Brookline Boulevard

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Brookline Boulevard Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations Prepared by

l a q u a t r a u r b a n

b o n c i

d e s i g n

a s s o c i at e s

a n d

a s s o c i at e s

Prepared for City of Pittsburgh

July 2001

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Consultant Team

Table of Contents

Urban Design Associates

Introduction

1

Urban Design Analysis and Existing Conditions

3

Alternatives for Brookline Boulevard

12

Pioneer Avenue Intersection

22

Cannon Park Intersection

27

Appendix Summary of Focus Group Meetings

32

LaQuatra Bonci Associates Glatting Jackson

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Introduction

laquatra bonci and urban design associates were hired by the Department of Engineering and Construction of the City of Pittsburgh to lead a public design process for the reconstruction of Brookline Boulevard from Pioneer Avenue to Queensboro Avenue. Brookline Boulevard is one of the widest streets in the city and residents and merchants in the area have speculated for years over how best to take advantage of the width of the right-of-way to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety and make the boulevard more attractive. This design process is the first step in a series of design tasks and approvals lead by the City that will result in the reconstruction of this important city boulevard.

Focus Groups

LBA/UDA began the design process by conducting a series of focus groups and public meetings in Brookline with residents, merchants, religious and political leaders, community organizations, and PennDot to learn as much as possible about the boulevard. The design team was particularly interested in learning about the strengths and weaknesses of the street and ideas for its redesign. The results of those meetings are included in this report. At the same time, the design team developed a series of analysis drawings and base materials in preparation for the design charrette.

Location diagram of Brookline Boulevard

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Design Charrette

ments to the sidewalks, street crossings,

LBA/UDA lead a two-day design char-

park spaces, transit stops and lighting/

rette on April 3rd and 4th in The

power provisions are also designed.

Carnegie Library Brookline Branch.

Design consultants, representatives from the City, PennDot and citizens from the community participated in the charrette.

The design team prepared a series of plans, sections, and perspectives to describe a variety of design concepts for the boulevard. Those drawings are included in this report. Three design alternatives were presented in a public meeting on the evening of the 4th and a consensus plan emerged from the meeting for further refinement and development.

Preferred Plan

Next Steps

This plan will serve as the consensus plan, developed in a public process, and recognized as the preferred design by the citizens of Brookline. The design team understands that this in the beginning of a design process which will involve further review by PennDot. PennDot approval is necessary for state funding of the reconstruction. The design was developed with close review and guidance from the Department of Engineering and Construction and a full awareness of Penn Dot design requirements. The recommended design recon-

The design team further refined the pre-

ciles the requirements of the community ferred plan and presented the recommen- with state road standards to create a soludations in a public meeting on May 10th. tion that is innovative and unique to The plan makes specific recommenda-

Brookline. The next step will be to select

tions for street designs including lane

an engineering consultant to prepare

widths, parking configurations, intersec-

final design documents for reconstruc-

tion designs and landscaping. Improve-

tion of the boulevard.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

3

Urban Design Analysis & Existing Conditions

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Urban Design Analysis

the design team prepared a series of analytical drawings focusing on the Brookline Boulevard commercial district and surrounding neighborhood. These drawings, referred to as UDA X-Rays® because they describe specific layers of information, reveal characteristics of Brookline Boulevard which help to inform the design process.

Land Use

The Land Use Plan describes the unique mix of commercial, institutional, and residential uses that constitute the commercial district. It is interesting to note the clear division between the commercial /institutional uses on the south side opposite Land Use Plan of the Commercial District of Brookline Boulevard

the mainly residential use on the north side, the lack of parks and green space along the Boulevard, and the amount of upper story residential over either commercial or institutional uses.

