________________________ ____________ TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1 Introduction 1.1 Vision Statement 1.2 Overall Goals 1.3 History 1.4 Scope and Purpose of Plan Section 2 Evaluating Current Conditions 2.1 Overview 2.2 Local Transportation Network Assessment 2.3 Assessment of the Pedestrian Compatibility of the Local Transportation System 2.4 Inventory and Assessment of Existing Pedestrian Facilities Section 3 Existing Plans, Programs, and Policies 3.1 Local, Regional, and State Plans and Guidelines 3.2 Programs and Initiatives Currently Underway or Planned 3.3 Local Statutes and Ordinances 3.4 Pedestrian Laws Section 4 Strategic Pedestrian System Plan 4.1 System Overview 4.2 Corridor Identification 4.3 Special Focus Areas 4.4 Potential Projects and Infrastructure Improvements 4.5 Special Population Sectors Section 5 Facility Standards and Guidelines 5.1 Pedestrian Design Considerations and Guidelines Section 6 Program and Policy Recommendations 6.1 Ancillary Facilities and Programs 6.2 Policy Recommendations 6.3 Program Recommendations Section 7 Project Development 7.1 Opportunities and Strategies 7.2 Action Steps 7.3 Prioritization of the Proposed Pedestrian Network 7.4 Ancillary Facilities and Programs 7.5 Staffing 7.6 Funding Opportunities 7.7 The City of Lenoir Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan Appendix APPENDICES Appendix A Lenoir Community Workshop Flyer Example Appendix B Community Survey Appendix C Survey Results Appendix D Community Input Map Appendix E Lenoir Crash Data Appendix F Preliminary Cost Estimates Priority Calculator Appendix G Steering Committee Recommendations Map Appendix H Online Survey Link Example Appendix I Existing Conditions Map Appendix J Proposed Pedestrian Improvements Map Appendix K Intersection Improvements Map City of Lenoir, North Carolina Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan 2012 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The development of the City of Lenoir Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan, 2012, was a collaborative effort that involved numerous stakeholders, including the City of Lenoir Council, Project Oversight Group, Lenoir City Staff, McGill Associates’ Planners, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation which provided funding for this study. The City of Lenoir wishes to express its sincere appreciation to those individuals, who, in any way, contributed to the creation of the Master Plan. Without the knowledge and expertise of these persons, in both individual and team capacities – this document would not be possible. City Council Joe Gibbons, Mayor T.J. Rohr, Mayor Pro-Tem W. Lane Bailey, City Manager Todd Perdue, Council Member Merlin Perry, Council Member Lewis Price, Council Member David Stevens, Council Member Ron Stilwell, Council Member Ben Willis, Council Member City of Lenoir Project Oversight Group Chuck Beatty Charles Beck Dr. Jeff Church Kenny Heavner John-Vine Hodges David Horn Phyllis Huffstetler Officer A. Lawrence John Marshall Merlin Perry Rob Winkler City Staff W. Lane Bailey, City Manager Charles Beatty, Director of Planning Rob Winkler, Director Parks and Recreation Charles Beck, Public Works Director NCDOT Bob Mosher, NCDOT Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Raleigh, NC Dean Ledbetter, NCDOT Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Raleigh, NC John-Vine Hodges, NCDOT Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Raleigh, NC Consultant McGill Associates, P.A. 1240 19th Street Lane, NW Hickory, North Carolina 28601 (828) 328-2024 City of Lenoir, North Carolina Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan 2012 SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 VISION STATEMENT The City of Lenoir is committed to providing its citizens with a safe community in which to live, work, and play. Part of this commitment includes the future improvement and/or construction of pedestrian-friendly transportation corridors throughout the City. Consequently, the City of Lenoir hired McGill Associates to develop a Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan, which would assist the City in its efforts. A portion of the funding for the plan was derived through a grant, which was received from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation (DBPT). In June, 2011, McGill Associates met with members of the Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee to define their vision for the proposed Lenoir pedestrian network. After a brief introduction, the Steering Committee participated in an exercise designed to elicit their perceptions of the needs and desires for a pedestrian system in Lenoir. The vision statement (below) was derived from that exercise and submitted to the committee for approval. The vision of the Lenoir Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan is “to promote a high quality of life through a safe, aesthetic, equitable, and well-connected pedestrian system for all the residents and visitors of the City of Lenoir". 