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10 <br />More Places for Walking and Biking <br />• Walking within the downtown is generally concentrated <br />within two, circular networks - one north of Highway 10 and <br />one south. While the sidewalk systems is relatively well built <br />in each, pedestrian connections between downtown and <br />uptown are poor. <br />• There are currently no designated areas to bike into and <br />around the downtown area, and wide vehicle lanes within <br />downtown dissuades people from biking. Connecting <br />downtown to area trails, particularly the Great Northern <br />Trail, could bring another user group into downtown while <br />promoting bike tourism. <br />Vehicle Spot Improvements <br />• Vehicle circulation into and within downtown is often very <br />uncomfortable. This is especially true during large events, <br />the many times per day that trains pass, and during summer <br />weekend traffic. <br />• Spot improvements at the Main Street / Parrish Avenue <br />intersection could help with better circulation at the already <br />location, while offering places to loop back into downtown. <br />• Similarly, Lowell Avenue at the west end of downtown <br />could be redesigned to offer a loop back opportunity into <br />downtown. <br />• Spot improvements at Jackson Avenue and Highway 10 <br />crossing could help with vehicle access and safer pedestrian <br />crossings. <br />A Disconnected Downtown <br />• The Downtown Core area is severely isolated due to Highway <br />10 and the rail line to the north, and the Mississippi River <br />to the south. Getting into and out of the area requires <br />“funneling” onto Jackson Ave, Main St east, and Parrish Ave - <br />all of which have difficult crossings. <br />• Crossing Highway 10 and the rail line is difficult, <br />uncomfortable if walking or biking and limited in location - <br />the only places to cross within downtown are along Main St <br />or Jackson St. The presence of both make circulation around <br />the area very difficult, particularly during events, trains, or <br />summer weekend traffic. <br />• The generous roadway widths, angled parking, and modest <br />streetscape along Main Street, don’t promote an attractive <br />retail and pedestrian experience. Reconsidering the roadway <br />design towards one with more space for pedestrians, could <br />better balance the many competing needs within the <br />downtown core. <br />H <br />W <br />Y <br /> <br />1 <br />0 <br />H <br />W <br />Y <br /> <br />1 <br />0 <br /> <br />/ <br /> <br />R <br />a <br />i <br />l <br /> <br />L <br />i <br />n <br />e <br />H <br />W <br />Y <br /> <br />1 <br />0 <br />MAIN S <br />T <br />MAIN S <br />T <br />MAIN S <br />T <br />4th ST 4th ST 4th ST <br />MAIN ST MAIN ST MAIN STJACKSON AVEJACKSON AVEJACKSON AVEPROCTOR AVEPROCTOR AVEPROCTOR AVEPARRISH AVEPARRISH AVEPARRISH AVEMISSISSIPPIRIVER MISSISSIPPIRIVER MISSISSIPPIRIVERHwy 169Hwy 169Hwy 169 <br />CONNECTIVITY <br />Key Findings <br />Page 80 of 157