LAND USE KEY Residential Retail Retail/Residential Above Institutional Institutional/Residential Above Office Office/Residential Above Green Space Parking Garage Vacant Vacant/Residential Above

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

5

Left: Streets X-ray Right: Building Coverage X-ray

Streets

Building Coverage

The Streets X-ray clearly reveals the

The building coverage X-ray shows the

Boulevard as the main street for this

higher density commercial uses along

neighborhood and that it is the main

both Brookline Boulevard and Route 19.

connection for Brookline to the heavily

The commercial district along the Boule-

traveled Route 19. Because of this, the

vard is nestled within the tightly knit

Boulevard also serves as a commuter cut-

residential fabric of Brookline which

through for traffic originating from the

follows the natural topography of the

communities to the southeast.

area.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

ii Existing Conditions

the brookline boulevard commercial district is the heart of one of Pittsburgh’s most intact historic neighborhoods from the early part of the last century. After the construction of the Liberty Tunnels in 1924 which provided direct access to the South Hills, the area boomed with record numbers of houses under construction making Brookline a desirable intercity neighborhood. Brookline Boulevard, originally an old indian trail, became the main street for this neighborhood.

Located atop a relatively level area surrounded by sloping terrain and culminating in a small parklet, this three block area was the center of business and commerce for a thriving neighborhood for the better part of this past century. Although still considered the center of Brookline, the commercial district has suffered decline as a shopping destination in recent decades.

The existing conditions of Brookline Boulevard with diagonal parking on the south side and parallel parking on the north side

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Historically served by trolleys from the 1910s until the 1960s, and with bus service since then, the Boulevard now

were paved over and the current wide Boulevard was created.

The Boulevard has angle parking on

faces problems associated with commuter the retail or south side and two travel cut-through traffic, undefined travel

lanes eastbound, however, they are

lanes, poor pedestrian crossings, U-turns,

unmarked. The lane closest to the diago-

and dangerous street intersections.

nal parking is frequently occupied by cars

The Boulevard was once a tight

waiting for a parking space so there is

street with trolley rails in the center and

plenty of stop-and-go movement, creat-

one parking lane on either side. When

ing a dangerous situation. On the resi-

the trolleys disappeared, the rail lines

dential or north side, there is one lane of parallel parking and two lanes of moving traffic. Although there is parking along both sides of the street for the entire length of the commercial district, a perception of too little parking still exists in

Perspective view of Brookline Boulevard today

the community.

Both intersections framing the commercial district have dangerous traffic movements for both vehicles and pedestrians, as well as poor visibility and oversized travel lanes. The signalized Pioneer Avenue intersection is typically congested on the north side since the stop bar is too far back from the intersection and this is the cut-through route for

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

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Aerial perspective views of the intersection of Starkamp and Brookline Boulevard (Cannon Park) at left and Pioneer Avenue and Brookline Boulevard at right as they exist today.

commuters. Westbound trailer traffic on Brookline turning south onto Pioneer usually runs over the sidewalks causing damage. The Cannon Park intersection at Queensboro is not signalized and is commonly used as a U-turn loop for traffic. This is dangerous since Brookline Boulevard is not only curving at this point but also starting to descend. The traffic approaching from the east is usually over the speed limit.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

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Top

Existing cross section of Brookline Boulevard and Chelton Avenue through the Cannon Park

Middle

Existing cross section of Brookline Boulevard and the traffic island near Pioneer Avenue

Bottom

Existing cross section of the typical condition of Brookline Boulevard

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

iii Strengths, Weaknesses and Vision

Strengths 1

Brookline Boulevard is a pedestrian friendly, historic, mixed-use, urban main street with a variety of small shops, churches, community oriented services (such as the American Legion, Knights of Columbus) and institutions (library, firehouse) which serve the community.

2

The Boulevard accommodates numerous community events, including parades and festivals, throughout the year and is the focal point of a strong neighborhood with little crime, a high percentage of owner occupied housing and a wide variety of social services and institutions.

3

Brookline Boulevard is close to downtown Pittsburgh and is well connected to major traffic routes in all directions.

The Boulevard is also well served by public transportation.

