Pedestrian Safety and Beautification

RECOMMENDATIONS: Athens Street

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND BEAUTIFICATION

To more easily visualize the pedestrian plan for Athens Street, the corridor has been divided into two segments, with I-985 as the midpoint. The entirety of the Athens Street corridor is included in the pedestrian plan, beginning at the 129 South intersection and ending at the MLK Boulevard intersection. Providing a complete pedestrian network will enhance the safety and walkability of the area, and street trees and other landscaping will enhance and beautify the corridor.

SOUTHSIDE MULTI-USE TRAIL

NORTHSIDE SIDEWALK CONDITIONS

NORTHSIDE SIDEWALK ADDITIONS

ATHENS STREET PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN

Existing conditions of the sidewalks along the south side of Athens Street: While this side of the street has significantly more sidewalk cover than the north, there are still substantial breaks in sidewalk cover and many places where the sidewalks feel unsafe or need repairs.

Proposed changes to the south side pedestrian infrastructure: A 10-foot multi-use trail will begin after the I-985 overpass and carry walkers, runners, and bikers all the way to the MLK Boulevard intersection, where this trail will connect with a proposed 10-foot trail along the north edge of E.E. Butler Parkway leading into downtown. A 6-foot sidewalk will continue from I-985 South to 129 South, creating important connections for the residents living in this area.

Existing conditions of the sidewalks on the north side of Athens Street: This side of the street has very little sidewalk cover, and some properties in this area are inside the city limits while others are not.

Proposed changes for the north side of the street: A continuous 6-foot sidewalk extends from the intersection of 129 South and Athens Street to the I-985 overpass. The dense residential nature of this area makes sidewalks along both edges of the road necessary.

From the I-985 overpass and traveling toward MLK Boulevard, only small sidewalk connections are proposed where needed to provide safe crossings for pedestrians. Since this area is more industrial in nature, the primary pathway will be the multi-use trail on the south side of the street.

The proposed changes feature dual sidewalks through the more residential portion of Athens Street, shifting to an accessible, multi-use trail as the area becomes more industrial in nature.

Another important piece of the pedestrian infrastructure is reworking the street crossings and parking lot layout near the Health Department and Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. to provide safe access to Butler Park. This long-awaited amenity adds much-needed greenspace to the area, which has been sorely lacking. Ensuring a safe and obvious route from Athens Street to the back of the property where the park is located will be critical, particularly for children who might access the park on their own.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Athens Street

BUTLER PARK PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS: Athens Street

ATHENS STREET MULTI-USE TRAIL

Example site

A closer look at the proposed multi-use trail:

The section of Athens Street near its intersection with Ridge Road is highlighted. The public rightof-way width varies from 50 to 60 feet through this section of roadway, leaving plenty of space for the addition of pedestrian infrastructure. Currently, a few narrow strips of sidewalk border the roadway. No planted buffers or landscaping help define and beautify the pedestrian areas. The rest of the area lacks safe sidewalks and clearly marked crosswalks, and the few clearly defined curb cuts make it difficult for pedestrians to safely navigate the area.

Proposed Changes

The proposed 10-foot multi-use trail will widen and join the existing sections of sidewalk, creating a safe walkway in areas currently without sidewalks. Along with the installation of the trail, newly painted crosswalks and defined crossing areas through parking lots are added. The addition of a 6-foot planting strip between the trail and the roadway provides greater security for pedestrians and improves the appearance of the area. This option also shows the reduction of unnecessary pavement on both sides of the street, creating more greenspace and reducing unnecessary curb cuts. Street tree plantings along the roadway further beautify the area and add environmental value and shade to the corridor. The street trees act as an additional buffer between pedestrians and traffic, promoting lower speeds and giving added safety to those using the trail. Clusters of shrub plantings near the intersections and pedestrian crossings further improve the appearance of the area and give a more pleasant experience to both pedestrians and motorists. Street trees can also be planted along the north side of the road to provide maximum shade and visual appeal. Tree plantings along both sides of the street will contribute to lower speeds and provide additional screening for businesses and private residences. The public right-of-way boundary is outlined in yellow, with the final scope of improvements shown. All proposed changes fit within the designated right-ofway space, aside from a few planting beds that extend into parking lots.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Athens Street

