VILLAGE OF NORTH SYRACUSE VILLAGE CENTER STREETSCAPE PLAN

VILLAGE OF NORTH SYRACUSE VILLAGE CENTER STREETSCAPE PLAN 2014 Prepared by: CHA Consulting Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Plan Overview 1 …………………………………………………. . 2 Project Goals 3 …………………………………………………… 4 -7 Issue Identification ………………………………………………. . 8 -11 South Main Street Issues 12 …………………………………. . . . . 13 -14 North Main Street Issues 15. ………………………………………… Church Street Issues ……………………………………………. . Streetscape Plan Recommendations …………………………. . . . . South Main Street Overview ………………………………………… South Main Street Recommendations …………………………………. . North Main Street Overview ………………………………. . . . . North Main Street Recommendations ……………………. . . . Main Street Intersection Recommendations ……………………. . . . . Church Street Recommendations 16 -18 19 20 -22 23 24 -25 26

VILLAGE CENTER STREETSCAPE PLAN Plan Overview The purpose of the North Syracuse Village Center Streetscape Plan is to outline improvements to the Village Center’s public space that will create a vibrant, charming, walkable, shopping and business center. This plan presents an in-depth, visual analysis of the function and appearance of Village Center from the pedestrian and vehicular perspective. Recommended design strategies and opportunities for additional street tree canopy and stormwater management features are presented in the last section of this plan. 1

Project Goals The project goals provided below for the Village’s streetscape and pedestrian and vehicular circulation guided the preparation of the Village Center Streetscape Plan. The recommended actions are defined as a means to realize each goal. Streetscape Goal Make each street a safe, pleasant, and attractive place to walk, shop and conduct business. Recommended Action - Add street trees, decorative pavement, and pedestrian lighting. - Add pedestrian amenities such as benches and trash cans. - Consolidate and relocate utility poles. Pedestrian Circulation Goal Create a safe walking environment for pedestrians traveling within the Village Center. Recommended Action - Provide safe street crossings. - Provide a buffer between pedestrians and moving vehicles. - Reduce driveway widths. - Reduce curb cuts. - Ensure ADA-compliant curb ramps are in place. Vehicular Circulation Goal Provide a safe corridor for vehicle movement within an acceptable level of service and ease of travel. Recommended Action - Enforce existing speed limit. - Synchronize traffic signals. - Improve intersections and crossings for safety and clarity. 2

Gertrude St. Issue Identification t. ain S A review of the streetscape and circulation issues within the Village Center focused primarily on Main Street (Route 11), Church Street and the intersection of Chestnut Street, Main Street and Centerville Place. Singleton Ave. Chestnut St. Cent ervill e Pl. . It was determined that an in-depth review of Centerville Place would not be necessary because of its recent improvements. S. M Fergerson Ave. ain S t I. South Main Street (Fergerson Ave. - Chestnut St. /Centerville Pl. ) II. North Main Street (Chestnut St. /Centerville Pl. to Gertrude St. ) III. Church Street N. M The following pages provide photos with a description of issues noted in the following order: Chur ch St Study Area . 3

South Main Street Issues Cent Chestnut St. ervill ain S t. 1 e Pl. S. M Parked cars back into moving traffic. No pedestrian walkway. Ferg Churc h St. erso 2 Damaged sidewalk/curbing. Does not support pedestrian safety. Damaged crosswalk, no ADA ramp, lacking streetscape qualities. No sense of arrival to Village Center. n Av 1 e. 2 1 4

South Main Street Issues Cent er Chestnut St. Driveway too wide and close to adjacent drive. Driveways interrupt pedestrian flow. Lack of buffer. 4 Ferg erso S. M ain S 3 Pl. t. 3 ville Church St. n Av e. 4 Prohibited parking in unused designated space. Inconsistent sidewalk width and material. Lacking streetscape qualities. 5

South Main Street Issues Cent er Chestnut St. Pl. ain S t. ville S. M 5 Wide driveways, cars allowed to park in front of buildings, poor pavement conditions and lack of effective signage diminish streetscape appeal. Churc h St. gers 6 on A v e. 5 6 Crosswalk is faded and does little to accomplish its purpose. This area is not pedestrian safe and lacks streetscape qualities. 6

South Main Street Issues Chestnut St. Cent ervill ain S t. e Pl. S. M 7 Utility poles located in street, shoulders are too wide, overall area lacks green space and aesthetic appeal. 7 Churc h St. Ferg erso 8 n Av e. 8 Excess overhead wires, lack of landscape treatment and streetscape qualities, inconsistent curbing/sidewalk widths and materials. 7

North Main Street Issues Gertrude St. N. M ain S t. Singleton Ave. 9 Lacking curbs/buffer. Poor drainage, streetscape enhancements nonexistent. 9 10 Key intersection is too wide with high traffic volumes and speed on Main Street creating unsafe pedestrian crossings. Chestnut St. 10 Cente rville Pl. 8

