2006

DO'\N'nto'\N'n Public Realm Plan

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This package outlines specific projects which together create a framework to improve the appearance and function of Oak Harbor's public spaces in the downtown and waterfront, and by extension, im prove livability for the community. This framework is called the Downtown Public Realm Plan.

The Downtown Public Realm Plan proposes the completion of a series of specific projects that combine to strengthen our waterfront and downtown. These projects all have one thing in common: they are either entirely, or partly, located within the public realm and benefit the entire community.

The Downtown Public Realm Plan is not a Implementing the projects of the new planning effort. It does not require Downtown Public Realm Plan will allow additional City investment, either in staff the City of Oak Harbor to assume the lead time or consultant dollars, to identify the in improving the appearance, function, and things which the citizens of Oak Harbor livability of our city; providing a way for find valuable. The Downtown Public achieving long held goals and visions ===1 Reaim Pian is based on a rich and varied through the active stewardship of combination of existing community common assets.

visions, adopted policies and urban design

and planning initiatives.

The Downtown Public Realm Plan is an extension of past planning efforts and seeks to build on decisions already made regarding the community's future. It acknowledges and builds on our city's history. It brings together diverse projects into a coherent interrelated framework for action. It capitalizes on the previous investment the community has made in our public realm: the waterfront, parks, streets and public places of our downtown.

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Introduction Contents

From Problem Area to Valued Asset Neighborhoods Introduction & Map Projects Introduction & Map

Freund Marsh Neighborhood Introduction Freund Marsh Neighborhood Map

Regional Trail Connection

Scenic Heights Trail Head

Waterfront Trail Through Marsh Freund Marsh Master Plan

Dillard's Addition Trail

Lower Pioneer Neighborhood Introduction Lower Pioneer Neighborhood Map

SR-20 Gateways

Beeksma Road Sidewalk

City Beach Park West Entrance Parking Lot View Area

Trail Signage Program Pioneer Streetscape Landscape Perimeter

Lagoon Landscape

City Beach Park Gateway Bicycle Amenities Compiete Sidewaiks

Ely Street Extension

F utu re Li bra ry

Old Town Neighborhood Introduction Old Town Neighborhood Map

Old Town Gateway Plaza Barrington Sireetscape Waterfront Trail Connection Appropriate Ped. & Auto Signage Historic Commercial Streelscape Historic Site Designation

Amenity Signage Program Enhanced Pedestrian Connections Bayshore Streetscape

Jensen Street Extension

Smith Park. Historic De.signation Old Town Gateway

Municipal Pier

Oak Grove Neighborhood Introduction Oak Grove Neighborhood Map

Pioneer Streetscape

Pioneer Pedestrian Pocket Parks Beach Access

Marina Neighborhood Introduction Marina Neighborhood Map

Waterfront Signage Program Marina Park Landscape Marina Trail

Notes

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"As commercial activity expands in Oak owners to stimulate and enhance the Harbor with the growth of population, central business district. This cooperative there will be more incentives for effort should continue" (p 23, Oak Harbor enterprises to build or seek larger and Comprehensive Plan, 7987)

more modern space. While new and modern stores would be an asset to Oak Harbor, the vacated, older structures will present problems unless they are demolished in the move. Remnants of a village era, these structures, especially a long Pio neer Way, a re old, d i I apidated and generally inadequate for the large stores which Oak Harbor can support. Clearance, redevelopment and rehabilitation are public tools which are available to Oak Harbor." (p 87-88, Oak Harbor Comprehensive Plan, 1968)

"As the area grows there will be an increasing need for a commercial center that provides a pedestrian-oriented 'people place' that serves as the civic, professional and cultural center for the community. Oak Harbor's downtown is in a unique position to fill this need because of its waterfront setting, central location, public parks and historic role as the community's downtown." (p 2, Harbor Watch: A Redevelopment Plan for Oak Harbor's Downtown and Waterfront, 1990)

=====1 About 'Old Town: "the Study Team believes that this part of Pioneer Way should adopt a theme which reflects a 19205-19305, small scale American waterfront town. This theme capitalizes on existing streetfronted buildings and features as well as emphasizes its natural setting. To this end we recommend that merchants paint and repair their older buildings, and add awnings and canopies to provide sun and rain shelter. The stores will have much to gain by having 'Old Town' recognized as a place." (p 25, Oak Harbor Revitalization Study, 1981)

"Downtown and the Oak Harbor waterfront are the heart of the community. To strengthen economic opportunities, we believe the Harbor Watch Downtown Redevelopment Plan is a viable and attractive development strategy." (ch 11, p 18, North Whidbey Community Diversificat;·on Action Plan, 1995)

"Support and maintain the central business district of Oak Harbor and ... retain and enhance character of historic commercial districts. The central business district features older buildings that are home to a mix of office and retail uses, as well as restaurants. The Old Town is distinguished from other commercial areas because it has its own adopted plan for redevelopment [Harbor WatchL the highest tourism potential, waterfront accessibility, cultural facilities and historical Significance." (Oak Harbor Comprehensive Plan, 2003)

