College District Open House 1 Results Summary, 1-31-18

College District Area Action Plan Open House #1 Results Summary Overview An Open House was held on November 14th, 2017 at Coe College’s Clark Alumni Hall with the following purpose:  Share and gather feedback on draft goals  Share and gather feedback on draft action steps  Gather feedback on land use and zoning  Share feedback from the July Workshop To accomplish this, the Open House was divided into four stations The first was comprised of boards showing the results of the Workshop Present/Future Exercise, a funded project to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections to Cedar Lake, and planned stormwater management improvements adjacent to the Plaster Athletic Complex The second and third stations showed the draft goals and action steps organized by the topics Connectivity, Land Use, Character and Placemaking, and Streetscapes The fourth and final station was a visual preference exercise about future land use Citizen participation at the Open House was as follows:  60+ attended  42 participated in the action step prioritization  36 participated in the land use exercise  comments on the goals  52 comments on land use  16 completed comment sheets Results Page Attendees were asked to view the 11 draft goals, organized by topic, and provide feedback on missing goals The five following comments were received:  Connectivity: a map recommending eight improvements to bicycle connectivity and intersections  Land Use: one comment to designate mass transit corridors for higher density development and one comment to plan for the Cedar Rapids Community School District’s elementary school closing plan  Character: one comment to develop a master plan for Daniels Park  Streetscapes: one comment to encourage development that uses “eyes on the street” design to Draft Goals increase the perception of safety Draft Action Steps The 19 draft action steps were organized by topic and included their associated goals Attendees were given three dot stickers per topic and asked to place them next to the action step or steps that were most important to them They could place all three dots on one action step or on three individual ones for each topic 42 persons participated and the following tables and images show the number of dots each action step received CONNECTIVITY Dots Received 54 45 17 Page Draft Action Step Initiate engineering analysis for vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, and gateway improvements at the Coe Rd./Center Pt Rd./College Dr./Oakland Rd./E Ave intersection Perform analysis to identify locations to improve safety or for sidewalk infill as part of the update to the Pedestrian Master Plan Promote awareness and usage of the CR Transit system LAND USE Dots Received 33 31 20 16 14 Page Draft Action Step Promote walkability as part of the update to the zoning code Update zoning for 1st Avenue corridor through the study area to promote neighborhood friendly mixed-use development consistent with historic development patterns Implement zoning changes for locations identified for preservation, enhancement, and transformation by this plan Prioritize projects from the Stormwater Master Plan to mitigate the impacts of flash flooding Create developer resource to share information on adopted plans and economic and demographic data of the area Evaluate zoning for industrial and commercial areas at the heart of the study area STREETSCAPES Dots Received 68 32 30 Page Draft Action Step Identify aesthetic streetscape improvements, including street lighting, as part of citywide efforts Examine current street lighting for issues and potential improvements Develop wayfinding signage to identify amenities within the area CHARACTER AND PLACEMAKING Dots Received 32 27 23 21 14 13 Page Draft Action Step Analyze current city programs and expand, as necessary, to promote home repair Develop and promote marketing materials to share with college students and residents about the activities available at the schools and citywide Develop and promote a property maintenance manual for homeowners, landlords, and renters Develop a list of additional historical sites in the Mound View Neighborhood to include in the “History Happened Here” program Increase Police patrols of areas of current concern Include education and information about SAFE-CRE and reporting criminal activity in the Mound View Neighborhood Association newsletter (paper and electronically) Identify gaps in neighborhood activities and create additional programs to fill gaps Land Use Exercise For the November Open House, the College District study area was divided into areas (lettered A-H and shown on the next page) For each area, three images, along with a brief description, was shown The first image showed either the current condition in this area or an anticipated future condition The next two images showed different options for future development Participants were asked to rate each image on a scale of 1-5, with being strongly dislike and being strongly like For the results shown on the following pages, a score of and was interpreted as “disliked” and a score of or was interpreted as “liked” A score