North Main Street Issues 11 Photo of auto repair shop. Gertrude St. Singleton Av e. 12 11 11 N. M a in St . Driveway openings are too wide, vegetation is overgrown. Highly visible utility poles and lines are unappealing, lack of streetscape qualities. 12 Unsafe pedestrian conditions, missing sidewalk/curb, lack of streetscape qualities. Chestnut St. Cente rville Pl. 9

North Main Street Issues Singleton Av N. Ma e. in St. Gertrude St. 13 Driveway openings are too wide, vegetation is overgrown. Buildings are not well maintained and detract from visual appeal of area. 13 14 Chestnut St. 14 Missing pedestrian crosswalk interrupts circulation. Intersection is good location for enhanced village identity. Cent ervill e Pl. 10

North Main Street Issues Gertrude St. 15 Singleton Av e. 16 15 S. Ma in Street Lacks buffering, tree lawn, green infrastructure and curbing. 16 No pedestrian safety or gathering zone, excess parking, lack of curbs and missing green space. Chestnut St. Cente rville Place 11

Church Street Issues 18 v 17 Street is narrow and lacks buffering, tree lawn, curbing and green infrastructure. Barrier blocks vehicular circulation keeping Church Street underutilized. Cen lle P lace S. M ain Stre et tervi 17 Churc h Stre et 18 12

Streetscape Plan Recommendations Strategic recommendations were identified to upgrade the current pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and create opportunities for streetscape enhancements. It is within the Village Center that the identity of the Village should be celebrated, creating a unified connection that extends from one end of the Village to the other. Implementing these recommendations contribute to creating an overall cohesive and unified identity for the Village Center. The recommendations include green infrastructure improvements, sidewalk enhancements and associated amenities that will promote safer pedestrian circulation routes, gathering zones, and encourage new development. The aesthetics of the Village Center streetscape is classified as “urban, ” where sidewalks are uniform and utilized for signage and seating. Elements such as building materials, vegetation, colors, awnings, screening and lighting will be systematic and compatible. Sidewalks, crosswalks, curbing, street furniture, street trees, signage, and on-street parking make up the Village streetscape qualities. Street trees, not only provide screening and shade, but also soften the hardscape and enclose the space. Highlighting green infrastructure as a core component of new development will ensure that future growth does its part in contributing towards a sustainable community. 13

Gertrude Ave. Streetscape Plan Singleton Ave. ain S t. This concept plan presents an overview of all improvements recommended for improving vehicular and pedestrian circulation as well as enhancing the publically- owned space along Village Center streets. N. M Chestnut St. Conceptual The following pages provide specific details for: Cent ervill S. M ain St. e Pl. I. South Main Street II. North Main Street III. Church Street Churc h St. 14

South Main Street Overview Chestnut St. Cente rville Pl. Improvements to the streetscape within this section of Main Street will be achieved by aligning sidewalk widths, decreasing curb cuts, planting trees, and implementing decorative lights along the street to encourage nighttime pedestrian movement. Installing brick treatment between the edge of the street and sidewalk will provide consistency and uniformity both sides of the street. S. M ain S t. Reducing multiple driveways per property to one is recommended to lengthen pedestrian zones and green spaces. Ferg erso Church St. These treatments and the recommendations to follow all contribute towards shaping the Village’s identity. n Av e. 15

Chestnut St. Cente rville South Main Street Recommendations Pl. S. M ain S t. As noted on page 6, Wilson Farms has a curb cut approximately 24’ wide on S. Main Street for patrons to enter and exit their store. It is recommended that the width of this curb cut be reduced to approximately 12’ wide to limit traffic to a “right-turn in only. ” North bound traffic would enter and exit the property from Chestnut Street. This recommendation will reduce the disruption in pedestrian flow and ease traffic congestion at the Main Street intersection north of the property. Chestnut St. Cente rville Pl. Ave. St. t. ain S S. M rson S. M ain Ferge 16

South Main Street Recommendations Ferg Ave. S. M ain St. erson Churc h St. Ferg The parking spaces next to the Syracuse Reality Group building should be converted into public green space as noted in the graphic to the left. Doing so, reduces traffic congestion by keeping cars from backing into oncoming vehicles. It also enhances this area marks that marks the entrance into the Village Center. Ave. S. M ain St. erson Areas currently used for excessive parking should be transformed into pedestrian zones. Within these zones, a brick treatment should installed to edge the road, and sidewalks should be added. Decorative lighting and landscaping should be implemented along with street trees. 17

South Main Street Recommendations Street trees, hanging baskets will help to screen utility poles. Installing decorative light fixtures, reducing excess parking and expanding the pedestrian zone and sidewalk will help enhance Village identity and encourage pedestrian use. 18

Gertrude St. North Main Street Overview In this section of Main Street, streetscape improvement can be achieved by aligning sidewalk and sidewalk widths, decreasing curb cuts, and planting trees within grassed areas located between the edge of the street and the sidewalk. In addition, decorative lighting along the street would encourage pedestrian movement. Singleton Av e. N. M ain S t. Businesses with multiple driveways are reduced to one, and tree lawns are expanded in an effort to enclose and create a safer pedestrian zone/vehicular buffer. There is consistency in vegetation, sidewalk improvements, colors, and material. These treatments are the core elements of the Village’s identity. Chestnut St. Cente Pl. S. M ain S t. rville 19