"Oak Harbor's central business district of the City's downtown area was established before commercial strip development became feasible and popular. Therefore, the central business district enjoys a small town charm and scale that is fast disappearing in metropolitan areas. Through the Oak Harbor Revitalization program, the City has been working with the downtown business and pr

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With very few exceptions, every city is a through careful public realm decisioncollection of neighborhoods that can be making that respects what people like. distinguished by their history, their Conversely, if there is overwhelming architecture, their land use, their opinion that some neighborhoods just landscaping, their public realm or any don't work for some reason, lower Pioneer combination of these and many other being a good example, then our task factors that provide a characteristic becomes what can be done within the identity. Oak Harbor is not one of those public realm to bring them closer to our exceptions. Those wishing to "read" our community vision.

urban landscape for clues about how the

City grew would be spoiled for evidence. A In the pages that follow, the Public Realm short drive from west to east on Pioneer Plan uses the differences that define our Way unfolds in succession with the auto downtown and waterfront areas to identify cu Itu re development of the 19605 a nd 70s, five neig h bo rhoods and desi red projects the classic American main street of the within each. In Freund Marsh, the ===1 eariy 1900s, the grid pattern residentiai outstanding assets are iargeiy naturai and addition of the 1920s and 30s and the historical. Projects focus on allowing the seaplane base of the 1940s. While far from marshland environment and agricultural homogeneous, we recognize differences past to be explored quietly and on foot. even though we may not understand the Public realm needs within the lower whys and whens and haws of their growth. Pioneer neigh borhood concentrate on bringing a softer, more pedestrian-friendly Why is neighborhood identity important? appearance to the asphalt landscape. Old In considering a capital plan for the public Town projects build on the past, bringing realm in downtown Oak Harbor, additional civic uses to or back to neighborhoods can provide an extremely downtown and reconnecting Pioneer Way useful geographical tool for identifying to the waterfront. Pedestrian potential projects. If our community places improvements, reflecting the character of value on the qualities of a particular the land use, dominate the projects within neighborhood, such as document after Oak Grove. Finally, Marina efforts are document does for Old Town, then that geared toward enhancing discovery and tells us what our citizens think is important enjoyment of this former military site.

and comforting. The City's role in this case

should be to reinforce that judgment

DOWNTOWN PUBLIC REALM PLAN

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NEIGHBORHOODS

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Each project page that follows has two messages. First, it explains and/or shows how the current condition of a downtown feature falls short of meeting community expectations as expressed through our adopted plans. Second, it offers a potential solution for how these expectations could be met by targeted investment in a public realm improvement. Four broad types of projects are presented - parks/public spaces, landscapes, signage and wayfinding and routes using the following symbols.

DOWNTOWN PUBLIC REALM PLAN

PROJECTS

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The focal point of the western most neighborhood of the Downtown Public Realm Plan is the large Freund Marsh open space. This vast area contains wetland that is reestablishing itself out of the cultural landscapes of Oak Harbor's farming history.

Adjacent to this natural amenity are created wetlands that have been sculpted from the ground and planted as mitigation for the impacts of development. These areas are maturing into stable wetland environments and represent an interesting juxtaposition to the Freund Marsh area that has been allowed to reestablish itself without intervention.

This neighborhood also acts as the southern gateway to Oak Harbor with some additional urban scale development expected along the SR-20 corridor in the coming years.

The aesthetic, environmental, and educational opportunities this neighborhood's characteristics provide are unique in an urban environment. Therefore, the proposed projects for the Freund Marsh neighborhood focus on this uncommon situation and include, pedestrian trails, native plantings, and improvements to aesthetics and the gateway experience for people entering Oak Harbor.

FREUND MARSH

FREUND MARSH PROJECTS REGIONAL TRAIL CONNECTION SCENIC HEI.GHTS TRAIL HtAD WATERFRONT TRAIL THROUGH MARSH FREUND MARSH MASTERPLAN DILLARD'S ADDITIQN TRAIL

Regional Trail Connection

Throughout much ofthe early history of Oak Harbor, it was possible to walk easily from every residential neighborhood to the downtown and waterfront. For early residen~ this was a matter of necessity - downtown provided the goods, services and soclallife that fulfilled basic human heeds. Pedestrian paths were informal and often shared with other forms of transport. Today.thedeslre to walk from our neighborhoods to downtown is spurred less by need than by choice. The destination remains the same and arguably the waterfront trail is Oak bfQrbot's most unifying and important public amenity because of its ability to link our waterfront to the places wH'ere most residents live.

With much of the recent residential development activity in Oak Harbor concentrated in the southwestern part of the city, a trend likely to continue, it is crucial to continue the waterfront trail across Scenic Heights Road and into these newly developing areas. The city already owns the rights to make the connection between the trailhead on Scenic Height and the Swantown/State Route 20 intersection. Constructrng this section is a key stepping stone to a wider regional trail system that will eventually support non-motorized travel throughout the greater Oak Harbor area with links to downtown.

