Ideal Bike Lanes

Central Street borders the south side of Central High School's campus.  Central Street is 40' wide and is a two way street with a center turn lane.  There are 5' sidewalks on each side of Central Street.  Our design recommendation calls for installing a median in the center turn lane and a 5' wide bike path down the center of the median.  Ralph Rognstad indicated that the City of Springfield would prefer to have 12' bike lanes to improve safety.  An online resource provides the following diagram of separation of car and bike traffic.

The diagram is metric so car lanes are identified as 2.9 meters or about 9.5' per lane.  The two way bike lane in the diagram is 7.9' wide. That allows  only 3.5' for each bike direction.  If Central could be widened to allow for separate bike and pedestrian and automobile lanes in each direction, that would be optimal for safety.  There is simply not enough development space to provide the optimal configuration so our proposal is the best available for multi-modal transportation.  The diagram was sourced from a web site named "Sydney Media" at the URL listed below.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/asset/2/images/separated_bicycle_road_main.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/html/3231-new-bicycle-lanes-to-improve-safety.asp&usg=__oiCslOReoj4dadQhsY0-NGlinNE=&h=754&w=826&sz=357&hl=en&start=0&sig2=RgAOiGs0TFDbye_CkL8xPg&zoom=1&tbnid=SGC7JwH7ZC-XkM:&tbnh=166&tbnw=182&ei=u83NTeKpN4uctwfF0OCDDg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddiagrams%2Bof%2Bbike%2Blanes%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D90i%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26channel%3Dnp%26biw%3D1578%26bih%3D1004%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=399&vpy=423&dur=214&hovh=214&hovw=235&tx=104&ty=114&page=1&ndsp=36&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0

Important Input from Key Individuals

After spring break we received some valuable input on our master plan for Central High School from several key individuals.

Mary Lilly Smith - City of Springfield
The city of Springfield had investigated making Jefferson Street a two way street instead of a one way street.  The city officials abandoned the plan because it would sacrifice valuable "on-street" parking and because the right of way is not wide enough to make it into a safe two way street.

Ralph Rognstad - City of Springfield
Central Street can be reconfigured if the local situation warrants a change.  Ozarks Technical Community College is working to change the path of Central Street across its campus to allow students to circulate from the parking lot to class without having to cross traffic.

Pete Radecki - Drury University
Drury is open to the possibility of widening Benton Avenue between Central Street and Webster if that would improve Drury's and Central High's traffic situation or if it would result in a civic improvement for both parties.

Dr. Snodgrass - Principle of Central High School
Central High would be willing to develop property south of Central Street if it would preserve land north of the campus for future growth and if parking is adequate to allow them to build on the lot north of the current building.

Central High Existing Architecture

Links Between Workshop Data and Design Concepts: Smart Growth

Many of Central High's aspirations are parallel to the EPA's characteristics of "Smart Growth".  Some of the ideas that emerged from their workshops are:

• Central wants to develop their existing site rather than starting over. 
• Central High thinks it has the potential to have a strong sense of place.
• Central wants their facilities to have multiple uses.
• They want to develop collaborations with neighboring entities such as Drury, OTC, CU, Government Offices.
• Central wants to preserve urban open spaces like the one on the southwest corner of their lot.

Compare the ideas directly from Central's workshop input with the EPA's "Smart Growth" Program below.

The "EPA helps communities grow in ways that expand economic opportunity, protect public health and the environment, and create and enhance the places that people love. Through research, tools, partnerships, case studies, grants, and technical assistance, EPA is helping America's communities turn their visions of the future into reality."  (Direct quote from the Environmental Protection Agency's website)
 EPA Smart Growth Principles that directly relate to Central High's development are bold and underlined.

1. Mix land uses
2. Take advantage of compact building design
3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
4. Create walkable neighborhoods
5. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
6. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas
7. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities
8. Provide a variety of transportation choices
9. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective
10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions

 

Links Between Workshop Data and Design Concepts: Bridge to the Community

During the first three meetings with Central, they identified their desire to be a bridge to the community.  They expressed that desire in multiple ways.

• Central wants to be a bridge to the community for the students who don't pursue the traditional four year college path.  Central wants to create a bridge that is literally a career development path for these students.
• Central wants to find ways for their facilities to be valuable to the neighborhood community.
• Central wants to develop collaborations with neighboring entities such as City Utilities, Government Offices, Drury, OTC, and local businesses. 
• Central wants to strengthen their physical linkage to the community. 

Links Between Workshop Data and Design Concepts: Unity and Diversity

Workshop Data Related to Unity and Diversity Design Concept:

• Central High has the most diverse population in the Springfield Public School System.
• Economically
• Ethnically
• Central wants all facets of their diverse population to feel at home in the Central facilities.
• Central High has a very diverse group of buildings that have been built over the last 100 years.
• Central High is proud of all of their different buildings.  They want to preserve their past and they want to reflect that past in their newer facilities.
• Central High is united in their mission and vision which are based on unity and diversity:

• Mission & Vision (from Central High School)

  “Excellence in Teaching and Learning for All!”

  We strive for excellence in teaching and learning for all by inspiring students to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners who are prepared to be active participants in a global society.

  “Excellence in Academics – Global Citizenship – Diversity”

  The vision of Central High School is to be a Premier Educational Center providing a quality education for a diverse student population.
  We are committed to developing a community of learners devoted to academic excellence, good citizenship, and the celebration of diversity. By sharing experiences in the classroom setting and beyond, students can develop their awareness of, and sensitivity to, the experiences of others beyond the local or national community.
  We believe in providing opportunities for all students to develop lifelong skills in these areas: Academic Excellence, Global Citizenship, and Diversity.

FEMA Shelter Funds in Question

The Central High Development Team has considered seeking funding for a new multipurpose gym/performance hall from FEMA.  Drury University thought it had secured funds from FEMA for its new O'Reilly Family Event Center.  Those funds are now in question according to an article in the Springfield News Leader today.  The article appeared in the Springfield News Leader March 16, 2011.  Here is the link to the article.
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011103160390

Central should continue to seek similar funding but should be aware that those funds are susceptible to changes in political leadership and federal budget changes.