1.2 OVERALL GOALS The purpose of the Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan is to create a document to guide the City of Lenoir in the (1) planning, (2) design, (3) financing, (4) implementation, and (5) maintenance phases of its proposed pedestrian system. While enhancing and prioritizing capital improvements/maintenance projects for the City, the plan will give special consideration to critical areas for pedestrian transportation and safety; as well as address the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance issues. The goals of the City of Lenoir Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan, which were developed by the Steering Committee, are as follows: Downtown Lenoir Section 1: Introduction Page 1 of 9 City of Lenoir, North Carolina Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan 2012 Goals and Objectives • Increase “walkability” in the City of Lenoir: o Increase and improve the pedestrian infrastructure. o Provide aesthetically pleasing landscaping and resting places. o Connect the pedestrian network to destination points. o Promote a “walking culture” in Lenoir. • Create a pedestrian network that is an important part of the urban structure: o Encourage walking in the downtown areas of the City. o Provide attractive, yet safe, pedestrian connections from the downtowns to outlying areas. o Provide attractive, yet safe, pedestrian facilities within the downtown area. o Encourage alternative uses of sidewalk space (such as sidewalk sales or outdoor cafes) that promote a healthy, vibrant Cafés can provide downtown. alternate sidewalk usage • Promote walking as a healthy exercise: o Develop and/or participate in more healthy walking programs such as “Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina”, etc. o Partner with health and recreation providers to create walking programs and events. • Create a pedestrian environment that is friendly to all users - including seniors, disabled persons, and children: o Provide ADA compliant sidewalks and curb ramps. o Increase pedestrian safety with regard to traffic. o Provide facilities for sitting/resting opportunities. • Improve connections between disparate parts of the City: o Provide pedestrian connections between downtown Lenoir and surrounding areas/destinations o Promote neighborhood connectivity o Provide equitable access to the pedestrian network(s) o Provide pedestrian access to schools, shopping areas, and work places ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 9 Section 1: Introduction City of Lenoir, North Carolina Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan 2012 • Promote pedestrian safety: o Promote pedestrian safety through educational programs both inside and outside the schools. o Design a pedestrian network that can be safely traversed by all. 1.3 HISTORY The original settlement of Lenoir was first known as Tucker's Barn, named after the family that settled on the north side of Lower Creek around 1765. The Tucker homestead became a gathering place, serving as a voting precinct, muster ground, store, and a place for "frolics" and celebrations. At least one large Fourth of July celebration included a drum corps, a march of Revolutionary War veterans, and speeches by General William Lenoir. The place was so popular that a piece of music suitable for violins was composed and entitled "Tucker's Barn." When Caldwell County formed in 1841, the county seat was named Lenoir, in honor of General William Lenoir, a Revolutionary War hero and trustee of the University of North Carolina. Prior to the Civil War, Lenoir’s economy was based on agriculture with large farms producing cotton, corn, and some tobacco. A bartering market, Hogwaller, Davenport College, opera houses, and large library led Lenoir to be described as the “Athens of North Carolina.” With an abundance of natural resources and a rail line incorporated in 1880, the furniture industry boomed. The Lenoir Furniture Company existed from 1889 to 2000, bearing names like Broyhill, Thomasville, Bernhardt, Hammary, Fairfield Chair, and Kincaid. The region was known as the “Furniture Center of the South,” exporting products to over 30 countries. During this time, textile and plastic manufacturing joined the industry, bringing unemployment to an all-time low. Since the late 1990s, the reduction in manufacturing has redefined the future of Lenoir by focusing on its location for tourists in the Appalachian Mountains, rich music, artistic traditions, and strong networks of civic organizations. In 2006, the City’s Main Street Program became one of only twelve, which were certified in North Carolina. Lenoir’s Downtown Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Lenoir was also the recipient of the