Auburn Connectivity

Physical, Cultural, and Economic

Caroline Beightol, Nick Brewington-Janssen, Megan Byrne, Laurene Hillion,

Carlyn Kane, Anne Pfeifer, Jordan Remington, Jonathan Schlappi, Erica Weisman
and Anthony Yarnall
 Connectivity: Defined
1
and in Context
What is Connectivity?

Connectivity Case Studies
Beaverton, OR / Mt. Lebanon, PA / West Melbourne, FL / Poulsbo, WA / Renton, WA / Redmond, WA

Social Economic

Physical
Healthy , safe
Infrastructure
& cohesive
city Focus on
physical will
boost economy
Better connectivity
and foster
connects people
growth
locally and
regionally to
amenities and
Population &
services Economic

Growth
 Three types of
Connectivity
Physical, Social & Economic

Healthy community Revitalized Downtown as Long-Term economic

through non-motorized heart of Auburn health
travel Create a patchwork of Support wide range of
Support economic unique places employment
development needs Preserve valued assets and opportunities
Multimodal system that is qualities Quality industrial and
efficient, uncomplicated commercial
and welcoming development
 Methodology

Policy
Recommendations
Scope of Initial GIS
work Auburn Analysis
Tour

Field Written
Literature Survey Synthesis
Observations Deliverable
Review Formation

Case Data
Hotspot Community Asset Maps
Studies Analysis
Visitation and Digital
Surveying
Graphic
2 Executive Summary
 Executive Summary
Throughout its 125 year history, Auburn has grown from a rural farming community into a sprawling
collection of residential and industrial territories, varying substantially from one another in both
geography and socioeconomic standing. Both its culture and economy are threatened by a lack of social
and physical connectivity.

IDENTITY
Auburn is diverse
and family-oriented,
but residents are
often disconnected
from one another
and from the town
center. Is this strictly
physical or a product
of deeper social
issues?
ECONOMY
TRANSPORT
Much of Auburns
Auburn is heavily commerce is leaked
car-oriented and to nearby cities. This
many residents are is due to a lack of
either business variety,
unknowledgable of spatial awareness,
public transit or feel and unity.
it does not meet their
transportation needs.
 Executive Summary
Throughout its 125 year history, Auburn has grown from a rural farming community into a sprawling
collection of residential and industrial territories, varying substantially from one another in both
geography and socioeconomic standing. Both its culture and economy are threatened by a lack of social
and physical connectivity.

IDENTITY
Auburn is diverse
and family-oriented,
but residents are
often disconnected
from one another
and from the town
center. Is this strictly
physical or a product
of deeper social
issues?
ECONOMY
TRANSPORT
Much of Auburns
Auburn is heavily commerce is leaked
car-oriented and to nearby cities. This
many residents are is due to a lack of
either business variety,
unknowledgable of spatial awareness,
public transit or feel and unity.
it does not meet their
transportation needs.
 Executive Summary
Throughout its 125 year history, Auburn has grown from a rural farming community into a sprawling
collection of residential and industrial territories, varying substantially from one another in both
geography and socioeconomic standing. Both its culture and economy are threatened by a lack of social
and physical connectivity.

IDENTITY
Auburn is diverse
and family-oriented,
but residents are
often disconnected
from one another
and from the town
center. Is this strictly
physical or a product
of deeper social
issues?
ECONOMY
TRANSPORT
Much of Auburns
Auburn is heavily commerce is leaked
car-oriented and to nearby cities. This
many residents are is due to a lack of
either business variety,
unknowledgable of spatial awareness,
public transit or feel and unity.
it does not meet their
transportation needs.
Auburn, Washington
3 SWOT ANALYSIS
Evaluating living conditions in Auburn
 Proximity and commuter connection to
Strengths
Seattle via I-5 and the Sounder Train

City sponsored events are well

attended by families

Community Interest and City Funding

Opportunities

Ample parks / greenspace

Livable City Year

Few inclusive city events, to support a
diverse population
Lack of variety in dining and
entertainment sector
Auburn perceived as a Bedroom
Community by residents

Underdeveloped Bus System

Underdeveloped and Underutilized

paths, sidewalks, and bike lanes

Social othering: between cultural

groups and neighborhoods
Opportunities

Projected population growth (100,000 residents by

2040)

Community is receptive to increased local government

involvement in the way of services, infrastructure
development and events
The expansion of the train system will make
non-motorized transport to Seattle/ Tacoma even
more salient

Available retail space, subsidized and low cost

housing
Threats Lack of services for the homeless, rising crime rate
(perceived, crime rate is generally decreasing), tension with
law enforcement reported by some survey respondents

Perceived spatial and social divisions between

neighborhoods that reveal latent divides between residents
of differing socioeconomic status and race

We do not have the capacity to serve the current homeless

population. There are no emergency shelter services or
enough affordable housing in the region to meet the
need...Trail users have indicated that they do not feel
comfortable or safe along trails where homeless camps are
common.
-Auburn Police and Parks Departments
 Physical
4 Connectivity
Survey results, analysis, and recommendations
Modes of Transportation
 Why do cars rule in Auburn?

