2. Relocate visitor center to Santa Fe Depot & and adapt current building to different use 3. Consider reclaiming one bay of parking at City Hall parking lot to be pedestrian plaza 4. Consider allowing food kiosks along Main Street Historic Facades

Proposed Projects 

S. 1st Street Redevelopment

This improvement is recommended in order to spur renovation and redevelopment in this corridor. 

Fred Springer Park Expansion

Improvement recommended. Santa Fe Plaza and trails recommended in the beginning of the re-development. 

City Hall Parking Lot Partial Conversion to Plaza

1st street will take some time to redevelop with City Hall Parking Lot considered as a later piece in the re-development.

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Districts Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

MLK District District Master Plan The MLK District is an area that faces many challenges and incorporates many pieces and parts; such as residential redevelopment, new community parks and plazas, enhanced existing park, streetscape improvements, trails and adaptive re-use of the MKT Depot.

MLK Park is recommended to be one block with small single-family lots fronting. The goal is to get more residential into downtown without the barriers of large roadways or rail.

The park is recommended to be more geared towards a community neighborhood park than an urban park with a community garden, playground, open lawn and games area.

Santa Fe Greenbelt is recommended to continue north connecting Hamilton Park, the neighborhood, the depot and up towards the Mercado.

Streetscape improvements would help residents with pedestrian and bike connectivity to these amenities as well as King’s Daughters Hospital and to Ferguson Park.

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Main Ideas



1. Create MLK Park

The plan recommends minimal changes to Hamilton Park. Most of the improvements proposed will be increasing mobility around the park by introducing street frontages and connecting the park to the greenbelt.

2. Front MLK Park with new single family residential 3. Consider adaptive re-use of Katy Depot to a Community Center, Business Incubator, Police substation or similar



Hamilton Park

Ferguson Park

4. Create hike and bike linkage along rail from Hamilton Park to depot to Mercado grocery store 5. Improve residential streetscape connections to the East to help rehabilitate neighborhood 6. Consider reprogramming Wheatley school to Art Magnet school

Proposed Projects 

MLK Park

This park could potentially be funded with Community Block Grants and would improve quality in the East side so this park will be an early part of the Master Plan. 

Santa Fe Greenbelt Expansion

The greenbelt will be developed over time and this is the last piece moving up towards the Mercado.

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Changes recommended are minimal however a gateway plaza will be crucial to connecting Avenue C with the park.



King’s Daughters Park

These improvements are proposed to include the park directly across the street to create a small neighborhood park.

Districts Downtown Temple Charrette 2014 

Streetscape Improvements

Additional sidewalks and improvements to street conditions are recommended. These specific streets would add value to the neighborhoods and hopefully spur improved home ownership and reduce vacancies. 

MKT Depot Adaptive Reuse

The MKT Depot and surrounding plaza space should be considered as some kind of community amenity. 

Mercado Pedestrian Trail

It is recommended to connect the Depot to the Mercado by creating improved street conditions and a winding trail with landscaping.

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South Gateway to TMED

but will most likely not all be constructed during this period.

District Master Plan



The gateway to TMED is recommended as a reconfiguration of the area where 3rd and 1st Street merge. The adjacent area to the east is mostly light industrial which should be relocated or screened as this is the main entry to downtown for many people. The bridge is one of three that should be designed in a series to better brand the entry into downtown.

Further investigation into the design and traffic impact should be done to determine the timeframe of this improvement.

Main Ideas 1. Redevelop bridge to provide safe and pleasant pedestrian and bike connections to TMED 2. Simplify and enhance 3rd Street at point of intersection with 1st Street

Proposed Projects 

Bridge Branding

These bridges are recommended to be designed in the early stages of the Master Plan with construction to follow at a later date 30

Intersection

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Downtown Temple Charrette 2014

Prepared by TBG Partners 5307 E. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 120, Dallas, TX 75206 214-744-0757 | http://tbg-inc.com