2.0. HRSR 03-10-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The plan identifies several basic directions for the design of the downtown and riverfront: • Boundaries • In this plan downtown is bounded by the Mississippi River on the north and Interstate 94 on the south. It generally extends one block west of Walnut Street and one block east of Pine. Street. Areas just beyond this boundary are considered transition zones, providing a buffer at the edge of downtown and protecting the existing neighbor- hoods. Pedestrian Core • The plan suggests that the downtown is oriented around a pedestrian core—a zone in which people can move freely to various destinations without their cars. By following this strategy we can achieve a goal of "parking once and shopping twice," a critical element of reducing traf- fic in downtown and encouraging the activity of people on the street. An average adult can walk about one-quarter mile in five minutes; if a five-minute walk radius is centered over the downtown area, this would be the pedestrian core. Transition Areas • Areas at the periphery of downtown are some of the most fragile in the area, especially areas oriented to single family uses. As the downtown is revitalized, the potential for traffic encroaching into neighborhoods increases, along with noise, lights and other activities that can degrade S a residential environment. The plan stresses the creation of transition zones at the edges of downtown to yield stability at the edge. Most often, stability can be created by a less intense commercial or office use (a use that generates relatively few visits on a typical day such as an insurance agency or a dental office), or with a more intense residen- tial use (a rowhouse or small apartment building). To achieve this kind of use and the associated stability, some existing homes may be elimi- nated or the use of the home changed. Downtown Gateways • It is important for a person to know that they have entered downtown Monticello; it recognizes that this area is the heart of the community and a special place. Entering downtown via Pine Street offers great long term opportunities for marking downtown; the bridges at the river and the interstate could be far more significant than they are today and might provide an introduction to downtown in a more dramatic way. • Equally important is the entry to downtown from Broadway. The plan suggests that the character of Broadway changes at the point where one enters downtown, providing another opportunity for a gateway to downtown. • Each gateway should be developed around a consistent theme. The plan suggests a form that is reminiscent of the major forces that have A New Bridge Revitalising Monticello's Downtown and Riverfront - Page 3:15