4

The Boulevard is a long, wide, and flat street with pull-in diagonal parking and retail uses on one side, giving it a unique advantage in a car oriented consumer market.

5

The commercial district is terminated by a small public park that acts as both a landmark for the neighborhood and a community gathering space.

Weaknesses 1

High speed commuter traffic is dangerous and makes crossing the street difficult, especially for the elderly. Street crosswalks are long and not well marked.

2

Congestion during rush hours causes traffic to divert to parallel residential streets.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

U-turns, although appreciated by the

Vision

merchants for their customers’ con-

1

7

redesigned, attractive and functional

and dangerous.

attractive sidewalk environment with

gateways at the Cannon Park and

Angle parking, although well liked by

street furniture, street trees, special

Pioneer Avenue intersections. These

the residents, is dangerous because

paving, pedestrian scale lighting,

act as portals for the commercial dis-

cars back out of spaces into a moving

benches, and flower boxes.

trict with iconic elements such as

Adequate parking with a variety of

clocks and monuments.

2

Poor maintenance of sidewalks

options and durations both on and

(cracked and weeded), broken

off street, for all: customers, employ-

benches, and inconsistent street trees

ees, and residents.

3

Brookline Boulevard will still be

Litter, poor lighting, lack of green

functional for all community festivals

space and amenities such as street

with new street furniture and fixtures

trees.

which support the needs of these events.

Major intersections at either end of the Boulevard – (Pioneer and

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Brookline Boulevard with

nation with a variety of shops, an

(also in poor shape).

6

5

venience, are disruptive to traffic flow

lane of traffic.

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Brookline Boulevard as a retail desti-

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4

Improved traffic movements (espe-

Queensboro) – have poor visibility,

cially at Pioneer and Queensboro) as

dangerous traffic movements, and are

well as improved signalized pedes-

confusing.

trian crossings in terms of safety and

Parking issues: perception of too little, double parking, parking too close to intersections, poor overall management and parking and traffic conflicts.

number.

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Alternatives for Brookline Boulevard

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Introduction

for the purpose of this study Brookline Boulevard was divided into three sub-areas: the typical boulevard condition, the Pioneer Avenue intersection and the Cannon Park (Queensboro) intersection. Each area was examined in detail and proposals were developed for each one. For the typical boulevard, three cartway alternatives were generated which solved the parking problem in different ways. For the two intersections, solutions were developed which would work with any of the three boulevard alternatives. Based upon public input, a preferred alternative was selected.

Existing Plan

The three areas of focus for the study

P i o n e e r Av e n u e I n t e r s e c t i o n

B o u l e va rd A l te rn a t i ve s

C a n o n Pa rk I n te r s e c t i o n

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

ii Preferred Boulevard Alternative

the preferred boulevard alternative reduces the existing cartway to one safe travel lane in both directions and rebuilds the existing angle parking with a protected back-up and delivery lane. This alternative also creates shorter, safer pedestrian crossings at all intersections and safer, more attractive gateways at Pioneer Avenue and the Cannon Park. The improvements

Preferred Plan

to the pedestrian environment include widening the southern

The preferred boulevard alternative is shown with the proposed Pioneer Avenue and Cannon Park intersections.

commercial sidewalk and the addition of new street trees and streetlighting.

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PARALLEL PARKING TRAVEL LANE TRAVEL LANE BACK-UP LANE ANGLE PARKING

Preferred Boulevard Design

The typical Boulevard Plan maintains the angle parking with a new dedicated back-up lane.

In the preferred Boulevard Alterna-

marked and properly sized lanes. One

tive, traffic is handled in one clearly

lane is the through travel lane and the

marked and properly sized moving lane

other is a parallel parking lane. All park-

in each direction. East-bound traffic has

ing is pulled back from intersections to

both one through travel lane and a dedi-

provide safer, more attractive pedestrian

cated back-up lane for cars entering or

environments. The southern sidewalk is

exiting an angle parking space. This ded-

widened from 10 to 15 feet with a new

icated back-up lane is delineated from

brick edge containing street trees, paired

the through travel lane by a 2 foot line of

parking meters, and streetlighting. Brick

belgian block (or other paving material).

paved pedestrian crossings are shortened

Westbound traffic has as well two clearly

and well marked.

