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<br />:",:' V. OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS ", /'
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<br />,;: This exhibit summarizes the site and base data analysis and identifies specific
<br />opportunities for development/redevelopment and beautification. These include
<br />properties both within the study area and immediately outside it but logically
<br />linked to the strategic development of the Marina Waterfront District. The latter
<br />description applies to the Main Street corridor, to the Fairmont Parkway corridor
<br />from Highway 146 to Broadway, to the significant area of undeveloped land
<br />immediately west of the golf course, and to the residential district,north of the
<br />study area between E and Main Streets.
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<br />Since a primary goal in conducting the Marina Waterfront District Master Plan
<br />" study is the stimulation of tourist visitation of La Porte's historic waterfront, the
<br />Consultant team's plan recommendations are perhaps best presented a,s they
<br />would be experienced by a visitor to the District. A logical starting point in
<br />describing the waterfront improvement plans is at the interSection of Hig~way 146
<br />and Main Street. This intersection, the northern-most entrance to the District from
<br />Houston, is a natural gateway for the visitor to the City of La Porte:
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<br />1.
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<br />The western area of Main Street is characterized by a significant number of
<br />vacant lots with some interspersed historic structures. At approximately
<br />Sixth Street, the frequency of historic structures increases, and between
<br />Fourth Street and Broadway, Main Street has. a succession of resic;lual historic
<br />structures. This area (from Sixth Street to Broadway) has been recently . ..'
<br />resurfaced and offers the visitor an image of La Porte's historic commercial
<br />Main Street. Opportunities ~thin this corridor include: ~urther road", ' :.- '
<br />improvements; signage and architectural controls; streetscape, planting and
<br />hardscape improvements to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment;
<br />and improvements in street furniture and environmental graphics~ " " "
<br />Additionally, the City could focus financial assistance here in the form of a ", ,-'
<br />historic overlay district which might promote inves t~nt within this area. ' _
<br />The City should encourage the relocation of its endangered historic buildings
<br />to Main Street to further enhance its visual and spatial character. ,"
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<br />2.
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<br />A second area of potential redevelopment is the intersection of Main Street-
<br />, and Broadway, the Five Comers of La Porte. This intersection, the meeting"
<br />point oftwo orthogonal grids, results in a series of triangular intersections. "
<br />Considered by contemporary traffic engineers to be a hazard, all turning' '
<br />movements at this, intersectiqn have to be controlled to avoid line-of;.sight
<br />problems and traffic conflicts. An alternate solution to this intersection that
<br />would greatly enhance the visual character of Main Street while addressing
<br />the traffic issue would be the construction of a large rotary, or roundabout, ,
<br />with a significant landscape feature in the center. This feature could be
<br />comprised oiplanting and/or fountains and/or statuary, perhaps
<br />l;:elebrating some important part of La Porte's history. The rotary would also
<br />naturally guide traffic toward Sylvan Beach by way of San Jacinto Boulevard.
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<br />A third potential project is the restoration of San Jacinto Boulevard as an
<br />importantyehicular access to Sylvan Beach. The existing right-of-way will
<br />allow a boulevard road section which would accommodate an esplanade for
<br />planting and other beautification purposes. The west side of San Tacinto
<br />Boulevard is largely publicly-owned land, and as such, the street is a logical.
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<br />3.
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