01-16-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

lines in April 1996 to be completed by April 1997; 2) construction of street improvements in October 1997 to be completed by October 1998; and 3) installation of Double King lighting from French to Lacy and luminaires from Lacy to the Freeway. Alvarez indicated staff was recommending that the project exclude medians since the reduction in street width would leave insufficent room for large truck turning movements and could disqualify the City from Measure M funding due to non- compliance with Arterial Highway Plan standards. Councilmembers discussed numerous issues on how to create an improved gateway to Downtown Santa Ana, including but not limited to: using Double King fixtures for the entire project; defining boundaries for theme-sidewalk treatment; making room for medians by decreasing sidewalk widths, removing trees, restricting parking, and reducing median widths; and installing art objects in medians. Business owner Adolfu Lopez suggested a focus on continuity to create a "retail corridor" along Fourth Street between Grand Avenue and the Downtown, and recommended the use of palm trees in commercial areas rather than leafy species that reduce visibility of retail activity. Mayor Pro Tem Richardson requested the City Manager provide Council with cost estimates and trade-offs on Double King lighting, tree removal, and sidewalk shaving (to allow median installation in the project area). MAIN STREET CORRIDOR Public Works Agency Executive Director Jim Ross outlined the goals for the Main Street Corridor as the attraction of retail business activity to the area and the creation of a "pedestrian-friendly" environment. Following discussion among the Councihnembers, Ross added "enhanced aesthetics" to the Corridor Goals list. Community Development Agency Executive Director Cindy Nelson delineated on a map that portion of the Main Street Corridor bounded by the Downtown Artists Village in the south and MainPlace Mall to the north, and described the major nodes of commercial and cultural activity identified in the Midtown Specific Plan. Nelson also discussed goals of the Mayor's Arts and Culture Task Force and the Downtown Business Task Force for the Midtown area, which included the creation of a safe, attractive, interesting, urban experience, as well as a friendly environment for pedestrians and vehicles. Arthur Strock, member of the Mayor's Arts and Culture Task Force, showed slides of downtown areas in Palm Springs, Pasadena, Belmont Shores, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana with streetscapes that encouraged pedestrian activity. Ron Baers, member of the Midtown Specific Plan development group, illustrated through drawings how the Main Street Corridor might be redesigned to increase foot traffic by adding parking and landscaped buffer zones. Planning and Building Agency Executive Director Robyn Uptegraff reviewed the major Specific Plan principles including such areas as land use, gateways, pedestrian space, and circulation. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 20 JANUARY 16, 1996