Houston Street Satomorrow Multimodal Transportation Plan

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HOUSTON STREET SATOMORROW MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Houston Street Corridor Overview CONTEXT downtown and the AT&T Center during Houston Street is located on the east side games, shows, and other events hosted of San Antonio. The limits for this evaluation there. stretch from Bonham Street on the west to Designated bike facilities along Houston ¨¦§10 IH 10 on the east. Street and adjacent corridors are limited 1604 Houston’s character is mostly urban. The and/or non-existent. roadway extends from downtown with a Some nodes along the corridor see higher ¨¦§35 fairly regular gridded street network. Moving pedestrian activity due to the adjacent east, its character transitions from a more land use types, including near schools and traditional urban mix of commercial and neighborhood shopping areas. Sidewalks are present for a majority of the corridor. residential to a more industrial context ¨¦§10 There is a trail-head located along Houston 1604 approaching IH 10. The corridor is primarily ¨¦§35 adjacent to residential land uses except near the AT&T Center that provides for the area between Onslow St and IH 10 an access point to the Salado Creek Greenway. £¤87 which houses the AT&T Center, Coca-Cola 1604 Distributing Center, the Willow Springs Golf The predominant form of housing along ¤£410 ¨¦§35 Course, and other commercial facilities. Houston Street is single family residential. Houston Street serves as an important Toward the center of this study area a few east-west corridor moving traffic between local commercial nodes are present. The two major interstates and several activity major activity center is the AT&T Center, ¨¦§37 centers. The corridor and surrounding which acts as a significant traffic generator, streets form a grid network, providing typically outside of traditional AM and PM 1604 a highly connected street network. The peak periods. Major businesses located roadway is crossed by two freight railroad across from the AT&T Center (a large lines which does limit movements of commercial/business center) generate Houston Street all modes of transportation as the train traffic during typical peak periods as schedule is frequent. employment hubs. There is also a large application process in 2014 by the US Department of Housing and Urban golf course in this same area. VIA Transit heavily utilizes Houston Street. Redevelopment to revitalize distressed communities. This is accomplished Stops are frequently spaced, though most Houston Street runs through the Eastside by partnering with local communities and businesses to create jobs, increase do not have shelters. A special events Promise Zone. The Eastside Promise Zone economic security, reduce poverty, expand educational opportunities, increase route links park and rides around the City, is one of five selected from a nationwide access to quality, affordable housing, and improve public safety.

Houston Street Sheet Set Key 3.7 Miles

Poinsettia St

Nolan St

Nolan St Nolan St

E Commerce St

Dawson St Dawson St

Dawson St N New Braunfels Ave ATT Conter Parkway N Hackberry

ulf N Walters N Rio rande St N evers St Onslow St N Cherry St N Cherry N Palmetto N Monumental 1I-37 (Above) 2 3 4 5 6 Canton Canton Coca Cola Pl E Commerce St E Crockett St Bowie St E Crockett St E Crockett St I-10 (Above) Noblewood Dr Noblewood

Center St

ibbs St

E Commerce St N

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Houston Street Observations, Challenges & Vision

Vision Issues Houston Street will continue to act as a Roadway – Right-of-Way along the corridor from connection between Downtown and the AT&T Downtown to the AT&T Center is limited. Current Center. Enhancements to the corridor should buildings and homes front the street, leaving little focus on creating a pedestrian friendly and chance for acquisition of additional ROW along aesthetically pleasing environment. Creating a the corridor. East of the AT&T Center, the all lane more welcoming pedestrian environment will reversible striping is confusing to residents and non- encourage continued transit use and support residents alike. ongoing Eastside Promise Zone efforts for economic revitalization and improved public safety. Transit – Although there are frequent bus stops Bridge Underpass at IH 37 along the corridor, many do not have shelters and, Future due to narrow sidewalks, congregation at stops can be difficult. • AT&T Activity Center - Leverage opportunity to create a year-round activity Bicycles – Several factors hinder the inclusion of center that activates the space around the an on- or off-street bike facility on Houston. Those AT&T Center beyond special events. Proximity factors include the limited ROW, relatively high traffic to downtown makes this an ideal location for volumes, and crossings with two major interstates mixed use development. and freight railroad lines. • Eastside Promise Zone Economic Vitality - The Promise Zone initiative in the West End Corridor Street Condition Pedestrian Refuge Island Pedestrian – Sidewalks are narrow. The limited east side community includes construction of ROW constrains the pedestrian realm, especially due new mixed-income housing and other public- to sharing sidewalk space with above ground utilities. private partnership investments in areas (such as education) that are expected to position this portion of the corridor for a return to vitality. Land Use – The land use composition along Houston includes warehouses (many currently Policy & Guidance unoccupied or under-utilized), single family Land Use Planning – Encourage neighborhoods/homes fronting street, a large activity redevelopment of western portion of the attractor in the form of the AT&T Center, and other corridor for more walkable and business industry/businesses. oriented development. Heavily used at-grade Reversible lanes in Railroad Crossing Residential Area Utilities – Relocate utilities underground to remove barriers to accessibility and improve aesthetics.

