Walkable Superblocks

[ita]

Since the pandemic, some major cities in America are instituting slow streets. Essentially, they are closing all or some of the roads in an area for pedestrian use. I heard about one example in Los Angeles concerning Degnan Boulevard, which is a major thoroughfare, on Marketplace. That is a partial closure, but it seems like a success in terms of people actually using the "new" public space.

I also recently read a few online articles on Vox (https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yYUPE1T ... block1.jpg) about Barcelona's superblocks plan. While we deride the term on this forum because it means no through streets in an otherwise square grid in urban, largely downtown Omaha, superblocks in Barcelona has a similar, but different meaning. It is a plan to stop through car traffic in a square consisting of nine city blocks (which is the ideal, though it can consist of less). Cars can still go into the grid, but are limited to 10 km/h (about 6 mph) and can only to looped around a city block when they enter. As such, only local traffic as access. The illustration of the general concept is this:



There are other details to how to make it work like underground garages and a certain density, but I like the concept and Barcelona has been implementing and expanding the strategy throughout the city.

I was thinking about Omaha's car-centric infrastructure and was wondering if something like Barcelona's superblock could be implemented here. An easy, well at least I think, example is Old Market. I still love the area, but when it's crowded, driving through or walking around can be stressful and downright dangerous. Additionally, everyone is trying to find that one parking spot within the district, even though there is a ton of parking on the outskirts or in a nearby garage. I think it would be interesting to close Howard, 11th, and 12th street to car traffic and make it public space between Harney and Jackson and 10th and 13th. A second superblock would be between Jackson and Leavenworth and 10th the 13th; close Jones St., 11th, and 12th to car traffic, incentivize redevelopment of the surface parking lot and build on the semi underground 10th and Jackson parking garage. Anyway, I am just streetballing and there are probably better areas to implement something like this. Let me know your thoughts, even if it's "you're crazy" or "that would never work here".

[Taco]

I am surprised we have not seen more of this with the street space taken up by outdoor dining, the old market would be a perfect fit.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I think those streets would be good candidates for super blocks at some point. There was an article I read recently about why super blocks are a challenge to make work in the US outside of legacy cities, tourist towns, and college towns. The theory is that there isn’t enough density or transit. Super blocks generally work best when there is a high number of walkers or potential walkers in the vicinity (ie, college students who live in/near campus and those who live in dense places with solid transit around)

Having been to Barcelona, it checks all the boxes for it to work there: very dense, lots and lots of transit, people already accustomed to walking, and a pinch of college kids thrown in as well. A lot of European cities check these boxes and the city centers usually have a handful of super blocks around. For it to work in Omaha we would need to increase adjacent density and invest a lot more in transit and a more urban friendly system of parking. In Vail, CO, for example, a pedestrian oriented resort town, there are large garages on the fringe of the city center where visitors park, sometimes for free, and then walk or take the free shuttle around. The streets are lined with mixed use buildings that include retail on the ground floor and hotels or timeshare properties on the upper floors.

Encouraging Creighton to expand in the direction of downtown could help as well.

Lisbon has an interesting way of controlling local traffic in its oldest, most touristy district, Alfama. Many of Alfamas streets are closed off to non-local traffic with bollards that can retract underground. Permitted residents are given a remote that retracts the bollards similar to the gate at the front of a gated community. The bollards however don’t restrict any pedestrian or bicycle traffic.

Side note on Barcelona parking: it’s surprisingly ample but the city is insanely good about hiding it, including behind false walls that are actually garage doors in buildings that appear to be hundreds of years old.

[ita]

I am surprised we have not seen more of this with the street space taken up by outdoor dining, the old market would be a perfect fit.

I am glad I am not the only thinking this. A perfect time to try it out would be on a first Friday.

[Busguy2010]

I am surprised we have not seen more of this with the street space taken up by outdoor dining, the old market would be a perfect fit.

I am glad I am not the only thinking this. A perfect time to try it out would be on a first Friday.

