Worcester Business Journal

10 Worcester Business Journal • June 22, 2015 www.wbjournal.com infrastructure has largely favored the automobile over the last 50 years, grow- ing the downtown — and the entire city — requires a comprehensive approach that includes automobiles, walking, bik- ing and public transit, according to Stephen Rolle, the city's planning direc- tor. "It's really the recognition that streets aren't facilities whose only objective is to move cars. That's how the profession in general designed them for years," he said. "The focus now really is on build- ing roads to be flexible and accommo- dating in the way that can support the broadest range of groups possible." 'Complete' and safer streets This concept has come to be known as "complete streets." Worcester has "decent bones" to incorporate complete streets, with much of the city built with large sidewalks and roadways that accommo- date biking, said Karin Valentine Goins, co-chair of Walk Bike Worcester, which advocates for safe biking and walking. Building up alternative transportation involves addressing the safety — such as at major intersections — and the attrac- tiveness of biking or walking through the addition of trees, benches and busi- nesses on major thoroughfares, she said. Rolle said Worcester is moving in that direction with upcoming projects, such as the Main Street improvements that will run south from Belmont and Highland streets to beyond Chandler Street. While construction is scheduled to begin next year, it's important to keep a global perspective on how the city is tied together, he said. "That is a great example of the kind of street that needs to work well for a vari- ety of users," Rolle said. "It needs to be a multifunctional street. It needs to be attractive and support businesses." Creating a walkable city will ultimate- ly help boost business, Goins said. That will get people out of their cars and boosting foot traffic. Businesses are an integral part of making the city more walkable, Murray added. "As we build density downtown, we are trying to build street-level retail so people can get out of their cars and walk and have a set of experiences," he said. "We are trying to time this so that, as they come online, there are desirable retail (establishments), whether it be prepared food or retail shops." Biking will also be a part of building businesses and connecting residents with the rest of the city, said Murray. Locating part of the Longsjo Classic bicycle race, which pits riders against each other on city streets, is one step that has been taken to emphasize biking. "Part of the reason we wanted it in Worcester and the downtown is to rein- force that we are bike-friendly, and that is one of the modes of transportation we need to be talking about," Murray said. "Bike paths need to be constructed." Those bike paths could connect dispa- rate parts of the city, and potentially hook students on its benefits, he said. But all that takes time, Rolle said. For instance, creating a network of bike paths or improving lighting along side- walks must be tackled project by project. In the meantime, parking is not being neglected, he said. There are 500 spots that will come online with the comple- tion of the City Square project, and the current municipal lots spread through- out the city are not at capacity, and are not expected to be any time soon. Murray contends that parking can be an issue for downtown businesses. To stave off the potential for tighter park- ing, the chamber is exploring the poten- tial for a new garage near the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts and how to optimize the use of current garages and lots. Street parking is a major issue, said Bill Aldrich, chef and owner of the Theatre Café. With downtown spaces at a premium between those living close by and working downtown, it can deter people from driving into the area. "It is a problem drawing people … downtown in the evening for sure," Aldrich said, explaining that some patrons use Worcester Regional Transit Authority buses and bike to the restau- rant. "We do see a lot of foot traffic dur- ing the day from the local businesses … (but) public parking would help, as would a complete slowdown" of down- town-area traffic. Aldrich would like to see the speed limit lowered and speed bumps installed, while helping make the area friendlier to other forms of transportation. Regardless of whether by car, bus, bike or foot, easy transportation will be key in capitalizing on the new developments in and around downtown, Murray said. "Transportation is economic develop- ment and economic development relies on transportation," he said. "So by incor- porating as many modes that are func- tional and reliable, then you are going to boost economic facilities." n Downtown Worcester by foot, and wheels >> Continued from Page 1 Downtown parking A1 Union Station Parking Garage 225 Franklin St. 500 A2 Worcester Library 40 Salem St. 289 A3 Pearl - Elm Garage 20 Pearl St. 800 A4 Highland Street Municipal Lot 30 Highland St. 94 A5 Major Taylor Blvd. Garage Major Taylor Bouelvard 1,000 C1 City Square North Foster Street 800 C2 City Square South Commercial & Foster streets 2,100 C3 Federal Plaza Garage 570 Main St. 511 C4 Sovereign Tower Parking 40-54 Pleasant St. 600 C5 Waldo Street 27-33 Waldo St. 80 C6 Commerce Associates 365 Main St. 112 C7 Bowditch & Dewey 30 Exchange St. 180 C8 Commerce Associates 252 Main St. 280 C9 Day Building 360 Main St./Eden Street 54 C10 Gateway Parking Garage Prescott Street 800 C11 Honey Farms 82 Thomas St. 45 C12 VNA Care Network Foundation 120 Thomas St. 30 C13 100 Central Street 100 Central St. 320 C14 99 Restaurant 116 Summer St. 100 C15 St. Vincent Hospital 27-31 Central St. 1,970 Name Address Number of spaces Worcester has more than 10,000 spaces in downtown-area municipal and private parking lots, as well as on-street parking. MAP COURTESY DCU CENTER (Map was created in 2014 to guide visitors for events at the arena-convention center. Data on parking spaces was accurate at the time this map was created.)

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