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<br />I Introduction <br /> <br />Purpose of Study <br /> <br />This Study was created to assist the City of Elk River in understanding <br />the role and potential of public roadways in the community. With that <br />understanding as a basis, this study is intended to supply the City with <br />a set of corridor standards that can be applied to both new corridor <br />planning and existing corridor improvements. <br /> <br />Role of Corridors <br /> <br />Public roadways play an important role in defining the character of a <br />City to both residents and visitors alike. As people travel around a city, <br />they form an impression of the community based on what they see. If <br />the public spaces are well designed with both pedestrians and drivers <br />in mind, people will feel welcome and prefer being in these places. <br /> <br />The design of corridors can also help in wayfinding. Travelers use more <br />than just street signs to orient themselves. Landmarks, plantings, and <br />street amenities all clue them in to what kind of roadway they are on, <br />what speeds they should travel and to where it may lead. <br /> <br />Corridors are the means in which residents connect with their commu- <br />nity and "get around". Creating safe, clear and pedestrian/bike friendly <br />routes will encourage a more active and healthy community life. <br /> <br />Lastly, corridors offer a significant opportunity to improve the urban <br />forestry. Lowering pavement heat sinks, improving air quality, infiltrat- <br />ing rain water arejust a few of the measureable benefits to urban trees. <br /> <br />Contents of Study <br /> <br />Chapter I: Assessment <br />Chapter 2: Example Corridor features <br />Chapter 3: Corridor Standards <br /> <br />First the study assesses how selected major City roadways function <br />today. These corridors were evaluated based how they function in pe- <br />destrian movement, identity, wayfinding, safety, etc. <br /> <br />Next the study takes a look at what other cities have done to improve <br />their corridors. Through the use of example photos, important amenity <br />features are pointed out that could be applied to the Elk River Corridor <br />Standards. <br /> <br />1 : INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />CORRIDOR STANDARDS <br />ELK RIVER <br />1-1 <br />