ACTIVITIES Commercial uses generate limited pedestrian activity in the Village Center, however, a variety of public programs, events, and services help attract visitors from near and far. Notably, some very limited outdoor dining is already present. This type of commercial activity should be expanded because it helps enliven the area. Recreational programming is the most significant public activity, but a variety of holiday-related events and parades also occur in this area, as do events at the school. We did not find evidence of regularly occurring special events typical of a Main Street however. Main Streets benefit from organized and ongoing activity which should be a goal. REGULATORY CONDITIONS Signage regulations allow for monument or ground signs (which is a suburban concept) however most signage is on the buildings, (which is an urban design). Since the goal is to mimic Main Street characteristics, urban regulations are preferred. The uniform color and style of signage on the renovated properties creates a nice, consistent look on the facades. Landscaping requirements include one tree per each 25 lineal feet, however any visibility issues have been accommodated in some locations by installing thinner Alexander palms instead of shade trees. This is a good choice of landscape material to maintain visibility, but not good for shading pedestrians. Outdoor dining and a strong restaurant presence are very important to create an active and lively main street environment. Attracting food and beverage establishments is difficult however due to the high cost of opening such an establishment. Generally, any regulatory barriers that arise during permitting of restaurants should be removed or addressed. The suburban style setbacks of the retail and commercial buildings is not compatible with a Main Street environment that favor pedestrians. As this area transforms and becomes more economically vibrant, regulations of new development or redevelopment should require all buildings to come to the street edge, and eliminate setbacks and parking in front of buildings. Parking should be relegated to the rear of the buildings. Buffers to residential neighborhoods should be required. This long-term goal will potentially occur when the existing buildings meet their natural lifespan and require either demolition or total rehabilitation, or the Village Center becomes a hot area for retail investment. MOBILITY CONDITIONS Main Streets and city centers should be a focal point for mobility connections; both ingress and egress. Village Center should strive to incorporate a transit hub and include various forms of mobility in the right- of-way improvements, which the City proactively did by incorporating bike lanes into new roadway improvements along Sunset Strip. A secondary aspect of mobility is parking. Parking for the civic and commercial properties is generally adequate for current activity levels, and is well-distributed for a walkable place. The new improvements to City Park, additional programming, and an influx of new restaurant or retail businesses will likely strain the current parking supply. Major development sites in the south end of Village Center (former Public Works and PPG Opportunity Sites) need better pedestrian connections to nearby amenities, events, and shopping/dining. The canal is a major barrier at this time. IDENTITY & BRAND CONDITIONS Village Center has the opportunity to create a dynamic brand and identity that truly reflects the “Main Street” character of the area. Brand development is formed by identifying the current assets and special elements found only in Village Center, and then creating a message (both visually and with words) that tells the world what they can expect to see and do when they arrive. Once a brand is formed, the city can promote the brand through print materials, social media, special events and programming supported by a strong brand presence in city hall such as vision boards in the lobby. It’s a very unique asset that if branded and marketed correctly can set the city apart from other cities. The “Gateway” redevelopment at Sunrise Boulevard and University Drive (discussed in later sections) provides natural bookends to this small scale but urban main street environment.
S S Village Center current retail in the back and parking in the front is not conducive to active sidewalk activity.
VILLAGE CENTER
49 | EAST SUNRISE IMPROVEMENTS MASTER PLAN
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs