Midtown Streetscape Improvements

[dbigtex56]

3 hours ago, wilcal said:

Any update on the Caroline construction? I need to ride by and check it out.

North of McGowen, protective timbers have been placed around the (few) remaining trees this week, suggesting that some sort of excavation may be taking place soon.
Haven't checked out the southern portion in a while; it's my understanding that the construction will progress south to north.
 

[infinite_jim]

Caroline has been partially blocked of auto traffic from Elgin north to unspecified midtown cross-street. 

Edited November 9, 2018 by infinite_jim

[dbigtex56]

17 minutes ago, infinite_jim said:

Caroline has been partially blocked of auto traffic from Elgin north to unspecified midtown cross-street. 

The easternmost lane has temporary blocks (orange barrels) from McIllhenny to McGowen; continuing south, the lane is blocked by wooden barricades, and separated from the other lanes by concrete barriers.

Edited November 9, 2018 by dbigtex56
changed wording

[wilcal]

17 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said:

So wait, the idea of turning Main in to a green space was rejected?

 

 

No.

 

Midtown Authority told me it was unfunded with an indefinite timeline. The planning has been at 76% for a long time as the status on their website. 

 

The Houston Bike Plan was not developed specifically with Midtown being a part of the input, and a lack of harmony resulted. With that being said, I have no idea how dedicated the Midtown Authority is to doing this. One of their versions kept the southbound half of Main open to cars, but the northbound version converted to bike/pedestrian use only. I've been thinking more, and that may be the best way to handle it. All of the "major" issues I listed above would be fixed by this solution. 

 

HBP site has some info about Phase 1 (start by April '19) and Phase 2 (not feasible to start with the funding) in the midtown/third ward area here: http://houstonbikeplan.org/implementation/infrastructure/third-ward/ It says design/construction should have already been announced, but there's nothing, so I emailed them to find out. 

 

I didn't realize that they are planning on Austin to go as far south as Blodgett, which would be great, but there is nothing planned west of Main that I know of into Montrose/that half of Midtown which sucks. 

[j_cuevas713]

1 minute ago, wilcal said:

 

No.

 

Midtown Authority told me it was unfunded with an indefinite timeline. The planning has been at 76% for a long time as the status on their website. 

 

The Houston Bike Plan was not developed specifically with Midtown being a part of the input, and a lack of harmony resulted. With that being said, I have no idea how dedicated the Midtown Authority is to doing this. One of their versions kept the southbound half of Main open to cars, but the northbound version converted to bike/pedestrian use only. I've been thinking more, and that may be the best way to handle it. All of the "major" issues I listed above would be fixed by this solution. 

 

HBP site has some info about Phase 1 (start by April '19) and Phase 2 (not feasible to start with the funding) in the midtown/third ward area here: http://houstonbikeplan.org/implementation/infrastructure/third-ward/ It says design/construction should have already been announced, but there's nothing, so I emailed them to find out. 

 

I didn't realize that they are planning on Austin to go as far south as Blodgett, which would be great, but there is nothing planned west of Main that I know of into Montrose/that half of Midtown which sucks. 

I think the idea is to get areas less serviced up to date with city infrastructure. Remember that the city wanted to tie in the 50 new miles of bike lanes with added intersection improvements. 

[wilcal]

2 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said:

I think the idea is to get areas less serviced up to date with city infrastructure. Remember that the city wanted to tie in the 50 new miles of bike lanes with added intersection improvements. 

 

I guess I didn't remember that!

 

That's one of those things that sounds like it makes sense, but I can't imagine the city planning so many intersection improvements. Would take forever! 

 

[Alec]

Have you all seen this before? I knew that the letters are back-lit, but the lights in the bench/block are new to me.

 

https://imgur.com/a/PA3Bjow

[kennyc05]

I saw that a couple of weeks ago. 

[BeerNut]

The color is off a bit. 😕

 

Edited February 11, 2019 by BeerNut

[BeerNut]

Looking down Caroline from Elgin.  This is taking forever...

[wilcal]

On 3/10/2019 at 8:15 PM, BeerNut said:

Looking down Caroline from Elgin.  This is taking forever...

 

 

 

I think it's going to take more time, too.

 

City wanted to do a bike lane up Austin and down on Caroline, but due to the extended construction schedule on Caroline they are doing a two-way on Austin instead. 

 

Thought I heard a timeline of 2-3 more years for Caroline to be done. 

Edited April 2, 2019 by wilcal

[phillip_white]

5 hours ago, wilcal said:

City wanted to do a bike lane up Austin and down on Caroline, but due to the extended construction schedule on Caroline they are doing a two-way on Caroline instead. 

 

I thought the two way was supposed to be on Austin?

[wilcal]

On 3/28/2019 at 4:06 PM, phillip_white said:

 

I thought the two way was supposed to be on Austin?

 

Yup, that's a typo.

 

Two way will be on Austin. 