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Pavement Change 2' Block Strip

10' Walk

8' Parking

12' Lane

12' Lane 24' Cartway

Proposed Brookline Boulevard cross section

Proposed intersection at Brookline Boulevard and Stebbins Avenue

12'-6'' 17'-6'' Backup Lane 45°Angle Parking 30' Parking Area

15' Sidewalk

10' 8' 10' 10' 11' Walk Park Lane Lane Lane 42' Cartway

11' Lane

Existing Brookline Boulevard cross section

Proposed intersection at Brookline Boulevard and Flatbush Avenue

15' Angle Parking

10' Walk

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

The Boulevard Tomorrow

(left) New wider sidewalks, street lights, trees, and a calmer flow of traffic create a pedestrianfriendly environment for the Boulevard.

The Boulevard Today

(below) Deteriorating sidewalks, unsafe crossings, and a lack of pedestrian amenities characterize the Boulevard today.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

ii Boulevard Alternative B

in alternative b, traffic is handled in one moving lane in each direction with a central, specially paved left turn lane.

This lane functions as both a left turn lane at intersections and as a delivery/drop-off zone in the middle of the street. On the south side, parking is reorganized as back-in angle parking which creates higher driver visibility when entering and exiting traffic, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated back-up lane.

Alternative B

On the north side there is a lane of parallel parking. Similar to

Safer, back-in angle parking does not require a separate parking lane. This alternative provides a center lane for loading and turning.

the Preferred Alternative, brick paved pedestrian crossings are shortened and well marked and the sidewalk is widened from 10 to 15 feet with a new brick edge containing street trees, paired parking meters, and streetlighting. While safer, this scenario requires drivers to learn a new way of parking.

PARALLEL PARKING TRAVEL LANE LEFT TURN LANE

DELIVERY/DROP-OFF ZONE TRAVEL LANE

BACK-IN ANGLE PARKING

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

iii Boulevard Alternative C

in alternative c, traffic is handled in two travel lanes in each direction which are separated by a raised landscaped median.

Angle parking is eliminated and replaced by parallel parking on both sides. Streetscape and pedestrian crossing improvements are similar to Alternatives A and B. Although the median pro-

Alternative C

vides a safe area for pedestrians as they cross, this alternative

A tree-lined central median with four travel lanes and parallel parking creates an efficient highcapacity alternative.

also creates a street designed for higher vehicular speeds and an increased number of cars. It also reduces the number of total parking spaces, cannot easily accommodate community functions such as parades (or fire trucks), and fundamentally alters the character of the Boulevard.

10'

8'

11'

Walk

Park

Lane

11'

6'

11'

Lane Median Lane

11'

8'

Lane

Park

12' Walk

PARALLEL PARKING TRAVEL LANE TRAVEL LANE

TRAVEL LANE TRAVEL LANE

PARALLEL PARKING

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

iv Analysis of Alternatives

alternatives for the design of the Boulevard included two schemes with one travel lane in each direction and one scheme with two travel lanes in each direction. The design team conducted a peak afternoon rush hour traffic flow analysis to determine how many lanes would be required in the future.

Based upon available traffic counts at certain intersections, it was determined that the capacity of one lane in each direction exceeds current traffic flows and in fact provides about a 20% growth potential in commuter traffic in the future. Two lanes in each direction would far exceed traffic flow demand which suggests that the street right-of-way would be better utilized for parking, wider sidewalks and landscaping.

The three Boulevard alternatives were evaluated based upon the following performance criteria: 1

Speeding

Many citizens complained that because of the excessive width of the existing cartway and wide open feel to the street, commuters speed along the street and endanger the safety of other motorists and pedestrians. It is the desire of the community to control speeding in the design of the street.

