2040 Comprehensive Plan: Envision Shakopee

Improve transportation options by neighborhood type

» » Capitalize on the fact that downtowns thrive on short trips » » Improve the ‘last mile’ by focusing on the conditions of sidewalks and trails that connect destinations like schools, employers, government buildings, service centers, parks, shopping and entertainment venues.

3G

Implement the transportation recommendations based on these neighborhood types: » » Downtown » » Some Downtown streets are wide and have more lanes than needed to accommodate traffic volumes. Lane and road diets can narrow the streets, reducing a pedestrian’s exposure to traffic when crossing the street and discourage higher vehicle speeds. » » There is higher transit use Downtown compared to other areas. This is an opportunity for transit resources (e.g. bus shelters, benches) within the sidewalk zone and represents a need to provide facilities that allow pedestrians to safely cross the street. » » With wide sidewalks and a high intensity of use, entertainment and restaurants, Downtown is a great location for placemaking related improvements such as public art, bicycle racks, benches, and street trees. » » Residential Street Grid » » Streets in these areas are generally narrower, and on-street parking and street trees are close to the intersections. Curb extensions and/or parking restrictions at the corner will improve visibility. » » When there is congestion on arterial streets, some motorists will choose to cut through the neighborhoods, often using a residential street one block away from the arterial. These streets often see higher motor vehicle volumes and speeds when compared to other residential streets during the peak hours and are candidates for traffic calming.

» » For new construction, require private sidewalk connections to the public network.

» » As Downtown Shakopee is revitalized, parking should be incorporated into the plans, without dominating them.

3F Develop Safe Routes to School plans

288 ENVISION SHAKOPEE | SECTION IV: BUILT ENVIRONMENT