Vision Zero – Focus on safety for all modes of travel in this corridor, choosing improvements that incorporate design features that protect people biking and walking from Reversible Lanes near IH10 vehicular traffic. 6-223 SATOMORROW MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Houston Street Long Term Multimodal Options

Dignowity Park Poinsettia St River City Nolan St Operations Nolan St Nolan St ashington School

ealy-Murphy Antioch Christian Park Academy Scottish Rite ATT Center Auditorium ATT Center E Commerce St Tynan Elementary Dawson St School Dignowity ill Dawson St

Dawson St N New Braunfels Ave ATT Conter Parkway N Hackberry

ulf N Walters illow Springs olf Course Penske Truck Rental Alamo Pickett Academy Plaza Daisy Charters Shuttles N Rio rande St N evers St Onslow St N Cherry St N Cherry -E-B N Palmetto N Monumental I-37 (Above) Phillips Distribution Inc Canton Canton Coca Cola Pl Rivercenter Mall E Commerce St E Crockett St Bowie St E Crockett St E Crockett St Coca Cola Distributor I-10 (Above) Noblewood Dr Noblewood

San Antonio Parking Division Blue Line Corporation

Fairchild Park Lincoln Park Center St

San Antonio Martin Luther King St. Paul Sqaure National Cemetery ibbs St Park

E Commerce St

N Provide on-street parking to Remove the reversible lane signals and Add Sidewalk and transit catalyze the growth of local widen sidewalks in order to restore the improvements from the businesses. traditional ‘Main Street’ feeling and Downtown area to the AT&T context to the area. Center. Strategies

Dignowity Park Poinsettia St River City Nolan St Operations Nolan St Nolan St ashington School

ealy-Murphy Antioch Christian Park Academy Scottish Rite ATT Center Auditorium ATT Center E Commerce St Tynan Elementary Dawson St School Dignowity ill Dawson St

Dawson St N New Braunfels Ave ATT Conter Parkway N Hackberry

San Antonio Parking Division Blue Line Corporation

Fairchild Park Lincoln Park Center St

San Antonio Martin Luther King St. Paul Sqaure National Cemetery ibbs St Park

E Commerce St

N Remove the reversible lane signals and Add Sidewalk and transit widen sidewalks in order to restore the improvements from the traditional ‘Main Street’ feeling and Downtown area to the AT&T context to the area. Center. Strategies

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Houston Street Long Term Multimodal Options: Existing Cross Sections Cross Section: Pine St to AT&T AT&T Pine St to Cross Section: Center Cross Section: IH37 to Pine St Cross Section:

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Houston Street Long Term Multimodal Options: Future Cross Sections IH37 to Pine St Future Option 1

IH37 to Pine St Future Option 2

Description: Opportunities: The existing cross-section on Houston Street from Pine Street to AT&T Parkway is a two-lane •Provide ability to move heavy traffic during special events without undivided roadway with a reversible center two-way left-turn lane. The intersection level of requiring additional Right-of-Way. service for the signalized intersections in this segment operate at a LOS C or better during •Eliminates the confusion associated with the reversible lanes during the AM and PM peak periods. During events at the AT&T Center, Houston Street operate off-peak periods. as a three lane undivided roadway with two lanes in one direction and one lane in the other direction. County Sheriff staff augment the reversible lane signals with numerous officers and •Removal of reversible lane traffic signal equipment from the Right- cones during events. of-Way frees up space for pedestrians in the pedestrian realm.

The proposed alternative lane configuration for Houston Street on the approach to the AT&T Challenges: Center is to remove the reversible lane signals and stripe a two-lane undivided roadway with a • This change will require buy-in from AT&T Center event planners center two-way left-turn lane and 7 foot sidewalks on both sides of the roadway. A reversible that 100% manual reversible lanes will be supported. lane could still be implemented during AT&T Center events using Sheriff staff (as currently done anyhow), but during non-event times the neighborhood would have a more traditional Main Street atmosphere.

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Houston Street Long Term Multimodal Options: Future Cross Sections

Future Option 2: On-Street Parking

Description: Opportunities: The existing cross-section on Houston Street from IH 37 to Pine Street is a four-lane •Create a context that supports local businesses with on-street parking undivided roadway with 6 foot sidewalks on each side of the road with commercial and more focus given to the pedestrian realm. parcels adjacent.

