Ludlow, VT Downtown Streetscape Improvement Plan (Draft)

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DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Funded in part by a Municipal Planning Grant from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development.

1. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................1 2. ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL DOWNTOWN...........2-3 3. MASTERPLAN.........................................................................................4 4. WALKING................................................................................................5-8 5. BIKING...................................................................................................9-11 6. WALK AND BIKE COST AND FUNDING.............................12 7. PARKING...........................................................................................13-15 8. NAVIGATING.................................................................................16-18 9. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS .........................................19-22 A. LIGHTING (OPTIONAL).....................................19-20 B. STREET STREES (OPTIONAL)...........................21-22

10. APPENDIX

A. OTHER DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS..........................i B. 2021 SIDEWALK INVENTORY..................................ii C. 2019 LUDLOW SIGN PROJECT...............................iii D. 2019 PARKING INVENTORY...................................iv E. PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES...............................v F. FUNDING MASTERLIST..........................................vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAIN PROJECT AREA

BACKGROUND

THIS DOCUMENT INTENDS TO SERVE AS A FLEXIBLE GUIDE FOR STREETSCAPE AND URBAN DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS IN DOWNTOWN LUDLOW. THE DOCUMENT IS ORGANIZED TO ENCOMPASS IMPROVEMENTS IN PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE SAFETY FIRST, FOLLOWED BY OTHER DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT ENCOMPASS A SUCCESSFUL DOWNTOWN. THE GOAL IS FOR DOWNTOWN LUDLOW TO NOT JUST BE KNOWN AS A SKI RESORT TOWN, BUT A PLACE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE FEEL SAFE, HAPPY, AND COMFORTABLE RECREATING YEAR-ROUND. --PREVIOUS PLANNING DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THIS REPORT INCLUDE: 2021 SIDEWALK INVENTORY 2019 LUDLOW SIGN PROJECT

EXTENDED PROJECT AREA

2019 PARKING INVENTORY

PROJECT GOALS

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IMPROVE

INCREASE

IMPROVE

TRAFFIC

WALKABILITY

BIKEABILITY

CONNECTIONS

03

TE 1 ROUTE 103 MAIN ST.

RO U

TE

10

0

ROU

CALM

1. INTRODUCTION

1

SIDEWALKS ARE AN ESSENTIAL SIDEWALKS COMPONENT OF A PEDESTRIAN -FRIENDLY STREETSCAPE. SIDEWALKS CAN ALSO ACT AS OUTDOOR ROOMS, A PLACE TO GATHER, AND ADD TO THE CHARACTER OF A COMMUNITY. SIDEWALKS

ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN ACCOMODATIONS

TREE AND LANDSCAPE STRIPS

ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN ACCOMODATIONS

TRASH

AMPLE AND GOOD QUALITY SEATING PROVIDE SPACES FOR PEOPLE TO SIT, WAIT, INTERACT, AND OBSERVE SEATING

TRASH

PUBLIC ART

CAFE SPACE

EVENT SPACE

ALLEY AND INFILL SPACE

EVENT SPACE

PUBLIC TRANSIT

BICYCLING

PARKING

SCREENING

ALLEY AND INFILL SPACE

LIGHTING

BIKE LANES AND BIKE PARKING ARE TWO ELEMENTS OF A STREETSCAPE THAT CAN HELP ENCOURAGE MULTIMODAL RECREATION DOWNTOWN. BIKE LANES ARE ALSO A TRAFFIC CALMING TOOL

LIGHTING

PUBLIC TRANSIT, WHEN PLANNEDPUBLIC EFFECTIVELY, CAN REDUCE A NEED FORTRANSIT DOWNTOWN PARKING, AND MAKE LAND AVAILIBLE FOR MORE PRODUCTIVE AND HIGHER DENSITY USES.

PUBLIC ART

SPECIAL EVENT SPACES AND/ OR ACCOMODATING OUTDOOR DINING SIGNIFICANTLY LIVEN UP STEETSCAPES.

SCREENING

OUTDOOR CAFES PROVIDE AN CAFE SPACE ACTIVATED STREET FRONTAGE THAT ACTS AS A NATURAL LOCATION FOR ARRANGED AND SPONTANEOUS SOCIAL INTERACTION, WHICH SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESSES

PLANTERS

GARGAGE AND RECYCLING RECEPTACLES THAT ARE PLACED OUTSIDE OF RESTAURANTS, BAKERIES, AND NEAR OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS HELP KEEP AREAS CLEAN AND ATTRACTIVE LOOKING.

