CORRIDORS As the community has expanded, commercial corridors have developed along SH 35 and SH 288. SH 35 and portions of the Broadway Street/FM 518 corridor have experienced development at major intersections. Expect to see continued development within the infill lots between intersections as those areas see continued improvement and investment. These areas provide a placemaking opportunity from a regional perspective because they have the potential to attract outside businesses and residences to the city. In addition, there is a hierarchy of corridors within the City of Pearland, as identified in Chapter 9: Thoroughfare Planning and Mobility, that helps define a distinct public realm. From the major highway connections that run through the city in each direction, to floodplain and rail corridors, these linkages provide Pearland with the ability to create unique places of interest and lasting value. Street types and needs will vary based on their location within Pearland, but corridor amenities, such as crosswalks, signalized mid-block crossings, lighting, benches, and bicycle racks, can be chosen to support individual centers and the overall vision for the community. The best way to achieve placemaking is not just with signage, banners, or entry monuments, but also with the design of streets, trails, and shared-use paths; the siting and design of buildings; and the use of streetscaping and strategically located open space. Expanding these techniques that the City and PEDC have already started using to encompass the City as a whole will greatly enhance the overall mobility network and provide for alternative modes of transportation to these commercial destinations along these prosperous roadways. CATALYST SITES As the six identified catalyst sites develop per the Pearland Prosperity Strategic Plan and the Future Land Use Plan (FLUP), incorporating branding standards that reflect the developing character is a great opportunity for placemaking. Advertising the identity of the area would communicate to visitors, residents, and incoming developers alike that these areas have heightened expectations for the larger area. This could be done through a variety of methods including, but not limited to, flags, logos, and public art. The Lower Kirby District provides a good case study of advertising and marked identity that has helped to leverage the area. The area should continue to demand focus due to the acreage remaining for development. The adjacent open spaces, remaining developable area, and connections to SH 288 and Beltway 8 combine to form an opportunity for a regional destination. In 2017, the Lower Kirby Pearland Management District developed a master trail and landscape plan, connecting the drainage areas and existing water features, including a pedestrian bridge across Clear Creek, to provide outdoor amenities for future employers and residents. This plan, when brought to reality, will create a location with enhanced quality of life, unique to the surrounding region. Old Town provides another unique opportunity for potential investment. The gridded network of streets and diverse uses, along with public infrastructure and historic structures, all play their part in forming a place that is special to the community and providing a framework to build upon. The health and vitality The best way to achieve placemaking is not just with signage, banners or entry monuments, but also with the design of streets and trails, the siting and design of buildings and the use of streetscaping and strategically located open space.
of the city can be significantly enhanced by the investment that occurs in the Lower Kirby and Old Town areas and the city’s success in establishing itself as a place of intrinsic value. PUBLIC SPACES Places for community gatherings are a central element in placemaking and urban vitality. These spaces celebrate the essence of Pearland and its community members. Examples of such spaces, which may be of public or private ownership, include parks of various sizes, plazas, and areas within the public right-of-way where people gather. These spaces may be located in commercial centers, in floodplain areas, or dispersed throughout the city, but wherever they locate, they contribute to the identity of their respective neighborhood or district. As the city grows, continued investment in public spaces is necessary to sustain and improve the level of service that public spaces provide. The creation of public space should be sought out with upcoming opportunities within these catalyst sites for a collaborative endeavor that involves community input and design consideration as the development of these spaces serves multiple interests. Public spaces come in various forms and serve different functions in different areas. Large community parks can serve as gathering spaces and provide accommodations for major events. Smaller neighborhood park venues can be used as event spaces for more frequent neighborhood activities and programmed events. Public plazas and markets can host civic events and smaller but more active and pedestrian-friendly environments. Additionally, publicly owned open spaces can work in unison with privately owned, public open spaces to provide multiple venues for major events in the community. Waterways and otherwise undevelopable wetlands provide an opportunity for linear public spaces that can stretch across and connect different neighborhoods and types of places. Because of their value, it is important to provide access and linkages to public spaces via roadways, sidewalks and trails. If physical infrastructure is necessary (e.g. bridges, trails, sidewalks), these improvements should be enhanced using architectural materials that reflect the character of their surroundings. Amenities like designed seating, shade, waste bins, and planting should also be provided to improve usability and strengthen character.
PEARLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040
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Chapter 8
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