of was interpreted as “neutral” or “no opinion” The average score of all votes is also shown At the end of each area there is a section called “What this tells us”, where we explain how we are interpreting the results These explain the thoughts that will go into drafting the College District Area Action Plan document The College District Plan is an Action Plan It is meant to be the start of the process of change and growth within the district It will identify a variety of Action Steps that can be completed by the City to enable and encourage growth and redevelopment Specific recommendations may range from identifying the need to change the zoning to identifying future road connections or intersection improvements that will help serve the area Page The second open house will share more specific recommendations based on the results shown on the following pages Page Scenarios: Average Score: % Like % Dislike Current Trend 1.94 14% 72% Urban District 4.42 86% 3% Auto Corridor 2.14 14% 64% Additional Public Comments: Neutral Need Work on 1st Avenue Prefer Urban District While 1st Ave still carries a large volume of traffic it is no longer the primary linkage Promoting this area may require some slowing of traffic Strongly prefers Urban District I very much like the aim of the urban district I believe that CR-Iowa City have potential to become more vibrant and appealing and this is a good way to start Page Prefers Auto Corridor The area around Coe's Campus from Riley's/Grey's Pub to HyVee/Pizza Daddy's needs revamped There is a lack of luster or charm and the strip feels unwalkable, even though it's right next to campus Prefers Urban District and Auto Corridor Need places to walk/bike away from cars Strongly Prefers Urban District or Current Trend Can we effectively and affordably transition? Who owns the land now? The incentives for developers will be key Strongly prefers Urban District 1st Ave may be too busy and wide to support "Urban District" but too many people need to cross it for urban corridor to work Prefers Urban District Pedestrian comfort is a top priority for me I love the idea of 1st avenue being more (of a) destination location, but not if it makes housing unaffordable Strongly Prefers Urban District Find a pod area where more "walk friendly" business can be located, create events that utilize this area to draw participation Strongly Prefers Urban District If I'm required to choose one other than "Urban District" I would sparingly choose the photo shown for (Auto Corridor) (New Wendy’s)` What this tells us: Responses showed a very clear preference for the “Urban District” concept for 1st Avenue This scenario was the highest rated out of the 24 presented at the open house The feedback on 1st Avenue tells us that the zoning along this corridor needs to be updated to ensure that redevelopment is walkable and serves residents of the Wellington Heights and Mound View Neighborhoods 1st Avenue will remain an important auto corridor and new auto-oriented businesses would not be prohibited Drive-thru and other auto-oriented features should rely on alley access with limited curb cuts Buildings should be placed near the sidewalk to promote a more urban feel Page The results from the open house suggest that form-based zoning should be considered along 1st Avenue, which will encourage urban development Scenarios: Average Score: % Like % Dislike College Campus 3.74 63% 17% Residential Buffer 3.80 57% 6% Mixed-Use Buffer 4.17 71% 3% Additional Public Comments: Likes all options Campus: Attempt to connect with neighborhood Residential Buffer: Remove some on-street parking to narrow street and widen sidewalk on one side Mixed Use Buffer: Promote senior living structures, close to colleges and hospitals Prefers Campus or Mixed-Use Buffer I feel that the mixed use buffer may provide opportunities to accommodate low-income housing Likes all options Connectivity & Safety & Lighting are paramount Neighborhood watch programs Page 10 Prefers College Campus The colleges can also buyout houses in Urban Districts for students Strongly Prefers College Campus The city can't really change the campus, but the houses around campus would be an interesting investment as options for student housing An opportunity to help Coe build its population, which in turn brings more to CR Strongly prefers Campus The colleges will more successfully anchor a long term redevelopment As long as it is done well and with some oversight Likes all options College campus depends on Coe's readiness to execute other options Allow spillover from Downtown and MedQ development but (unintelligible) What This Tells Us: Page 11 The results indicate that the community is generally satisfied with a variety of outcomes for this property It is assumed that the area will develop as part of the Coe College campus, but other outcomes, including the development of housing and mixed-use development along 15th Street would be supported by the plan Scenarios: Average Score: % Like % Dislike Current Trend 2.50 17% 53% Preservation 3.53 53% 19% Development 3.61 53% 14% Additional Public Comments: Prefers Preservation Current Trend: Better than last year Preservation: Some good work