Streetscape Q & A
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Streetscape committee member Becky Dupuis provided answers to some frequently asked questions about Streetscape.
Q: Why is there exposed gravel in the “bump out” areas at the intersection corners?
• The gravel areas have been prepared for landscaping in the spring.
• The contractor has placed topsoil, weed mat and gravel in preparation for shrubs and flowering plants.
• Public art, benches and trash receptacles are also a possibility for these areas.
Q: Why is there a stop sign at every intersection?
• Short answer – to slow down traffic and make it easier for traffic from side streets (avenues) to enter traffic on Main Street
• Long answer – to enhance the overall feeling of downtown being a pedestrian safe and friendly shopping/business area, a destination that people want to come to for an enjoyable experience.
• Stop sign location and functionality will be evaluated over the next 6 to 9 months. Stop signs may or may not be eliminated or added depending on changing traffic patterns, congestion, safety, etc.
Q: Where are the new streetlights? Why are the old cobra head streetlights still up?
• The new streetlights are on order. It may be up to 10 weeks (January) before they are delivered.
• The lights were not ordered until the project was well underway because it wasn’t clear if funding for purchasing the lights was available. On the page is a rendering of the lights. They will all be black.
• The cobra headlights had to stay in place because Main Street is part of the Montana Highway System, and this type of lighting is required. We expect that when the new pedestrian lighting is installed and operational the cobra head lighting will “fade” into the background and just provide extra lighting without intruding on the beauty of the streetscape.
Q: The trees look small. Are they dead?
• Tree size was based on the nursery’s recommendation for the maximum height at planting vs. the maximum survival rate. Northwestern Landscaping planted the biggest trees possible to achieve a decent survival rate of the trees. The larger a tree is when it’s planted, the harder it is for that tree to survive.
• All the trees are dormant now. Two different species of tree were chosen, both to help with their healthy growth and to provide variety in color in spring and summer as well as fall. Next spring they will hopefully leaf out and be beautiful shades of green, then in the fall the foliage should be a mix of red and yellow.
Q: Why is the parking space striping different?
• The striping you see on the street now is temporary striping. Because Main Street is a part of the Montana Highway system, it must be chip sealed. That process can only be done during a specific time in the summer. Main Street will be chip sealed next summer and then the parking re-striped. If you have any suggestions for changes or modifications in the striping please let City Hall know.
Q: What are the bump outs at the intersections for?
• They provide greater pedestrian safety
• Giving boundaries for motor vehicle traffic
• Studies show that a narrowing of the driving lane, like that provided by a bump out, generally tends to slow motor vehicle traffic.
• Letting pedestrians advance into the street far enough to see traffic without having to leave the sidewalk.
• Provide an area for landscaping/beatification
• Part of the idea of streetscape is to combine the hardscape, such as highways and sidewalks, necessary for pedestrian and traffic movement with softscape, such as plants, public art, decorative lighting, rounded corners, and other landscaping. The combination is intended to provide a useful and efficient place for commerce to occur while at the same time proving an atmosphere of comfort, beauty and safety.
• Essentially streetscape is creating a destination for shopper/eaters/doers of all kinds.
Q: Is the parking area at 5th Avenue and Main Street part of the project?
• Yes and No.
• The parking area, which provides approximate 30 striped and paved parking spaces, was a project the city has been looking to complete for a while. The Streetscape Project helped enhance the city’s opportunity to build the lot.
• The cost to grade and pave the lot was paid for by the city not the Streetscape Project.
