Friday, July 31, 2009

Streetscape Update


The Cumberland Avenue Corridor Plan is composed of two major parts: 1) The Streetscape Plan, and 2) The Urban Design Plan. The city has been awarded a contract from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to implement the Streetscape Plan which proposes improvements to facilities for all modes of transportation. The general concept of the plan is to change Cumberland Ave. from a 4 lane cross section with two eastbound and two westbound lanes to a 3 lane cross section with one eastbound, one westbound, and a center two-way left turn lane. This concept will provide wider sidewalks, shared travel lanes for bikes and vehicles, as well as defined space for transit stops. As a part of this project the overhead utility lines will be moved to provide a cleaner, more aesthetically appealing environment with street trees and other amenities. For more information on the plan, please see the link on the right.

Update: The city’s consultants Vaughn & Melton and S&ME have submitted the required “Historical Resources Survey Report” for the projected impacts of the Streetscape Project to TDOT. This information is part of the requirements for the project to receive its Environmental Clearance from TDOT to be able to proceed with detailed design work. The document submitted on July 24th, was revised by S&ME to meet requests for additional information from TDOT. We don’t know the timeline for review of this document, status of review will be updated on this blog.

Additionally, two requests have been made requesting funding for projects that will support the Streetscape Project. The first was submitted to the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) requesting Congestion Mitigation and Air Quailty (CMAQ) funds to improve sidewalk connections within the Fort Sanders neighborhood and also to provide bus shelters within the area to support the existing transit lines (KAT buses, trolleys, T Link, etc). That application was submitted on July 10th. The second request was made on July 17th for TDOT fiscal year 2009 Safety Funds which would be used to improve the intersections of 17th Street and Clinch Ave. and 17th and White Ave. These requests are currently being reviewed by the appropriate agencies. Status of review will be updated on this blog.

Image Credit: Bruce Mccamish,
www.amazingaerialphotography.com

Friday, July 24, 2009

Ft. Sanders Planning Update

In March 2009, the City and MPC staff organized a stakeholder meeting for the Fort Sanders area in response to a request for long rang planning. The meetings have been held monthly on the first Thursday of the month at the Baker Center. The boundaries for this area are generally World's Fair Park to the east, the intersection of Kingston Pike and Neyland Dr. to the west, Grand Ave. and industrial properties to the north, and the Tennessee River to the south.

At the inital and subsequent meetings of stakeholders, the group identified several opportunities and constraints within the neighborhood including land use issues and quality of life issues. It was determined that the committee should be divided into to two subcommittees on: 1) Physical Land Use, and 2) Quality of Life. These subcommittees are meeting on the alternate month from the full committee.

Both of these subcommittees met on July 2 and notes from those meetings are available in the Links section on this page. The next full stakeholder committee meeting will be on August 6 at the Baker Center

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Welcome!

The function of The Cumberland Connection Blog is to keep all of our partners informed about changes and issues that are impacting the areas connected to Cumberland Avenue.

This includes information regarding the Fort Sanders Long Range Planning effort, information from our partners (UT, the hospitals, etc.), and provides updates on the city's urban design and streetscape projects for Cumberland Ave.

Additionally, it provides a tool for the merchants and neighborhood residents to stay connected to the city.

This blog will be updated most Fridays with information covering the up coming week. Additional post may be made for time sensitive matters. Thanks!