A History of Excellence. A Future of Progress
Introduction State of the Downtown Potential of downtown Heritage Started with analysis Vision
•Economic Analyses •Public Input •SWOT
Economic Analysis Location Quotient Economic Base Shift‐Share Analysis Central Place Market Analysis
Location Quotient
Shift‐Share and Economic Base Stable manufacturing sector Wholesale and retail trade are strong industries Rapidly Growing sectors: Entertainment Recreation Food and accommodation services
Central Place The Central Place Theory attempts to explain the distribution patterns, size,
and number of cities and towns within a region. Central Place classifies communities in five different sizes
Hamlet (2,000‐5,000) Village (5,000‐20,000) Town (20,000‐100,000) City (100,000‐1,000,000) R i Regional Capital (1,000,000 +) l C i l ( )
Sealy is identified as a Village
Market Analysis Conducted market analyses for the following
businesses: Restaurant R Bakery, Deli, Meat Market Bar, Pub, Dance‐Hall B P b D H ll Bed and Breakfast Bike Store, Pet Store Bik St P t St Movie Theater
Public Input Reaching the Businesses: Discussion with businesses Comments Concerning: Traffic problems Vacancy V Type of business wanted in downtown Views on aesthetics Events/activities Historic theme
Public Input Traffic ff Vacancies Downtown as an Activity Hub Improved Streetscape & Facades
S.W.O.T. Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Current businesses have a stable customer base Stable population growth in Sealy Historic downtown brings pride The size of downtown can be easily revitalized Businesses settled downtown for many years
S.W.O.T. Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Downtown buildings require a high cost for repair and maintenance Lack of public place and activities especially for kids Lack of pedestrian and bike friendly environment Lack of diversity in food services Limited modes of transportation and high dependence on vehicles Restrictive ordinances
S.W.O.T. Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Infill development on existing vacant properties The potential for downtown area to establish TIRZ and PID Willingness to improve downtown area. Downtown is better suited for small, more unique businesses
S.W.O.T. Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Strict ordinances might discourage new businesses Major retailers on Hwy 36 and I‐10 Vacant lots Unsafe intersections and median parking Restrictive parking requirements
The Downtown Revitalization Program will propose to: •Design alternatives to enhance, preserve, and promote the historic feel of downtown Sealy •Create a safe and walkable environment, improved streetscape with more public space areas •Create options to provide different food variety services p p y •Convert downtown into an activity hub.
Proposed New Boundaries
•Existing Conditions •Alternative 1 •Alternative 2 Al i •Parking •Public Transit •Traffic Calming
Existing Conditions Inappropriate
Pedestrian Facilities Traffic speed limit too T ffi d li i high Inappropriate parking arrangement (median p parking) g Lack of streetscape
Alternative 1 ‐ Roundabouts • • • • • •
Roundabouts M di Median Sidewalks Crosswalks Pavement changes Landscaping
Alternative 1 – Design Details
Roundabout design
incorporates existing water feature Parking Rearrangement Exemplary Street Sections
HWY36
Main Street
Alternative 1 – Proposed Design Main St & Fowlkes St
Hwy 36 & Main St
Alternative 2 –Shared Space • Signalized
intersection at Hwy 36 and Main Street • Shared h d Space at Main Street and Fowlkes Street • Pedestrian Bulb‐ Outs
Alternative 2 – Design Details
Pedestrian bulb‐outs at Main Street
• Provide Pedestrian P id P d i
Environment – Shared Space and Bulb‐Outs
Pedestrian bulb‐outs at Fowlkes Street
Alternative 2 – Proposed Design
Hwy 36 & Main St
Shared Space Example
Main St
Alternative 2 – Proposed Designs
Traffic Calming Patterns in downtown area have revealed that there is a need to slow traffic. Traffic calming measures recommended for downtown include:
Wider and continuous sidewalks and bicycle lanes Pedestrian traffic lights and textured pedestrian crossings Rumble Strips L d Landscaped medians serving as pedestrian islands d di i d i i l d Streetscape elements Speed tables and speed bumps Traffic roundabouts Sidewalk bulbouts
Existing Parking Parking Assessment based on P ki A t b d
current city regulations for Downtown Sealy Current on‐street parking exceeds parking requirements Recommended regulation change Required Off‐ Street Parking Downtown Businesses including grocery uses + Citizens State Bank Downtown Businesses excluding grocery uses + Citizens State Bank
On‐Street Parking Total required Credit Off‐Street Parking
193
117
76
139
84
55
Proposed Parking Proposed parking arrangement
increases the number of parking spaces in downtown to 635 maximum Different parking configurations
Public Transit Current situation/problem One bus route as loop. One bus route as loop One bus stop Only one option for fare
Current bus route in Sealy ‐‐‐Sealy Loop
Public Transit Redesign new bus route Relocate bus transfer
station to downtown New design g Two more new bus routes are set up
Proposed Sealy bus route map
•The following elements are included in the streetscape plan: • Sidewalks and Crosswalks • Signs • Gateways and Landmarks • Street Furniture • Lighting • Plant and Landscape Design
Sidewalks and Crosswalks Existing conditions: • Vehicular versus pedestrian movements • Improper sidewalk and crosswalk design. • Restricted walkability within Downtown Sealy.
