Here's a zoomed out map of the Seventh Street project set to be built in 2011. It will start at Washington Avenue and Ninth Street and continue to Seventh and Main streets.
State officials laid out three options Wednesday for rebuilding Seventh Street from Main to Ninth streets. (See them here.)
The key part of the project is the tangle of an intersection between Sixth and Seventh streets in front of City Hall. Designers laid out three options for the intersection, including a roundabout, at an Open House held in Memorial Hall.
But state officials were cautious not to play up the roundabout, noting design work on the Seventh Street project is only 30 percent complete and any final design will factor in feedback from citizens.
The caution comes from fights across the state over the use of roundabouts, which often draw significant opposition from people who prefer more traditional layouts. The city does not have to build a roundabout between Sixth and Seventh streets if they don't want to, officials said.
Two of the three options for the City Hall intersection included signalized intersections with one or two lanes of traffic. The big difference between those options was the two-lane proposal would reduce parking in the area.
State plans also factor in space for bikes. Designers don't call the space "bike lanes" anymore, but they will leave about five feet of room along the street that can be used for bikes.
The state is involved with the Seventh Street project because it's technical Highway 20. This is a good thing for the city because federal money will cover 80 percent of the project's cost. The city will pick up the rest.
State and city officials will make some decisions on the project in coming months, and WisDOT will prepare it for bid in December 2010. Work is scheduled to begin in Spring 2011.
The project is estimated to cost $5 million.
5 Million?!!??!! Are you serious? C'mon now....that's just crazy. I'm thinking, if it can't get done for 500K froget about it...
ReplyDelete$5M to pave the whole project, not just the roundabout.
ReplyDeleteGO ROUNDABOUT!!!!!!
Why don't they fix Northwestern Ave. first, the road is one huge pothole.
ReplyDeleteRoundabouts are good environmentally . Studies have shown higher CO2 levels near stoplights rather than roundabouts. Finnally the US is following euro standards!
ReplyDelete@ecoprarie
ReplyDeleteThat, and they're pretty, in my opinion. More unique than a stoplight. Now, to just keep Yes songs from running through my head every time I see it or the plans for it.
http://roundabout.ytmnd.com/
Sorry I was unable to make the event last night, but thanks for the detailed postings and analysis on the site. I have been surprised at the people I know who are OPPOSED to the Roundabout!! They are those whacko lefties..who LOVE everything European, and Big Govt. I also have a pre-existing condition (Logic), which normally resists anything "Big Govt." But On this one the Round-about is a no-brainer!! That intersection is confusing and has been as long as i have lived in the community. In order for Racine, and especially it's Downtown to be successful It need to be as accessible as possible. The Roundabout is a smooth flow, minimal pedestrian conflict; and for the Left-itarian Veggie Nazi's it actually creates MORE green space, not less!! It also would be a beautiful entry to the city. The Garden in the middle could be place to donate or honour someone with an annual planting? it could be the Green Schools Spring project to beautify? I would also think future matching Roundabout's would be great at Marquette and Hwy 20 in a few years when that needs to be done, and a third one at the confusing intersections at State and, Marquette and Spring St. Each could be a great place to create a welcoming "euro" feel.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong I don't want Roundabouts to replace InterState Interchanges like in Europe, but in slower moving Urban areas. they are efficient, smooth and attractive.
As we look to the future of Hwy 20 going West...Let's consider smoothing and widening wherever possible along the current path. With new space on the North side of the street just West of Tino's creating a Boulevard meridian and 2-3? Lanes in both directions would be great, smooth and inviting and encouraging to our visitors and the community. It would also extend the Look of Downtown, and improve the Uptown, Mid-Town corridor.
I posted the below comment on the JT roundabout story which has already been stuffed into the search category. What we learned at our meetings, Urban, is that the DPWs does not find it necessary to get input from property owners, business owners, etc.in the immediate area. (Maybe you ought to apply for a spot in this august dept.) I think Racine's best chance for the future is to honor its architecture and its historic old buildings. Tear downs and huge arterials might make the I a faster shot but then I don't think that is why people settle here or visit for that matter.
ReplyDelete---------------------------------
If there was leadership in this city Sixth and Seventh Streets would be two-way streets and a genuine plan would have materialized for the anchor c area. I am really tired of the 'canned' comments about roundabouts. Sixth and Seventh Streets are not your traditional highways. They are downtown streets with pedestrians and visitors and sidewalks. Nobody walks along highways. Those of us at this end of the downtown have tried over and over again to get traffic controls down here but no - we were told there was no problem. Now we are told we have a problem that only a roundabout can fix. This is a one-way town with a one-way public works department so powerful it does not need to consult with its taxpayers. Closing off confusion corner is the no brainer. Two-way traffic is the no brainer. A truck route is the no brainer. Providing parking for visitors is a no brainer. Enforcing speed limits is a no brainer. Sixth Street has the first and practically only view left of the lake in the downtown. Of course nobody sees it because everyone must come in on Seventh and speed towards the gloriously giant County Jail. From reading about the downtown in the library, the anchor c area has steadily lost sustainability and one can certainly point to the traffic flow as the major cause of this. Crandall & Arumbula understood this and recommended two-way traffic and a closed off City Hall Square. This plan was handed to all of us who invested in the area. It was lauded by all. Was it a joke? "You didn't believe it did you?" I was asked with a laugh. Yes, I believed it. It made sense.