[dbigtex56]

On 3/28/2019 at 10:32 AM, wilcal said:

 

I think it's going to take more time, too.

 

City wanted to do a bike lane up Austin and down on Caroline, but due to the extended construction schedule on Caroline they are doing a two-way on Austin instead. 

 

Thought I heard a timeline of 2-3 more years for Caroline to be done. 

It would be nice if there was some place where the final plans and timeline for the Caroline St project could be viewed.
Midtown Houston has taken down the early conceptual renderings of what the finished project might look like, and replaced them with nothing.
I've attempted to contact Midtown Houston several times, and was always transferred to someone's voice mail (and, unfortunately, was unavailable when the calls were returned).
Just give us something on your website, MH. Anything. Even a sketch on a cocktail napkin and a few words would be an improvement.
PS: Are their employees paid, and if so, why:?

[wilcal]

10 hours ago, dbigtex56 said:

It would be nice if there was some place where the final plans and timeline for the Caroline St project could be viewed.
Midtown Houston has taken down the early conceptual renderings of what the finished project might look like, and replaced them with nothing.
I've attempted to contact Midtown Houston several times, and was always transferred to someone's voice mail (and, unfortunately, was unavailable when the calls were returned).
Just give us something on your website, MH. Anything. Even a sketch on a cocktail napkin and a few words would be an improvement.
PS: Are their employees paid, and if so, why:?

 

I believe Metro is handling this project, so maybe approach them? I'm not sure how much Midtown is a part of the project. 

 

My basis of thinking Metro is handling it is that is what I recall hearing during the Austin St bikeway meeting, but that's a minor detail I could have misheard. 

[Houston19514]

I don't know how up-to-date this is, but there is some info on this TxDOT page:

 

http://www.baldwinsquare.org/PDFs/Caroline_Closure_062618.pdf

[dbigtex56]

Finally got info: Caroline Plan Set

[Texasota]

Well that's a crappy looking bike lane. It won't matter much with the Austin protected lane, but I really hope that's not what they're planning for Brazos.

[Luminare]

2 hours ago, Texasota said:

Well that's a crappy looking bike lane. It won't matter much with the Austin protected lane, but I really hope that's not what they're planning for Brazos.

 

I'm more disappointed in so many 4' and 5' sidewalk widths. They seem way more interested in landscaping than hardscape for people to actually be able to walk around. That has to stop if when this area gets denser.

 

I will say a great step in the right direction is the implementation of more corner extentions and tucking back the lanes where people park which helps with better walkability at intersections. We rely way to much on signage that indicates what is parking and what is not. That should be built into the road system like in areas of downtown.

 

Overall its an improvement, but its been odd that the best streetscape Midtown has which is Bagby Street and Gray Street hasn't been done everywhere else. They should be pushing that design aesthetic more.

[danielsonr]

I am disappointed that the improvements don’t extend down to Holman / HCC. Does Midtown Redevelopment Authority plan to improve the streetscape between Elgin and Holman.

[mattyt36]

On 6/14/2019 at 12:05 PM, dbigtex56 said:

Finally got info: Caroline Plan Set

 

Thanks 👍

 

Can anyone explain why the State is involved in this project?

[phillip_white]

On 6/14/2019 at 12:43 PM, Texasota said:

Well that's a crappy looking bike lane. It won't matter much with the Austin protected lane, but I really hope that's not what they're planning for Brazos.

I think this is from the original design. The protected bike path on Austin in its current iteration will be two-way.

 

12 hours ago, mattyt36 said:

 

Thanks 👍

 

Can anyone explain why the State is involved in this project?

https://www.midtownhouston.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Midtown-Special-Report.pdf

Quote

The Caroline Street Reconstruction project is a partnership between the Authority and HCC. It is partially funded through a Texas Department of Transportation ("TxDOT") grant. It includes complete roadway reconstruction with new concrete pavement and public utility upgrades from Pierce Street to Holman Street. Additionally, the project includes sidewalk improvements with landscape and pedestrian enhancements as well as improvements to the City’s designated bicycle route. The Complete Streets Program seeks to accommodate all modes of transportation including automobiles, pedestrians and bicycles to create a seamless walkable community. The project aims to balance the needs of transportation, pedestrians, local businesses and onstreet parking.

 

[Houston19514]

On 6/14/2019 at 3:28 PM, Luminare said:

 

I'm more disappointed in so many 4' and 5' sidewalk widths. They seem way more interested in landscaping than hardscape for people to actually be able to walk around. That has to stop if when this area gets denser.

 

I will say a great step in the right direction is the implementation of more corner extentions and tucking back the lanes where people park which helps with better walkability at intersections. We rely way to much on signage that indicates what is parking and what is not. That should be built into the road system like in areas of downtown.

 

Overall its an improvement, but its been odd that the best streetscape Midtown has which is Bagby Street and Gray Street hasn't been done everywhere else. They should be pushing that design aesthetic more.