on some buildings Strongly prefers development To keep college grads here CR needs more modern housing environment options Neutral The capacity of population is there and once the trail is completed more people will come by How we encourage businesses to grow, develop, and expand? Page 12 Neutral I personally have never explored this area of CR I believe a big part of that is because it seems only residential with maybe a grocery store/convenience store But the housing seems 1950's-ish Strongly prefers Preservation For this area neither (of the other options) will maintain the appeal of Mound View/College District (Preservation) the future after appeal is maintained and is a selling point (Development) might work! Prefers Preservation or Current Trend Main problem with current trend is the code, fixing that would help evolution Strongly prefers preservation I don't dislike the idea of some business development, again affordable housing is a concern for me Prefers preservation The development could work but needs to be in defined areas - important to know (unintelligible) flavor for most Prefers Development Townhouse/condos along E Ave What This Tells Us: With this question there was an even split in preference between Preservation and Development The responses not have to be mutually exclusive Zoning in this area should largely react to existing conditions New Traditional Residential zone districts should eliminate non-conformities with existing homes and ensure any new or remodeled structures are of comparable size and scale to single-family homes Page 13 The plan document should support the idea of redevelopment within the neighborhood Individual projects which differ somewhat from existing development may apply for a rezoning and be considered on a case-by-case basis The rezoning process, along with the creation of more traditionally focused residential districts, can be used to ensure new development is diverse, but still of a scale similar to existing homes Scenarios: Average Score: % Like % Dislike Current Trend 2.06 15% 67% Creative District 4.15 85% 6% Mixed-Use Core 4.17 74% 3% Additional Public Comments: Neutral Current Trend: People are trying Prefers Creative District or Mixed-Use Core The creative district reminds me of home I'm from Denver metro area which is fast growing for young professionals They have many things CR should emulate Prefers Creative District or Mixed-Use Core Variety is the Spice of Life, young and old inhabit this area - amenities for both Parks playgrounds coffee, shops, (unintelligible), art shops, photography shops, yoga studio… Page 14 Strongly prefers Creative District Again (Mixed-Use Core) after solidifying appeal of the area Strongly prefers Creative District or Mixed Use Core Permit residential - creates more options Strongly prefers Creative District or Mixed Use Core Love the creative district - can CR sustain two neighborhoods like this? Could be nice to offer something different Likes all Must have mixed use to work in my opinion - commercial businesses and residential above What This Tells Us: Responses showed a very strong preference for change in the “Neighborhood Core”, with a shift towards being a mixed-use hub of activity The redevelopment of the Terex site and continued improvements to the CEMAR trail will make the Mound View Neighborhood more of a crossroads and a destination in coming years Page 15 This portion of the neighborhood offers a number of opportunities for the type of imaginative reuse of existing structures described in the “Creative District” concept, along with new construction along the lines of a “Mixed-Use Core” Both of these concepts would be served by the implementation of a FormBased code, which deemphasizes the classic separation of uses into residential, commercial or industrial zones, and instead focuses on the scale and form of new buildings that come into the district Scenarios: Average Score: % Like % Dislike Industrial Mix 1.63 17% 53% Urban Residential 3.70 53% 19% Urban Mixed-Use 4.30 53% 14% Additional Public Comments: Strongly prefers urban mixed use College friendly focused business development Prefers Urban Mixed Use and Residential Must (unintelligible) and need housing to act this ???? Strongly prefers Mixed Use or Residential E Ave, along with 16th and 17th Streets need to become areas that attract businesses serving walk-in customers Page Dislike Urban Mixed use Because a picture of the NewBo-area Raygun store was used to characterize 16 Strongly prefers Mixed Use or Residential Non-alcoholic businesses Neutral I think we need the mixed-use concept Places where people live + walk + hangout Prefers Urban Mixed Use Time to redevelop/move heavy industrial Honor the history with some display/open space Prefer Urban Residential Mt Mercy is cleaning up What This Tells Us: With percent of respondents liking the existing development along E Avenue, there was an obvious preference for urban redevelopment of E Avenue The location of the corridor, with new development backing up to the Plaster Athletics Complex and the CEMAR Trail, makes it an inviting location for new housing Page 17 The question for this area in particular was whether