Scenic Heights Trail Head

The City acquired the lot on Scenic Heights Road to use as a trailhead for the west end of the Waterfront Trail project. Capital improvements include installing an information and interpretive kiosk for pedestrians and cyclists using the trail system, constructing a small public restroom, planting a naturalized landscape to include a small grove of Garry Oaks and,as space permits.several parking spaces.

Waterfront Trail Through IV1arsh

The design for the section of the Waterfront Trail connecting the Scenic Heights Trailhead and B:eeksma Drive is intended to capitalize on a natural and historic setting that is still very much in evidence. Trail users will be able to experience the agricultural legacy of one of Oak Harbor's original donation land daimants white tracking through time the gradua I evol ution of the natu ra I landscape. The location of both natural and created wetlands along this stretch allows for a unique trail section to be developed that will provide a link to the Freund Marsh open space and an educational resource for the community

TraIl corridor improvements include native plant landscaping alongside the Waterfront Trail, selected pedestrian amenities such as benches and refuse containers andlnterpretlve panels that tell the story of this diverse environment.

Freund Marsh Master Plan

The Freund Marsh Master Plan foresees the development of a series of looped trails through an area that is expected to evolve slowly from active farmland to wetland and emergent forest. The trail system will provide access to the wide range of environmental resources in this area and provide a serene side trip away from the main Waterfront Trail.

Initially, planned improvements to make Freund Marsh aft active and educational asset for the community include establishing the trail system (several small footbridges and stairs will be necessary), adding interpretive signage where appropriate and addressing the connection between the marsh and the bay under the dike.

Dillard's Addit:ion Trail

Dillard's Addition is the subdivision created in 1951 along the waterfront between Freund Marsh and City Beach Park. The trail planned through the existing street rights-of-way within the subdivision is intended to provide a second link between the Freund Marsh trail system and the downtown waterfront. It will be characterized by a flatter and more stable surface that meets all accessi bi I tty standards.

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The Lower Pioneer neighborhood is primarily characterized by automobile oriented development along the Pioneer Way axis to the north and City Beach Park to the south. The neighborhood is also adjacent to the historic commercial town center of Old Town to the east.

In sharp contract to the car dominated streetscape of Pioneer Way, City Beach Park is Oak Harbor's crown jewel public space with open greens, mature trees, and a salt water swimming lagoon. Park users are afforded spectacular views across the open waters of the bay from within the park and from along the waterfront trail that stretches its entire length. Few cities can count this quality, and quantity, of publicly accessible waterfront amongst their community assets. The projects identified for this neighborhood complete long standing goals, correct incompatible relationships between developments, redefine pedestrian oriented streetscapes fitting of a contemporary downtown and build upon a fortunate history of community investment in the public commons and open space.

LOWER PIONEER

'lSR-20 GATEWAYS

2 BEEKSMA DRIVE SIDEWALK

3 CITY BEACH PARK WEST ENTRANCE

- -

4 PARKING LOT VIEW AREA 5 TRAIL SIGNAGE PROGRAM 6 PIONEER STREETSCAPE

7 LANDSCAPE PERIMETER

8 LAGOON L.ANDSCAPE

9 CITY BEACH PARK GATEWAY 10 BICYCLE AMENtTIES " COMPLETE SIDEWA:(KS

'2 ELY STREET ExtENSIQN

3 FUTURE LIBRARY

SR-20 Ga'te\Nays

It has long been observed that one of the hindrances to encouraging residents and visitors alike to (re)discover our waterfront and downtown is that these assets are disguised so well from our main entry poi nts. The function of the twin 1tgateway" intersections of Pioneer/State Route 20 and Barrington/State Route 20 has not changed for over 80 years. They lead people to the most attractive part of our community. What has changed, however, is the intervening development that effectively hides our downtown from all but the most curious.

Acknowledging that these intersections are the primary decision points for visitors to Oak Harbor is an important step in increasing the number of people who will see downtown and the waterfront as pleasurable destinations. The important experienee of arrival can be enhanced throueh more welcoming features such as clear directional sighage, improved street-side landscaping and pedestrian oriented amenities ..

Beeksrna Drive Side~alk

Beeksma Drive is located at the western edge of City Beach Park and acts as one of the two major entrances into the park and a key access route to parking for visitors to the waterfront. It is alsothe access point for the publicly owned RV park which draws many visitors to Oak Harbor throughout the year. As part of the City's efforts to increase the connectivity between public streets and the waterfront, it is desirable to construct a safe and attractive sidewalk along Beeksma.

Adding street-side landscaping, street trees and directional slqnaqe will, in combination with the Beeksma sidewalk project, transform the experience of ehtering City Beach Park, the adjacent municipally-owned RV park and -the trail system into a visual and functional statement that is more reflective ofthe amazing recreational opportunities that people will discover there.

