Big Spring, Texas Downtown Concept Plan Prepared by Bender Wells Clark Design with Urban Development Services

Prepared by

Bender Wells Clark Design

with

Urban Development Services

Big Spring, Texas Downtown Concept Plan Goals: Revitalization of Downtown Preservation of existing historic resources Implementation of a cohesive design theme providing: A recognizable character for improvements Safe connections for pedestrians Adequate parking for future needs Aesthetic and practical connections to development in and around the Downtown area

Goals:

Revitalization of Downtown

Preservation of existing historic resources

Implementation of a cohesive design theme providing:

A recognizable character for improvements

Safe connections for pedestrians

Adequate parking for future needs

Aesthetic and practical connections to development in and around the Downtown area

Overview of Downtown Downtown Big Spring has the capacity to grow its business and housing sector along with the rapidly expanding areas surrounding Downtown.

Downtown Big Spring has the capacity to grow its business and housing sector along with the rapidly expanding areas surrounding Downtown.

Overview of Downtown The Historic buildings in Downtown Big Spring are an important reminder of the city’s origins. As the city grows it will be important to preserve the character of Downtown as a link to the traditions of the area. It is also important, however, to insure that Downtown is able to develop economically and serve as centerpiece and a gathering place for the community.

The Historic buildings in Downtown Big Spring are an important reminder of the city’s origins. As the city grows it will be important to preserve the character of Downtown as a link to the traditions of the area. It is also important, however, to insure that Downtown is able to develop economically and serve as centerpiece and a gathering place for the community.

Overview of Downtown The Settles Hotel is a well-known West Texas landmark in the heart of Downtown Big Spring. The15-story structure is being considered for development as a mixed-use commercial and residential complex. Redevelopment of the Settles Hotel would have a major impact on Downtown Big Spring, economically, and as a symbol of a re-invigorated business core.

The Settles Hotel is a well-known West Texas landmark in the heart of Downtown Big Spring. The15-story structure is being considered for development as a mixed-use commercial and residential complex.

Redevelopment of the Settles Hotel would have a major impact on Downtown Big Spring, economically, and as a symbol of a re-invigorated business core.

Concept Plan Study Area

Existing Conditions Grid street pattern Railroad at North edge Commercial Land use with surrounding residential and institutional uses

Grid street pattern

Railroad at North edge

Commercial Land use with surrounding residential and institutional uses

Existing Conditions Two-way Local Streets serve the commercial core 3 rd Street and 4 th Street are One-Way Arterial Streets (Business Interstate 20) designed to move traffic through Downtown

Two-way Local Streets serve the commercial core

3 rd Street and 4 th Street are One-Way Arterial Streets (Business Interstate 20) designed to move traffic through Downtown

Existing Conditions Local government offices at core of Downtown

Local government offices at core of Downtown

Existing Conditions Commercial and Mixed-use Redevelopment

Commercial and Mixed-use Redevelopment

Existing Downtown Conditions Vehicular Circulation Cars dominate the Downtown at present Ample parking on street Lack of wayfinding directing vehicles to destinations and parking Wide streets Major arterials are barriers to pedestrian movement

Vehicular Circulation

Cars dominate the Downtown at present

Ample parking on street

Lack of wayfinding directing vehicles to destinations and parking

Wide streets

Major arterials are barriers to pedestrian movement

Existing Downtown Conditions Pedestrian Circulation Key to generating impulse sales in a vital commercial district Lack of shade Obstacles to access Unmarked crosswalks, wide crossings on streets Lack of night lighting, benches and pedestrian amenities ADA Issues

Pedestrian Circulation

Key to generating impulse sales in a vital commercial district

Lack of shade

Obstacles to access

Unmarked crosswalks, wide crossings on streets

Lack of night lighting, benches and pedestrian amenities

Existing Downtown Conditions Pedestrian Circulation Some pockets of comfortable, walkable streets are provided(Lower Main Street) Continuous comfort for people walking along the street should be a goal Street trees and canopies provide needed shade