PLANTERS

SEATING

TREE AND LANDSCAPE STRIPS

BICYCLING

PARKING

SIGNAGE

SIGNAGE

2. ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL DOWNTOWN

2

LANDSCAPE STRIPS AND STREET TREES ARE AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO CREATE A BARRIER BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND THE STREET. THIS BUFFER CAN HELP PEDESTRIANS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WALKING ALONG THE STREET, AND ALSO SLOW TRAFFIC.

DESTRIAN ATIONS

H

PACE

ING

SIDEWALKS PLANTERS ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN TREE AND ACCOMODATIONS LANDSCAPE STRIPS

TREE AND LANDSCAPE STRIPS

PLANTERS

PUBLIC ART CAN HELP ESTABLISH A UNIQUE CHARACTER AND IDENTITY TO A DOWNTOWN, FOSTER CIVIC PRIDE, DEPICT HISTORICAL EVENTS, AND ADD INTEREST TO PUBLIC SPACES. PUBLIC ART

SEATING SCREENING

TRASH

PUBLIC ART

SCREENING PROVIDES A VISUAL BUFFER BEWTEEN PEDESTRIANS AND VEHICULAR SPACES LIKE A ROAD OR PARKING LOT. SCREENING

PROPERLY LIT, DESIGNED, AND PROGRAMMED ALLEYS AND INFILL SPACES CAN TURN DEAD AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SPACES IN SECURE, LIVELY AND INVITING SPACES. ALLEY AND INFILL CAFE SPACE LIGHTING SPACE

PARKING

EVENT SPACE

ALLEY AND INFILL SPACE

OFF-STREET PARKING, ALTHOUGH IMPORTANT, SHOULD BE LOCATED BEHIND OR TO THE SIDE OF STOREFRONTS, WHILE MAINTAINING THE PUBLIC REALM IN THE VILLAGE CENTER AS AN ACTIVE STREETSCAPE. RETROFIT EXISTING FRONT OF BUILDING PARKING AREAS WITHPARKING BICYCLING SIGNAGE PUBLIC TRANSIT LANDSCAPING.

MOVEABLE AND RAISED PLANTING BEDS CAN PROVIDE SEASONAL TEXTURE, COLOR, AND INTRIGUE AND CHARACTER TO THE STREETSCAPE. IN WINTER MONTHS, MOVEABLE PLANTERS CAN BE REPLACED WITH SEASONAL DECORATIONS OR BE A PLACE FOR SNOW STORAGE.

LIGHTING

LIGHTING A STREETSCAPE INCREASES SECURITY, PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE SAFETY, AND COMFORT. LIGHTING ELEMENTS CAN BE ON SIDEWALKS, WALKWAYS, IN BIKE LANES, AND ON THE STREET ITSELF.

WAYFINDING SIGNS CAN GREATLY ENHANCE A DOWNTOWN. SIGNS HELP VISITORS LOCATE DESTINATIONS AND CALLS ATTENTION TO POINTS OF INTEREST, AND ALSO HELPS WITH EFFICIENT TRAFFIC CIRCULATION. SIGNAGE

2. ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL DOWNTOWN

3

KEY

*

OKEMO MTN. CROSSING

*

AREAS OF INTEREST MAJOR CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA MINOR CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA

1

PAINTED BIKE LANES FUTURE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL FARMER’S MARKET BLACK RIVER ACADEMY MUSEUM

SHAW’S

*

*

VETERAN’S PARK FLETCHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY

* *

LUDLOW SCHOOLS

* *

SHARED LANE

*

NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAY BIKE PARKING

NEW MUNICIPAL PARKING AREA

PARKING

LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD

*

PARKING

*

DORSEY PARK

PARKING GUIDE SIGN GATEWAY DIRECTIONAL SIGN VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL SIGN RADAR SPEED FEEDBACK SIGN

MAJOR CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA

MINOR CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA

3. MASTERPLAN

PAINTED BIKE LANES

SHARED LANE

NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAY

BIKE PARKING

PARKING GUIDE

GATEWAY VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL SIGN DIRECTIONAL SIGN

RADAR SPEED FEEDBACK SIGN

4

WALKING AROUND LUDLOW

WALKABILITY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STREETSCAPING FEATURES A DOWNTOWN CAN HAVE. NOT ONLY ARE THERE COMMUNITY HEALTH BENEFITS DIRECTLY LINKED TO PROVIDING AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE, BUT THERE ARE DIRECT ECONOMIC BENEFITS AS WELL. IN A TOWN THAT PEOPLE FEEL SAFE WALKING REGARDLESS OF AGE OR ABILITY LEVEL, BUSINESS ACTIVITY IS ENCOURAGED. WALKING CAN BE ENCOURAGED THROUGH STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS BY SHORTENING THE SPACE THAT PEDESTRIANS HAVE TO TRAVEL FROM ONE SIDE OF THE STREET TO ANOTHER, MAINTAINING AND EXPANDING SIDEWALKS IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE AND SURROUNDING AREAS, AND PRIORITIZING PEDESTRIANS AND ADA ACCESSIBILITY OVER AUTOMOBILES.

