APA Names Laura Street One of America's 5 Great Streets
When Metro Jacksonville presented the concept of "Lighting Laura Street" to former Councilwoman Suzanne Jenkins' 2006 Downtown Action Plan Committee, Laura Street was a one-way thoroughfare that had seen better days. Lighting was poor, the landscape was unattractive, few businesses were open, Hemming Park was considered to be undesirable, and several buildings were severely underutilized. The basic concept of Lighting Laura was was to use simple, affordable ideas and short term solutions to address issues hampering walkability, retail growth and the general image of downtown Jacksonville.
In 2007, many of those ideas were incorporated into the Jacksonville Economic Development Council's (JEDC) Downtown Action Plan, leading to the 2011 completion of the Laura Street Streetscape project. After a decade of advocation, planning and implementation, the potential of Laura Street is being recongized nationally by the American Planning Association (APA).
Today, the APA names Laura Street one of five Great Streets on their annual Great Places in America list. Since launching the Great Places of America program in 2007, APA has recognized 245 neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces around the country. Places are selected annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, culture and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for the future.
Between Hemming Plaza and the Jacksonville Landing, Laura Street is rapidly transforming into a hub of activity in the heart of downtown. Whether strolling around, grabbing a bite to eat on their lunch break, or attending the Art Walk on the first Wednesday of every month, at some point visitors of Downtown Jacksonville will find that exploring the Laura Street Corridor is inevitable.
Pedestrians were central to the planning and development of the Laura Street Streetscape which features demarcated crosswalks that enhance the safety and accessibility of the street. Visitors can also access the area through the Skyway, an automated monorail train, at Hemming Park. The Jacksonville Landing, a riverfront hotspot for nighttime activity and festivals anchors the corridor, four blocks south.
However, Laura Street's transformation is more than just a streetscape. The programming of Hemming Park, dedication of community advocacy groups like Transform Jax and a regular rotation of special events like Jaxsons Night Market, Art Walk, One Spark and GastroFest stimulate needed pedestrian foot traffic that was non-existant 10 years ago.
In addition, the Downtown Investment Authority's Downtown Retail Enhancement Program is successfully assisting property and business owners with the cost of preparing or renovating underutilized commercial spaces in the area. Recent business openings along the Laura Street include Jimmy Johns Gourmet Sandwiches, Urban Grind Coffee Company and Peterbrooke Chocolatier. Nevertheless, despite its recognition, Laura Street remains a work in progress. The proposed redevelopment of the Laura Trio into a Courtyard by Marriott hotel and the Jacksonville Landing could lead to a streetscape that is truly a 24/7 unique North Florida-style walkable atmosphere.
In honor of Laura Street's national recognition, the APA, APA's First Coast Section, Downtown Vision and the City of Jacksonville will host a celebration at Hemming Park, as a part of Oktoberfest Art Walk at 5:30pm, October 7th.
In addition to Laura Street, streets in Dayton, OH, McMinnville, OR, Asheville, NC, and Los Angeles, CA made APA's 2015 list of Great Streets. Here's what the APA has to say about Laura Street and the four other corridors recognized this year:
Laura Street (Jacksonville, Florida)
The five blocks of Jacksonville’s Laura Street are a center of activity in the city featuring a diversity of restaurants, shopping, events, and cultural destinations, including the four-story Jacksonville Public Library, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Jacksonville City Hall. With demarcated crosswalks for safety and a Skyway monorail stop, Laura Street was designed with pedestrians and accessibility in mind. A $2.3 million improvement plan completed in 2011 expanded sidewalk space, installed shade trees with color lighting, added traffic calming measures, and incorporated a host of other pedestrian-friendly upgrades to the street. The Laura Street Façade Grant Program provided incentives to building owners and operators to upgrade building fronts and add outdoor seating, landscaping, and murals. Some of Laura Street’s regular events include the First Wednesday Art Walk, Jaxson’s Night Market, GastroFest, the Vagabond Flea, and the annual five-day One Spark festival.
Fifth Street (Dayton, Ohio)
Dayton, Ohio’s, Fifth Street, stretching a quarter mile in the center of the city’s historic Oregon District, is a multi-modal corridor with bike share stations, bus service, pedestrian-focused design, and an array of locally owned businesses among the street’s restored historic buildings. The area was slated for a large-scale urban renewal project that would have removed the historic homes and buildings, but a public-driven campaign sought to preserve the historic significance of the street and concentrate instead on revitalization and restoration. Fifth Street today features a span of rehabilitated 19th and 20th century commercial buildings and some of the Oregon District’s signature character features, such as ornamental lighting, stamped concrete crosswalks, and landscaped sidewalks. The street is home to the monthly First Friday celebration, a free community event highlighting local art and entertainment, as well as Hauntfest, Taste of the Oregon District, and a variety of other events, nightlife, and attractions.
