Land Use Plan
Recommended land uses within the downtown
require the mixing of uses to support the objectives of the
revitalization. The following land uses are included within
the revitalization area:
- Mixed use commercial-Retail/service
on the first floor with office or
residential above
- Retail/office -Retail/service on the first
floor with office above
- Public -public or quasi-public
uses
- Open space -public open space
Public Use
A park area should be constructed to provide for an event
venue and to allow passive recreational opportunities for
visitors. This park area should take advantage of the Shabbecong
Creek, which flows along the southern boundary of the central
business district. The area will have walking and bicycle
paths into the central business district from the Youmans
Avenue and Route #31 South intersection.This area provides
easy connection to the Borough ’s existing park between
Route #31 South and Broad Street.
Downtown Plan
The overall plan for the revitalization of the
downtown seeks to create a vibrant, mixed-use business district.
This will be accomplished through the preservation and restoration
of those buildings that fit the visual and spatial character
of the downtown,while supporting appropriate commercial and
residential uses.Where existing buildings do not fit these
attributes, new buildings should be constructed to fit the
building blocks as shown.The plan includes over approximately
140,000 SF of new retail space, 70,000 SF of new office space
and 70 dwelling units.
The setback of new buildings should guarantee
a minimum sidewalk depth of 20 feet , to accommodate the
proposed streetscape and public amenities plan. Public amenities,
including new shade tree plantings, will help to create a highly
desirable pedestrian environment. These enhancements will encourage
pedestrian travel within the district.
The pedestrian corridor and the
park area will meet at a focal point south of East Washington
Avenue. Vehicular travel lanes will remain along Washington
Avenue, one in each direction. However, the addition of dedicated
bicycle lanes within the district will provide a higher level
of comfort and safety for bicycle users, thereby encouraging
bicycle use as an alternative to cars.
Public transportation
enhancements include the provision of designated bus stops
in the central plaza in both directions.
Parking will be located
within a series of consolidated,centralized lots that provide
convenient access for downtown business patrons and residents.
Initially, these are planned as surface lots. However, as demand
increases over time,structured parking may be necessary to
support it.
Streets
Streets within the Downtown will play an important
role in the revitalization effort.Streets not only serve as
vehicular thoroughfares, but also play an important role as
the primary open spaces within a Downtown.The
visual and spatial character of streets contributes immensely
to the overall character of the Downtown.The type of street
most supportive of a small, central business district like
Washington ’s is one
that is bounded by visually attractive,human-scaled commercial
architecture,that has generous pedestrian sidewalks, narrow
vehicular lanes (which slows traffic down)and a solid canopy
of street trees.This plan lays the groundwork for achieving
that character through street cross sections and alignments.These
plans and diagrams reflect the existing conditions and the
extent of future improvements. They also reflect input from
the NJDOT,who have evaluated the existing conditions within
the Downtown and the draft proposals for street improvements
within Downtown Revitalization plan.Although the streets
have been designed to consider the NJDOT recommendations,
in some cases the recommended street design in this plan
varies from standard NJDOT practices and may require waivers
from the NJDOT prior to implementation.
Streetscape & Public Amenities Plan
Public amenities are an integral
part of a pedestrian-oriented downtown business district.The
sidewalks within Washington ’s
downtown have been conceived to accommodate street furnishings
to provide comfort and convenience for pedestrians.Street furnishings
should be consistent in their design and finish,with an antique
quality.Their character should reflect the character of the
downtown,ensuring that they are readily identified with the
central business district.Where possible,furnishings should
be clustered to use the sidewalk space as efficiently as possible.
A recommended configuration of these elements is depicted in
the plan.
Circulation
A mid-block crosswalk should be constructed on East Washington
Avenue to improve pedestrian safety and pedestrian circulation.
Traffic calming techniques should be used to slow traffic
and improve pedestrian safety. A pedestrian corridor running
north to south near the middle of East Washington Avenue
should be created to facilitate movement within the downtown
area. Bicycle routes into the downtown and within the downtown
area should be planned for and clearly delineated.Provisions
should be made to accommodate bicycles in the downtown
area,such as providing bike racks or lockers.
Pedestrian Amenities
Pedestrian amenities such as benches, kiosks, litter receptacles,
etc. should be provided and durably designed and integrated
into an overall design scheme or pattern.Litter receptacles
should be designed to accept only very small items of trash
and not bags of waste. Antique looking ornamental street
light fixtures should be installed and overhead utility
lines should be placed underground. Electrical outlets
should be provided to illuminate street trees during winter
months.Shade trees and planters should be widely and exten-
sively used to soften the hard brick and mortar appearance
of the buildings, sidewalks, and parking areas.
The following street furnishings should be integrated
within the downtown ’s
public spaces:
- Benches -four feet in length,perpendicular
to the street
- Bicycle storage -located at nodes and
at regular spacing out of the pedestrian paths
- Ornamental lighting -period lighting reflecting
the existing commercial architecture
- Waste containers -both trash and recycling,possibly
attached to light standards,sized to accept small items,but
not bags of waste
- Decorative textiles -light-mounted banners
or building-mounted per standards
- Street trees -continuous trench allee
plantings in structural soil;pipes to facilitate aeration,watering,fertilization
and drainage,spaced 30 ’on-center. planter width 5 ’
- Electrical outlets -to provide power
for events and illumination of street elements
- Sidewalk width -will vary according to street
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