The Gardner Destination Downtown project will result in an implementation plan that builds on the vision and recommendations of the recently adopted Gardner Main Street Corridor Plan and Southwest Johnson County Transit Plan. The City received a grant to help fund this planning initiative as part of the Planning Sustainable Places Program, led by the Mid-America Regional Council with funding from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

WHAT IS AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN?

This plan will allow Gardner to get one step closer to realizing the improvements that were broadly conceived with public input while creating the Gardner Main Street Corridor Plan. These improvements include two new potential central gathering areas or parks near City Hall, a more pedestrian-oriented streetscape with increased amenities, mobility hub concepts supporting increased transportation choices, solutions to address ADA issues, and traffic-calming street changes that will enhance the look and feel of Downtown.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE STUDY AREA?

During this plan, experts will focus on an 8-block area of Downtown bounded by S Center Street on the west, E Washington Street on the north, S Sycamore Street on the east, and E Warren Street on the south.

WHAT WILL BE STUDIED?

The project will involve observing and analyzing pedestrian and other non-vehicular activity, parking patterns (including ADA spaces), and right-of-way configurations and conditions. The community will be involved in exploring themes and concepts for streetscape improvements and activities for the new civic spaces.

HOW WILL THE PUBLIC BE INVOLVED?

Members of the public serve on the Steering and Implementation Committees. Important community stakeholders including property owners, transit users, and people who travel through the study area will be will be engaged to ensure the concept plans are achievable. Public input meetings will be held throughout the approximately 10-month project.

WHAT WILL BE IN THE PLAN?

Deliverables include a streetscape master plan including concept plans and visualizations for a planted median, bike boulevard, streetscape amenities, and typical cross sections of street improvements such as crosswalks, bump-outs, ADA infrastructure, sidewalks, and signal modifications. There will also be recommendations for improving public and private parking areas, and a potential mobility hub. There will be concept plans and renderings for the two new civic greens, including suggestions for activities. The plans will include more detailed costs and a suggested timeline for implementing each project.

GET INVOLVED

Friday, May 24 (11 am to 2 pm) – The first public input opportunity is during the Food Truck Frenzy in Downtown Gardner. Stop by the tent on S Elm Street to indicate your preferences for various design elements for Downtown.

Wednesday, May 29 (9 am to 3 pm) – a group of citizens will take part in a multi-site bus tour of the KC Metro Area, exploring six area civic spaces and getting ideas for Gardner’s new civic spaces. Seating is limited for this activity.

BUS TOUR MAP

Wednesday, May 29 (3:30 to 5:30 pm) – the City will host an after-tour workshop at the Gardner Senior Center at 128 E Park Street to discuss impressions from the tour and indicate preferences. You do not have to attend the bus tour to participate in the workshop.

Take the online survey!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/gardnerdowntown

More public input events to be announced later. Stay tuned.

NEWS AND UPDATES

Coming soon.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

PROJECT MAP
Presentation to Steering Committee 5-14-19

Gardner Destination Downtown Plan