2

Backing into Traffic

Angle parking along the street requires that motorists back their vehicles out of their parking space into travel lanes, someThe Boulevard’s current traffic flow is below the maximum capacity of one travel lane

times with inadequate visibility of oncoming traffic.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Preferred Alternative

Alternative B

Alternative C

3

U-turns

U-turns are legal and important to the merchants on Brookline

Boulevard because they enable westbound motorists to park in angle parking spaces on the eastbound side of the street.

4 Speeding

Long Street Crossings

The excessive width of the existing boulevard makes crossings intimidating for the heartiest of pedestrians and frightening for the elderly. The design team was asked to try to reduce the

Backing into Traffic

U Turns

walking distances for pedestrians crossing the cartway of Brookline Boulevard.

5

Commuter Congestion

During commuter hours, conflicts arise between local traffic seeking access to side streets and parking on the boulevard and

Long Street Crossings

commuters interested in getting through the community as quickly as possible. The new design should minimize those potential conflicts.

Commuter Congestion

6

Dangerous End Intersections

The intersections at Pioneer and Queensboro have been conDangerous End Intersections

sidered dangerous because of poorly defined travel lanes, difficult geometries and poorly defined pedestrian areas. The new design should ‘clean up’ these intersections and make them safer and more attractive.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

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Pioneer Avenue Intersection

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Existing Conditions

the current condition of the Pioneer Avenue and Brookline Boulevard intersection is dangerous and confusing for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. It is also a visually unattractive entrance to the commercial district of Brookline.

This signalized traffic intersection suffers from awkward roadway geometry, undefined travel lanes, inconsistent widths of travel lanes, poor visibility and a perception of just too much pavement, all of which contributes to the safety concern. South bound Pioneer Avenue traffic is stopped too far back from the

Existing View of the Intersection

(above) The Pioneer Avenue and Brookline Boulevard intersection today is too wide

intersection to have proper visibility. The Pioneer Avenue cross section near the Boulevard is constricted thus making right hand turns from the Boulevard awkward. In fact, the width of the sidewalk at this point is too narrow. Traffic approaching from the west on Brookline Boulevard is not only ascending a hill but also navigating a curve.

The existing bus shelter on the traffic island does not provide an adequate or safe waiting area for either daily com-

Existing Conditions

(below) A cross section of the Boulevard near Pioneer Avenue looking east

muters or the large groups of school children waiting for the bus. Due to the very wide right turn lane cars will pass PAT buses when they stop to pick up passengers, posing a safety hazard. The shelter also obscures the view of south bound Pioneer Avenue traffic and is not visually appealing as an entry feature to the commercial district. The lack of pedestrian amenities, such as street trees, benches, and safe sidewalks, has been cited by many in the focus groups. Also, the existing highway standard street lighting does not convey a small town ‘main street’ appeal that Brookline residents like about their commercial district.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

ii Proposed Plan

the plan proposes a reconfigured intersection with properly sized and marked travel lanes set within the context of a pedestrian-friendly streetscape and a new park. The existing wide expanse of pavement is reduced to normal-width travel lanes allowing a parklet to be created on the north side and a larger tree lawn on the south side. This new park contains an attractive transit pavilion featuring a clock tower as an entry marker for Brookline’s commercial district. This pavilion, which can be used by both daily commuters and school children, provides

Proposed Plan

(Right) A new transit pavilion is set within a landscaped park. Along with the Canon Park, these parks become ‘bookends’ for the commercial district

Existing Plan

(Far right) The existing undefined entrance to the commercial district

seating and a safe waiting area separated from the busy traffic.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

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Brookline Boulevard Tomorrow

(above) The proposed cross section of the Boulevard shows the new park and transit pavilion which will mark the entrance to Brookline’s commercial district

Brookline Boulevard Today

(below) Cross section of the Boulevard showing the numerous travel lanes that exist today

The roadway geometry has been modified to provide better visibility from all four directions. A new planting edge has been added and a traffic island renovated on the western side of the intersection. These elements can also function as locations for community entrance markers or signs as well as planting areas.

