What is the current status of the Planned Downtown Streetscape Improvements?

Since funding for the entire US 20 (Maumee Street) Sidewalk, Median and Public Square Improvement Project was not secured through the Federal Stimulus program, this project will be implemented in phases.

PHASE 1: PUBLIC SQUARE
The first phase will focus on the Public Square sidewalks and is funded by a $500,000 grant from the State of Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), a $150,000 grant match from the City of Angola and $17,000 from various community resources including the Steuben County Community Foundation. Additional fundraising and in-kind support from the general public and area businesses and organizations will be required to purchase street furniture and install small scale landscaping for the Public Square, with the hopes of installation during the end of the construction period. The goal for this fundraising is approximately $50,000 from January to June 2010.

This Public Square first phase project will remove the broken sidewalks and curbs from the Public Square, rectify serious safety concerns and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues at ramps and curbs, refurbish and repair broken street lighting, install new decorative pavers on the sidewalks, create planting areas for landscaping and shade trees and create usable spaces for the general public to sit and enjoy the Downtown in a comfortable environment. The project will also extend curbing into the parking quadrants of the Public Square to clarify parking locations and slow traffic moving around the central roundabout.

Several construction companies, in a competitive, open bid process have bid on this Public Square sidewalk project. The City of Angola has received these bids and will be making a selection of a contractor at their January 19th Meeting. Additional administrative items will require approximately 30-45 days following this selection. Some general construction activity could begin as early as the first week of March (pending weather conditions). It is anticipated that this first phase project for the Public Square sidewalks will be complete by July 4th, in time for the annual downtown 4th of July parade.

PHASE 2: US 20 ROADWAY RESURFACING and MEDIAN INSTALLATION
The second phase of this overall Downtown improvement project will be focused in the actual roadway of US 20 (Maumee Street) from the Railroad at the west end to the Public Square with the addition of one block north, east and south of the Public Square. A $504,050 Transportation Enhancement grant (TE Grant) from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and a $126,000 grant match from the City of Angola funds this project. Additionally, INDOT will be paying for the costs of the US 20 resurfacing work since this was a scheduled INDOT project for 2010. Since this project has not been issued for bidding, it is uncertain if any additional costs or savings might occur.

This US 20 Roadway Resurfacing and Median Installation Project will repave the entire roadway as described above as well as installing a center, heavily landscaped median in strategic locations in the Downtown. This median will reduce traffic speeds and assist in reducing overall semi-truck traffic by reducing the desirability of the US 20 route as a shortcut between the Indiana Toll Road and Interstate 69.

Construction documents and engineering for this project are being finalized in January and February 2010. It is anticipated that this project will begin the bidding process in April 2010 with the project potentially starting construction in July 2010 and finishing in October 2010.

UNFUNDED FUTURE PHASES: US 20 MAUMEE SIDEWALKS
Efforts to design the entire downtown project (including sidewalks) did not produce stimulus funding, but has left the City of Angola in a tremendous position to raise funding, both privately and through public grants, for these projects as they are now “shovel ready.”

I heard that this project is going to take away parking in the Public Square. Why would they do that? How will the planned streetscape and roadway improvements in Downtown affect parking?

Currently, in the Public Square, there are 18, 17, 16 and 16 spaces per quadrant. However, It is important to note that many of these spaces do not meet current traffic engineering standards and some of the spaces would not be allowed during the planned 2010 INDOT resurfacing project. Additionally, the Public Square parking areas do not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for handicap parking spaces and required side spaces.

For example in the NW Quadrant, assuming 18 spaces per quadrant vs. what is planned in the Public Square project is not an apples to apples comparison. It is likely that during any resurfacing project in the quadrants, INDOT would only allow 13 standard sized spaces, including the required number of handicap spaces. This is the same number of spaces shown in the Public Square Project Drawings.

Additionally of note, the current ingress and egress pattern for the Public Square creates a significant traffic hazard that will need to be dealt with in the immediate future regardless of the design of the parking areas. This could reduce the number of spaces (once again, regardless of the Public Square sidewalk project). The design of the Public Square project actually saves these spaces by extending the curbs to protect these areas.