Beach Park West Entrance

In common wfth the eastern entrance to Qty Beach Park at City Beach Street the western entry at Beeksma Drive presents a decidedly unwekomlnq appearance. From the intersection at State Route 20, the corridor presents an undistinguished street design, uncoordinated directional signage and spotty landscaping. Collectively, the existing improvements do not speak to the importance of this route tn announcing that an outstanding waterfront experience awaits the visitor. This shortfall seems particularly acute since It Is anticipated that Beeksma will shoulder the primary burden in welcoming people to walk the Waterfront and Freund Marsh Trails.

Parking Lot Vie\N Area

For decades, the casual pa rki ng a rea between the RV park and the waterfmnt has been an attraction to those wanting a few moments, a lunch or an evening to admire the natural beauty of Oak Harbor. The primary location fot this activity is the parking lot at the western end of the park, a spotthat sometimes conflicts with tile sea kayak campsite ana landscaping along the edge ofthe parking lot. In addition, the layout of the parking/viewing area forces pedestrians and cars to share the same space, a problem that could potentially be made worse when the Waterfront Trail is extended into Freund March.

There is enough morn at this loeatlon to accommodate pedestrians while

conti nui ng the traditiona I use of the parking area by short-term visitors. Redesigning the parking lot to offer a dedicated walking route will insure the peaceful co-existence of both types of users.

Trail Signage Program

The current signage along the waterfront trail is what might be expected from a project that has evolved over a series of years and has yet to be realized in its full potential and popularity. Signs are inconsistent in size, design and language, they are not located at those key decision points where people might expect to find directions and other information and much of the Information that does exist relates to dty laws and ordinances. The latter,while important/should be subservient to slgnage that welcomes people and helps them on their way.

Implementation of this project would replace signage along the trail and waterfront. Signs would be informative, easily readable/located at key decision points, include visual cues and maps and consistent in design throughout the area. 5igns are necessary if they enhance enjoyment of the area, but detract ifthey are not well planned or useful.

Pioneer Streetscape

In many ways, the existing Pioneer Way streetscape between the highway and City Beach Street is perfectly reflective of the era IIi which it developed. City planners and economic development professionals had not by the 1960s and 1970s forged a link between the attractiveness of the street and the amount of money spent in shops along that street. Greet streets attract people ar'Kf,not surprisingly, shoppers. Study after study has shown that consu mers will stay longer and spend more in a rfiail environment with defined pedestrian amenities and the softer, more comfortable look achieved through wellplaced landscaping.

With the exi sting Pioneer Way streetscape dominated b¥ vehicular amenities and a stark visual character, the project proposes to add pedestrian oriented signage,street furniture,lighting and crossings/as well as landscaping. Narrowing the corridor from four to three lanes offers enormous potential. The intent will be to enhance the corridor's aesthetic qualltles and, by assodation, the street's attraction as a shopping area and gateway to our hlstortc downtown.

Landscape Perimeter

The northern edge of City Beach Park offers park users an unappealing view of parking lots and service entrances for neighboring commercial buildings. A buffer, or backdrop of trees, along this edge will help provide a more cohesive feel from within the park while also screening the automobile-dominated views to the north.

Lagoon Landscape

The City Beach Park Lagoon has been a eenslstent fixture of the waterfront for over forty years and has played a formative role in the childhoods of many who grew up in Oak Harbor and may have learned to swim there. From a technical standpoint, however, the coastal environment of the park provides challenges for the maintenance of formal landscaping, especially in those areas most impacted by harsh winds and without irrigatien.

This proiect entails the replanting of the hard-to-maintain areas around picnic screens and the lagoon with native plant species that (an thrive in these conditions. Reestablishing native plant communities would reduce maintenance problerns.createvisual interest and may also provide opportunities for interpretive signage. As part of this project, the unSightly and out of scale cobra head light standards that are currently in disrepair around the lagooh would be removed and replaced with appropriately designed and scaled pedestrian lighting.

City Beach Park Gate\Nay

It is discouraging that one of the City's most valuable public assets does not present a more welcoming face to the many users of City Beach Park. The approach from City Beach Street is poorly defined, with the existing gateway and sign elements in disrepair. South of the int-ersection with Bayshore, the entry street width is out of scale with the use and lacks both a cleat pedestrian link and street trees that might help soften the s-ea of asphalt Where the entry drive meets the beach, water views a re blocked by parked vehicles and access to the waterfront trail is often obstructed.

There are a range of potential design solutions that would help draw pedestrians and motorists to the park and expand the park experience to include everything south of Bayshore, Redefining the entry to offer separation between vehicular and pedestrian travel, in combination with a hew gateway feature, would suggest to the walker or driver that a park liesjust ahead. Once inside the gateway, street trees, a sidewalk and realigned parking wouk] reinforce that sense of place. Further refinement would be desirable to prohibit parking directly in front of the beach and to hiqhllqht the Waterfront Trail.

Bicycle Amen ities

Oak Harbor hasa number of bicycle routes throughout our community and plans for more in conjunction with future street projects. Unfortunately, this burgeoning network reaches a relative dead end in our downtown. This project involves installing bicycle amenities along selected bicycle routes within the five neighborhoods to improve public access and safety for all ages to enjoy. Making travel easy for bicycle riders is one of the most important aspects of promoting healthy community design.

