Lexington residents will have a chance to provide their thoughts on how Lexington can create more livable streets at a public meeting next week at Transylvania University. The Lexington Complete Streets public meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 14th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the William T. Young Campus Center located at the corner of Broadway and 4th Streets. Members of the public representing various modes of transportation are invited to attend.
Communities across the United States are looking to the Complete Street concept to build road networks that are safer, more livable and welcoming to everyone. Complete Streets take the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders into account. The concept gained momentum and public support during the development of the Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan and Fayette County Comprehensive Plan Update, both adopted in 2007. The result of the public meeting on October 14 and other information gathering activities will be a design manual and policies that will be used to guide construction and reconstruction of streets throughout the Lexington area.
Mayor Jim Newberry stated “I encourage citizens to take part in this important opportunity to help shape the type of community we want to be, both now and in the future. The Complete Streets concept will help make our community more livable and sustainable. It will help us attract and retain a workforce that includes people who want to live in a community with a diverse set of transportation and recreational options."
City planners noted that the Complete Streets project will seek to better integrate land use and transportation design. It will also establish clear procedures for right-of-way design to create streets that are safe, attractive and convenient for travel by a variety of travel modes. Over time, Complete Street planning will work to provide for a street system that minimizes negative impacts to the natural environment and incorporates sustainable best management practices.
Representatives from the Wallace, Roberts and Todd design firm will moderate the public meeting. EHI Consultants and the QK4 company will present additional concepts on livable, multi-modal street designs.