This idea first crossed my mind several years ago, I think when they repaved the bricks. I think at that time, I wanted them to go the extra step and close them. I love the idea, but I'm not sure business owners, or even patrons would agree

[Omahacritic]

Ita, Good concept if not overly broad.

1. Guess what, they are finishing up work on Jones from 11th to 13th. Tore it up, laid down a concrete base and repaved with recycled brick. Trimmed/thinned the big trees to give more light, added some planters. It’s looking great. They are doing the same to 12th from Jones to Jackson — should help with the front of Hollywood Candy/Fairmont.

2. Garage on 10th Jackson .. is heavily used by the intelligent ones who don’t hunt for “cheap” parking and for full time residents of several buildings. When you get rid of street parking, you still have to provide a place to park. On weekends the parking along 10th street bridge, 13th St, and all along Farnam St are filled.

3. Hate to beat on a dead horse, but it’s still too bad that ugly |expletive| gray monster blocks Old Market from the Mall. Your “super block” extending from Howard to the Mall would be a perfect fit. And no, 11th Street as the only conduit doesn’t cut it.

4. Closing Howard St to vehicle traffic. Maybe some of the Old Timers here can remind us of the arguments the anti-closure side use to fight the concept. But closing Howard from Friday to Sunday during warmer months makes lots of sense. And during this Virus summer, they could have had much more outdoor seating had they shut down curb parking. I think the city would experience an increase in sales tax revenue, and businesses on the fringe of the area would also profit. At the very least, the concept should be tested.

And ... the entire stretch should be a non-smoking zone. (But probably give a grandfather clause to the Cigar Lounge)

[ita]

I think those streets would be good candidates for super blocks at some point. There was an article I read recently about why super blocks are a challenge to make work in the US outside of legacy cities, tourist towns, and college towns. The theory is that there isn’t enough density or transit. Super blocks generally work best when there is a high number of walkers or potential walkers in the vicinity (ie, college students who live in/near campus and those who live in dense places with solid transit around)

Having been to Barcelona, it checks all the boxes for it to work there: very dense, lots and lots of transit, people already accustomed to walking, and a pinch of college kids thrown in as well. A lot of European cities check these boxes and the city centers usually have a handful of super blocks around. For it to work in Omaha we would need to increase adjacent density and invest a lot more in transit and a more urban friendly system of parking. In Vail, CO, for example, a pedestrian oriented resort town, there are large garages on the fringe of the city center where visitors park, sometimes for free, and then walk or take the free shuttle around. The streets are lined with mixed use buildings that include retail on the ground floor and hotels or timeshare properties on the upper floors.

Encouraging Creighton to expand in the direction of downtown could help as well.

Lisbon has an interesting way of controlling local traffic in its oldest, most touristy district, Alfama. Many of Alfamas streets are closed off to non-local traffic with bollards that can retract underground. Permitted residents are given a remote that retracts the bollards similar to the gate at the front of a gated community. The bollards however don’t restrict any pedestrian or bicycle traffic.

Side note on Barcelona parking: it’s surprisingly ample but the city is insanely good about hiding it, including behind false walls that are actually garage doors in buildings that appear to be hundreds of years old.

Thanks for all of your insights. I love the types of urban planning and design that europe and asia is able to implement because of existing design and infrastructure. You're right about the limitations on implementing super blocks in omaha. Not enough density, not enough efforts to cultivate walking/biking, and, of course, lack of public transportation. I would like to see future developments downtown/midtown taking real consideration of pedestrians, particularly if we get a more comprehensive transit system in the urban core. For instance, maybe the Civic site is done like a superblock without through streets? I don't know. In any case, while I have been a major proponent of public transit, I feel like that is just a means to an end which is walkable neighborhoods/city center in urban Omaha.

[ita]

Ita, Good concept if not overly broad.

1. Guess what, they are finishing up work on Jones from 11th to 13th. Tore it up, laid down a concrete base and repaved with recycled brick. Trimmed/thinned the big trees to give more light, added some planters. It’s looking great. They are doing the same to 12th from Jones to Jackson — should help with the front of Hollywood Candy/Fairmont.

