Revamping Erie's industrial corridor: What changes are planned for 12th Street
There is a new strategy for enhancing Erie’s West 12th Street industrial corridor.
It includes a host of suggested improvements to the area’s appearance and plans to make the area more enticing to entrepreneurs.
City of Erie officials recently unveiled a draft report of what’s being called the 12th Street Reimagined plan, prepared with the help of Pittsburgh-area consultants.
What part of the road could see renovations?
The area is roughly defined as the section of West 12th Street between the Interstate 79 interchange and Walnut Street, and the plan is being funded through a $125,000 Keystone Communities grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Erie Mayor Joe Schember said the area is "one of the biggest gateways into downtown Erie," and it needs significant improvement.
Here are more details about the plan.
What is 12th Street Reimagined?
The initiative is a land use/transportation plan for an area considered a crucial gateway. It examines how to best use/redevelop former industrial sites along the corridor and how to capitalize on new developments in downtown Erie, as well as ways to enhance the look of the area. the city of Erie.
The plan was developed with significant public input, including meetings with citizens and surveys.
Who is involved?
Three consulting firms — Whitman, Requardt and Associates, LLP of Cranberry Township and Pashek+MTR and Fourth Economy Consulting, both of Pittsburgh — helped to develop the plan along with the city of Erie and the Erie Metropolitan Planning Organization, a public body that allocates funding for transportation projects countywide.
Key recommendations/goals
The draft report's suggestions include but are not limited to:
Making the corridor safer and more friendly for bicycles, pedestrians and students walking to/from school. According to the plan, one survey respondent commented that the corridor feels unsafe for those on foot or bike and that “traffic speed is too high and inappropriate for multiple users. The lane widths are excessive, much of the right-of-way is wasted. There is no allowance for bicycles and only a nominal consideration of pedestrians.”
Redeveloping existing historical sites in the corridor for new uses, most notably the proposed Ironworks Square project at the former Erie Malleable Iron property near West 12th and Cherry streets and the 14-acre former Lord Corporation site at West 12th Street and Greengarden Boulevard.
Employing “traffic calming” measures along West 12th Street which could include reducing the number and/or width of some current traffic lanes to accommodate boulevards; creating bus-only lanes; and/or sidewalk expansion.
Incorporating additional landscaping, including the planting of new trees, throughout the corridor to add “shade, beauty and a greater sense of separation from vehicle traffic.”
Exploring the creation of a market hall/public vendor space along the West 12th Street corridor.
Zoning rules changes that allow for flexible and effective land use throughout the corridor.
Linking planned pedestrian and bicycle connections/paths to similar pathways throughout in the Erie area.
Crosswalk visibility enhancements.
Encouraging current property owners along the corridor to participate in publicly-funded facade improvement programs and connecting property owners and investors to existing funding resources/programs that support revitalization.
Creating "asphalt art" at various roadway locations along the West 12th Street corridor; the design and installation should be a "celebratory community cocreation involving many local artists, groups and volunteers."
Exploring the installation of underground utility lines throughout the corridor to replace existing utility poles and improve the area's appearance.
How will it be funded?
Funding could include a host of state and federal sources; funding from the private sector/nonprofits; and city of Erie funds.
What are the next steps?
The draft report and additional public input will be used to create a detailed, multiyear strategic plan that will set goals and timelines for the project.
Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at @ETNflowers.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Wider sidewalks, new bike lanes to improve Erie street