1

x

2

3

4

5

8

9

10

11

16

17

CROSSWALK

4

SIDEWALK WIDTH

1

4’ OR LESS 5’

7

8-10’

SIDEWALK CONDITIONS

16

EXCELLENT

15

FAIR

1 2

11 3 4

4 5

6

8

11

13

13

12

11

13

13

14

19

9 10 POND ST.

19

2021 SIDEWALK INVENTORY

1. PRIORITIZE ADA ACCESSIBILITY 2. SLOW TRAFFIC AT MAIN ST. GATEWAYS 3. PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT CROSSINGS

15 14

14

11

7

14

PREVIOUS PLANNING DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THIS REPORT INCLUDE:

WALKING GOALS

18

POOR

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17

OKEMO MOUNTAIN CROSSING

SIDEWALK ASSESSMENT (CONDUCTED IN 2021) AND CROSSWALK LOCATIONS

1

1

2

WALKING CONDITIONS IN LUDLOW HAVE IMPROVED OVER THE YEARS. FROM A SIDEWALK SURVEY DONE IN 2017, TO FALL 2021, SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT REPAIRS SHOULD FOCUS ON ADA COMPLIANCE FOR SIDEWALKS UNDER 4' IN 4 WIDTH AND UNDER POOR CONDITIONS. THERE ARE 19 MAJOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AREAS IN THE DOWNTOWN WITH A RED BRICK PATTERN CROSSWAY. MAJOR INTERSECTIONS LIKE AT AREAS 1 (SHAW'S),19 (OKEMO MOUNTAIN), AND 17 (VETERAN'S PARK) ARE AREAS IN NEED OF HIGH INTERVENTION. THERE IS A NEED TO SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC COMING INTO THE DOWNTOWN AREA, TO SHORTEN THE DISTANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS.

2

3

4

3

4

4

5

6

1 7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

1

5

6

14

13

13

7

8

14

19

4. WALKING - EXISTING CONDITIONS

5

1. REPAINT ALL CROSSWALKS SPEEDING AREA MINOR CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA MAJOR CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA

BEN

15

’S

1

16

SHAW’S

SON

CROSSWALKS IN LUDLOW SHOULD CHANGE FROM THE CURRENT RED TO A CONTINENTAL STYLE (SEEN TO THE LEFT). THE CONTINENTAL STYLE CROSSWALK IS MORE VISIBLE FOR AUTOMOBILES AND WILL BE EASIER TO MAINTAIN THAN THE CURRENT RED COLOR.

17

18

SHELL

2

2. PEDESTRIAN REFUGE ISLAND AND FLASHING PUSH BUTTON CROSSING POINTS (SEE MAP)

11 3 4

4 5

6

8 7

11

11

12

13

14

11

9 10

3. SPEED SIGN AT DOWNTOWN ENTRANCEWAYS

CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREAS

PRECEDENT: MIRACLE MILE CROSSING IN LEBANON, NH

4. WALKING- RECOMMENDATIONS

PEDESTRIAN ISLANDS PROVIDE A REFUGE FOR PEOPLE CROSSING HIGH TRAFFIC SPACES. AT CROSSING AREAS NEAR SHAWS, ON POND ST. OKEMO MOUNTAIN RD. AND VETERAN’S PARK ARE ALL CROSSINGS THAT EITHER HAVE A HIGH NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS OR A HIGH NUMBER OF AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC.

19

.

D ST

4. CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE SIDEWALKS

2. PEDESTRIAN ISLAND CROSSING

PON

PERMANENT RADAR PROJECTION SPEED SIGNAGE AT THE ENTRANCE OF LUDLOW ON THE WEST AND EAST CAN HELP REMIND PEOPLE OF THE CURRENT SPEED LIMIT ENTERING DOWNTOWN COMPARED WITH HOW FAST THEY’RE GOING HEADED INTO THE VILLAGE.

OKEMO MOUNTAIN CROSSING

6

BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW A PEDESTRIAN ISLAND CROSSING COULD WORK AT CROSSING 17 (VETERAN'S PARK). VETERAN'S PARK IS BOTH A NATURAL ENTRANCE TO THE DOWNTOWN, AND A PLACE OF AN EXISITING PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SITE. A PEDESTRIAN

ISLAND WOULD BOTH PROVIDE A REFUGE FOR PEDESTRIANS AND ALSO CREATE A BARRIER TO SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC COMING INTO MAIN ST. THIS COULD ALSO WORK IN CONJUCTURE WITH A RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACON WITH A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGN.

