Get Started Studio | West Lafayette Downtown

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Photo: An aging downtown (West Lafayette) is slowly dying. What can make the area more attractive to bicyclists, pedestrians, and other users?

Description of Problem: In this example, an aging downtown (above) is slowly dying. There's little street life, many shops are vacant, there's plenty of parking but no one wants to park. The two one-way traffic lanes are seldom filled and the traffic that uses the street doesn't stop.

There are some signs of hope, however. The street lights use traditional designs, and there is some bicycle parking. Most importantly, a stock of older, restorable buildings still exists.

Problem Statement: What needs to happen to keep this downtown area from continuing to disappear? What can make it more attractive to pedestrians and bicyclists, bringing new life to downtown merchants?.

West Lafayette Downtown Ideas

Photo: A widened sidewalk with room for cafes, more bike parking, street trees makes a world of difference.

In the photo above, the near sidewalk has been widened, with new trees, planter boxes, and bicycle racks added. The two-lane street configuration was changed to one lane with two parking lanes, providing space for the extra sidewalk width, and allowing parking on both sides of the street. The lighting has been moved out to line up with the street trees, creating a substantial walking zone. Restaurants are beginning to move "outside the box," with outdoor seating areas, a boon in the warmer seasons.

One key to improvements like these is the creation of a downtown redevelopment agency to help foster new businesses. Such agencies use tools such as tax increment financing to keep a portion of the downtown's taxes in the area to fund streetscape improvements, open space, and more.

Another key is to encourage new residential development downtown (generally on the 2nd or 3rd floor level). Numerous communities are finding that downtown housing is making a comeback. Not everyone wants to live in the suburbs, particularly if the downtown area is thriving. Downtown revitalization projects have helped bring life back to centers of many communities.

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