Crosswalks are well marked and delineated from the road by a change of materials.

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Brookline Boulevard Today

(above) Aerial view of the undefined inter-section at Pioneer

Brookline Boulevard Tomorrow

(left) Proposed aerial view of the improved intersection featuring a new community parklet and transit pavilion

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

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Cannon Park Intersection

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Existing Conditions

the current condition of the Queensboro / Starkamp intersection with Brookline Boulevard is dangerous for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic. The geometry of the intersection, the sloping topography, the wide expanse of pavement, the high speed of the traffic, and the fact that this is not a signalized intersection (even though it is used by Port Authority buses as a bus stop), makes it very difficult for anyone to navi-

Existing View of the Intersection

(above) Brookline Boulevard, Chelton and Queensboro Avenues intersect to form the Cannon Park

gate in a vehicle or as a pedestrian.

The cannon park area is a unique traffic intersection with the Boulevard bending to the left as Chelton Avenue continues straight. Glenarm, Starkamp and Queensboro all intersect the boulevard at an angle hindering turning movements. The diagonal parking along the Boulevard continues on Chelton until the intersection of Chelton and Queensboro. The intersection with Glenarm is confusing since it intersects Brookline as the

Existing Conditions

(below) A cross section of the Boulevard and Chelton Avenue at the park

same point that the Boulevard curves away from Chelton.

There are no dedicated turn lanes at any of these intersections.

The cannon park is the only green space within the commercial district and is Brookline’s most recognizable landmark.

The park, a memorial to all veterans, contains a WWII artillery gun, a flagpole, and a memorial enclosed within an iron fence, with a few benches along the Boulevard side and a few trees.

The park is level with the boulevard and takes up grade as it steps down to Chelton Avenue. Although the park is in relatively good shape, there is some community concern that the park is an evening ‘hangout’ and will suffer vandalism.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

ii Proposed Plan

the existing cannon park is expanded to provide a beautiful front lawn for the memorial as well as the church and also buffer the pedestrians on the sidewalk from the traffic. Pedestrian crossings are well marked at all three intersections bordering the park: Glenarm/Brookline, Chelton/Queensboro,

Existing Plan

(inset) The Cannon Park today, a historic green space surrounded by a large expanse of pavement and speeding traffic

Proposed Plan

(right) The Cannon Park tomorrow, expanded with a public lawn and integrated into the pedestrian network, becomes a gateway into the commercial district

and Brookline/Queensboro and tie the Cannon Park into the pedestrian environment.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

30 Brookline Boulevard Tomorrow

(above) The proposed cross section of the Boulevard through the tighter cartway and public lawn of the expanded Cannon Park

Brookline Boulevard Today

(below) Cross section showing the wide expanse of pavement and existing park

The plan proposes to reclaim excess pavement width and narrow the Boulevard to a more appropriate dimension.

The cartway is reconfigured to provide one through travel lane and a central turning lane allowing left turns at both Glenarm and Starkamp. Parallel parking is maintained along the north side of the Boulevard. Chelton Avenue is reconfigured to align with Glenarm and has one through travel lane with parallel parking on both sides, all within the existing width. The Boulevard’s dedicated backup lane ends at Chelton and a landscaped buffer separates the angle parking from the parallel parking.

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

31

Brookline Boulevard Today

(above) Aerial view of the poorly defined Cannon Park area for both pedestrians and cars

Brookline Boulevard Tomorrow

(left) Proposed aerial view of the tamed intersection high-lighting the new public lawn of the Cannon Park

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Focus Group Summaries

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Focus Group Summaries

the following notes summarize the two focus group sessions that the design team conducted with community representatives (religious, political, and business, etc.) and residents.