Sidewalks and Crosswalks Cont. Recommendations: •ADA accommodations •Patterns of crosswalks and crosswalk signs •Enhance the overall look of the downtown
Signs Existing Conditions Lacks of signage g g Few street signs present Aesthetic appearance is lacking pp g Business owners dissatisfied with the signage rules
Signs cont. Recommendations: Layout way finding signs with street name and y y g g direction Entrance sign and a downtown map Flexibility and improvement in the sign regulations
Gateways and Landmarks Existing Conditions: No current existing gateways Minimal existing landmarks Recommendations: Prospective locations of the gateways and the landmarks have been proposed. Various design styles and themes have been considered g y
Street Furniture Existing Conditions: Includes benches, trash receptacles and bike racks. No bike racks Very few benches and trash receptacles Recommendations: Relocation of these items Various architectural styles h l l
Lighting Existing Conditions •Irregular spaced lighting •Poorly lit sidewalks and streets Recommendations •Regularly spaced pedestrian & traffic lights g y p p g •Theme
Plant and Landscape Design Existing Conditions: Existing landscape is inconsistent No vegetation near the parking areas Lack of standards Recommendations: Propose regulations for planters Consistency
•Existing Conditions •Design Recommendations
Existing Conditions Quality building facades Need for renovation Colors, materials, and enhancements Guidelines
D i R d i Design Recommendations Building forms Height of buildings Human scale
No
Yes
D i R d i Design Recommendations Maintain Rhythm of Facades Columns Complimentary materials and colors Patterning Awning height and styles Consistent setbacks and floor elevations
D i R d i Design Recommendations Infill Construction I fill C t ti Height Width Alignment Materials Colors l
Design Recommendations Facade Features Incorporate traditional design elements in new construction and renovations Large first floor windows Second story windows Inset entry ways Clerestory windows y Ornamental features
Keep these features consistent
b between buildings b ildi
Design Recommendations Wall Materials Brick Stone Stucco Glass Wood
Accent and Trim Same as mentioned Pre Pre‐Cast Cast Ceramic/Terra Cotta Stamped/pressed metal
Design Recommendations Select Colors Appropriate to Downtown’s Historic Character Adopt an official color scheme Proposed scheme
Awnings visual depth, shade, protection visual depth shade protection from elements Fit storefront opening p g Awning colors
Design Recommendations Signs Sign Regulations Sign styles Si l Murals Themes Murals
Historic/ Texas
Railroad
Modern
•Funding Sources • Evaluating Current Incentives • Creating New Incentives • TIRZ, PID TIRZ PID • Grants and Other Opportunities
•Phasing •Events and Marketing
Evaluating Current Incentives Business Improvement Grant Re‐evaluate the amount awarded in order to assist property owners in making aesthetic improvements t i ki th ti i t Tax Abatement Policy Develop a tax abatement program catered specifically to downtown businesses
Creating New Incentives Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) Waive fees for development review (permitting and
iinspections), replat fees i ) l f Property tax abatements available for up to 10 years Municipal sales tax refunds Baseline performance standards
TIRZ, PID Regional Tax Rates (per $100)
Tax Increment
Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ)
1.60 1.40 1.20 1.00 0.80
Public
Improvement District (PID)
0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00 Austin County ((Sealy) y)
Waller Washington Harris County County (Katy) County (Houston) ((Brenham))
County
City
ISD
Grants and Other Opportunities State Texas Historical Commission Department of Transportation Department of Rural Affairs Regionall Houston‐Galveston Area Council Other Opportunities for funding include: Adopt a _____ Program (trees, benches, etc) Downtown Beautification Committee D B ifi i C i
Phasing Phase 1: (Green) ‐ Highly visible by g y y
downtown corridors
Phase 2: (Blue) ( ) ‐ Incorporate remaining
main stretches of old downtown boundaries
Phase 3: (Yellow) ‐ Outer most regions of g
proposed boundary approaching downtown
= Gateways
Events and Marketing Relocate the Fantasy of Lights Festival and 4th of July
fireworks to downtown H ld bi l Hold bicycle events Hold monthly events C Consider a Polka Festival in downtown id P lk F i l i d Create a downtown brochure C t f f Create a free fare zone for public transit within the f bli t it ithi th downtown area Hold resident competitions for public involvement Hold resident competitions for public involvement.
Make downtown an activity hub and an attractive destination Redefine downtown streets, invite pedestrian activity and calm traffic activity, and calm traffic Beautification of the downtown area with attractive streetscape and facades
Summary & Conclusion
Fowlkes Street Before
Summary & Conclusion
Fowlkes Street After
Summary & Conclusion
Fowlkes Street Before
Summary & Conclusion
Fowlkes Street After
Summary & Conclusion
Optional plaza redesign concept for the SW corner of Main and Fowlkes, and more streetscape imagery
Conceptual examples of streetscape improvements