CONTINENTAL STYLE CROSSWALK PATTERN

PEDESTRIAN ISLAND CROSSING

PUSH BUTTON FLASHING CROSSING SIGN

SPEEDING AREA MINOR CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA SITE PLAN

MAJOR CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA

BEN SON

15

’S

1

16

SHAW’S

17

18

SHELL

2

11 3 4

4 5

6

8 7

11

11

12

13

14

11

SITE PERSPECTIVE (NTS)

SITE CONTEXT

9 10

4. WALKING - OPTIONAL VETERAN’S PARK EXAMPLE

7

MINOR CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA MAJOR CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA

SON BEN

15

’S

1

16

SHAW’S

17

18

SHELL

2

11 3 4

4 5

6

8

11

7

13

12

11

14

11

19 D PON ST.

9 10

1

OKEMO MOUNTAIN CROSSING

4

6

11

12

17

19

A

A

A

A

B

B

4

1 PREFERRED

A

REPLACE ALL CROSSWALKS WITH CONTINENTAL STYLE WHITE HORIZONTAL STRIPES TO INCREASE VISIBILITY FOR AUTOMOBILES.

A

B

EXPAND CROSSWALK

PEDESTRIAN ISLAND

INCREASE SIGNAGE

LIGHTS FOR CROSSING

REPLACE HIGH PEDESTRIAN ANDAUTOMOBILE CROSSWALKS WITH A PUSH-BUTTON AND PEDESTRIAN ISLAND TO MAXIMIZE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND SLOW TRAFFIC.

WALKING- OPTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

8

BIKING AROUND LUDLOW

AS OF NOW, DOWNTOWN LUDLOW'S INFRASTRUCTURE IS EXCLUSIVELY BUILT AND DESIGNED FOR AUTOMOBILES WITH SOME PEDESTRIAN ACCOMODATIONS. ADDING CHANGES IN SIGNAGE AND PAVEMENT DESIGN ON MAIN ROADS AND SIDE ROADS TO ALLOW FOR CYCLING CAN ENCOURAGE MULTI-MOBILE TRANSPORTATION DOWNTOWN, AS WELL AS PLAY A ROLE IN REDUCING TRAFFIC SPEEDS IN AND AROUND THE DOWNTOWN CORE. WITH AN INTRODUCTION OF A NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAY ROUTE, THE AIM IS TO CONNECT RESIDENTS TO AREAS OF INTEREST THROUGHOUT THE DOWNTOWN, PROMOTE LOCAL ECONOMIC VITALITY, AND ENCOURAGE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. ALTHOUGH, AS DESIGNED, THE MAIN STREET IS NOT WIDE ENOUGH FOR A PAINTED BIKE LANE OR A PROTECTED TACK, A SHARED BIKE LANE AND INTRODUCING MORE BIKE PARKING AREAS (ALONG WITH ALL OF THE OTHER IMPROVEMENTS ENCOURAGED THROUGHOUT THIS PLAN) CAN ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO BIKE DOWNTOWN.

ELEMENTS OF BIKING RECOMMENDATIONS SHARED LANE

PAINTED BIKE LANE

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BIKING GOALS 1. MAKE IT EASY AND SAFE TO BIKE DOWNTOWN 2. CONNECT BIKERS TO LOCAL AMENITIES 3. USE BIKING LANESTO SLOW TRAFFIC 4. INCREASE BIKE PARKING DOWNTOWN

BIKING- RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS

NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAY

SHARED LANE SHARED LANES IN LUDLOW ARE PROPOSED FOR MAIN ST. FROM DEPOT ST. TO VETERAN'S PARK CROSSING. THERE IS LIMITED AMOUNT OF SPACE FOR A PAINTED BIKE LANE. A SHARED LANE WILL ONLY WORK IF OTHER TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES ARE TAKEN ALONG MAIN ST.

PAINTED BIKE LANE A PAINTED BIKE LANE IS PROPOSED ON POND ST. BEFORE DEPOT ST, WEST OF VETERAN'S PARK , AND ON A SHORT SEGMENT OF ANDOVER STREET. THE AIM IS TO GIVE CYCLISTS THEIR OWN LANE AS A LEVEL OF ADDED PROTECTION ALONG THE BUSY ROAD.

NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAY A GREENWAY IS PROPOSED FOR ALL SIDE ROADS WITHIN THE PROJECT EXTENTS. THE NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAY RELIES ON SIGNAGE, LANE SHARING, AND OTHER TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES. THE GREENWAY IN LUDLOW IS DESIGNED TO CONNECT ALL COMMUNITY AREAS OF INTEREST.