2. Garage on 10th Jackson .. is heavily used by the intelligent ones who don’t hunt for “cheap” parking and for full time residents of several buildings. When you get rid of street parking, you still have to provide a place to park. On weekends the parking along 10th street bridge, 13th St, and all along Farnam St are filled.

3. Hate to beat on a dead horse, but it’s still too bad that ugly |expletive| gray monster blocks Old Market from the Mall. Your “super block” extending from Howard to the Mall would be a perfect fit. And no, 11th Street as the only conduit doesn’t cut it.

4. Closing Howard St to vehicle traffic. Maybe some of the Old Timers here can remind us of the arguments the anti-closure side use to fight the concept. But closing Howard from Friday to Sunday during warmer months makes lots of sense. And during this Virus summer, they could have had much more outdoor seating had they shut down curb parking. I think the city would experience an increase in sales tax revenue, and businesses on the fringe of the area would also profit. At the very least, the concept should be tested.

And ... the entire stretch should be a non-smoking zone. (But probably give a grandfather clause to the Cigar Lounge)

Thanks for the input. I have seen pictures of that Jones St. project and it is looking really good. Let's make it last by not letting vehicles through. I joke, but I don't think people equate our deteriorating roads with increased driving and personal vehicular use. That area though is going to get an additional huge pick me up with Fairmont renovation.

That's a good point about the garage on 10th and Jackson. From what I understand, one of the aspects of the Barcelona superblocks is not the complete elimination of cars. As such, superblock still have parking, albeit underground or hidden in other ways. I think that garage on 10th and Jackson can stay, but add residential or office above it and make the street level attractive for pedestrians with windows or a lobby to get to the hypothetical upper floors.

I beat multiple dead horses constantly and I don't think it can be emphasized enough that the "ugly gray monster" creates issue for that area.

Making it a non-smoking zone is a good idea. I would think, like you said, that the concept would result in more traffic and revenue, but the summer's over. However, there is always next year. It's impossible to implement without buy in by all or most of the stake holders in the district, but I think there have been enough examples around the US that repurposing streets for pedestrian use brings more people and activity to the area. Anyone want to join and start pitching this to Old Market stake holders?

[Omahacritic]

It would take 6 months of planning anyway. I’ve heard there is a former Mayor living in the area.

He is probably a blocker or an enabler.

[S.O.Boy]

In certain areas, this is fine. I would not want to live on a street that gets the added traffic, because a neighboring street is for walking only.

[ita]

How Covid-19 Inspired Oakland to Get Real About Equitable Urban Planning

I thought this was a nice counterpoint to the Slow Streets initiatives that many big cities have implemented. Oakland's Essential Places program is more inline with our own City's complete streets and Vision Zero initiatives. I wonder, but highly doubt, if this has been considered by the City during the pandemic.

[Omahacritic]

Today I walked along 11th Street along the Spaghetti Works outdoor seating area.

This thread came into mind. No sidewalk between Howard and Jackson on that side. Just 10 diagonal parking spaces.

Baffles me why they have never made it more pedestrian friendly.

[Louie]

Today I walked along 11th Street along the Spaghetti Works outdoor seating area.

This thread came into mind. No sidewalk between Howard and Jackson on that side. Just 10 diagonal parking spaces.

Baffles me why they have never made it more pedestrian friendly.

That is peculiar. I believe you are allowed to walk through the seating area itself, however strange that may feel to walk through ha.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I believe you are allowed to walk through the seating area itself, however strange that may feel to walk through ha.

Ha! Yes.. Unless the rules have changed due to Covid, they have allowed you to pass through the outside seating area. I have in the past and it is a bit awkward to say the least...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[jomaha9]

Passing through the Spaghetti Works patio is also not ADA compliant. Its also a pain for people with strollers who ultimately have to jaywalk or walk in the street to get past this barrier.

[Omahacritic]

Sadly, I missed the ADA component. Glad you brought it up.