If there was leadership in this city Sixth and Seventh Streets would be two-way streets and a genuine plan would have materialized for the anchor c area. I am really tired of the 'canned' comments about roundabouts. Sixth and Seventh Streets are not your traditional highways. They are downtown streets with pedestrians and visitors and sidewalks. Nobody walks along highways. Those of us at this end of the downtown have tried over and over again to get traffic controls down here but no - we were told there was no problem. Now we are told we have a problem that only a roundabout can fix. This is a one-way town with a one-way public works department so powerful it does not need to consult with its taxpayers. Closing off confusion corner is the no brainer. Two-way traffic is the no brainer. A truck route is the no brainer. Providing parking for visitors is a no brainer. Enforcing speed limits is a no brainer. Sixth Street has the first and practically only view left of the lake in the downtown. Of course nobody sees it because everyone must come in on Seventh and speed towards the gloriously giant County Jail. From reading about the downtown in the library, the anchor c area has steadily lost sustainability and one can certainly point to the traffic flow as the major cause of this. Crandall & Arumbula understood this and recommended two-way traffic and a closed off City Hall Square. This plan was handed to all of us who invested in the area. It was lauded by all. Was it a joke? "You didn't believe it did you?" I was asked with a laugh. Yes, I believed it. It made sense.
"Finnally the US is following euro standards!"
ReplyDeleteWe sure are Marxism will soon be the law of the land. Soon we will be just like France
Katie, as a fellow Business owner and Downtown resident I feel I am generally in agreement with the Roundabout as I posted both here and on the JT site. I am already attached to several "August" bodies, but still take time to explore our options. Based on 3 newest proposals I see no incident where any architecture is removed or destroyed to make way. In fact it seems it would add to character and architectural appearance of your immediate neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your concern for 2 way streets, but The smooth approach into and out of the downtown area seems to override that concern. 2 way streets on 6th and 7th would in fact cause more congestion during special events, etc. If you followed in my post the desire to create a Boulevard look to Hwy 20 as we continue to improve it westerly. the divided Hwy flow would match well with the one way Street set up currently in use. If you were to propose 5th Street to be the "Westbound" one way and 7th the East bound, that would satisfy me, and then return 6th st to a 2 way, but the Jog at Park would still require one way on 6th from Park to Grand into the Round about.
I appreciate your concern for parking in the area, and would suggest we explore a small parking ramp created across from City Hall or between 5th and 6th behind the retail spaces. alternately the lot across from the Courthouse could support a Ramp for the church, the courthouse and some of the residence in your neighborhood. Removal and replacement of the Wisconsin Bell building would also be a convenient locale to provide parking structure. Perhaps with upscale Loft apartments built above it with City scape and Lake views. Or a Rooftop garden park or both. We could also raise funds for Solar panels adequate to energize the Ramp functions, thus appeasing the Greenies. And Maybe the new Mayor could commission you to create a Concrete structure. for the Round about and the rooftop garden.
Hey Colt, let's think about this...
ReplyDeleteWith the traffic light option, the government is basicly saying "you are a moron that can't be trusted to drive safely, so we are going to force-feed you with red and green lights. That way, you can continue drinking your latte and yapping on your cell phone without actually engaging in the act of driving. Not any other cars around? Tough luck, sit there at that red light, because the government knows what's best for you."
Or you have the roundabout, which every study proves they are far safer, but people think they are death traps because they (GASP!) force you to put down your coffee and actually think about what you are doing. Here, the government essentially is saying "you don't need us, just yield to other cars in the roundabout and you'll be fine."
So which of these two options would you consider to be the most "Marxist" of the bunch? That's right, Vladimir, it's your beloved traffic lights. So go back to Russia, Colt, and take your traffic lights with you.
3:56
ReplyDeleteI do not have go anywhere Russia is coming here! Soon Obama will drive the US economy below that of say France.
