Walkable Midtown: The Midtown-St. Albans Area Plan
Walkable Midtown, the final name for the Midtown-St. Albans area plan, was completed in 2020 to create guidance for this dynamic commercial and residential district for the next decade. Recommendations are aimed at addressing issues and taking advantage of opportunities related to the area’s growth and development. In addition to traffic congestion and safety, the study recommendations highlight opportunities to manage stormwater and flooding issues, promote open space, bolster housing affordability, improve pedestrian and bicyclist mobility, and support expanded transit. The recommendations are organized by seven categories of improvements, known as the “Big Moves,” that will support safer streets, economic activity, infrastructure development, and transportation and housing options. *See the full report here.
Here's a quick glance at the Big Moves:
Crossing the Beltline Walkable Midtown envisions overcoming the barrier with two new Beltline crossings: one for cars and pedestrians (connects Navaho Dr and Barrett Dr.), and one for people walking and biking only (connects Bush St. and Industrial Dr.), providing transportation options that currently do not exist.
Green Streets The goal here is to tame vehicle speed, provide safer places for people to walk or bike, retain stormwater before it causes flooding and beautify the area streets.
Connectivity and Travel Reliability The plan’s vision is to improve travel time reliability and predictability by providing alternatives to the places where congestion is worst, specifically creating a true street network in Midtown. This project also recommends safety improvements for pedestrians crossing existing streets in specific locations.
Serious Transit This improvement looks at a future bus rapid transit (BRT) connection between Midtown and Downtown, along with frequent, reliable connections to N.C. State and job and shopping centers along the beltline.
The Midtown Ring The is planned to be a complete loop of greenways, green streets, separated bike lanes and paths that connect every major destination in the area with each other and the residential neighborhoods nearby.
Midtown Living/ Midtown Works This plan includes attention to ensuring new mixed-use development respects the scale of older residential neighborhoods. It also finds targeted new locations where additional office and housing space can add opportunity. The plan's recommendations include allowing a larger variety of housing types and accommodating more housing near transit and other amenities like parks and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
The Midtown Waterfront District and Park New crossings of the Crabtree Creek, a restored and opened-up waterway, and a storm-resistant and runoff-absorbing park combine with housing and retail to make a place unlike any other in the City.