9

OKEMO MTN. CROSSING

*

1

FUTURE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL FARMER’S MARKET

*

SHAW’S

AREAS OF INTEREST

*

PAINTED BIKE LANES

BLACK RIVER ACADEMY MUSEUM

*

* *

* *

4

*

6

VETERAN’S PARK FLETCHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY

2

LUDLOW SCHOOLS

5

SHARED LANE NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAY

LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD

BIKE PARKING 3

FUTURE EXTENSION

*

DORSEY PARK

*

7

8 11

10 13

14

15

NAME

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

OKEMO MTN. CROSSING

(NEW)

5-7

BLACK RIVER ACADEMY MUSEUM

(NEW)

3-5

DORSEY PARK

16

7+

VETERAN’S PARK

(NEW)

FLETCHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY

3-5 5-7

FARMER’S MARKET

(NEW)

7+

LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD

(NEW)

7+

SHAWS

(NEW)

5-7

BREWFEST BEVERAGE

(NEW)

3-5

LUDLOW SHOPPING PLAZA

(NEW)

5-7

SHELL STATION

(NEW)

3-5

KESMAN PARK

-

BERKSHIRE BANK

(NEW)

3-5

BOOK NOOK

(NEW)

3-5

GREEN MTN TABLEWORX

(NEW)

3-5

CYCO BIKE SHOP

5-7

MAIN ST. LOCATIONS RELOCATE EXISTING SPOTS

(NEW)

NEW LOCATION

AN

DO

VE R

ST .

ELM ST.

12

#

INCREASE # OF EXISTING SPOTS

9

CHANGE # OF SPACES

*

TYPE

PARK AND RIDE

BIKING- RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS

200’

400’

10

PROTECTED TRACK A PROTECTED BIKE TRACK IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF CYCLISTS ON BUSY ROADWAYS. IN LUDLOW, TRAFFIC ALONG POND ST. HEADED EAST TOWARDS MAIN ST. AND EAST OF MAIN STREET WOULD ALLOW FOR CYCLISTS TO HAVE AN INCREASED LEVEL OF SAFETY, WHILE RIDING. THE ROADWAY IS PLENTY WIDE, AND THE ADDITION OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE WOULD CREATE A PHYSICAL BARRIER. TWO WAY PROTECTED TRACK WITH TEMPORARY PLASTIC BOLLARDS AND PAINT

FUTURE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL FARMER’S MARKET SHAW’S

*

*

AREAS OF INTEREST

BLACK RIVER ACADEMY MUSEUM

*

VETERAN’S PARK

*

ONE WAY PROTECTED TRACK WITH TEMPORARY PLASTIC BOLLARDS AND PAINT

LUDLOW SCHOOLS

* *

*

PAINTED BIKE LANES SHARED LANE NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAY ONE WAY PROTECTED TRACK PROPOSED EXTENSION

LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD

* DORSEY PARK

*

ONE WAY PROTECTED TRACK WITH MEDIANS, PLASTIC BOLLARDS, AND PAINT

ONE WAY PROTECTED TRACK WITH MEDIAN SEPERATION AND PAINT

TWO WAY PROTECTED TRACK WITH A PLANTED MEDIAN SEPERATION AND PAINT

BIKING- OPTIONAL/ LONG TERM CONSIDERATIONS

11

FUNDING THE BETTER PLACES PROGRAM

X

X

BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROGRAM

X

X

TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM

X

X

X

X

STATE ECONOMIC & INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT (SEID) PROGRAM

BGS RECREATIONAL FACILITIES GRANTS

COST

X

* THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL INCREASES FUNDING LEVELS FOR MANY EXISTING TRASNPORTATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING 20 OR SO NEW GRANT PROGRAMS.

WALK AND BIKE COST AND FUNDING

12

PARKING AROUND LUDLOW

PUBLIC ON STREET PARKING

LUDLOW IS A UNIQUE DOWNTOWN AREA BECAUSE OF THE SEASONAL INFLUX OF VISITORS AND RESIDENTS. BASED ON THE 2019 PARKING ASSESSMENT, MOST OF THE AVAILABLE PARKING IS ON PRIVATE LOTS. PUBLIC PARKING IS LIMITED TO ONE LEASED LOT AND ONSTREET PARKING SPACES. WE RECOMMEND THAT THE VILLAGE CONSIDER OTHER POSSIBLE LEASE OPTIONS AS WELL AS ANY POSSIBLE FUTURE ACQUISITION OR PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND OFF-STREET PUBLIC PARKING.