or not mixed use development with commercial would make sense here, or if the neighborhood felt this was not an appropriate location for more active uses The responses indicate this type of development would be favored Scenarios: Average Score: % Like % Dislike Current Trend 1.76 6% 76% Neighborhood 3.73 58% 9% Campus Link 4.09 73% 9% Additional Public Comments: Prefers Current Trend or Campus Link It's part of history of Cedar Rapids Need to capitalize on the historical value of the area Prefers Campus Link I think enhancing the walkability & connections is a great goal Safety is 1st, College students and parents want safety and lighting and kept-up housing and a strong police force or presence and their ability to build relationships is a necessary good Strongly prefers Neighborhood or Campus Link Again, Non-alcoholic businesses Page 18 Strongly prefers Campus Link I'd like (Current Trend) if there were jobs to be had Strongly Prefer Neighborhood or Campus Link Love Campus Link! What This Tells Us: Like area B: Campus Transition, this is an area with a number of options for future redevelopment The results from the open house showed a very clear preference for a transition away from Industrial uses Similar levels of support existed for the two options presented Based on feedback, the final plan document should indicate that either option is acceptable “Neighborhood” development would continue the existing grid street network over the site “Campus Link” development would allow larger institutional or mixed-use buildings to be developed between the core Mount Mercy Campus and the athletic complex It is likely that a mix will occur over time Higher density housing with a view over the Plaster Athletic Complex and down into the “Neighborhood Core” could be provided along I Avenue NE Page 19 Either way, the eventual redevelopment of this area should provide for additional street and pedestrian connections between I Avenue to the southwest, K Avenue to the north, and the CEMAR Trail to the southeast Scenarios: Average Score: % Like % Dislike Current Trend 1.71 6% 82% Preservation 3.91 68% 9% Development 4.32 79% 6% Additional Public Comments: Prefers Enhance Not intuitive What This Tells Us: Like several other areas, the open house results for “Crossroads Areas” show a clear preference for change and an open mind to different options With the Crossroads Area, land use should follow decisions on transportation Issues with road Page Land use for this area should allow for a mix of urban, walkable development Form-based zoning should be considered, allowing for appropriately scaled urban buildings with a variety of uses 20 Similar to the Neighborhood Core, options were presented showing revitalization using existing structures and infill development with new ones Both scored fairly high connectivity, prohibited turning movements, and one-way streets create barriers to growth What should be an important node, the convergence of streets at one location, instead discourages productive redevelopment due to barriers in access to vehicles and pedestrians from the Coe Campus and elsewhere in the district The one-way streets were meant to facilitate higher volumes of traffic from Center Point Road into downtown than currently exist Form-based zoning requires a higher level of planning; including defining a “required build line” that new structures will be built along The end result is a an attractive urban corridor, but it means that decisions about how to reconfigure the five-points intersection of Center Point Road, Coe Road, College Drive, Oakland Avenue, and E Avenue will drive where new buildings can be built Page 21 Conceptually, the Crossroads Area could also serve as an alternate access to Cedar Lake, with direct access from the intersection under I-380 The details of this would need to be worked out, but the potential is for a complete transformation of the intersection into a true crossroads and vibrant activity center Scenarios: Average Score: % Like % Dislike Current Trend 2.70 21% 36% Preservation 4.03 65% 6% Development 3.59 59% 18% Additional Public Comments: Prefers preservation and development Too high density on some streets (small lots) Prefers Preservation Get kids ages 10-17 involved with neighborhood activities Keep them busy and show them the worth of getting involved Neutral I think the challenge of building strong neighborhoods that are safe and walkable and friendly include taking care of all properties, preservation, SAFE CR, and neighborhood connections Page 22 Prefers Development Allow higher density development along transit corridors Likes all options Maybe we should keep Garfield School open if all this development occurs! What This Tells Us: The results for this were very similar to Area C, which was the area along the southeast portion of the district Again, there was a fairly even split in preference between Preservation and Development The future land use in this area should be treated similarly, with the zoning code reinforcing existing development patterns and eliminating any disincentives to reinvestment As with the other area, the plan document should support the idea of redevelopment within