Complete Side~alks

Pa rt of the City's contri bution to an active and successful downtown is in insuring that public realm improvements areas complete and comfortable as possible. Gaps in infrastructure or poorly designed access ca n sou r the experience of bel ng downtown. For instance, in several locations, but most particularly evident on the south side of Pioneer Way between City Beach and Ely Streets, there are missing sidewalk sections.

Constructing these segments will go a long way toward encouFaging safe anq seamless walking throughout downtown.

Ely Street Extension

finding ways to reconnectthe waterfront with its attractions and public amenIties both existing and planned, to the historic downtown is a logical focus fur revitalization efforts. Establishing a street connection to the waterfront at Ely would create a signature corner at Ely and Pioneer, arguably the most visually prominent of any downtown comer due to the lack of surrounding development. This prominence could be used to the City's advantage to attract people from tower Pleneer up the hill into Old Town, and serve as a beacon to waterfront activities. In addition, this project would complement the proposed library location by providing a third route of travel to the Bayshore vehicle entrance.

Extending Ely Street in a straight line to Bayshore would involve the acquisition and demolition of the old gas station property, now a financial services business, at the feat of Ely. One possible way Qffinancing this purchase would be to sell or exchange the property at Dock and Pioneer (currently the planned location for Clock Tower Plaza) and use the proceeds to buy the uly extension land (see Old Town Gateway Plaza project). The extension of Ely Street to Bayshore would also encroach upon the large lot that currently houses the DSHS offices and other businesses. However, once the new public street is built, a prime commercial location on Pioneer could be created by abandoning the existing private drive.

Future Library

HiStorically, downtown has been the pJace to find the civic buildings that place a public imprint on a predominantly commercial location. Often finely built and in prominent locations, city halls, libraries, post offices and other such structures emphasize the important relationship between our democratic form of government and the more markel-driven aspects of our national culture. Further, it has been recognized that these civic uses contribute mightily tothe vitality of downtowns and serve to attract visitors and shoppers to nearby businesses and services.

The choice of the downtown location for the proposed new Oak Harbor Library acknowledges both the hlstoric precedent of having public buildings downtown and the role that they can play in putting feet on the street. Obviously, the ability to achi-eve this result is qependent largely on our community's willingness to support a new llbraryin the selected location. Assuming a yes vote on that question, the City should work cooperatively with the library district to bring about the best possible use af public space at this site, one that emphasizes the public context and the potential connections between the library and other-public assets.

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Old Town is a traditional downtown with comfortable pedestrian scaled commercial buildings within a regular block pattern, and has easily understood connections to neighboring residential districts and City Beach Park. Old Town is the historic, and present, center of Oak Harbor.

However, given the type and scale of new development in recent decades, the majority of commercial activity has migrated to the SR-20 corridor. This has changed Old Town's business makeup and financial prominence. Other changes to the development patte in of the downtown have also negatively affected this neighborhood. Nevertheless, the friendly and comfortable sense of place that is evoked by Old Town remains.

The Old Town projects described here primarily focus on correcting errors that have severed Old Town from the core elements that could define it as a wonderful contemporary waterfront center which builds upon a valuable heritage of commercial streetscapes. These projects address reestablishing connections to the waterfront, improving the public realm of the street and concentrating all forms of public activity into the historic heart of the community.

OLDTOWN

OLD TOWN PROJECTS 1 OLD TOWN GATEWAY PLAZA 2 BARRINGTON STREETSCAPE

s WATERFRONTT~AIL CONNECTION APPROPRIATE PEO &: AUTO SIGNAGE HISTORIC COMMERCIAL STREETSCAPE HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION AMENITY SIGNAGE PROGRAM ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS 9 BAVSHORE STREETSCAPE

, 0 JENSEN STREET EXTENSION

11 SMITH PAR'K HISTORIC DESIGNATION '2 OLD TOWN GATEWAY MUN"IPAL PIER

Old To~n Gate\Nay Plaza

For several years,the community has had a vision of a downtown public plaza at the southeast comer-of Dock and Pioneer on land that was formerly part of the retail heart of Oak Harbor. Various design proposals have been considered that

open space and some landmark feature, but none of these have reached the funded stage. AS an alternative to this location, the Ely Street Extension project Introduces another option for a downtown plaza that at once offers more visibility, better harbor views, closer connections to other public uses and spaces and the chance to reintroduce downtown retail to the Dock Street site (two or three prime commercial lots could be created).

the alternative Old Town Gateway Plaza site would be located between the proposed Ely Street Extension and the preferred libra ry location, corresponding roughly to the parking area for the existing business. With Hal Ramaley Park immediately below and with City Beach Park across Bayshore Drive, harbor vistas and views by boat from the harbor are guaranteed for the future.

Many exciting possibilities for desi.gning great public spaces become available in connecting the plaza to the library and park.In addition, a strong vertical 'element in the plaza itself would further enhance the site's role as a destination, a gateway to Old Town, and a public meeting place.

