Well, plans for the Leucadia Streetscape Project call for reconfiguring highway 101 in Leucadia to include roundabouts as well as make it more pedestrian friendly. You may have noticed the new sidewalks about a year ago and the new plants/trees that have been planted the past few months- the streetscape is upon us. But just what exactly are the economic benefits to spending all this tax money? Here's the lowdown on the Brookings report:
The study by Christopher B. Leinberger of George Washington University and Mariela Alfonzo of the Polytechnic Institute of New York University used Washington, D.C., as a case study.
Its conclusions included:
• Property values are higher by $81.54 per square foot for homes in walkable neighborhoods, after factoring out differences in income levels.
• Rents are $301.76 higher per month, also after discounting income differences.
• Office rents are $8.88 per square foot higher per year.
• Retail sales are $6.92 per year higher.
The Walk San Diego group conducted a similar study in 2010 and found similar results.
“As prices declined (during the recession), we saw a less steep decline in walkable neighborhoods,” said Jim Stone, the group’s executive director.
One example he cited was Bird Rock, where the installation of roundabouts to slow traffic increased values and business. Stone conceded that making existing neighborhoods more walkable can require an increase in building density, but a series of workshops and educational efforts is counteracting concerns that more density will worsen traffic and overall quality of life. “We’re starting to get on the path, but we have a ways to go,” he said, when asked if policies are in place to improve walkability. One current effort, he said, is to convince traffic engineers, during the current pothole-filling campaign, to re-stripe streets to narrow lanes, slow traffic, add bike lanes and improve walkability. At 50th Street and University Avenue in City Heights, he said, re-striping worked to reduce dangerous walking conditions. “When they do it, you naturally slow down,” he said. Walk San Diego is planning four community workshops, this month and next, focused on the City Heights area between El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue. In addition, the group has reached out to get planners and city and county traffic engineers on board and plans a “complete streets” workshop June 22 at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley.
One example he cited was Bird Rock, where the installation of roundabouts to slow traffic increased values and business. Stone conceded that making existing neighborhoods more walkable can require an increase in building density, but a series of workshops and educational efforts is counteracting concerns that more density will worsen traffic and overall quality of life. “We’re starting to get on the path, but we have a ways to go,” he said, when asked if policies are in place to improve walkability. One current effort, he said, is to convince traffic engineers, during the current pothole-filling campaign, to re-stripe streets to narrow lanes, slow traffic, add bike lanes and improve walkability. At 50th Street and University Avenue in City Heights, he said, re-striping worked to reduce dangerous walking conditions. “When they do it, you naturally slow down,” he said. Walk San Diego is planning four community workshops, this month and next, focused on the City Heights area between El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue. In addition, the group has reached out to get planners and city and county traffic engineers on board and plans a “complete streets” workshop June 22 at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley.
