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Midtown Specilic Plan PLANNING AREA ACCESS Al present, primary easl.west access to \he Midtown planning area is via First Street on the south and Seventeenth Streel on the north. Main Street and Broadway provide pnmary artenal access 10 Ille downtown/civic center comptex from !he north and Ille soulll. An 'enhanced interseclion' has been designated for Seventeenlll Street and Main Street, and Seventeenlll and Broadway, through General Plan Amendment No. 92.9. The Intersection improvements will inClude increasing the number of 'tanes at Ille intersection approach to increase capacity. The exact configuration of the intersection will be based on detailed traffic and land use analysis. Freeway access to Ihe Midlown area is provided by Interstate 5, either from the Main Street interchange to the north, or the Seventeenth Street interchange to the northeast. Once Improvements afe complete, access to the planning area from Ille soulheast will be provided by Ille FirsUFourth Street interchange. Even though competing employment centers have more COIlvenient freeway access, the Midtown area benefits directly from its easy mass transit access. Bus access to the planning area is direct due mostly to Ille area's location near Ille Civic Cenler complex and Ille locaUon of OCT A's main transit terminal at Broadway and Fifth Street. Commuter rail access is currenUy being provided at Ille Santa Ana Regional Transportation Cenler, and bus service is available lor direct access to the Midtown area. As described above, both METROLlNK and fixed guideway services will be available in Ille future. The implication for the planning area is that in Ille fulure Its accessibility by rapid transit will be excellent, which over the long lerm wilt increase Ille altractiveness of the area as a business location. The planning area will also increasingiy benefit adjacent residenUal neighborhoods with its convenience to jobs, shopping and regional transit VISUAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES An inventory 01 Midtown's visual strengths and weaknesses is documented on Exhibit 4, Visual Strengths and Weaknesses. The following process was employed for this visual assessment. . The photographic inventory, building survey, and physical constraints mapping of Midtown conducted for the design charelle were reviewed to gain familiarily with Ille planning area. A walking and driving survey was conducted by the consulting team to confirm the inventory dala. . Ordinance NS-2649 Fay,= 6 ur :51 Chapter 2: Existing Conditions 13