I’m wondering if someone should file a lawsuit. Would not be the end o& the world if the city eliminated 10 parking spaces. Or even eliminate 6 of them and go parallel parking and add walking space.

Even without ADA, some people are probably intimidated be the awkwardness and won’t run the gauntlet. Likely, hurts business on Jackson a little bit.

[GetUrban]

Not too long ago there was a rail car cafe at the dock on that side of the original building. That was not accessible either, but it was at the right height for rail access / unloading into the building. Just part of the history that lives on. It’s too bad when the rail car went away they didn’t simply add parking, but Instead put in a sidewalk with a handicap ramp, rather than parking.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Not too long ago there was a rail car cafe at the dock on that side of the original building. That was not accessible either, but it was at the right height for rail access / unloading into the building. Just part of the history that lives on. It’s too bad when the rail car went away they didn’t simply add parking, but Instead put in a sidewalk with a handicap ramp, rather than parking.

Agreed..

I’ve felt the same for several years now.. Parking, mainly on the weekends, has been an ongoing issue of consternation in the Old Market for years.. While that strip wouldn’t have solved the OM weekend parking woes, it certainly would have provided a small bit of relief...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

I’d forgotten about the rail car. Such a shame. They had that chance to increase walk-ability.

[ita]

https://omaha.com/news/local/history/om ... op-story-1

[Quote] Bob Marks
But I didn’t come here just to talk about the past. In a recent piece in The World-Herald, Rick Ruggles pointed out that the Old Market has taken some hits of late. Former Mayor Hal Daub was quoted as saying that the luster has worn off a little bit. I agree that the Market needs a booster shot — a kick in the bricks, so to speak. I have had a picture buzzing in my cranium since visiting Charlottesville, Virginia, several years ago.

I can’t claim it as an original idea because I’m sure it must have been proposed and considered here before, and it has been successfully implemented in many American locales. I’m talking about “pedestrianization,” and I promise that it will be the longest word I ever use in any of my stories.

In Charlottesville, for instance, an eight-block stretch of Main Street is closed to vehicular traffic. The Omni offers a fine hotel at one end and there is an outdoor concert venue at the other. The shops, galleries and restaurants effectively have been extended onto the street and sidewalks. In Europe, this kind of motorless experience is the main tourist attraction in many city centers.[/url]

Yo, Mr. Marks, are you on this forum? Did this thread inspire your article? If so, you're welcome. Also, thanks for putting this out there in the OWH. I still think Old Market for pedestrians only is a winning idea and I am glad I am not the only one!

[Athomsfere]

https://omaha.com/news/local/history/om ... op-story-1

Bob Marks
But I didn’t come here just to talk about the past. In a recent piece in The World-Herald, Rick Ruggles pointed out that the Old Market has taken some hits of late. Former Mayor Hal Daub was quoted as saying that the luster has worn off a little bit. I agree that the Market needs a booster shot — a kick in the bricks, so to speak. I have had a picture buzzing in my cranium since visiting Charlottesville, Virginia, several years ago.

I can’t claim it as an original idea because I’m sure it must have been proposed and considered here before, and it has been successfully implemented in many American locales. I’m talking about “pedestrianization,” and I promise that it will be the longest word I ever use in any of my stories.

In Charlottesville, for instance, an eight-block stretch of Main Street is closed to vehicular traffic. The Omni offers a fine hotel at one end and there is an outdoor concert venue at the other. The shops, galleries and restaurants effectively have been extended onto the street and sidewalks. In Europe, this kind of motorless experience is the main tourist attraction in many city centers.[/url]

Yo, Mr. Marks, are you on this forum? Did this thread inspire your article? If so, you're welcome. Also, thanks for putting this out there in the OWH. I still think Old Market for pedestrians only is a winning idea and I am glad I am not the only one!

I've been wishing we could do this for the old market for years:

Close it all down to through traffic. Pedestrians only. Resurface it (replace the brick road with new, level bricks).

Then we could enjoy the market for decades (or even centuries like in Europe).

