Bettering Shelbourne, Part 4: Pedestrian uses at parking lots

See the below for links to parts 1-3 in this series. 
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Parking lots -- particularly those at the front of buildings (front setback) -- are one of the greatest eye-sores in our built environment. Beyond that, they contribute very heavily to our car culture -- making driving more convenient while making active modes less convenient, safe, viable, and efficient.

Unless you plant shruberry!

Ultimately, the above lot and others like it should never have existed. But, they do, and most of them aren't going anywhere any time soon.

So, what do to?

Well, how about use the land for something other than cars -- like for people!

This could be done in two ways: 1) new built environment (e.g., buildings); 2) new uses.

This post will focus on the latter. Constructing a new built environment is incredibly important for this area, in order to increase density and proximity (to services). However, that is very expensive and time-consuming, so less likely to happen in the short-term. Here is an (attempted) example of that in Victoria, however.

Creating new uses for parking lots can enhance the streetscape, enhance the community, enhance local business, yet still be inexpensive enough to be not only pilot-tested but also act as a stand-in for more permanent change (like new buildings).

Note: This should be done in combination with making Shelbourne more conducive to walking and cycling.

Note: I realize that this would require cooperation from both public and private sectors.

OK, so what are my bright ideas for the over-sized Shelbourne Corridor parking lots?

1. Create small public plazas.

 archpaper.com

Planters, paint, chairs, tables, umbrellas?, bollards/cones = done. Use in combination with items 2-5.

Does the Shelbourne corridor have the density of Manhattan (above)? No. Will that matter? No.

2. Create outdoor food 'courts' with street food vendors.

stylepeterson.com -- nice name!

Work with the pertinent parties to rent out space to street food vendors -- a la in Cook St. Village.

Obviously, parts of the Shelbourne Corridor are not exactly bustling with street activity during the weekday (or ever). However, I would betcha that there would be no shortage of vendor applications and that the university/college/high school crowd would make up for the lack of nearby office workers.

3. Creating more and better ped/pedal pathways to the storefronts and these other uses.

If it's uncomfortable to walk or ride there, then this is all pointless. Prioritize ped/pedal pathways to all uses and stores. Create new and better pathways upon the existing 'system'. Sidewalks that disappear into nothing are not good enough. Use paint (and eventually textured surfaces) pathways for safety and convenience.

Bike parking, anyone?

4. Greenery.

streetsblog.org

I joked about token shrubbery above. But, in all seriousness, the more green the better. Potted plants, new garden beds, new trees, anything and everything green/alive.

Better yet, plants can not only be used as physical barriers but also as barriers to noise, vehicular pollution, etc. I'll address the creation of microclimates in future posts.

5. Create/extend patios of existing food vendors



This may require some change in the car routes -- but that's the point: prioritize people.

Allow cafes, restaurants, juice bars, grocery stores, and so on to create/extend patios in order to accommodate more... life.

6.  Community garden
This may be a long shot, but why not? You don't need much room, could be done over the pavement, and there's a lot of demand. Maybe, Thrifty Foods could grow some of their own food. Weird!

Not too dissimilar.

Other uses

7. Basketball courts? Hockey and soccer rinks?

8. Skateboard parks?

9. Outdoor pianos?

villagevoice.com

10. Giant chess?

simlihong.wordpress.com

11. Public art?

Carry on yourselves.

In other words, create attractive, human-scaled places that are a) separated from traffic yet b) open to the world and c) connected to an improved ped-/pedal-network.

Such places will attract people. Some people attract more people. People are better for business than cars, and thus there is no need to fear the loss of parking.

Now for the politics and red tape.

Remember: All of this can be done inexpensively, very quickly, and so pilot-tested. Trial periods -- then final decisions: kindergarten-style. And, these spaces do not have to threaten property owners future plans, as they are, in many ways, portable.

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Shelbourne Street Corridor Series:

Part 1 - Bureaucracy vs. Balls

Part 2 - Implement Progressive Ideas Now

Part 3 - Bike Lanes

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Coming soon: My thoughts on the new Victoria Downtown Core Plan (draft).