The addition of a sidewalk, planting strip, and defined curb cuts drastically changes the appearance of the space while creating a more inviting environment for pedestrians. The style of the sidewalk and planting beds used is borrowed from the recent improvements along Main Street near Gainesville’s downtown. These similar design features will help create visual continuity for the city.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Athens Street

The proposed changes introduce a 10-foot multi-use trail, a planted buffer along the road with a curb and gutter, and the addition of street trees. The appearance of the roadway is greatly improved, creating a welcoming space for pedestrians and motorists alike.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Athens Street

A MORE DETAILED LOOK AT EXISTING CONDITIONS AND PROPOSED CHANGES

Currently, this street section consists of 12-foot driving lanes with a significant portion of unused paved shoulder on either side. A very small strip of grass provides a buffer between the paved road edge and the existing 6-foot sidewalk, but it does not provide ample protection for pedestrians.

Current Conditions

Proposed Changes

The proposed changes result in a much more attractive streetscape. Shade trees now line the road edges and a 6-foot planted buffer provides an element of safety for pedestrians using the trail. Additionally, there is space for another 4-foot planting strip to provide some screening between the residential lots on the left side of the street and the multi-use trail.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Athens Street

ATHENS STREET SIDEWALK

An Example Site Near Monroe Drive

Through this part of the Athens Street corridor, the right-of-way width varies from 80 to 100 feet, leaving plenty of space for the addition of pedestrian infrastructure. Possibly, this portion of Athens Street was considered as an exit from I-985, explaining the wider-than-normal right-of-way.

The existing streetscape is completely absent of any pedestrian infrastructure aside from one small sidewalk strip on the corner adjacent to Fieldale. An unused paved area runs along the shoulders of the road, with poorly defined curb cuts. The area also lacks any intentional landscaping. The addition of a 6-foot sidewalk along both sides of the road is the first step in providing pedestrian access to this area. New crosswalks are also added at key intersections. The addition of several speed humps and signaled crossings are shown along Athens Street leading up to the crossing in front of Fieldale. Traffic-calming measures such as these should be used to help slow traffic through this area. The road edges are smoothed out with a planted buffer between the sidewalks and the driving lanes, improving pedestrian safety and the appearance of the area. Unnecessary curb cuts are also reduced, with clear entry and exit points defined for businesses along the road. Street tree plantings along the road edges further beautify the area, adding environmental value and shade to the corridor. The street trees act as an additional buffer between pedestrians and traffic, promoting lower speeds and giving added safety to those using the sidewalks. Clusters of shrub plantings near the intersections and pedestrian crossings further improve the landscape character of the area and give a more pleasant experience to both pedestrians and motorists.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Athens Street

A LOOK AT THE DETAILS

The existing streetscape contains 13-foot driving lanes with a large amount of unused space on either side of the road. Currently, no designated buffer separates pedestrian areas from the roadway. The proposed changes drastically alter the streetscape appearance. Buffer plantings now encompass two new sidewalks that are lined with street trees. The aesthetic quality of the businesses in the area are elevated, and pedestrians now have safe, pleasant access to this section of Athens Street.

Current Conditions

Proposed Changes

RECOMMENDATIONS: Athens Street

The proposed changes create a safe, attractive streetscape. The addition of the sidewalks and planted buffers welcome pedestrians to the area, while drivers are signaled to slow their speeds by a flashing sign before they approach the raised pedestrian crossing. The street trees provide beauty and shade, giving visitors in cars and on foot a pleasant journey through the area.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Athens Street

Other improvements along the Athens Street corridor can include art work that reflects city brand or art could be created by students or local artists to reflect the history of the neighborhood. Using existing fences, with the permission of their owners, not only softens the look but provides visual interest.