AgdaPkt 2006-07-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8A Page 1 REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council And the Redevelopment Agency Board From the City Manager and the Executive Director July 24, 2006 Subject MiddlefieldlTheatre Way 1/ Improvements Recommendation Review, modify if appropriate, and approve the revised design concept for the pedestrian improvements along Middlefield Road between Veterans Boulevard and Broadway. Authorize staff to proceed with a finalized design, construction drawings, and bid packages. Background The original Downtown Funding Plan includes public improvements to enhance the pedestrian experience on Middlefield Road between Veterans Boulevard and Broadway. This route, which links the city's center to a free parking garage on the edge of the downtown, requires improved pedestrian safety, lighting, and city comforts. The street is currently very wide, dark, and undistinguished. The proposed improvements, located on both sides of the street for three blocks, provide the needed lighting in a distinctive, festive way. They also include an inviting gateway into the Theatre District. The original project concept was reviewed at a public meeting on September 14, 2005 by the community at the main library. The project was well received by the community. On September 26, 2005, Council reviewed the proposed design concept and requested modification, or more specifically, simplification of the design. Of the various design elements, Council generally approved the proposed lanterns, the central design element. and requested eliminating or reducing the proposed flags and string lights. This report reviews the elements and strategies employed to develop the revised design concept. Given that the design concept is primarily visual in nature, details will be presented in Power Point format supported by handout materials at the Council meeting on July 24th. DesiQn Conceot. Since the cinema is not visible from the freeway or major arterials, we need to distinguish the path of travel to the cinema and theatres so that it is obvious and inviting. Downtown visitors coming from Highway 101 will be visually encouraged to turn onto Middlefield Road, guided to free parking available in the County Garage at the edge of the downtown, and invited to walk down the street towards the city center. Equally important is lighting the sidewalk to enhance the pedestrian experience and make walking more inviting. The walk to the theatres or to the outdoor dining terrace on Theatre Way 1:\2006 STAFF REPORTS. AGREEMENTS\o7.2006\ 1 MiddfefieldfTheatre Way II Improvements '.--.-.