 

I admit I have not studied the plans in great detail, but after a quick look, the only 4' wide sidewalks I see are on the pages showing existing conditions.

[wilcal]

15 minutes ago, phillip_white said:

I think this is from the original design. The protected bike path on Austin in its current iteration will be two-way.

 

https://www.midtownhouston.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Midtown-Special-Report.pdf

 

 

I was told by CoH planners that bike lane was set to be two-way on Austin specifically because the construction on Caroline would be taking so long. They would be interested in splitting in between the two roads in the future. Would be relatively easy to convert a two-way bike lane into a single-way with a strong buffer.

 

With that being said, a 5' bike lane sucks. No buffer (typically 3') is not great, but it looks like the restriction is mostly the southernmost part. 

 

Also dumb to do the bike lane between on-street parking and driving lanes

[phillip_white]

1 hour ago, wilcal said:

 

I was told by CoH planners that bike lane was set to be two-way on Austin specifically because the construction on Caroline would be taking so long. They would be interested in splitting in between the two roads in the future. Would be relatively easy to convert a two-way bike lane into a single-way with a strong buffer.

 

With that being said, a 5' bike lane sucks. No buffer (typically 3') is not great, but it looks like the restriction is mostly the southernmost part. 

 

Also dumb to do the bike lane between on-street parking and driving lanes

Yeah, from what I've seen/heard the plan is create a two-way bike lane "alley" between the existing curb and a new parking strip. This is dangerous, as it will create an obstruction between bikers and cross traffic; drivers will look to ensure no cars are coming, then plow ahead without looking for traffic in the bike path. And once it's built, it's hard to modify because of the permanence of concrete. And all of this because some Midtown residents are afraid to lose the precious parking spots in front of their door... as though that is somehow guaranteed to them.

[Texasota]

37 minutes ago, phillip_white said:

Yeah, from what I've seen/heard the plan is create a two-way bike lane "alley" between the existing curb and a new parking strip. This is dangerous, as it will create an obstruction between bikers and cross traffic; drivers will look to ensure no cars are coming, then plow ahead without looking for traffic in the bike path. And once it's built, it's hard to modify because of the permanence of concrete. And all of this because some Midtown residents are afraid to lose the precious parking spots in front of their door... as though that is somehow guaranteed to them.

 

No, thats actually just about the safest possible set-up, as long as parking is kept far enough back from each intersection to maintain visibility. 

 

I've never understood the argument that parking-protected 2 way bike lanes are unsafe (nor am I aware of any studies that back that up.) After all, pedestrians also go both ways and drivers have to check for them. 

[Triton]

2 hours ago, phillip_white said:

The Caroline Street Reconstruction project is a partnership between the Authority and HCC. It is partially funded through a Texas Department of Transportation ("TxDOT") grant. It includes complete roadway reconstruction with new concrete pavement and public utility upgrades from Pierce Street to Holman Street. Additionally, the project includes sidewalk improvements with landscape and pedestrian enhancements as well as improvements to the City’s designated bicycle route. The Complete Streets Program seeks to accommodate all modes of transportation including automobiles, pedestrians and bicycles to create a seamless walkable community. The project aims to balance the needs of transportation, pedestrians, local businesses and onstreet parking.

 

I was just thinking about this the other day. How is Bagby considered a complete street in midtown when it does not include a bike lane?

[phillip_white]

17 minutes ago, Texasota said:

 

No, thats actually just about the safest possible set-up, as long as parking is kept far enough back from each intersection to maintain visibility. 

 

I've never understood the argument that parking-protected 2 way bike lanes are unsafe (nor am I aware of any studies that back that up.) After all, pedestrians also go both ways and drivers have to check for them. 

Let me re-phrase:

This is dangerous, as it will create an obstruction between bikers and cross traffic (concerns allayed if space is maintained for visibility); drivers will look to ensure no cars are coming [in the direction of the one-way street], then plow ahead without looking for traffic in the bike path [coming from both directions]. 

[Texasota]

Ok whew. We're on the same page. I'm just more confident than you are that P&D is too.

 

This 5' lane next to three lanes of traffic on Caroline on the other hand is extremely unsafe and a waste of time and paint.

[editor]

On 6/14/2019 at 1:28 PM, Luminare said:

 

I'm more disappointed in so many 4' and 5' sidewalk widths. They seem way more interested in landscaping than hardscape for people to actually be able to walk around. That has to stop if when this area gets denser.

 

 

While I agree that wider sidewalks are better, it's possible that there is a reason for the focus on landscaping instead of walkability.  There are studies that show landscaped sidewalks actually slow down the average speed of traffic on a street ("street calming" they call it).  

 

If this project is headed up by a transportation agency instead of a community improvement group, then that could be the reason for the focus on landscaping instead of pedestrian-level amenities.

 

Or I could be smoking the crack waffles again.  That's also possible.