One meeting was held at the kick-off meeting for the project and the other one was held shortly before the design charrette in early April.

Summary of Community's Input

11 January 2001

1

Good Things

•

Wide streets

•

Retail center

•

Pull-in parking

•

Level topography on Brookline Boulevard

•

Pedestrian friendly

•

High volume of traffic

•

Wide sidewalks

•

Community center activities on Blvd., i.e. library and firehouse

•

Two bakeries – ‘mom and pop’ stores

•

Good lighting

•

Good public transportation

•

Low crime rate

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

•

Functional as retail center

2

Bad Things

•

Unique mix of retail and residential

•

Parking – perception of not enough

uses on Boulevard

•

Traffic speed too fast

•

Crosswalks not marked

(posted 25 mph)

•

Signage too far away from street

Litter (provide business owners with

•

Overhead wires (cable tv, etc.)

•

Street trash receptacles used by resi-

•

Quiet

•

Gateway to suburbs

•

•

hose bibs for maintenance)

Very close to downtown

•

Intersection visibility and congestion (due to parking)

(1-1/2 miles from city)

•

Not enough trash receptacles

dential uses above retailers causing

•

Churches (St. Marks, etc.)

•

Poor snow and ice removal in winter

overflowing trash in the street

•

Canon park acts as gathering spot

•

Kids riding bikes on sidewalk

and is a neighborhood reference, it is

•

Residential sidewalks in disrepair

•

U-turns are disruptive and dangerous

•

Post Office parking (takes up to 10

a special place and only green space on the Boulevard •

Senior housing is nearby

•

Variety of retail businesses

•

Underground utilities

•

New CVS Pharmacy (however, lost

parking spaces during day) •

a hardware store in process) •

Double parking occurs often

•

Parking garage (has both +s and -s):

•

Front loading for deliveries take

employees use, but garage not adverits current reconfiguration •

Annual Brookline Breeze 5K race

•

Retailers see U-turns as positive for customers

•

Boulevard retail uses close at 6 pm.

•

Unkempt & overgrown verges on street

•

no light for traffic or pedestrians •

No community bulletin board

•

Potential traffic will be dumped on parallel streets to Brookline Boule-

parking spaces •

Lights – timing / safety issues

•

Street crossing issues – distance is too long for elderly (also needs to be clearly marked)

Major bus stop at Canon park is a dangerous crosswalk because there is

parkers back up into traffic lane

American Legion

tised, and layout is not functional in

be integrated into the design

Parking is not functional – diagonal

•

Lack of electrical receptacles for Christmas decorations – these should

Lack of green space / trees / planters on Boulevard

•

•

vard once construction starts – plan ahead for it •

Community-oriented Police station closed recently

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

3

Vision for the Future

•

Community kiosk

•

Upgrade image of business district

•

Median / island (both yeses and nos)

•

Available off-street parking

•

Make medians allow for turnarounds

•

Attitude adjustment about walking

•

Traffic stoplight at canon park for

this would limit U-turns as well as act as refuge for pedestrians crossing the street •

More greenery (trees, planters, etc.)

•

Level and smooth new sidewalks

•

Café seating

•

Architectural character / design guidelines to ensure

•

•

Parking deck above alley behind

•

Pedestrian scale lighting

•

Heated sidewalks

•

Street furniture / flower boxes, divided benches, and hanging planters

•

•

Supply power for christmas lighting and underground irrigation for trees

•

Consider mid-block bump-outs

and planter boxes

•

Parking meters: reduce number, com- •

Maintain and improve ‘small town’

bine 2 on 1 post (to reduce clutter)

feel

•

Dedicated left turn lanes

•

Round-about

•

More attractive bus shelters at

•

FYI: Brookline was named for Brookline, Massachusetts

•

Security cameras

Boulevard / Pioneer Avenue intersec-

Brookline Boulevard (already in schematic design)

Older population – take into consid-

safety

eration regarding crosswalks

Vibrant neighborhood image like Shadyside

•

on the Boulevard

•

tion

Community’s Input

More iconic elements – clocks, etc.