Third Street (McMinnville, Oregon)
Courtesy of https://www.macdentalcare.com/dr-adam-diesburg-at-mcminnvilles-downtown-trick-or-treat
Spanning six blocks in downtown McMinnville, Oregon, Third Street features shops, restaurants, and a pedestrian-friendly design making it a destination street for both locals and visitors. Implementation of the city’s 2000 Downtown Improvement Plan and 2005 Third Street Streetscape Plan created a complete street through improved pedestrian infrastructure, greenery, traffic calming measures, and better lighting that set Third Street apart from neighboring parts of McMinnville. Third Street hosts a number of community events and activities, including brown bag concerts, the McMinnville Farmer’s Market, Third Saturday Art and Wine Walks, and tours of the street’s historic buildings, several of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Third Street buildings such as the McMenamins Hotel Oregon, built in 1905, have been converted to modern uses and add to the small-town character of the street.
Lexington Avenue (Asheville, North Carolina)
Courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/Lexington-Ave-Asheville-NC-123064734671/timeline/?ref=page_internal
Lexington Avenue, the creative epicenter of Asheville, North Carolina, features a diverse mix of more than 200 small shops and businesses—including two modern-day speakeasies and a variety of independent stores and restaurants—and a pedestrian-centered atmosphere with brick sidewalks and a heavy tree canopy. Once a neglected stretch of buildings proposed for redevelopment into a mall, Lexington Avenue instead became an economically thriving thoroughfare as a lively music and arts scene emerged, drawing visitors and tourism profits to the area and giving the street an eclectic, unique character. Recent city planning has emphasized and incentivized adaptive reuse and infill development, further increasing density and activity on Lexington Avenue. The annual Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival and the Downtown After 5 Summer Music Series, along with the abundance of cultural and commercial destinations filling the street, play a crucial role in energizing and maintaining Asheville’s economy.
Olvera Street (Los Angeles, California)
A small pedestrian path lined with shops and food stalls, Olvera Street is located in one of the oldest sections of Los Angeles and an emblem of the city’s diverse cultural heritage. Originally a Mexican farming and ranching community centered in Los Angeles, Olvera Street and its adjacent plaza gradually became neglected. In 1930, Olvera Street was renovated and reopened as a Mexican marketplace and symbolic birthplace of the city. The City of Los Angeles has continued to work at preserving Olvera Street through careful planning, zoning, and classification of the street as a historic resource. Ongoing preservation funding continues the efforts of restoring the surrounding area and supporting the small businesses on the street. Olvera Street represents a core part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The street hosts a number of cultural events, including the annual Blessing of the Animals, Dia de los Muertos, and Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
In 2007, many of those ideas were incorporated into the Jacksonville Economic Development Council's (JEDC) Downtown Action Plan, leading to the 2011 completion of the Laura Street Streetscape project. After a decade of advocation, planning and implementation, the potential of Laura Street is being recongized nationally by the American Planning Association (APA).
Today, the APA names Laura Street one of five Great Streets on their annual Great Places in America list. Since launching the Great Places of America program in 2007, APA has recognized 245 neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces around the country. Places are selected annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, culture and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for the future.
Between Hemming Plaza and the Jacksonville Landing, Laura Street is rapidly transforming into a hub of activity in the heart of downtown. Whether strolling around, grabbing a bite to eat on their lunch break, or attending the Art Walk on the first Wednesday of every month, at some point visitors of Downtown Jacksonville will find that exploring the Laura Street Corridor is inevitable.
Pedestrians were central to the planning and development of the Laura Street Streetscape which features demarcated crosswalks that enhance the safety and accessibility of the street. Visitors can also access the area through the Skyway, an automated monorail train, at Hemming Park. The Jacksonville Landing, a riverfront hotspot for nighttime activity and festivals anchors the corridor, four blocks south.
However, Laura Street's transformation is more than just a streetscape. The programming of Hemming Park, dedication of community advocacy groups like Transform Jax and a regular rotation of special events like Jaxsons Night Market, Art Walk, One Spark and GastroFest stimulate needed pedestrian foot traffic that was non-existant 10 years ago.
In addition, the Downtown Investment Authority's Downtown Retail Enhancement Program is successfully assisting property and business owners with the cost of preparing or renovating underutilized commercial spaces in the area. Recent business openings along the Laura Street include Jimmy Johns Gourmet Sandwiches, Urban Grind Coffee Company and Peterbrooke Chocolatier. Nevertheless, despite its recognition, Laura Street remains a work in progress. The proposed redevelopment of the Laura Trio into a Courtyard by Marriott hotel and the Jacksonville Landing could lead to a streetscape that is truly a 24/7 unique North Florida-style walkable atmosphere.
