Plan for a Better Streetscape

In observance of National Planning Month Rural Resurrection publishes posts on planning-related topics. Each year National Planning Month is recognized to promote community planning. 

A few years ago I published a post entitled, “5 Specific Area Plans to Consider“. In that post we looked at five plans that concentrated on specific aspects of planning from housing to economic development. One of those plan types was Streetscape Plans.

What is a Streetscape Plan?

Streetscape plans typically concentrate on an area’s public right-of-way, which includes sidewalks and streets. Design considerations for these spaces generally include streetscape elements such as landscape, street lighting, public art, street furniture, infrastructure, and signage.

As we recently touched on in The Curbside Appeal of Your Town’s Front Door, the look and feel of the entrances to your community can have a big impact on the first impression of visitors to your community. This is also true of the main streets within your community. Much like in real estate sales, curbside appeal affects first impressions and can have a significant impact on the overall impression of your community.

Furniture and Signage Rendering – 84th Streetscape Schematic, by Design Workshop – Courtesy City of La Vista

Benefits of an Improved Streetscape

There are many benefits to an improved streetscape in your downtown or other major corridors, including, but not limited to:

• Improved Property Values: An improved streetscape can increase property values and market demand for commercial and residential properties. The increased property values also improve the city’s property tax base.
• Increased Commercial Activity: Inviting streetscapes draws potential customers in and helps make them stay longer, increasing commercial activity.
• Improved Seasonal Interest: The seasonal change in related foilage provides a regular change in the look of the area.
• Increased Pedestrian Safety: Properly implemented streetscapes have been proven to slow down traffic and increase pedestrian safety.
• Enhanced Identity: Streetscape improvements are a great way to implement your community’s brand. Just the improved aesthetic alone can enhance your community’s identity as visitors come away with a better impression after their time in the area.

84th Streetscape Schematic, by Design Workshop – Courtesy City of La Vista

Dream Realistically

Like any plan, streetscape plans paint a beautiful picture of what can be. Such grandiose visions of what can be may also be too big to conquer. Just remember that the consultants who make these plans are also the ones who usually do the final design and construction plans. For this effort, they typically charge a percentage of the estimated total cost of the project. So the bigger, the grander the vision, the higher the cut of the overall construction cost.

So it’s a good idea to keep your eyes on the overall scope of the project. That does not mean creating a plan that lacks a vision that stirs souls. Your final product needs to excite government officials, business owners, and residents alike. It’s just important though to keep an eye on the total cost. A plan that is fiscally unrealistic is just a dream that sits on a shelf collecting dust.

Materials and Furniture – 84th Streetscape Schematic, by Design Workshop – Courtesy City of La Vista

Prepare to Implement

Much like any other planning project, it is important to, “Strike while the iron’s hot.” Even before the plan is adopted by your City Council it is important to start preparing to implement it. Plan the phasing and start looking at grants to help fund the implementation. Having a path forward before adoption provides more clout to the project. Preparing for implementation also keeps the energy created by the planning process around. Allowing you to leverage it during the implementation of the project.