PRIVATE OFF STREET PARKING PUBLIC OFF STREET PARKING NEW MUNICIPAL PARKING AREA

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PARKING GOALS

1. PROVIDE ENOUGH PARKING DOWNTOWN TO SUPPORT SEASONAL VISITORS

PARKING INVENTORY

2. REIMAGINE PARKING SPACE DESIGN AND FUNCTION 3. ELIMINATE PARKING MINIMUMS PER ZONING CODE

UNMARKED / ESTIMATED SPACES

MARKED SPACES

TOTAL SPACES

LOT

STREET

TOTAL

LOT

STREET

TOTAL

LOT

STREET

TOTAL

48

81

129

14

9

23

62

90

152

PARKING ASSESSMENT (CONDUCTED IN 2019)

PARKING- EXISTING CONDITIONS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS

13

DOWNTOWN RUTLAND, VT

A

DOWNTOWN BRATTLEBORO, VT

B

OUTSIDE GATHERING PLACES

C

OUTDOOR DINING / SHOPPING

BIKE PARKING

-SEASONAL - TEMPORARY - BUSINESS ACTIVATED

-SEASONAL - TEMPORARY

THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT LOCATIONS, 1-4 ARE ONLY EXAMPLES OF WHERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF PARKING ALTERNATIVES COULD TAKE PLACE.

BURLINGTON, VT

D

RAIN GARDEN

LOCATION 1: OUTSIDE OF RESTAURANTS OR CAFES THAT ARE NOT LOCATED DIRECTLY ON MAIN STREET, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE OUTDOOR SEATING.

STREET TREES & GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

EXISTING PUBLIC ON STREET PARKING

THE HATCHERY

PRIVATE OFF STREET PARKING

TACOS TACOS

PUBLIC OFF STREET PARKING

A

A

B 4

PROPOSED

#

2

EXAMPLE PARKING INTERVENTION SPACES POTENTIAL PUBLIC/ PRIVATE PARKING

1

3

A

CD VETERAN’S PARK CROSSING

LOCATION 2: AT MAJOR PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE CROSSING INTERSECTIONS, A PLANTED RAIN GARDEN OR SMALL VEGETATIVE STRIP WITH A STREET TREE CAN NOT ONLY SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC BUT CREATE A SAFETY BARRIER FOR PEDESTRIANS AND A MORE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING EDGE FOR WALKERS. LOCATION 3: IN PARKING AREAS THAT ARE NOT ON MAIN STREET, BUT ARE STILL CONSIDERED DOWNTOWN, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE SEASONAL OUTDOOR SPACES IN SMALL PRIVATE LOTS. LOCATION 4: IN SMALL INTERIOR LOTS, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO TRANSFORM A ONE MORE OF THEIR PARKING SPACES INTO AN ALTERNATIVE SPACE. FOR A RESTAURANT, LIKE TACOS TACOS, THIS COULD MEAN SEATING. FOR A SMALL BOUTIQUE, THIS COULD MEAN OUTDOOR RETAIL STALLS SEASONALLY.

18 PLEASANT ST.

PARKING- OPTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

14

BEFORE

SITE CONTEXT

X

SEASONAL PARKLET

AFTER

ONE OF THE PROPOSED LOCATIONS TO REPLACE PARKING WITH A PARKLET IS ALONG DEPOT STREET. DEPOT STREET IS A GREAT LOCATION BECAUSE OF ITS PROXIMITY TO MAIN STREET, WITHOUT A LARGE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC. ANY ALTERNATE PARKING INTERVENTION ALONG MAIN STREET SHOULD SERVE AS A BARRIER BETWEEN PEDESTRIANS AND THE ROAD TO MAKE CROSSING SAFER. A PARKLET CAN BE SEASONAL AND LIKELY WOULD REVERT BACK TO PARKING WHEN REMOVED FOR THE WINTER. SOME TOWNS IN VERMONT THAT HAVE MADE USE OF THIS IDEA ARE: --WOODSTOCK --MONTPELIER --BURLINGTON --BRATTLEBORO

PARKING- OPTIONAL DEPOT ST. PARKLET IDEA

15

OTHER PEDESTRIAN CROSSING REGULATORY SIGN SERVICE AND REC SIGN RT.ABC RT.123

GUIDE

P

?

PARKING

RT.ABC RT.123

RT.ABC RT.123 RT.ABC RT.123

PARKING PARKING

P ? P P

?

P ?

PARKING

PARKING

P P

P

P

PARKING ALLOWED

P

NO PARKING

?