Pedestrian Circulation

Some pockets of comfortable, walkable streets are provided(Lower Main Street)

Continuous comfort for people walking along the street should be a goal

Street trees and canopies provide needed shade

Existing Downtown Conditions Historic Resources Provide a key element in defining the character of Downtown Big Spring An asset that should attract tourists, shoppers, businesses and residents Can foster rehabilitation of buildings and support renewed economic activity Can provide an attractive image

Historic Resources

Provide a key element in defining the character of Downtown Big Spring

An asset that should attract tourists, shoppers, businesses and residents

Can foster rehabilitation of buildings and support renewed economic activity

Can provide an attractive image

Existing Downtown Conditions Historic Resources Incentives for Preservation include Design Assistance Grants, Façade Rehabilitation Grants, and Tax Abatement for Historic Building Redevelopment

Historic Resources

Incentives for Preservation include Design Assistance Grants, Façade Rehabilitation Grants, and Tax Abatement for Historic Building Redevelopment

Concept Plan The Concept Plan documents include a written report, with photographs and drawings, and an Illustrative Concept Plan drawing describing the recommendations summarized here

Concept Plan The Concept Plan is designed to promote economic sustainability and quality of life in the community Successful implementation will require a coordinated effort between public and private entities, including: Private property owners, Downtown organizations, tenants, businesses, public officials and governmental agencies

The Concept Plan is designed to promote economic sustainability and quality of life in the community

Successful implementation will require a coordinated effort between public and private entities, including:

Private property owners, Downtown organizations, tenants, businesses, public officials and governmental agencies

Concept Plan Key Concepts of the Plan Encourage development Construct new public amenities Improve sidewalks and streetscape Upgrade public utilities Enhance parking in a coordinated system Create great places and great streets to attract people and business to Downtown

Key Concepts of the Plan

Encourage development

Construct new public amenities

Improve sidewalks and streetscape

Upgrade public utilities

Enhance parking in a coordinated system

Create great places and great streets to attract people and business to Downtown

Vision Providing great places at the heart of the city is good for Big Spring Brings diverse people together Creates active public spaces Encourages mixed-use development Promotes walking Supports business opportunities Renews downtown neighborhoods

Providing great places at the heart of the city is good for Big Spring

Brings diverse people together

Creates active public spaces

Encourages mixed-use development

Promotes walking

Supports business opportunities

Renews downtown neighborhoods

Great Places When you define/design your city around cars…you get more cars. When you define/design your city around places…you get more people. “ We shape our cities, and afterwards our cities shape us” – adapted from Winston Churchill

When you define/design your city around cars…you get more cars.

When you define/design your city around places…you get more people.

Measures of A Successful Downtown Uses & Activities: Active Vital Special Photo: Project for Public Spaces

Uses & Activities:

Active

Vital

Special

Measures of A Successful Downtown Comfort & Image: Historic Attractive Environmentally sensitive Photo: Project for Public Spaces

Comfort & Image:

Historic

Attractive

Environmentally sensitive

Measures of A Successful Downtown Access & Linkages: Walkable Accessible Connected Photo: Project for Public Spaces

Access & Linkages:

Walkable

Accessible

Connected

Design Principles Context: Connected to surroundings Safety: Clear sightlines, defensible space, good lighting and people on the street Accessible Reduced Noise Shade Walkable sidewalks Activities and events

Context: Connected to surroundings

Safety: Clear sightlines, defensible space, good lighting and people on the street

Accessible

Reduced Noise

Shade

Walkable sidewalks

Activities and events

Design Principles Detailing & Materials: High quality, durable, local, long-lived, and non-slip surfaces Spatial Variety: small spaces, large spaces, and many edges Good Maintenance, and Good Management

Detailing & Materials:

High quality, durable, local, long-lived, and non-slip surfaces

Spatial Variety:

small spaces, large spaces, and many edges

Good Maintenance, and

Good Management