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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Bans on smoking, blocking sidewalks in downtown Ashland effective in June ... Artists craft bowls for Empty Bowls fundraiser ... AHS senior organizes Ashland dental van visit Saturday ... Bans on smoking, blocking sidewalks in downtown Ashland effective in June ... Artists craft bowls for Empty Bowls fundraiser ... AHS senior organizes Ashland dental van visit Saturday ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Downtown plan still a work in progress Comment By Mike Faught DailyTidings.com By Mike Faught Posted Apr. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Mike Faught Posted Apr. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Limited parking and increased congestion in the downtown core of Ashland have been concerns for many years. To address these ever-increasing concerns and to develop a strategy to improve the current conditions, the mayor and City Council appointed a Downtown Parking Management and Circulation Study Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Nov. 5, 2013. Its mission is to provide the council with critical planning and policy input for parking management alternatives, delivery management strategies and multi-modal (bicycle parking, bicycle lanes, transit and pedestrian travel and safety) improvements to the downtown streetscape while maintaining and enhancing the economic vitality of Ashland’s vibrant downtown core. This 13-member committee is composed of seven stakeholders, including representation from downtown business owners, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, two Chamber of Commerce Board members, two planning commissioners and two transportation commissioners. Once the ad-hoc committee completes a draft plan it will host a community forum (likely in October or November) to present the plan for public input. Staff will also present the draft plan at local civic clubs, and the committee will develop additional feedback by using the Open City Hall forum on the city of Ashland’s website. As reported recently in the Tidings, one of the multi-modal improvements being considered is a concept plan that reduces East Main from three lanes to two lanes, adds a bicycle lane, widens sidewalks and provides timed truck loading zones. The proposed three-lane to two-lane configuration has generated a significant amount of interest. But it’s important for citizens to understand the committee is still working through questions and concerns regarding costs and timelines before it approves moving this element forward. The potential conversion is a true multi-modal idea that improves travel for all users. It creates a bike lane, shortens the distance for pedestrian crossings on East Main Street and widens the sidewalks for enhanced pedestrian flow. It also includes specific timed truck loading zones, which will eliminate the current lane blockages when trucks deliver product to our local businesses. The loading zones and the bicycle lane between Helman and the Third streets will displace (not eliminate) about 18 parking spaces. However, 15 of those displaced parking stalls will become available for parking after 4 p.m. each day. Those displaced parking spaces will have to be found before this concept could ever be supported by a majority of the committee, possibly by leasing private parking spaces for public use. The committee will continue to brainstorm other options as well. Again, however, nothing has been decided and it’s important that nothing be ruled out without further study and analysis. Other ideas being considered for improving traffic circulation include: Removing vehicular traffic from the Beaver Slide by creating a multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians. Constructing a roundabout at the intersection of Pioneer/Fork/Hargadine. Street improvements on A and B streets for improved pedestrian and bicycle activity and safety. Downtown projects identified in the previously adopted Transportation System Plan. With the assistance of Rick Williams Consulting, a parking management expert, the committee has completed its work on the long-term parking strategy for downtown. Examples of the recommendations include: Adopting an 85 percent rule as the optimum occupancy standard for measuring performance of the parking supply and triggering specific management strategies. Developing a job description and hiring a downtown parking coordinator for the city of Ashland. Establishing a Downtown Parking Advisory Committee (DPAC) consisting of downtown stakeholders to assist in program implementation and continual review; Developing a reasonable schedule of parking data collection to better assess performance of downtown parking. Evaluating the potential use of existing underutilized private surface parking lots for employee parking. Citizens interested in viewing the draft parking recommendations or viewing a map of the proposed East Main three-lane to two-lane configuration can find them at the city website, www.ashland.or.us/CCBIndex.asp?CCBID=241 . For additional questions, email Mike Faught at [email protected] . Mike Faught is Ashland public works director. By Mike Faught DailyTidings.com By Mike Faught Posted Apr. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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