Undersized Bus System Incomplete Non Motorized Transport

Respondents reported lacking System
awareness of local bus options [The City of Auburn is] currently
Desire for a more robust public lacking a complete sidewalk
transit system system Breaks in the sidewalk
Current route / frequency network require pedestrians to
deemed inconvenient by maneuver around parked cars, into
residents of Lea Hill and N private yards, or into the street.*
Auburn Survey: safety concerns deter
walkers and bikers

*Auburn Transportation Comprehensive Plan: http://www.auburnwa.gov/Assets/PCD/AuburnWA/Docs/transportation_plan.pdf

My manager at work wont hire people who are reliant
on the [Auburn] buses. There are so many delays. People
cant get to work on time. Ya know, weve had to let
people go [because of the buses]
-Survey Respondent

 Recommendation #1 -
Bus Route Expansion
Expand peak hour routes to
Lea Hill and North Auburn

Expand 30 minute bus into

other parts of Auburn

Ensure reliable bus

connections between
eastern Auburn and the
Sounder Station
Recommendation #2
Bike Lanes / Road Diets
Cross-town bike connections to the West Hill and Lea Hill areas of Auburn are more
challenging due to steep topography. Yet investing in these connections is important
because a significant number of Auburn residents live in these areas.
- Auburn Transportation Comprehensive Plan

The average protected bike lane sees bike counts increase 75 percent in its first
year alone.*

Lea Hill is host to Green River College, making the neighborhood an important
commuter destination for Auburns young adults.

Innovative design features can make conquering the hill easier and safer
*Monsere, C., et al., 2014 - Lessons from the Green Lanes (National Institute for Transportation and Communities)
Lea Hill Bike Lane Concept
Road Diet Feasibility
Study
5 Economic Connectivity
Survey results, analysis, and recommendations
 People shop in Covington and
seek entertainment in Kent.

Of the residents that do go to

Kent or Covington to shop, they
Survey Results do so for variety and sense of
place.

Food and entertainment options

do not adequately match the
interests of residents.
 Auburn Food Assets

Food variety was heavily

mentioned in survey
responses
Food businesses are well
concentrated downtown
Lack of variety still inhibits
visitation to downtown,
major leakage to Kent
 Economic Recommendation #1
Enhanced Wayfinding

Wayfinding to food/
entertainment increases
awareness of selection in
Auburn, emphasizes
proximity to downtown
Auburn versus downtown
Kent/ nearby cities

Create identifiable
pathways
 Economic Recommendation #2
Farmers Market

Capitalizing on existing summer

farmers market- a year-round
farmers market provides a weekly
event for the community which
strengthens:
Community Interfacing
Access to fun & entertainment
Economic success of uniquely
Auburn businesses
Winter or Holiday Market
 Economic Recommendation #3
Re-focus Business Strategy

Auburn is a great place to raise a

family - businesses and events
meet the needs of a family
Find businesses that are attractive
to 18-25 age group
Recommend enhancing access to
entertainment (e.g. bowling alley,
nightlife, spectator sports)
Extend facade and design
guidelines
7 Social Connectivity
Survey results, analysis, and recommendations
Demographic Data
First words that come to mind...
 Social/Cultural Findings

Cultural groups are valued over social

Racial & class divides

Strong neighborhood identities

 Social/Cultural Suggestions

City events that engage people of all ages and celebrate Auburns
growing cultural diversity
Better engage existing local businesses and organizations in city
events (i.e. Green River College)
Placemaking recommendations will enhance social connections
between neighborhoods
 List of suggestions

1. Expand bus network

2. Improve non-motorized transport infrastructure
3. Implement signage and improve wayfinding to both downtown
Auburn and other community assets
4. Utilize year round farmers markets to fill gaps in food variety and
encourage local commerce
5. Diversify businesses to meet desires of all demographics
6. Diversify events to meet desires of all demographics
7. Better encourage existing local businesses and organizations to
participate in city-wide events
THANK YOU!