PARKING ORDINACE

PARKING

NAVIGATING- SIGNAGE INVENTORY

PARKING GUIDE

16

OTHER

PARKING

GATEWAY DIRECTIONAL SIGN VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL SIGN

PARKING GUIDE

PARKING PARKING

PARKING GUIDE

ST. POND

VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL SIGN

B

OTHER

PARKING

GATEWAY DIRECTIONAL SIGN

A

PARKING

C

D OKEMO MOUNTAIN CROSSING

A GATEWAY DIRECTIONAL SIGN

A

PARKING

B

VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL SIGN

C

C D

D

EXAMPLE ONLY-- NOT ACTUAL SIGN DESIGN

GATEWAY DIRECTIONAL SIGN

VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL SIGN

NAVIGATING- SIGNAGE RECOMMENDATIONS A

B

C

17

PRECEDENT RUTLAND, VT

BURLINGTON, BURLINGTON, VT VT

BURLINGTON, VT

SALEM, SALEM,MA MA

RUTLAND, VT RUTLAND, VT

COST

BURLINGTON, VT

SALEM, MA

SALEM, MA

NAVIGATING- SIGNAGE PRECEDENT AND COST

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LIGHTING LUDLOW

LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS IN DOWNTOWN LUDLOW SHOULD FOCUS ON CREATING AN INTIMATE AND HUMAN-SCALE EXPERIENCE FOR PEDESTRIANS, BIKERS, AND DRIVERS. LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS IN LUDLOW SHOULD START AT THE ENTRY POINT ON BENSON AND VETERAN’S PARK AND LINE THE MAIN STREET. SOME LIGHTING HAS ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED AT A HUMAN SCALE AT THE MILL APARTMENT COMPLEX ON THE CORNER OF DEPOT ST. AND MAIN ST., BUT ALL OTHER LIGHTING LOCATED WITHIN THE ZONE FOR STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT ARE TOO TALL. ---

HIGHWAY STREET LAMPS ARE ADEQUATE AT PROVIDING LIGHTS FOR STREETS, BUT FAIL TO ILLUMINATE SIDEWALKS EFFECTIVELY

LIGHTING GOALS 1.INCREASE SECURITY

2. ADD VIBRANCY 3. SAFE WALKING AND BIKING AT NIGHT

LIGHTING (OPTIONAL)

HIGHWAY STREETLAMP

PEDESTRIAN STREETLAMP

BOLLARD LIGHTING

SITTING WALL LIGHTING

LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

BUILDING FIXTURE

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LIGHTING AT THIS SCALE IS GOOD FOR A NON- PEDESTRIAN AREA

LIGHTING AT THIS SCALE IS GOOD FOR PEDESTRIANS

MOST LIGHTING IN DOWNTOWN LUDLOW IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR PEDESTRIANS OR BIKERS. THE SCALE OF THE LIGHTING MUST BE HIGH ENOUGH SO PEOPLE WILL NOT BUMP THEIR HEADS, BUT LOW ENOUGH THAT THE LIGHT DIRECTLY ILLUMINATES PEDESTRIAN AND BIKEWAYS. LIGHTING AT THE EXISITING MILL BUILDING IS AT AN APPROPRIATE HEIGHT, WHILE MOST OF THE REST OF THE LIGHTING ON MAIN STREET IS AT A MORE APPROPRIATE SCALE FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

LIGHTING AT THIS SCALE IS TOO HIGH FOR PEDESTRIANS

LIGHTING AT THIS SCALE OKAY FOR A PARKING AREA

LIGHTING (OPTIONAL)

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STREET TREE INTERVENTION AREA

TREES THAT QUALIFY AS STREET TREES. MOST OTHER TREES SITED ARE NOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE ROAD TO PROVIDE ANY OF THE POSITIVES OF AN URBAN STREET TREE PLANTING.

STREET TREES OTHER TREES

STREET TREES (OPTIONAL)- EXISTING CONDITIONS

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STREET TREE INTERVENTION AREA EXISTING STREET TREES OTHER TREES CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENT AREA PROPOSED STREET TREES

ASIDE FROM THE PROPSED STREET TREES PROPOSED ABOVE, STREET TREES SHOULD BE PLANTED: 1. IN ANY EXISTING LANDSCAPE STRIP 2. WITH ANY SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT 3. IN ANY VEGETATIVE BUMP OUT (SMALL TREES ONLY) 4. IN 15-30 FOOT INCREMENTS WHEREVER POSSIBLE STREET TREES ARE AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO BOTH CREATE A SAFETY BUFFER BETWEEN PEDESTRIANS AND VEHICLES WHILE ALSO CALMING TRAFFIC. STREET TREES SHOULD BE PLANTED IN A MINIMUM OF 4.5’ X 4.5’ SPACE TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SURVIVAL OF THE TREE.