Barringt:on Streetscape

When Jerome Ely laid out his addition to Oak Harbor in 1910, he included provisions for a wide, then-unnamed street that would provide a top of the slope connector between upper downtown and the County Road to CoupeviUe. Judging from the historical evidence1 the lots that fronted on this street were intended for residential use Within a short walking distance to downtown. Today, Barrington Drive shoulders a tremendous volume of east/west traffic and a wide va riety of fronting lana uses. It also connects key institutions such as City Hall, the Post Office, the local newspaper and several fraternal and military halls. In almost every way, Barrington has become the non-retail 'main street' of Oak Harbor and eould be seen as another gateway to downtown.

Implied in the Downtown Public Realm Plan is the expectation that Barrington will likely become the street of choice for crosstown through traffic once changes are incorporated on Pioneer and Bayshore. However, Barrington should also be seen as another welcome mat to downtown, especially from the key intersection at State Route 20. Making this street more reflective of its historic and current lrnpertancewlll require extending the turning lane to City Hall, adding missing sidewalkson both sides, planting street trees to soften the appearance and incorporating street furniture, covered transit shelters, and lighting where appropriate.

The Waterfront Trail currently has a gap between the two condominium developments west of Flintstone Park and there is a commitment by the Mayor and City Council to acquire an easement through this gap to allow the trail to continue along the waterfront. A combination of a successful acquisition and subsequent construction of the trail link will result in an uninterrupted waterfront pedestrian way from theYacht Club to Beeksma Drive and serve to connect an enormous range of public and private amenities along this route,

Appropriate Ped & Auto Signage

The intersection of Dock and Pioneer could justifiably be called the poi nt from which Oak Harbor grew to become what it is today. In addition to being the first intersection that people" saw after they debarked at Maylor Pier and walked uphirl to downtown, it was also the crossroads that attracted the types of businesses that were essential to the economk and social life of out early downtown, including the bank and Maylors'Store. Remnants of this historical primacy still exist today, a1though the accumulation of unhelpful, unsightly and even unnecessary sigl1age and traffic control effectively obscures the main street traditions that conti nue to characterize this corner.

Among the common supporting elements that accompany the preferred alternative in the 2001 Downtown Circulation Study is the conclusion that the traffic Signal at this intersection should be replaced by all-way stop control. This move would reinforce tne goal of making downtown more of a "go to" than a "go through" place and would contribute enormously to reducing the clutter that seems to dominate the intersection. By removing the standards, it would also make our corners more pedestrtan-friendly.ln addition, replacing existing auto-oriented signage with a carefully designed approach will encourage pedestrians and motorists to find a parking place.explore th-e waterfront or simply I.inger in downtown for awhile.

Istoric Commercial S'treetscape

In many ways, Pioneer Way from Ely Street to Midway Boulevard is still a classic American main street. While gaps and out-of-context features do exist, there Is still plenty to suggest the thriving downtown that typified coastal communities on Puget Sound. Pioneer Way exudes a sense of place that is unique within Oak Harbor and increasingly rare in other communities. The width of the street, the relationship of the buildings to the street, the common architectural elements, the recessed doorways and the prevailing retail character of the facades all contribute to a historic context that has much to teach us about our past.

Unfortunately, through demolition, fire or neglect, a number of gaps have emerged over time along this lmportant streetscape, While these gaps will no doubt be filled over time by private developers with new bulldinqs designed to respect the hi storie flavor of Pioneer Way, the City currently has control over the largest vacant area/just east of Dock Street. Thisstretch was once home to five or six small shops and stands out prominently in historic photos as a vital part of downtown. This project would explore options to sell or exchange this property with a prlvate developer who proposes a specific plan to construct new downtown buildings and thus recapture the lost commercial streetscape.

Historic Site Designation

In 1987 the City of Oak Harbor acquired

a O.59-acte tax patcel adjacent to the southern lot line of the City Hall property. Itisoccupied by three structures, the main house on the eastern portion of the property and two smaller structures, an accessory dwelling and a garage/storage builorng,on the western portion. Mature landscaping also characterizes the site, dominated. by a large Ja panese Larch tree east of the main house. The main house is in good condition and is currently leased to the Island County Housing Authority for sporadic use as transitional housing. The outbuildings are vacant and in fair condition.

This site has excellent potential to be adapted for some public use. For instance, the main house is large enough to consider uses suchas cultural gatherings, rotati ng exhi bits, or lease to a local non-profit. Depending on the use of the maln house, the outbuildings could be outfitted to function as storage or a small (12-15 person) public meeting room. In addition, the large yard could be used to provide space for outdoor activities, alone the lines of an IIAft on the Green" event or outdoor barbecues/gatherings for cultural qroups. Proximity to City Hall and Pioneer Way, ample public parking, the opportunity to encourage downtown revitalization through preservation, and the range of sizes and types of public spaces combine to make this. site ripe for adaptive reuse.

