Abstract:
In 1991 the "Main Street Odessa" program began implementing a plan to revitalize the central business district in Odessa, Texas (population ~100,000). One of the key elements of this plan was the modification of Grant Avenue (also known as US 385) between 2nd Street and 8th Street. Grant Avenue is the main corridor through the downtown area with adjacent land uses consisting of commercial, office, retail, and government buildings. Prior to modification the undivided street featured two travel lanes in each of the northbound and southbound directions, along with angle-in parking. The modification changed the parking to parallel and added a raised, landscaped median. The project also included new off-street parking lots along Grant Avenue. This paper discusses the process that led to this streetscape change and the impacts that have been realized over the past 10 years. These impacts include property values, occupancy rates of adjacent buildings, retail sales along the corridor, as well as property owner (and tenant) and public acceptance. The paper also discusses crash data since 1991. Sharing this case study with representatives of other agencies will inform them about the process and results, including lessons learned, so they may consider a similar program in their areas.