[Busguy2010]

I've had this thought for about a decade now. I'd really at least like to see the city try it temporarily from time to time, or on occasion for special events. But I don't really see it happening permanently. Every time I've been down there, none of the on street parking has been open.

[Athomsfere]

I've had this thought for about a decade now. I'd really at least like to see the city try it temporarily from time to time, or on occasion for special events. But I don't really see it happening permanently. Every time I've been down there, none of the on street parking has been open.

Agreed. I live close enough to walk, bike or take a ~$5 uber.

I'd love to see those parking spots go away, and become something like spots for street vendors, performances, bike parking.

[Louie]

I've had this thought for about a decade now. I'd really at least like to see the city try it temporarily from time to time, or on occasion for special events. But I don't really see it happening permanently. Every time I've been down there, none of the on street parking has been open.

Agreed. I live close enough to walk, bike or take a ~$5 uber.

I'd love to see those parking spots go away, and become something like spots for street vendors, performances, bike parking.

Agreed, and on busy nights its kind of a nightmare to drive through those intersections anyway. Might as well keep the cars outside of it.

[Athomsfere]

I've had this thought for about a decade now. I'd really at least like to see the city try it temporarily from time to time, or on occasion for special events. But I don't really see it happening permanently. Every time I've been down there, none of the on street parking has been open.

Agreed. I live close enough to walk, bike or take a ~$5 uber.

I'd love to see those parking spots go away, and become something like spots for street vendors, performances, bike parking.

Agreed, and on busy nights its kind of a nightmare to drive through those intersections anyway. Might as well keep the cars outside of it.

Exactly, and until you've experienced what a "town square" can do, or a xmas market...

I'd love to hit this once a year for example:

[ita]

Would a pedestrian-only zone in the Old Market be a 'ghost town' or a boomtown?

Dan Crisler
For 44 years, Mark Donovan’s carriage rides have been a popular draw for thousands of Old Market visitors.

The clippety-clop of horse hooves brings a 19th century feel to the downtown tourism district’s brick streets.

“If you ask people to name three things about the Old Market, I think they’d say: old buildings, brick roads and horse and carriages,” said Donovan, who owns Magical Journeys Carriage Service.

Donovan’s carriages stand in contrast with the hundreds of cars that drive through the Old Market and park at its meters. Despite that, Donovan isn’t a fan of taking cars out of the Old Market and turning the area into a pedestrian mall.


“If you turn that into a pedestrian area, it’s going to look like a ghost town,” he said.

Apparently everyone the reporter talked to hates the idea and the mayor said she hasn't heard any support for this idea. She does not visit this forum! Anyway, it would be nice to see some experimentation. Close it down for a weekend, or even just a night, First Friday, make it an event. Let performers and businesses take the streets. Direct people to the many parking garages surrounding Old Market. See what happens.

It's funny cause some owners don't like the idea and say that "We're already not that busy!" They also want more parking in Old Market and some want Old Market to become a new taxing entertainment district. *start sarcasm* Yes, to increase interest and people traffic in Old Market we need more parking and taxes! *end sarcasm*. We need new blood in the Old Market and city leadership. Unfortunately, we will not get either any time soon.

[NEDodger]

Apparently everyone the reporter talked to hates the idea and the mayor said she hasn't heard any support for this idea. She does not visit this forum!

I'm going to take a stab here and guess she meant the Old Market business owners - you know, the people who are much more invested in the consequences of change there than random people on a random message board.

[ita]

Apparently everyone the reporter talked to hates the idea and the mayor said she hasn't heard any support for this idea. She does not visit this forum!

I'm going to take a stab here and guess she meant the Old Market business owners - you know, the people who are much more invested in the consequences of change there than random people on a random message board.

You're right. I know my opinion isn't worth much in the scheme of things and honestly most times I have voiced it outside of this forum it goes largely unheard, ie. messages to local civic leaders.

Business and building owners should have first right of refusal over what happens in the district. I kind of hoped they would be more open to to the idea of a pedestrian mall, but I understand that it's hard to think that removing cars could lead to more opportunities for people centric activity in the district which could lead to more business. We are a car first town, why should they think differently? I get it.

