09-25-06 Regular Called Meeting of La Porte Development Corporation

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v. OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS This exhibit summarizes the site and base data analysis and identifies specific opportunities for development/redevelopment and beautification. These include properties both within the study area and immediately outside it but logically linked to the strategic development of the Marina Waterfront District. The latter description applies to the Main Street corridor, to the Fairmont Parkway corridor from Highway 146 to Broadway, to the significant area of undeveloped land immediately west of the golf course, and to the residential district north of the study area between E and Main Streets. Since a primary goal in conducting the Marina Waterfront District Master Plan study is the stimulation of tourist visitation of La Porte's historic waterfront, the Consultant team's plan recommendations are perhaps best presented as they would be experienced by a visitor to the District. A logical starting point in describing the waterfront improvement plans is at the intersection of Highway 146 and Main Street. This intersection, the northern -most entrance to the District from Houston, is a natural gateway for the visitor to the City of La Porte: 1. The western area of Main Street is characterized by a significant number of vacant lots with some interspersed historic structures. At approximately Sixth Street, the frequency of historic structures increases, and between Fourth Street and Broadway, Main Street has a succession of residual historic structures. This area (from Sixth Street to Broadway) has been recently resurfaced and offers the visitor an image of La Porte's historic commercial Main Street. Opportunities within this corridor include: further road improvements; signage and architectural controls; streetscape, planting and hardscape improvements to create a more pedestrian -friendly environment; and improvements in street furniture and environmental graphics. Additionally, the City could focus financial assistance here in the form of a historic overlay district which might promote investment within this area. The City should encourage the relocation of its endangered historic buildings to Main Street to further enhance its visual and spatial character. 2. A second area of potential redevelopment is the intersection of Main Street and Broadway, the Five Corners of La Porte. This intersection, the meeting point of two orthogonal grids, results in a series of triangular intersections. Considered by contemporary traffic engineers to be a hazard, all turning movements at this intersection have to be controlled to avoid line -of -sight problems and traffic conflicts. An alternate solution to this intersection that would greatly enhance the visual character of Main Street while addressing the traffic issue would be the construction of a large rotary, or roundabout, with a significant landscape feature in the center. This feature could be comprised of planting and/or fountains and/or statuary, perhaps celebrating some important part of La Porte's history. The rotary would also naturally guide traffic toward Sylvan Beach by way of San Jacinto Boulevard. 3. A third potential project is the restoration of San Jacinto Boulevard as an important vehicular access to Sylvan Beach. The existing right-of-way will allow a boulevard road section which would accommodate an esplanade for planting and other beautification purposes. The west side of San Jacinto Boulevard is largely publicly -owned land, and as such, the street is a logical .23.