Amenity Signage Program

Wayfinding cues are very important for citizens and visitors to dowhtown,and the City has not succeeded in implementing a comprehensive signage program. This project seems especially important given the concentration of puJ)lic uses and services within the downtown core, including City Hall, City Beach Park,Smith Park, the library, public restrooms, the proposed municipal pier, public parking and the waterfront itself Users and businesses of Old Town would benefit from" well executed signage program. Content should include information for the above amenities as well as locations for posting general or community information on kiosks or specially designed bulletin boards.

ance Pedestrian Connections

One of the enduring effects of building Bayshore Drive is to sepa rate Pioneer Way from its historic use as our waterfront main street. Buildings that once framed the Oak Harbor shoreline are now separated from the water by several hundred feet and a new street. North/south streets that once served to connect the greater community to the waterfront ar-e how truncated at Pioneer Way. The result was to fundamentally alterthe role of the waterfront from a destInation where an streets converged tean urban space that serves primarily to get people through downtown faster. It is also discouraging for pedestrians who might see but are not enticed to visit our waterfrOflt.

Part of the effort to reconnect Oak Harbor to its waterfront is contained in the proposed street extensions at Ely and Jensen. For pedestrians, possibilities exist currently in three' locationsto provide attractive walkways from Pioneer to Bayshore. Stairs are already in place but none of connections is sighed or designed to attract people to the waterfront. Similarly, the aute-domlnant character of Bayshore has limited the interconnectedness and discovery of great public assets like the transit center, Hal Ramaley Park and Smith Park. Acquiring additional access easements, implementing a common siqnaqe program and the selective use of landscaping and street furniture will make pedestrians feel more welcome and increase their enjoyment of downtown.

Bayshore St:reetscape

Bayshore Drive east of Flintstone Park appears to be urban space laying in walt for the right suitor. Short of that outcome, the street comes across as unfriendly, out of context and over-endowed with on-street parking, in complete contrast to every other street in the downtown area. The obvious differences between how this street looks in comparlson to the surrounding streets serves to emphasize how disconnected Bayshore is from the remainder of downtown. In many ways, it is a perfect reflection of the era and events that brought it into existence.

Given the spectacular view and water access a menities avai la blealong th is stretch of roadway, it just makes sense to capital ize on these assets for the benefit of residents arid visitors alike. Reducing, the scale-of the street by removing a row of parking and theexcessive auto oriented lighting, and adding landscaping, pedestrian amenities and bicycle facilities would encourage wider use. It may also act as an incentive for private investment on the vacant land abutting the east end of Bayshore.

Jensen Street Extension

Jensen Street stops at PioneerWay but could be extended to 8ayshore to ~establish a historic north/south link to the waterfront This action would create additional prime corner locations for retail use, and break up the large vacant area between 8ayshore and Pioneer into more development-friendly lots. While one or more of these lots would still be large enough to support a grander use, more options would be created to allow downtown scaled buildings to be carri€d down Jensen to Bayshore. This change would likely give greater prominence to both the old Oak Harbor Cinema building (perhaps spurring a redevelopment ~ffort) and Smith Park upthe hill.

Finding a creative way to acquire the necessary right of way to extend Jensen Street would involve working with the owners of this land toreconflqure property lines. One obvious direction, which was proposed previously (see Harbor Watch, p 7), would be to exchange the necessary right of way for that segtnent of Bayshore Drive between the end of Midway and the straight line extension of Jensen. In effect,this swap would create waterfront property for the owners which could be a spur to attracting new development in this area. In order that the public not lose direct access to the waterfront, the City cou Id retain an easement at the top of the bulkhead for the waterfront trail.

ith Park Historic Designation

It would be hard to debate that any other singfe site says more about the natural and historical character of Oak Harbor than Smith Park. A public place where oaks still dominate the landscape and a location within Christina Barrington's original 1889 Town of Oak Harbor plat provide evidence enough that this is a site worthy of both preservation and appreciation. Unfortunately, as more and more of the City's focus spreads to newer commercial and residential areas, community recognition of this asset dwindles. This reduction in stature is further compromised by the 'invisibility' of Smith Park caused by a shortage of wayfinding cues, pedestrian connections and interpretive signage.

Bringing Smith Park back into the community mainstream can be accomplished through a cornbination of simple remedies, such as sidewalks and signage, along with interpretive elements that highlight the natural and historic significance of this site. Connecting the site to Pioneer through pedestrian and sighage enhancements at the intersection with Jensen Street would enCOI:I rage more people to discover this hidden gem. As part of this effort it is recommended that the City prepare the necessary paperwork to nominate Smith Park to the Washington Register of Historic Places, a strictly honora ry list that would raise the park's public profile to Oak Harborites and those who visit our city.

Old To~n Gat:e~ay

eastern entrance to own at

Midway Boulevard is dominated by auto oriented intersections, light standards and visible parking lots. This results in a poorly defined gateway or entrance and one that does not beckon toward the commercial core. The experience for people entering Old Town from this direction could be greatly improved through enhanced landsc_aping, appropriately scaled signage and lighting, access management and redesigned pedestrian crossings.

