| Project Rating: |  |
| Project Snapshot: | Reclaiming a 4-lane orphan state highway is the beginning of a main street comeback for a small Utah college town. |
| Project History: |
Set against a backdrop of spectacular Colorado Plateau cliffs that run the color spectrum, Cedar City is a popular base for tourists visiting Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Dixie National Forest and Brian Head ski resort. The town is also home to 8,000 student Southern Utah University, and a respected Utah Shakespearean Festival. The effort to revitalize the historic downtown along Main Street is more recent, beginning in the 1990s. The first phase involved reconstruction of sidewalks along Main Street, which is a classic "orphan highway" on old Route 91 -- now bypassed by Interstate-15, to the west. The lastest phase is the development of the Heritage Center along Main Street, in the historic heart of downtown. This is a work in progress, and according to the City will include a performing arts theater, restaurant, salon, clothing stores, parking structure, and 40,000-sq. ft. of retail space. A new public square along Main Street be fronted by city offices, and host seasonal festivals and other community events. |
| Best Ideas: |
The attention to both quality and economy in this project make it notable. The reconstructed sidewalks are constructed almost exclusively with dyed concrete materials that give the illusion of masonry, yet offer the cost-savings and durability of traditional concrete. The street fixtures, in particular, are well chosen and coordinated, with street lights, traffic signs and bollards coordinated to a consistent, traditional style. Street trees and benches complete the design. The project also includes a substantial mid-block crossing, something that is almost unheard of on state-operated facilities -- especially a 4-lane facility. The combination of good design and small-town courtesy works: motorists invariably yield to pedestrians at the new crossing. Locating civic building blocks like the city hall, an expanded park and library, and the planned town square on Main Street are uncommonly wise decisions for Cedar City that few small towns manage to realize, and are key to Cedar City's hopes for revitalzing the historic downtown. |
| Worst Ideas: |
The shortcomings in this project appear to come from the state DOT. With the exception of a single mid-block crossing with curb extensions, there are few concessions from the highway engineers on this project - a challenge that few local jurisdictions can overcome. Subsequently, the street lacks enough prominent pedestrian crossings, and also makes few accomodations for bicycles. The latter is a significant oversight in a college town where bike racks and striped bike lanes would be a welcome addition to Main Street. Fortunately, these represent simple retrofits that could be added in the future. |
| Contact Information: |
City of Cedar City 10 North Main Street P.O. Box 249 Cedar City, Utah 84720 (435) 586-2950 e-mail: http://www.cedarcity.org/contactus.htm web: http://www.cedarcity.org/ |