Urban, when you round the bend at City Hall you are downtown. We have even bigger assessment rises for our buildings than Main Street. What we don't have is access. If vehicles could come in on Sixth they would recognize this street as being downtown, and, IMHO, it is and always will be much more interesting than Main Street. We have waited years for anything to happen in our downtown. Many of us have sat in on meetings for ten years. There was not one meeting that I attended in which the majority favored a roundabout. The owners along Sixth Street (businesses and buildings) were surveyed last year and we didn't want it. The view of the lake from the top of the historic district is spectacular and just gets better and better as you walk toward the lake. Too bad it is a secret. With two way traffic you get to go where you want. You look around. It could have happened if only we had leadership. Where there is a will there is a way. P.S. that roundabout, once approved, will need more room and something will get the wrecking ball. The middle of the 600 block will be practically inaccessible. There will be no trees because everyone will need to see the signs and the more pedestrians trying to get across the street. It is not ecofriendly - might be if you were out in a desert but you are not. You are downtown. At night we have a lot of folks out. If you like the roundabout so much maybe you would like to look at it daily. If so, call me and maybe I'll give you a deal on my building because I do not want to be here now. I like working elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteC. K. Always enjoy our dialogues. And maybe in a year I can look into purchasing your building; and the Roundabout would be a nice view. I don't disagree about the approach on 6th St. but I think the one ways are still smoother for flow of traffic.
ReplyDeleteWhen people come downtown I want their visit to be as pleasant as possible, from shopping, dining, clubbing, and even living. I think the Roundabout will create a garden atmosphere which will carry the look all the way thru to Main and State St Bridges.
I've stayed in Hotels and B&B in New England and northern Europe and the Roundabouts are often right nearby. Rotary's do slow traffic, and "change" the attitude of the driver to be more Street/ Pedestrian conscious. I think the crosswalk complaints are overblown. I mentioned also a second Rotary built at Marquette and Washington would extend the Downtown "feel" another 1/4 mile.
Speaking of leadership, diluting the "Heart of Arts" into Uptown was a terrible idea, and has caused 6th St to suffer. But when the new road is done the darkness should lift and 6th St will rise again. Making Seventh an easy commute into town will help all of the Downtown. I intend to focus more of my spending into 6th St this year like i did last year to help thru the construction.
Thanks, urban, I enjoy dialoguing with you, too. You make me laugh. Maybe I'll plant carrots in rick's ridiculous roundabout! How can this crazy world contain two such separate views!
ReplyDeleteThat's right Colt, damn Obama and his roundabouts!
ReplyDeletethe roundabout is a horrible idea and a waste of money. downtown racine is a craphole as it is, nothing you do will fix that issue.
ReplyDeletewe need to spend money on improving this city and bringing in more jobs!
besides, most of these cellphone talking soccermoms and unattentive drivers cant drive in a straight line. imagine how confused they'll be at the roundabout.
Dear JAS, and the rest of you negative on Downtown..Those of you complaining about "all the empty holes". I did a "census" tonight on Main St. I looked at the Street level Storefronts. Heres what I found:
ReplyDelete200 Block East (Ivanhoe to Dunn Bros.)
Full, NO vacany's!
200 West Side, 2-3 vacancy's (Red Onion's location and the corner building could accommodate 1 or 2 retail stores).
300 Block East. only the former Sear Bldg. and the small unit to the North of it are vacant. (Dickert's Campaign HQ, to the South is temporary). The rest of the Block is FULL!
300 Block West. One vacancy at the NW corner. Every other unit is full and either open or about to be. The former Yellow Rose is being converted to an office and HQ's. And Doug is about to open his new Martini Bar...YEAH!!
400 Block East 2-3 vacancy's depending on whether the former DRC HQ can be rented as a single or double. Otherwise FULL!
400 East. The recently converted Building which has 1-4 potential storefronts. Otherwise FULL. Welcome BTW Farmer's Insurance. and Jimmy John's (State and Main) YUM, Fun and FAST!!!
500 Block East. Johnson Building full, beautiful and great compliment to our city.
Monument Square 500 West.
Zahn's Building vacant. Ideas?? Hardware Store? (Thank God it's not a useless Imaginarium!!!) and the former Red Pony. Otherwise FULL!! Wouldn't mind to see the Subway become something different. Sorry it's just a poor use of that building. But the dude who owns it has every right to keep it like it is!
Finally 6th St. South of the Square. 2 or 3 small storefronts. I know one is supposed to be Martha Merrils Coffee shop someday. One was Uncorkt, and the other the former Travel Center. The rest of the spaces are full to Porters.
Of Course with the advent of the 6th St. construction many potential businesses have been hesitant to open on 6th.. But others have gone ahead anyway. Thanks for your faith!! Over all folks I didn't find that many vacancies. I was actually surprised at how FEW spaces are left. I'll bet if Regency Mall wishes it had the same percentage of occupancy as Main St. does now!
I didn't count the State and Main Building, because it is a newer development, and should find ample tenants in the next year or 2.
The economy is tough all over..and yet MAIN ST in RACINE is nearly full!!! And Best thing is; it's all small local businesses!! No Chains No Gap's no Tennis Shoe stores!! We should be screaming how great that is!!!
R U thinking about opening a medium to High-end business...Get down here before we are FULL!!!
BTW Dustin and Pete this might be a great Story to report..(Unless I just did it for u..) LOL.