Municipal Pier

When the historic Maylor Pier burned in 19.66, the City lost more than a valued historic landmark. Perhaps no other bullding in Oak Harbor spoke more eloquently about how the city grew and the extent to which those who built our community relied on the water to send and receIve all the items that collectively nourish a growing population. It would be impossible to overstate the seminal role that the pier played for the decades prforto 1935 and even beyond.

Building a new pier has been the goal of many people for a number of years, and the last six years have seerra concerted effort to make that goal a reality. Successive mayors and councils have supported the planning and permitting for a new facility and a remarkably enduring citizen committee has enthusiastically cheered this project along. As the largest single project in the Downtown Public Realm Plan, bringing the pierto fruition will likely require the willing contributlons ofa number of partners outside the City.

to\Nn Public Realm Plan

Oak Grove is the name and location of one of Oak Harbor's first plats. Now it is a well established residential neighborhood overlooking the bay and bordered by Old Town's businesses to the west and the Marina neighborhood to the east, with its public moorage facilities, park and college. Additionally, Pioneer Way stretches along the waterfront through the Oak Grove neighborhood punctuated by pedestrian view areas and beach access points.

Initiatives to improve the existing pedestrian amenities and help provide cohesion between the waterfront

neighborhoods of the Downtown Public Realm Pla.n are described for the Oak Grove neighborhood.

OAK GROVE

OAK GROVE PROJECTS PIONEER SlREEISCAPE PIONEER PEDESTRIAN POCKET PARKS BEACH ACCESS

Pioneer Streetscape

By any standard, the view from Pioneer Way between Midway Boulevard and Regatta Drive offers an extraordinarily vivid portrait of Our community's most outstanding natural asset It is not surprisin~ therefore, that this segment attracts many pedestrians out for a stroll. However, there are several aspects of the street's character that could be improved to make it an even more enjoyable experience by borrowing from the waterfront trail design further west.

Currently, the wide street and excessive on-street parking offer a poor sense of place for this corridor, servinqto emphasize automobile use first and pedestrians second. The landscaping also has little character or cohesion, net what one would expect of a significant waterfront avenue joining the eastern and western portions of a city whose downtown context is an open water bay. These drawbacks san be corrected by redefining the streetscape as a grand waterfront promenade with street trees, well defined and limited parking areas, human scaled. lighting and pedestrian and c¥ciing amenities.

Pioneer Pedestrian Pocket Parks

With such outstanding views out across Oak Harbor, Maylor Point and the Mari'na, Pioneer Way between Midway Boulevard and Regatta Drive just cries out for the cre-ation of small pocket parks that provide excellent views and rest stops for pedestrians. With some minor updating of landscaping, interpretive signage and adjustments to their relationship to the street, the harsher edges of these spaces could be eliminated and they could evolve into restful waterfront spaces.

Beach Access

The existing beach access points in this area of Oak Harbor's waterfront require some maintenance and improvements to ensure that they will function safely and give the community access to their waterfront. These access paints pr-ovide opportunities for all ages to venture into the tidelands to experience the natural beauty and diversity of Oak Harbor's setting.

to\Nn Public Realm Plan

Oak Harbor's waterfront can boast both a successful and recently expanded college campus and a well respected municipally operated marina facility. These are in the Marina neighborhood and sit at the eastern edge of the waterfront area defined by the Downtown Public Realm Plan. From here, a short walk along Oak Harbor's waterfront will bring one to the center of Old Town and City Beach Park. The importance of the close proximity and interrelationship of these community assets should not be overlooked or downplayed.

The evolution of Oak Harbor's waterfront has resulted in the development of a number of culturally diverse and vibrant uses within minutes of each other and all focused toward the beautiful open waters of the bay. The City should concern itself with the careful stewardship of these assets and their cumulative impact on the quality of life for citizens and visitors to Oak Harbor. The projects defined for this neighborhood are intended to build upon the rich combination of activities to be found at Oak Harbor's waterfront, and thereby improving the livability of the community.

MARINA

"'''''!:aiterfront Signage Program

As one of the best kept secrets in Oak Harbor, and perhaps one better known by visitors, than by residents, human-scaled wayfinding cues and signage along the waterfront would draw more attention to this area. This project builds upon the comprehensive signage approach that has already been installed in the area, including that for the waterfront fitness trail. Spedfk information about what is available along this segment of our downtown waterfront would help create stronger recognition and use of the marina area as a valued public asset.

Marina Park Landscape

Additional wind screening for select areas of Marina Park would allow users to enjoy this wonderful space at times when the elements might make picnicking or reading a minor chore.

Marina Trial

The Marina is the end of municipal ownership along our waterfront and in effect is the eastern terminus of the waterfront trail which ends at Marina Park. At the moment, there is no formal extension of the trail to the south end of the marina property. Some rrilnor landscaping improvements and lighting would complete this project. Long-term, the City would like to develop a cooperative agreement with the Navy to allow the waterfront trai I to wrap a rou nd MaylorPoint to allow views across the bay to the downtown.

tovvn Public Realm Plan