The other item of note is that the outermost spaces against the circle are less used because of perceived safety concerns. A recent parking analysis by Trine students confirms that the Public Square is generally 53% filled on average with a peak use of 80% in only one quadrant on one day of the multi-day study. The City of Angola understands that any reduction, however small, is an issue that deserves prompt attention. To that end, the City intends to produce a Parking Plan for Downtown as well as a clear plan for Wayfinding Signage, identifying other convenient parking locations in early 2010.

Will this project improve the stairs and railings on the sidewalks?

Yes. The Public Square Improvements will address the stairs and railings along the Public Square, bringing them in conformance with Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards where possible. A Phase 2 project for U.S. 20 will address those sidewalks when funds become available.

Why is a Median being installed in some locations on US 20 (Maumee Street)?

The installation of a median has been a proven technique in other communities to reduce heavy truck traffic by slowing the speed of through traffic. Additionally, this slower traffic has increased pedestrian safety and automobile safety. These two objectives (reducing truck traffic and increasing safety were often Number 1 and 2 on the Public responses during the Downtown planning process.)

If the road lanes are narrower, how will people safely exit their cars?

Accommodations have been made for space to exit cars in the design of the street based on accepted national engineering standards. Additionally, if the narrower lanes reduce truck traffic and speed as anticipated, it will likely make exiting a vehicle safer.

If the road lanes are narrower, will this increase congestion?

It is anticipated that semi-truck traffic will be reduced because of the slower speeds and narrower traffic lanes. For local traffic, these narrow widths will slow down traffic. The slower speeds may actually increase the capacity of the roadway, allowing less distance between automobiles. Similar examples in other communities have shown that congestion is not increased.

How long will sidewalks and roadways be under construction and will storeowners get advance warning?

Yes, storeowners will be notified of construction timeframes as soon as they are identified. It is anticipated that access to all stores will remain open during the construction of both projects. An exception of several hours to a day might be needed for specific detailing around a storefront and coordination with that business/property owner is planned for such instances. The Public Square Sidewalk project is anticipated to begin in March/April and be complete by the 4th of July. The Median and Resurfacing project is anticipated to begin in July and be complete in September/October.

The City of Angola has created a Downtown Construction Committee to organize events to assist businesses during the construction period as well as coordinate fun and exciting celebrations for this improvement, including school and children learning opportunities.

I am a storeowner and worried about snow build-up. Will this project make snow removal worse?

The City of Angola has been reviewing this issue and is committed to increasing its attention to efficient snow removal in the project area. The City of Angola has agreed to manage snow removal along the project in the Maumee Street Right of Way. This will occasionally include the actual removal of snow from the downtown via truck. Storeowners will continue to be responsible for the maintenance of their properties.

Will this project affect where I can put garbage for pickup?

In Phase 1 and 2, the location for trash pick up will be unaffected. As future phases are constructed, information will be distributed about trash pick-up protocol and procedure.

Why are resources being dedicated to downtown and not other parts of the community?

Other parts of the community have seen significant resource allocations, most specifically North Wayne Street. Downtown Angola has not had a major street redesign in several decades. This status, teamed with the overwhelming community support for keeping Downtown strong and the City’s liability for injuries due to sidewalk and ramp issues, makes a commitment of resources logical and beneficial.

I am interested in supporting this project financially or by volunteering. Who can I contact?

Support from the general public as well as area businesses and institutions will be very important in the process of creating a high quality downtown.

From a fundraising standpoint, there is a specific need for individual donors or organizations to support the purchase of commercial-grade planters, benches, litter receptacles and table and chair sets that have been identified in the design process.

Additionally, small scale landscaping will present an opportunity for community support and actual opportunities for hands-on assistance. Planting beds will be prepared with top-soil during the construction process but donations of plant material and volunteer labor will be required to complete the job. This represents an exciting opportunity for the public to “get their hands dirty” on this project.

Indication of support can be made in several ways. The "Make It Happen" page offers guidance and the back of the 2009 Annual Report can be sent in to the designated location. Larger fundraising opportunities also exist for families or organizations including the commissioning of pieces of public art as well as informational and educational signage. For more information contact: Julie Cole, Angola City Planner: jcole@angolain.org or (260) 665-7465.