New streetscape project looks to enhance downtown Lincoln
LINCOLN, Ne.(KLKN) — The City of Lincoln and the Downtown Corridors Streetscape Project held an open house on Thursday to get feedback from the community.
The project is designed to beautify O Street and will include modifications to 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, and P streets in the downtown area.
The goal is to create an inviting environment through new fixtures, lighting, greenways and signs for people entering downtown.
They also want to improve safety measures by shortening the length of crosswalks, creating buffers for pedestrians like trees and furniture, and making crosswalks more accessible for handicapped individuals.
Collin Christopher is leading the project for the city. He said the idea is to make an inviting outdoor space so people will stay downtown for longer periods of time.
“Our goal is to encourage people to linger a little bit longer to experience downtown and the core of downtown as a district instead of individual businesses,” Christopher said. “We want to really give them a reason to explore, get downtown and support the businesses.”
An employee in the downtown area said she hopes the project will bring new life into the city.
“New business, new livelihood, new entertainment to bring to the town and drum up some new business for us,” said Brianna.
The city also hopes to turn 14th Street into a music district by enhancing the outdoor environment and having parking available on both sides of the street.
“I think parking is tough,” Lincoln resident Tyler Chikos said. “I think there could be more parking, but it’s also one of those things where I don’t want to see more parking garages, so it’s a tough thing.”
The project planners are also contemplating how to create more temporary parking or drop off zones downtown.
“Instead of your standard 2 hour metered parking, those spaces become that pickup, drop off, delivery zone where there’s a quick turnover of those spaces,” said Christopher.
Christopher said he hopes to be finished with the design this summer so they can start construction next spring.