North Main Street Recommendations Reducing oversized driveways like the one pictured above for Park Lane Apartments while introducing granite curbing, additional vegetation for screening and decorative purposes and decorative light fixtures will enhance curb appeal and pedestrian use. 20

North Main Street Recommendations Gertrude St. Specific recommendations were developed for three properties in this area. 1 St. Singleton Ave. N. Main 2 3 1. Gary’s Auto Repair should have one driveway removed and the front grass strip expanded and planted. Granite curbing should be installed. Additional parking can be situated next to existing spaces. 2. Domino’s Pizza should have driveway width reduced and the grass strip enhanced with street trees and landscape. Traffic should be redirected as one-way with a new outlet onto Singleton Avenue to reduce traffic congestion on Main Street. Sidewalk and granite curbing should also be installed. 3. Parking in front of Big Dip should be removed and the grass strip should be expanded between the sidewalk and granite curb allowing space for gathering and safe Gertrude St. . pedestrian circulation. N. Main St. Singleton Ave. 21

North Main Street Recommendations By removing the three parking spaces in front of the Big Dip, a popular destination in the Village, pedestrians are able to safely gather in front. Customers can enjoy ice cream while conversing with neighbors and friends surrounded by seating and plantings. To compensate for lost parking, the existing parking spaces can be designed at a 45 degree angle which would allow for additional spaces to be added. Curb cuts, new sidewalks and expanding the tree lawn are all aspects of this recommendation. This enhancement also fits into the overall connective network and allows for pedestrians to safely pass through without the danger of moving traffic. 22

Main Street Intersection Recommendations Gertrude St. Improving the four corners intersection will enhance Village identity. Using consistent treatment, pavers, colors and plantings will establish character. Singleton Ave. S. Ma in St. N. M ain S t. Improving pedestrian conditions will encourage circulation and promote safety. The texturized crosswalk will act as a calming element for vehicles as it brings awareness to the driver. Chestnut St. Cente Pl. N. M ain S. M St. ain S t. rville S. M ain St. Chestnut St. Cent ervill e Pl. 23

Church Street Recommendations Currently, Church Street is a narrow street that dead ends at the parking lot of the Community Center with large concrete barriers. There is no curbing and inconsistent sidewalks which makes the street unfriendly for pedestrian use. Two options were designed as alternatives to the current state of Church Street. Alternative 1 featured below illustrates Church Street extending and intersecting with Centerville Place aligning up with Trolley Barn Lane. For safety purposes, a right turn only is recommended for exiting onto S. Main Street. The streetscape treatment recommended for S. Main Street would continue building upon the Village character and unifying the Village Center’s identity along Church Street. Cent n Alternative 1 Bar ervill S. Ma i n St. Tro lley e Pl. N. Syr. Community Center So u th B ay Ro a d St. Baum Ave. Church 24

Church Street Recommendations In Alternative 2, Church Street is extended to connect to South Bay Road. This would follow in the footsteps of the historic Church Street. For safety purposes, a right turn only is recommended for exiting onto S. Main Street and South Bay Road. The streetscape treatment recommended for S. Main Street would continue building upon the Village character and unifying the Village Center’s identity along Church Street. Cent Alternative 2 ervill S. Ma i n St. e Pl. N. Syr. Community Center Churc d Ro a ay th B So u Baum Ave. h St. 25

Conclusion The North Syracuse Village Center Master Plan prepared in 2013, presented a clearly documented vision for the future of the Village Center which stated: The vision as stated in the plan, is for the Village Center to become “a distinct and vibrant social gathering place that provides centralized government services, entertaining venues, civic spaces and a wide variety of mixed-use residential-above retail shopping opportunities all within a pedestrian-friendly environment. ” This Village Center Streetscape Plan was prepared as a recommendation of the Village Center Master Plan. Other recommendations included in the Master Plan involved revisions to the Village’s land use and zoning regulations, parking standards and design guidelines for property redevelopment. With the Village Center Master Plan and this Streetscape Plan in hand, Village officials have all of the tools necessary to realize the vision as stated above. It should be noted, the Village of North Syracuse received funding in 2013 from Onondaga County through its Suburban Green Infrastructure Program (SGIP) to offset some to the costs needed to implement this Streetscape Plan. The SGIP was established by the county to support the development of green infrastructure and stormwater mitigation techniques on public property within the Onondaga County sanitary sewer district but outside of the City of Syracuse. Green infrastructure techniques are the cornerstone of the streetscape improvements recommended in the Streetscape Plan. The Village of North Syracuse will complete the prescribed streetscape improvements and thus take one step closer to creating the Village Center as a distinct and vibrant social gathering place for Village residents and visitors to the area. 26