1. DRAFT 10-23-12
Michigan Street Corridor Plan
Breakout Session #3 – Michigan St. Design College to Fuller
October 29, 2012

2. Agenda DRAFT 10-23-12
 Introduction
 What We’ve Heard - Community Engagement
 What We’ve Observed - Existing Conditions
 What We’ve Done so Far - Future Vision
 What We Need to Do Now - Choices and Trade-offs
 “Create Your Corridor” Exercise

3. What We’ve Heard DRAFT 10-23-12
Community Preference Exercise - Public Forum #1
“What would you like to have, see or experience in 15 years?”
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

4. What We’ve Heard DRAFT 10-23-12
Preserve, Enhance Transform Exercise - Steering Committee

5. What We’ve Heard DRAFT 10-23-12
Preserve, Enhance Transform Exercise - Steering Committee
18
16
16
14
12
Preserve
10 11
10 Enhance
8 9
Transform
6
4 5
4 4 4
2
0
0
Grand River to College to Fuller Fuller to Plymouth
College

6. What We’ve Heard DRAFT 10-23-12
Community Preference Exercise - Public Forum #2
Preferred Land Uses Preferred Street Elements

7. What We’ve Observed DRAFT 10-23-12
College Ave. to Fuller Ave.
College Ave.
Fuller Ave.
Michigan Street
Crescent St.

8. What We’ve Observed DRAFT 10-23-12
Public Realm - Streetscape Character
 Streetscape Character:
 Lack of streetscape amenities, such as landscaping and street
furnishings has created a sterile, uninviting environment
 Sidewalk dimensions and street crossings are inadequate creating a
hostile pedestrian environment.
 Narrow right-of way limits space for adequate streetscape amenities,
on-street parking, transit and travel lanes.
 Travel by wheelchair is a challenge.

9. What We’ve Observed DRAFT 10-23-12
Public Realm - Transportation
 Transportation:
 Private vehicles is the dominate mode of transportation
 Road conditions and congestion make the street unsuitable for
bikers
 The corridor has the Rapid bus line and a private shuttle service
operated by Spectrum Health but transit amenities are limited.

10. What We’ve Observed DRAFT 10-23-12
Private Realm - Site Design
 Site Design:
 Suburban/auto centric design
 Limited walkability/connectivity
 Poor image/identity
 Shallow lot depths on south side
of Michigan Street limit
development potential
 Multiple driveways promotes
traffic congestion

11. What We’ve Observed DRAFT 10-23-12
Private Realm - Architecture
 Architecture:
 Much of the architecture creates an impersonal feel
 Lack of maintenance and poor facade renovation on many structures
gives the corridor a tired appearance
 Almost no first floor window display area

12. What We’ve Done So Far DRAFT 10-23-12
Preliminary Land Use Plan Scenarios - May & June, 2012
N

13. What We’ve Done So Far DRAFT 10-23-12
Future Vision
 Future Vision: Create a Place
 Develop compact, mixed-use center on the corridor.
 Create a pedestrian/transit oriented environment.
 Make it accessible to people of all abilities.
 Provide green space and plaza space.
 Provide variety of housing options.

14. What We Need to Do Now DRAFT 10-23-12
Create a Place
 What Makes a Corridor a Place?
 Variety of land uses with retail on
first floor office residential above
 Compact urban form with the
appropriate mass and height to
street and sidewalk
 Buildings placed along and oriented
to the street creates outdoor rooms.
 On-street parking. It acts as a buffer
between the road and sidewalk
 Most parking placed in rear
 Limit curb cuts to Michigan St.
 Quality architecture and detailing
 Ground level window display

15. What We Need to Do Now DRAFT 10-23-12
Create a Place
 What Makes a Corridor a Place?
 Consistent and well maintained
streetscape and sidewalks
 Space for cafes and plazas
 Street trees, planters and green
spaces
 Amenities – seating, lighting and
public art.

16. What We Need to Do Now DRAFT 10-23-12
Choices and Trade-offs
 Issues to Consider:
 The existing roadway width will stay the same. Narrow right-of way on
Michigan St. limits space for adequate streetscape amenities, on-street
parking, transit and vehicle travel lanes. Not all elements will fit in the
existing right-of way. What trade-offs should we consider ?
 Shallow lot depths on south side of Michigan Street limit development
potential. Should we expand new development to Crescent street?
 What future land use will best fit a compact pedestrian/transit oriented
environment?

17. What We Need to Do Now DRAFT 10-23-12
Choices and Trade-offs
Create Your Corridor!!

18. DRAFT 10-23-12
Thank you!
Suzanne Schulz, AICP
Planning Director, City of Grand Rapids
sschulz@grcity.us
Bob Petko
Landscape Architect, Progressive AE
petkob@progressiveae.com
Michigan Street Corridor Plan
Breakout Session #3 – College to Fuller Land Use Plan
October 29, 2012