In honor of Laura Street's national recognition, the APA, APA's First Coast Section, Downtown Vision and the City of Jacksonville will host a celebration at Hemming Park, as a part of Oktoberfest Art Walk at 5:30pm, October 7th.
In addition to Laura Street, streets in Dayton, OH, McMinnville, OR, Asheville, NC, and Los Angeles, CA made APA's 2015 list of Great Streets. Here's what the APA has to say about Laura Street and the four other corridors recognized this year:
Laura Street (Jacksonville, Florida)
The five blocks of Jacksonville’s Laura Street are a center of activity in the city featuring a diversity of restaurants, shopping, events, and cultural destinations, including the four-story Jacksonville Public Library, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Jacksonville City Hall. With demarcated crosswalks for safety and a Skyway monorail stop, Laura Street was designed with pedestrians and accessibility in mind. A $2.3 million improvement plan completed in 2011 expanded sidewalk space, installed shade trees with color lighting, added traffic calming measures, and incorporated a host of other pedestrian-friendly upgrades to the street. The Laura Street Façade Grant Program provided incentives to building owners and operators to upgrade building fronts and add outdoor seating, landscaping, and murals. Some of Laura Street’s regular events include the First Wednesday Art Walk, Jaxson’s Night Market, GastroFest, the Vagabond Flea, and the annual five-day One Spark festival.
Fifth Street (Dayton, Ohio)
Dayton, Ohio’s, Fifth Street, stretching a quarter mile in the center of the city’s historic Oregon District, is a multi-modal corridor with bike share stations, bus service, pedestrian-focused design, and an array of locally owned businesses among the street’s restored historic buildings. The area was slated for a large-scale urban renewal project that would have removed the historic homes and buildings, but a public-driven campaign sought to preserve the historic significance of the street and concentrate instead on revitalization and restoration. Fifth Street today features a span of rehabilitated 19th and 20th century commercial buildings and some of the Oregon District’s signature character features, such as ornamental lighting, stamped concrete crosswalks, and landscaped sidewalks. The street is home to the monthly First Friday celebration, a free community event highlighting local art and entertainment, as well as Hauntfest, Taste of the Oregon District, and a variety of other events, nightlife, and attractions.
Third Street (McMinnville, Oregon)
Courtesy of https://www.macdentalcare.com/dr-adam-diesburg-at-mcminnvilles-downtown-trick-or-treat
Spanning six blocks in downtown McMinnville, Oregon, Third Street features shops, restaurants, and a pedestrian-friendly design making it a destination street for both locals and visitors. Implementation of the city’s 2000 Downtown Improvement Plan and 2005 Third Street Streetscape Plan created a complete street through improved pedestrian infrastructure, greenery, traffic calming measures, and better lighting that set Third Street apart from neighboring parts of McMinnville. Third Street hosts a number of community events and activities, including brown bag concerts, the McMinnville Farmer’s Market, Third Saturday Art and Wine Walks, and tours of the street’s historic buildings, several of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Third Street buildings such as the McMenamins Hotel Oregon, built in 1905, have been converted to modern uses and add to the small-town character of the street.
Lexington Avenue (Asheville, North Carolina)
Courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/Lexington-Ave-Asheville-NC-123064734671/timeline/?ref=page_internal
Lexington Avenue, the creative epicenter of Asheville, North Carolina, features a diverse mix of more than 200 small shops and businesses—including two modern-day speakeasies and a variety of independent stores and restaurants—and a pedestrian-centered atmosphere with brick sidewalks and a heavy tree canopy. Once a neglected stretch of buildings proposed for redevelopment into a mall, Lexington Avenue instead became an economically thriving thoroughfare as a lively music and arts scene emerged, drawing visitors and tourism profits to the area and giving the street an eclectic, unique character. Recent city planning has emphasized and incentivized adaptive reuse and infill development, further increasing density and activity on Lexington Avenue. The annual Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival and the Downtown After 5 Summer Music Series, along with the abundance of cultural and commercial destinations filling the street, play a crucial role in energizing and maintaining Asheville’s economy.
Olvera Street (Los Angeles, California)
A small pedestrian path lined with shops and food stalls, Olvera Street is located in one of the oldest sections of Los Angeles and an emblem of the city’s diverse cultural heritage. Originally a Mexican farming and ranching community centered in Los Angeles, Olvera Street and its adjacent plaza gradually became neglected. In 1930, Olvera Street was renovated and reopened as a Mexican marketplace and symbolic birthplace of the city. The City of Los Angeles has continued to work at preserving Olvera Street through careful planning, zoning, and classification of the street as a historic resource. Ongoing preservation funding continues the efforts of restoring the surrounding area and supporting the small businesses on the street. Olvera Street represents a core part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The street hosts a number of cultural events, including the annual Blessing of the Animals, Dia de los Muertos, and Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com