Earlier I posted in a thread about the possiblity of part of the West Bottoms becoming a Historic District URD, akin to what happened in the River Market area starting in the late 80s.
First, a few buildings were occupied and rehabilitated. Then a URD was created and the sidewalks and curbs were improved (all of the brick sidewalks along delaware, walnut & main). The previous zoning had been primarily industrial and warehouse.
What are some people's thoughts about something similar happening in a small section of the West Bottoms? The area worth investing in down there is only about 20% or less of the entire West Bottoms - how can one go about encouraging development in a grass roots way, akin to the Crossroads and the River Market, without investing public money right away in things like entertainment districts and city markets?
I think the following things could get the ball rolling in this area- it would still take a decade or more for development or public investment to reach the level that is enjoyed by the River Market and Crossroads areas...
1. repaving the streets in the area
2. developing better traffic control and interaction with the main Union Pacific tracks that come through there
3. improved lighting and wayfinding signage
4. new sidewalks in a crucial area (possibly Union Avenue, or Mulberry Street)
5.rezoning a 9-12 block area URD to allow for residential and commercial development, primarily from 9th to 13th and from west of Liberty street to Santa Fe street.
6.encouraging development with basic incentives (not TIFF or tax breaks, but historic tax credits and housing credits)
7. delineating the new URD zoned area from the remaining Industrial zoned area. Basically discourage through truck traffic on certain streets, but allow primary industrial access to still occur. I think I'll come up with a more detailed land use plan for discussion of some of these details. Its entirely possible to retain industrial access and develop new uses.
Most pioneers of urban areas deal with all sorts of noise and industrial desolation - 6 years ago in the river market the Republic Fiber building still ran trucks down delaware every day, and the tracks on 2nd street were used daily.
At-grade rail can be dealt with as well - there are freight trains that traverse the freighthouse area by union station every 5 minutes, I'm sure we can allow for similar train considerations through the two border tracks in the West Bottoms.
Here is the Land Use Map. Tell me I'm crazy!