It would be a risk, but it could be done with minimal effort, relatively, compared to creating another tax island or building more parking in the district. I personally think old market could pull it off especially if it's occasionally like on weekends only.

[NEDodger]

We're on the same page - I'd like to see it turned pedestrian only on the weekend as well. But I understand the concern the Old Market business owners have, if this is something that was tried before on a limited basis and was apparently a disaster. And ultimately it's those business owners who are going to be the go/no go for something like this, as they should be.

[bigredmed1]

The OM was tried as pedestrians only in the 1990’s. Like 93 IIRC. It wasn’t a flaming disaster, but nor a success as they just blocked off Howard street for a couple of blocks.

[ita]

The OM was tried as pedestrians only in the 1990’s. Like 93 IIRC. It wasn’t a flaming disaster, but nor a success as they just blocked off Howard street for a couple of blocks.

Thanks for the history. Do you remember if it was pedestrian only 7 days a week or more of an occasional thing? I think times different from 1993, but I am interested to know more about the 1990's attempt to do it.

[bigredmed1]

Just the weekends. I left downtown in 1993. It was tried while I was there and then later.

[Dusty]

I had proposed the Old Market to go car-free (pedestrian zone) many times. Skeptics always say "But where would I park?" I respond with you can park in one of many parking garages or take transit to get there. The reaction is always the same....deer in headlights. People are just scared of change. I do feel like the city is ready to revisit this concept. With the streetcar being added and the development boom downtown, it's bringing more people to the area. I also notion the idea of starting with Friday and Saturday nights only. If we can close the streets for the farmers market, then why can't we do it at night when the crowds are high. Austin, TX does this with 6th St downtown.

I would love to see Barcelona Super Blocks in Omaha, but unlikely to happen. It would be difficult to acquire enough land to do it right. But we can take certain elements from it to improve design and increase our density.

-Change setback laws. Not everyone wants sprawling yards. Reduce setback so we can build a few feet from sidewalk. This gives us the opportunity to build small "superblocks" (buildings on outside perimeter with shared courtyard/green space in the middle). At worst, it opens it up to build new urbanism neighborhoods. Houses built closer together with shared alley for cars and shared green space.

-Change Apartment standards. I propose any new apartment building to mixed use with commercial on ground level. Offer incentives to existing apartments to convert ground level to commercial. Not all existing units will be a good fit, but you would see a big change in a few years. This will make hot spots where you can walk and bike. Now we can encourage better land use for nearby parcels. Instead of building a strip mall or single story coffee shop across the street, we can build another mixed use complex of residential and commercial. Adding density and tons of amenities within close proximity. A micro city where you can drive, walk, bike, or take transit.

[Athomsfere]

-Change Apartment standards. I propose any new apartment building to mixed use with commercial on ground level. Offer incentives to existing apartments to convert ground level to commercial. Not all existing units will be a good fit, but you would see a big change in a few years. This will make hot spots where you can walk and bike. Now we can encourage better land use for nearby parcels. Instead of building a strip mall or single story coffee shop across the street, we can build another mixed use complex of residential and commercial. Adding density and tons of amenities within close proximity. A micro city where you can drive, walk, bike, or take transit.

I'd say the perfect minimum zoning is mixed use. But don't require it. It adds expense, which blocks out potential housing. Housing is even more important that walkability.

[TransitOriented]

I had proposed the Old Market to go car-free (pedestrian zone) many times.

To whom? Government officials or developers?

[Garrett]

I had proposed the Old Market to go car-free (pedestrian zone) many times.

To whom? Government officials or developers?

A valid question. If you want car-free zones in the Old Market, I'd consider reaching out to various groups with power and talking to them about it. See if the city or maybe even the chamber of commerce would be willing to experiment with car free weekends, for example. I've been able to get ears to hear my ideas before, I'm sure you could too with a good proposal.

[Dusty]

I had proposed the Old Market to go car-free (pedestrian zone) many times.

