Upper Canal Street Master Plan

The ConsComm had a field walk of the Canal Street development area from the old canal locks at the end of the pavement, to Bridge Street. Where possible, I walked behind buildings on Canal Street where development is planned. This exercise was part of preparation by the ConsComm for understanding the development concept as presented by Primrose Development during a meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission's Downtown sub-committee. The committee is seeking comment on the plan by all boards/commissions/groups that will eventually be providing input.

My focus is continuing the successfull greenway and riverwalk that exists along the river and is so well received by the public. That was a costly investment by the City to attract development to the downtown area. It has elements or features that draw walkers and events to it such as Farmer's Market, Veterans Memorial, ornamental plantings and co-ordinated streetscape furniture of benches, streetposts, and trash receptacles. It is important to continue that high caliber of effort and design when continuing the walk.

Some thoughts I have on improving this initial design in the following areas:
canal locks: have historic character and development site could better provide access to the vistas upriver. last development parcel: current buildings are 3 storied. 6 stories is proposed of mixed use with double deck parking, a massing of structure that seems much to dense and contributes very little to the value of open space and vista that should be provided at that location. remaining open canal areas along Canal Street: minimize filling from street re-alignment and enhance the canals as a design feature addressing the current seemingly stagnant character. certain areas where the riverwalk is laid out: seem to become narrow due to new construction, and constrict the feeling of open public space. sidewalk streetscape improvements: recognizing the re-allignment of Canal street, exercise care to harmonize all improvements in a pedestrian friendly manner. parking areas: a pedestrian bike path behind the parking adjacent to rail line that wouldn't cross so many curbcuts would provide appropriate looping of pedestrians and draw residents into the downtown. keeping the riverwalk entirely along the river: specifically around the Birmingham condos from Bridge street area. It would involve some engineering challenges which the ConsComm would welcome participating in to resolve.

It is my understanding that a co-ordinated site walk will occur at some point in the future with all interested parties and the ConsComm would look to participate in that, even if it repeats looking at the same areas this exercise examined.