Presentation_-_South_Cooper_Street_Corridor_Strategy_2

SOUTH COOPER STREET CORRIDOR STRATEGY CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 13, 2021 Project Purpose Purpose: • Examine existing conditions to understand opportunities and needs along the Corridor • Create a robust community vision • Develop an implementation strategy Key emphasis areas: • Improve transportation and mobility • Enhance economic development opportunities • Increase quality of life • Position Cooper Street to help connect the broader Arlington community Process and Community Engagement Advisory Committee of 23 stakeholders Public Meetings Online Surveys Robust Project Website Corridor Vision and Objectives Cooper Street delivers innovation in education, research, healthcare, housing, and economic development that provides opportunities to enhance the local community The corridor provides vibrant and walkable commerce and experiences Cooper Street is a major thoroughfare that is safe for pedestrians and efficiently moves vehicles using smart technology “ “ South Cooper Street is a community connector within the City of Arlington where people can think, work, and play The corridor is regionally significant with strong economic anchors in the University of Texas at Arlington and the Parks Mall and is a small business generator Cooper Street is an active, attractive, and safe environment for all 01 “ “ Zone embraces the University of Texas at Arlington’s expanding educational prominence and creates a collaborative spirit of social, cultural, and economic opportunity anchored in a walkable and vibrant district that provides diverse housing options 02 03 04 Reimagining Matlock: Explore additional housing options: Enhance pedestrian safety and comfort: Establish a Community-Led Public Arts Program to beautify the zone: Redesign the Matlock intersection for safety, efficiency, and to better position the area for commercial development Explore strategies to allow for a range of housing types that align with market and community housing demands Improve streetlevel safety at specific locations to create a safer pedestrian environment Create partnerships with local schools, businesses, UTA, and art organizations to establish community-led placemaking strategies 07 “ “ Zone imagines the future of work and creates spaces that foster collaboration and cultivate new innovative business ventures, all while celebrating creative cultural expression of the local community and supporting adjacent educational, medical, and economic anchors 05 06 08 Explore a "Business Innovation District" strategy: Explore additional housing options: Establish a wellconnected street grid: Improve access to work for day laborers in the corridor: Encourage medical uses and partner with UTA to incorporate research and development activities for the area between Cooper Street, Arkansas Lane, and Medlin Road Explore strategies to allow for a range of housing types that align with market and community housing demands Promote a finergrained, pedestrian friendly, wellconnected street grid in the area as redevelopment occurs Develop a Day Laborer program to provide formal mechanisms for individuals to find work “ “ Zone reinforces South Cooper Street as a major commercial destination that offers a unique leisure, dining, entertainment, and retail experience 09 10 11 12 Reinforce the Parks Mall as a regional destination: Improve pedestrian connectivity between area developments and storefronts: Improve pedestrian safety around the IH-20 and S Cooper Street interchange: Develop a strategy for taking advantage of the potential increase in e-commerce related uses : Consider policies that allow the Parks Mall to adapt and improve over time despite shifting retail trends and tenant transition Support additional pedestrian connections between shops, businesses, and amenities throughout the zone Work with TxDOT to ensure safe and effective pedestrian facilities across IH-20 Take proactive steps to prepare the area for digital transformation in retail 13 14 15 16 17 Encourage green infrastructure development to decrease impervious cover: Seek drainage improvements for Johnson Creek: Serve the Corridor area with increased connections to hike and bike facilities: Establish Cooper Street as Arlington’s innovative mobility corridor: Develop design, aesthetic, and visual enhancements for the Corridor: Consider zoning and fee incentives for developers who pursue building density, green spaces, pervious surfaces, and offsite water retention Improve stormwater management and ensure new development has minimal impact on downstream areas Implement projects from the 2011 Hike & Bike Trail System Master Plan that fall within the study area Improve mobility for residents, businesses, and shoppers by optimizing traffic movement and introducing emerging traffic and mobility solutions Develop a cohesive and comprehensive set of design standards for both the public and private realm for each zone within the corridor Signature Short-Term and Long-Term Actions 10 Reimagining Matlock Short-Term Actions Conduct traffic impact study Conduct a study to determine if a new TIRZ district in Zone and/or Zone is recommended and feasible, and if so, what the proposed boundaries might be Long-Term Actions Remove segment of Matlock between Cooper and Pioneer Redevelop NE and NW corners of Cooper and Pioneer 11 Community-Led Public Arts Program Short-Term Actions Encourage collaboration between local schools, businesses, UTA, and arts organizations Once established, arts program group to explore funding opportunities 12 Business Innovation District Strategy Short-Term Actions Enhance code compliance to connect property owners with existing resources Conduct a study to determine if a new TIRZ district in Zone and/or Zone is recommended and feasible, and if so, what the proposed boundaries might be Long-Term Actions Facilitate development consistent with the Zone vision in this targeted opportunity area Evaluate need for environmental remediation, then identify funding as necessary Design for a pedestrian-scale street grid 13 Access to Work for Day Laborers Short-Term Actions Work with nonprofit to create virtual job board Long-Term Actions Consider creating a nonprofit-run Day Labor Center 14 Reinforce the Parks Mall as Destination Short-Term Actions Consider establishing a zoning overlay district for the Mall area to encourage uses that support the commercial/retail goals of the zone Long-Term Actions Improve pedestrian connectivity between area destinations 15 Aesthetic and Design Enhancements Short-Term Actions Develop a branding and identity strategy for the corridor and each zone Facilitate faỗade and other aesthetic improvements to shopping center at SE corner of Cooper and Pioneer through a public-private partnership Long-Term Actions Develop design standards for the public realm Develop design standards for the private realm to apply to wholesale redevelopment projects 16 Implementation 53 Specific Action Steps for Implementing the Vision Timeline: • Short-Term (1-5 years): 22 actions • Medium-Term (6-10 years): 19 actions • Long-Term (10+ years): 12 actions Project Partners Identified: City Departments, TxDOT, UTA, AISD, Developers, Businesses, Landowners Cost Estimates Provided: • No new cost to the City: • One-time costs: • Annual costs: 30 actions 21 actions 02 actions 17 Next Steps April 27 City Council Public Hearing May City Council Adoption Vote 18 DISCUSSION 19