the neighborhood Individual projects which differ somewhat from existing development may apply for a rezoning and be considered on a case-by-case basis The rezoning process, along with the creation of more traditionally focused residential districts, can be used to ensure new development is diverse, but still of a scale similar to existing homes Page The following are general comments received from attendees of the open house These are reproduced verbatim as they were written  I like much of the proposed ideas Two that I have more to suggest for attention: o The bike connection should tie to Coe’s campus, not just to H Avenue Think of the huge benefit to both the school’s environment and to the use of the trail to have it connect to or through a vibrant campus This could be very cool o I hear so much about safety All steps need to keep that in mind Until folks feel the area is safe, we will continue to see investors, developers and stakeholders sit on the sidelines Keep that in mind for all steps  Overall, I would like to see more done to help low income individuals  At the intersection of Coe, College, E, Center Point and Oakland, please consider a split-level roundabout, which would improve pedestrian connections to Coe CEMAR, Cedar Lake, and future E Ave economic district A split-level roundabout would allow for a visually exciting gateway feature at the center, with cars making the roundabout turn on a separate level from pedestrians Check out two examples: http://tinyurl.com/2-level-roundabout & https://hovenring.com  All should transition to RezoneCR: o New high intensity/mixed use, form based code which promotes walkability through sidewalk facing buildings w/parking the rear and narrow streets  Low income housing (is) important to keep in this area  NO ROUNDABOUT  Have students of area get involved with Coe College and Mt Mercy (unintelligible) Students current and potential - what would they like to see available close to the colleges? We need a 23 Comments        24  Page  focus on schools in the area also Polk has a lot of problems with students there Is this the best solution for those students? Maybe there is a better school location What about one of the schools they want to close in another part of town? (larger facility with more options for them) There is a difficult dichotomy present between trying to revive the city for the actual residents or the college students because we are talking about this specific area of the city The suburban area surrounding Coe seems very run down, even though there are very much residents living there The 1st Avenue Corridor needs things for the college students to We feel as if all there is to is drink alcohol and eat If the City were to invest in more housing developments, sold parts to a college campus (ie, Coe College), then Coe College would be able to take in more students and expand which would stimulate more of the City's economy to expand and commercialize more The City would expand without much consequence and more benefit Students need more opportunities to live off-campus which would help spread the wealth throughout the City Move train on H Avenue to J Avenue for safety to Cedar Lake Great initiative and ideas to transform the College District But the plan also has to connect the area to the rest of CR so that residents have better access to jobs (income generation) and consumption areas (spending and circulating money earned to further develop the city) This should be done by providing a more efficient, low-cost transportation from this neighborhood to employment locations, the malls, and downtown area Beautification and local economic development needs to be connected to other areas and activities in Greater CR Since coming to Cedar Rapids for college I have been concerned about the conditions of sidewalks in the neighborhood Not only the disastrous sidewalks hamper drainage, I believe they are violating the ADA Furthermore, having mapped and researched CR for various projects in school, I am dismayed at the level of racial and income segregation in the city and would like to see more inclusionary zoning to help support low income and homeless individuals Can "College District" signage go up first to let people know something is coming? The possibilities for enhancing the area - even making it a destination - are very exciting Safety should be the most important factor in change of any area Joining both colleges and their activities complimenting each other is very important Too Many Districts, concentrate resourced on or to gain feedback and resources ... programs Page 10 Prefers College Campus The colleges can also buyout houses in Urban Districts for students Strongly Prefers College Campus The city can't really change the campus, but the houses around... second open house will share more specific recommendations based on the results shown on the following pages Page Scenarios: Average Score: % Like % Dislike Current Trend 1. 94 14 % 72% Urban District. .. Trend 1. 71 6% 82% Preservation 3. 91 68% 9% Development 4.32 79% 6% Additional Public Comments: Prefers Enhance Not intuitive What This Tells Us: Like several other areas, the open house results