SINCE THE TREES WILL BE PLANTED IN AN URBAN SPACE, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY ARE SALT TOLERANT AND CAN HANDLE OTHER STRESS THAT COMES WITH HIGH VEHICULAR, BIKE, AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC. A HELPFUL GUIDE FOR TREE SELECTION: RECOMMENDED URBAN TREES: SITE ASSESSMENT AND TREE SELECTION FOR STRESS TOLERANCE

HELPFUL ADVICE: - USE SMALL TREES AND LOW SHRUBS WITH UPWARD BRANCHING STYLES TO MAINTAIN VISIBILITY AT CROSS AREAS ANDNEAR DRIVEWAYS. - TREE WELLS SHOULD BE PLANTED ADJACENT TO THE BACK OF CURB, AS TO NOT BE IN THE PEDESTRIANS TRAVEL WAY

STREET TREES (OPTIONAL) - PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS

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V. FUNDING MASTERLIST Funding Opportunities The Village should seek grants and other funding opportunities to implement priority infrastructure improvement projects. Funding sources change over time, but the following options or programs may be worth exploring in more detail. a. Village Annual Operating Funds is an option for smaller capital cost items or establishing operational funding for a new Village Center Program, if desired. b. Create a capital reserve fund to raise the needed funds for capital expenses or to provide the local match on grants for large projects. The purpose of this option is to raise funds in advance of an anticipated capital expense to reduce the amount that must be financed or funded by other means. By doing this properly, the Village can avoid major spikes in annual budget spending over the years. c. Preparing a capital improvement plan, which is a valuable multi-year municipal capital planning process. This refers to a more informal capital planning effort, the end result of which is not adopted like a Capital Budget and Program (described below). d. Prepare and adopt a Capital Budget and Program under 24 V.S.A. §4430 for bigger capital budget costs identified in this plan. e. The Downtown Transportation Fund is a competitive funding opportunity for municipalities to help pay for transportation-related capital improvements within or serving a Designated Downtown. Typical projects include parking facilities, pedestrian and streetscape improvements, and utility relocation. In the past, Ludlow has considered applying for Downtown designation, but applied instead for Village Center designation. f.

The Better Places Program can fund smaller “placemaking” projects that activate and revitalize public spaces in Village Center and other designated areas.

g. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is an annual competitive funding opportunity through VTrans that can fund a variety of bicycle and pedestrian projects, including sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian structures and bike paths. A 20 percent local match is usually required. h. The Transportation Alternatives Program is another competitive reimbursement funding program from VTrans. Eligible projects include a range of things such as sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, traffic calming techniques, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure, and transportation projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A maximum award of $300,000 is available, with a 20 percent local match. i.

The Municipal Park and Ride Program through VTrans can assist with developing new or improving existing municipal park and ride lots.

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j.

The Town Highway Class 2 Roadway Program (see Section 5 of the Orange Book for more details), which is available through the VTrans Maintenance District Offices. A maximum grant of $175,000 is available for resurfacing or reconstruction of Class 2 town highways. A 20% local match is required, but the match is reduced to 10% for towns that have adopted 2013-compliant highway codes and standards and conducted a highway infrastructure study per VTrans requirements.

k. There are a variety of funding programs that may help to pay for Village Center improvements as long as they benefit water quality, such as incorporating green stormwater infrastructure into streetscape enhancements (e.g. stormwater tree pit, porous pavement, bioretention). Some funding options include: Clean Water Design and Implementation Block Grant or the Municipal Highway and Stormwater Mitigation Program. l.

Low interest loans (1%) from the State Infrastructure Bank can be used for roadway, bridge, pedestrian and public transit facility projects.

m. Regional Brownfield Program funding may be available through the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites. n. Economic Impact Initiative Grants from USDA Rural Development provides funding to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural communities with extreme unemployment and severe economic depression. o. Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program from USDA Rural Development provides funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. p. Rural Community Development Initiative Grants from USDA Rural Development provides funding to help non-profit housing and community development organizations support housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in rural areas. q. Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program from USDA Rural Development provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. r.

Rural Business Development Grants from USDA Rural Development combines the former Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) and Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) Programs. According to the website, a rule is currently being developed in order to implement this program.

s. The State Economic & Infrastructure Development Investment (SEID) Program through the Northern Border Regional Commission can fund a variety of infrastructure and noninfrastructure projects. t.

Our Town provides funding for creative placemaking projects that contribute to the livability of communities and place the arts at their core.

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u. American Rescue Plan Act, including both the municipal and county allotments that Ludlow is receiving, allow for pandemic recovery-related expenditures. Although the Final Rules will clarify funding eligibility once released from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. If a municipality meets the “revenue lost” calculation, the Interim Final Rule gives recipients broad latitude to use funds for the provision of government services to the extent of reduction in revenue. v. There are a few programs that could fund recreationally oriented projects, such as mountain bike trails or park improvements, including: BGS Recreational Facilities Grants, Land and Water Conservation Fund Program, VOREC Community Grants, Recreational Trails Program, and Enhancement of Recreational Stewardship and Access (ERSA) Trail Grants.

There are a variety of grant or loan programs available through the Vermont DEC Facilities Engineering Division for municipal drinking water and wastewater systems.

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