21 March 2001

like Market Square downtown •

Entry portals to business district

1

Good Things

•

Label blocks in terms of signage

•

One of the highest owner occupied

•

Attract new and unique stores to Brookline – like cafes, restaurants

Small parking areas (two existing

that draw from outside the neighbor-

vacant lots near canon park)

hood as well

•

Awnings

•

Trolley / minibus

character similar to Potomac Avenue

•

Brick / omnistone paving

in Dormont

•

Would like to see a neighborhood

neighborhoods in the city •

Low absentee landlords

•

Close proximity to town

•

Good street network-allowing for easy access into town

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

Longest and widest shopping street

•

It is level

in the city

•

Does not look like the suburbs, but is

Street used in community events

•

Trees uprooting and cracking sidewalks

not a high-density urban street

•

Lack of trees, greenery

Halloween Parade

•

Mixed-use buildings

•

Lack of appropriate bus stops

Veterans Parade

•

Firehouse block provides a variety of

•

Lack of night time business

stores that are well maintained and

•

Litter

•

Lack of maintenance for trees

•

Businesses do not clean snow, litter,

Memorial Day Parade

provides the vitality on the Boulevard

Brookline Breeze Race Moon Festival •

Schools in the area

•

Two parks

•

Churches

•

American Legion

•

Knights of Columbus

•

Senior center

•

Transportation

•

Low crime

•

Businesses on the Blvd.

•

Stores provide range of services

•

Two great bakeries

•

Strong community that surrounds

•

trash 2

Bad Things

•

People do not walk on the Blvd.

•

Traffic at canon coming from so

•

Poor lighting

many directions with no traffic light

•

Not enough trash receptacles

•

Too far to cross street (65')

•

Parking in the crosswalk

the Boulevard

•

Lack of benches

Poor visibility – left from Pioneer

•

Employee parking on the Boulevard

and right from Blvd.

•

Bikes and skateboards along

or stop signs at the intersection with Brookline Boulevard • • •

Convenient to walk to

•

Angled parking is a strength

Poor appearance at Pioneer and

• •

sidewalks

U-turns on the Blvd. – negative for

pedestrian

the Boulevard •

Historic architecture

•

Too much time on meters

Through-traffic on side streets due to •

Not enough public transportation on

traffic lights on the Boulevard

the weekends

Deterioration of sidewalks on both sides of the Boulevard

•

Trash from residents above stores

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Brookline Boulevard · Commercial District Streetscape Recommendations

•

Not enough upscale businesses

•

Boulevard used as commuter short cut from Route 51, 19 and Banksville

• • • •

• •

Make side streets harder to navigate

•

Specialty shops

as cut-through

•

Theaters

Place buses on the Blvd. and not

•

Use materials for sidewalks that are

Traffic overflows to the residential

the residential streets, instead

streets

use smaller shuttle buses on the residential streets

No left turn lanes No one stops for the crosswalks Benches become vandalized and are

•

Ten cents for ten minutes on meters

•

Keep businesses open during construction

areas for teen hangout

safety •

Make building owners responsible rounding area

•

Turnaround at cannon needs

No more one-story strip retail

•

Do not make parking parallel

•

Increase parking spaces through

•

Improve access to Post Office

•

Make it easier to cross by extending

improvement

Brick walkways to identify

banners and lights

lighting,paving,cleanliness and

No Medians – disruptful to parades

•

Street lamps which can support

Improve function of service alleys –

• Turn Boulevard into a destination

•

•

for upkeep of property and sur-

•

pedestrian areas

Well maintained trash receptacles

Median like Grant St. downtown

Vision for the Future

•

•

• 3

the use of satellite lots

easy to maintain – not bricks

the light time •

Granite curbs

•

Test widening street to maintain angled parking

•

Wired main street- data and phone

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