Implementing Complete Streets in Charlotte, NC

Rail~Volution

September 22, 2014

Dan Gallagher, AICP Charlotte DOT

A Few Things to Know About Charlotte

A Few Things to Know About Charlotte

300 Sq. Miles

Why Complete Streets?

Do you believe roads should be designed to accommodate all users including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users?

82%

16%

2%

Yes No Don't Know

40 years of incomplete streets!

10% congested

28% congested

The “Market” Wants Livable, Walkable Communities

Great Cities Have Great Streets!

•  The way you organize/design land uses and streets matters – you have to get both right

•  ~13% of all land in Charlotte is streets… –  How “memorable” are your streets and land uses? –  What is the “value” of memorable streets and land uses?

How did we do it?

Charlotte has constructed ~ $450m of road and intersection

projects – all are “complete streets”.

Built complete streets – lots of

them!

Policies + $ = Projects

South/Woodlawn

East Blvd

Raintree Ln

Connected

Re-connected

70 feet wide

Looked for Opportunities

East Blvd Before

East Blvd After

For Everyone (Details Matter)

Hidden Gems

Commonwealth Before

Created visions…implemented!

Commonwealth After

Encouraged “grass roots”

Tuesday Night Bike Ride

Allowed things to be organic

Create places - you would linger

New development as a “new canvas”

Selwyn Avenue Road Diet

Great streets & great places create value

Inspirational

Dan Gallagher dgallagher@charlottenc.gov