To whom? Government officials or developers?

A valid question. If you want car-free zones in the Old Market, I'd consider reaching out to various groups with power and talking to them about it. See if the city or maybe even the chamber of commerce would be willing to experiment with car free weekends, for example. I've been able to get ears to hear my ideas before, I'm sure you could too with a good proposal.

I never approached the city about it, but did a lot of public engagement. 10+ years ago, I ran a meet-up group and we did a lot of events downtown. I would always ask their experience getting there, what changes in downtown they would like to see, etc. I do believe the public is ready for car-free zone in the Old Market, even if it's for a few evening hours on the weekend.

I will start gathering some talking points for a proposal. I will see what I can do!

[Dusty]

-Change Apartment standards. I propose any new apartment building to mixed use with commercial on ground level. Offer incentives to existing apartments to convert ground level to commercial. Not all existing units will be a good fit, but you would see a big change in a few years. This will make hot spots where you can walk and bike. Now we can encourage better land use for nearby parcels. Instead of building a strip mall or single story coffee shop across the street, we can build another mixed use complex of residential and commercial. Adding density and tons of amenities within close proximity. A micro city where you can drive, walk, bike, or take transit.

I'd say the perfect minimum zoning is mixed use. But don't require it. It adds expense, which blocks out potential housing. Housing is even more important that walkability.

Building a good city is more than adding housing or density. We don't have a housing shortage. We are lacking affordable options which is a different conversation. If you want walkable cities, you have to have great livability mixed with density. Livability = amenities, schools, clinics all with a close distance. You could call that the 15 minute city. Omaha does this very well. You can drive 5 minutes and reach a ton of businesses. All we have to do is strengthen that network to be more bike friendly and walkable.

This is why I was suggesting small ideas to make big change. Build off what Omaha is good at. Small changes in the planning code can go a long way. If we can propose some solid ideas to Omaha by Design, there is a chance they will make some adjustments for the good. We can debate all day whether to mandate, incentivize, or give choice on mixed use apartments. Apartments have good bones and small changes could add more value to the neighborhood. I would love to see some New Urbanism communities vs more houses with sprawling yards. I would encourage developers to use more aesthetics into design. Offer options of different facades and style. Do you want to walk among buildings that are interesting or boxy and boring?

[Athomsfere]

-Change Apartment standards. I propose any new apartment building to mixed use with commercial on ground level. Offer incentives to existing apartments to convert ground level to commercial. Not all existing units will be a good fit, but you would see a big change in a few years. This will make hot spots where you can walk and bike. Now we can encourage better land use for nearby parcels. Instead of building a strip mall or single story coffee shop across the street, we can build another mixed use complex of residential and commercial. Adding density and tons of amenities within close proximity. A micro city where you can drive, walk, bike, or take transit.

I'd say the perfect minimum zoning is mixed use. But don't require it. It adds expense, which blocks out potential housing. Housing is even more important that walkability.

We don't have a housing shortage. We are lacking affordable options which is a different conversation.

I agree with most of what you said: But I do believe that you can't exclude any of those if you want affordable housing.

The lower the barriers, the mores housing built over time, the more more more, and less detached SFH sprawling to nowhere... The more likely it is to have affordable housing at point X in time.

[Dusty]

I agree with most of what you said: But I do believe that you can't exclude any of those if you want affordable housing.

The lower the barriers, the mores housing built over time, the more more more, and less detached SFH sprawling to nowhere... The more likely it is to have affordable housing at point X in time.

I understand your viewpoint and agree, but at some point you have to give direction to developers. They will build whatever makes them the most money and that vision doesn't always line up with what we want. I'm saying create bumper rails for them to work towards our goal but give them lot's of flexibility as well.

As I said, shrink lots size minimums and setback laws for residential builds. This is loosening the restrictions so developers have more to work with. Some cities require X percent of units to be "affordable" pricing. This could be a strategy as well. For example, 40% of units must be below a certain price or size. They can build smaller units closer together and make it worth their while.