2019 Village of Lindenhurst Downtown Walkability Improvement
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2019 Village of Lindenhurst Downtown Walkability Improvement Study The Village of Lindenhurst Downtown Walkability Improvement Study identified and developed both conceptual and detailed walkability improvements and recommendations to improve downtown walkability and public safety, both pedestrian and vehicular. This study serves as a benchmark demonstrating the Village’s current state of walkability. It provides a framework to guide the selection and planning of improvements that can be pursued to enhance walkability as Downtown Lindenhurst continues to evolve. The Village of Lindenhurst collaborated with the Lindenhurst Economic Development Committee, the Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce, and Village residents to engage all residents and stakeholders in an open exploration of issues and opportunities pertaining to walkability within the downtown. The Village would like to thank the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning for funding the development of this study and report. The study is funded through the Suffolk County Economic Development Grant pursuant to Suffolk County Resolution No. 1145-2016. Village of Lindenhurst: 430 South Wellwood Avenue Lindenhurst, NY 11757 (631) 957-7500 villageoflindenhurstny.gov This report online: villageoflindenhurstny.gov Adopted August 13th, 2019 Acknowledgements Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey Village of Lindenhurst Michael A. Lavorata, Mayor Maryann Weckerle, Deputy Mayor Joan M. Masterson, Trustee Patrick M. Pichichero, Trustee Richard J. Renna, Trustee Honorable John Bopp, Village Justice Douglas Madlon, Village Administrator Clerk Rick Sorrentino, Superintendent of Public Works Raymond Fais, Public Safety/Emergency Management Coordinator Lindenhurst Economic Development Committee Richard J. Renna, Chairperson Sammy Chu, Committee Member Marian Conway, Committee Member Meg Danaher, Committee Member Robert Sweeney, Committee Member Katherine McCaffrey, Secretary Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce Lindenhurst Business Improvement District Consultant Team – Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Section 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Study Objectives and Scope ....................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Planning Approach ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Benefits of Walkability Improvements ......................................................................................................................... 4 Section 2 Downtown Today: Existing Conditions Analysis .............................................................................................. 7 2.1 Downtown Demographics ........................................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Land Use and Market Conditions.............................................................................................................................. 10 2.3 Transportation Infrastructure and Mobility ................................................................................................................ 14 2.4 Parking ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Section 3 Looking Forward: Walkability Improvements .................................................................................................. 24 3.1 Pedestrian Safety and Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................ 24 3.2 Cycling Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................................ 31 3.3 Creation of New Public Space: Village Square Extension ........................................................................................ 34 3.4 Placemaking Improvements ..................................................................................................................................... 37 3.5 Parking Improvements .............................................................................................................................................. 39 3.6 Downtown Connectivity ............................................................................................................................................ 43 Section 4 Implementation Plan .......................................................................................................................................... 47 4.1 Walkability Improvements Phasing ........................................................................................................................... 47 4.2 Potential Sources of Funding .................................................................................................................................... 51 4.3 Performance Evaluation and Study Update .............................................................................................................. 53 Section 5 Strategic Recommendations ............................................................................................................................ 55 5.1 Continue to Thoroughly Engage the Community ...................................................................................................... 55 5.2 Commit to Prioritizing Active Transportation and Adopt a Complete Streets Policy ................................................. 56 5.3 Develop and Promote Lindenhurst as a Healthy and Sustainable Village ................................................................ 56 5.4 Develop Design Guidelines and Zoning Regulations ................................................................................................ 57 5.5 Follow an Integrated Planning Approach .................................................................................................................. 57 5.6 Assess Implementation Progress and Regularly Update Study................................................................................ 57 References ................................................................................................................................................................................ 59 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................................................... 62 A. Summary of Stakeholder Input ...................................................................................................................................... 62 B. National and International Best Practices ..................................................................................................................... 69 C. Parking Utilization Study ............................................................................................................................................... 80 D. Walkability Improvements Summary ............................................................................................................................. 89 List of Figures Figure 1: Study Area for the Downtown Walkability Improvement Study ..................................................................................... 2 Figure 2: Planning Approach ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 Figure 3: Benefits of Walkability Improvements ........................................................................................................................... 5 Figure 4: Population (1930-2016)................................................................................................................................................. 7 Figure 5: Population by Age Range (2016) .................................................................................................................................. 7 Figure 6: Change in Population Age Distribution (2000-2016) ..................................................................................................... 8 Figure 7: Distribution of Type of Housing Units (2016)................................................................................................................. 8 Figure 8: Value of Owner-occupied Housing Units (2016) ........................................................................................................... 8 Figure 9: Vehicle Availability for Occupied Housing Units (2016) ................................................................................................ 8 Figure 10: Median Household Income (2016) .............................................................................................................................. 9 Figure 11: Place of Work for Lindenhurst Residents (2015) ........................................................................................................