The proposed cross-section for Houston from Cherry Street to New Braunfels is a two lane undivided roadway with 8 foot parking lanes and a 2 foot buffer. On street parking spurs commercial development and encourages pedestrian activity. This is consistent Challenges: with the East Point community vision. •Limited Right-of-Way.

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Houston Street Short-term Corridor Recommendations

Short - Term Multimodal Options

Recommendations Benefits

Work with Pickett Academy to establish student Improved vehicular circulation, improved pedestrian visibility and reduced congestion. drop off and pick up procedures that minimize the Improvements to facilitate pedestrians may inspire mode shifts. number of vehicles stopping in the through lanes on Houston. Consider installation of a mid-block pedestrian crossing.

Add crosswalk markings on the west leg of Improved pedestrian visibility. May inspire mode shifts and support transit use and local Houston & St. James, consider RRFB installation business.

Improve crosswalk visibility (markings) at Houston & N New Braunfels, add supplemental signage Short-term improvements such as these will improve the visibility of pedestrians and to remind turning vehicles of requirement to remind drivers of the need to allow pedestrians time to cross. yield to pedestrians. Consider implementation of a pedestrian advance interval to further support pedestrian visibility. Improve signage and pavement markings for Facilitate streamlined vehicular operations, may reduce congestion and improve safety for left-turn movements. Offset left-turns create some all users. confusion for drivers.

Add crosswalk markings on the west leg of Houston & Rosary, consider RRFB installation as Improved pedestrian visibility. May inspire mode shifts and support transit and park access. this is near a school and a park

Transit Pedestrian Bicycle Vehicular Land Use Improvements Improvements Improvements Improvements Improvements

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TRADITIONAL / URBAN SHEET #1

Nolan St

ealy-Murphy Park Scottish Rite Auditorium

Dawson St

Alamo Plaza N Cherry St N Cherry 1 2 I-37 (Above)

Rivercenter Mall E Crockett St Bowie St Match Line Match

San Antonio Parking Division

St. Paul Sqaure

Houston St Corridor Analysis Sheet 1 Short Term Recommendations N Open Space Study Area 0’ 100’ 200’

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TRADITIONAL / URBAN SHEET #2 Dignowity Park River City Operations Nolan St

Dignowity ill N Hackberry

Pickett Academy Daisy Charters Shuttles A B -E-B N Palmetto

1 2 N Monumental 2 3

Short-term Recommendations Issue/Recommendation E Crockett St

Match Line Match P A Line Match A

Fairchild Park

San Antonio National Cemetery

Houston St Corridor Analysis Sheet 2 Short Term Recommendations N Open Space Study Area 0’ 100’ 200’

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TRADITIONAL / URBAN SHEET #3

Nolan St ashington School

Antioch Christian Academy

Dawson St N New Braunfels Ave

ulf N Walters

D C N evers St -E-B 2 3 3 4

Short-termCanton Recommendations Issue/Recommendation A S E Crockett St B S

Match Line Match RR Line Match

I N N C

I D

Center St

Houston St Corridor Analysis Sheet 3 Short Term Recommendations N Open Space Study Area 0’ 100’ 200’

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TRADITIONAL / URBAN SHEET #4 Poinsettia St

ATT Center

Tynan Elementary Dawson St School

E N Rio rande St Onslow St 3 4 4 5 Phillips Distribution Inc Canton Short-term Recommendations Coca Cola Pl Issue/Recommendation A S Match Line Match E R Line Match RR

Lincoln Park

ibbs St

Houston St Corridor Analysis Sheet 4 Short Term Recommendations N Open Space Study Area 0’ 100’ 200’

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TRADITIONAL / URBAN SHEET #5

ATT Center

ATT Conter Parkway

illow Springs olf Course

4 5 5 6 Coca Cola Pl E Commerce St

Coca Cola Distributor Match Line Match Line Match

Blue Line Corporation

E Commerce St

Houston St Corridor Analysis Sheet 5 Short Term Recommendations N Houston St Corridor Analysis Sheet 6 Short Term Recommendations Open Space Study Area 0’ 100’ 200’

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URBAN / SUBURBAN TRANSITION SHEET #6

E Commerce St

Penske Truck Rental

5 6

E Commerce St

I-10 (Above) Match Line Match Noblewood Dr Noblewood

Martin Luther King Park

Houston St Corridor Analysis Sheet 6 Short Term Recommendations N Open Space 200’ Study Area 0’ 100’ 200’

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