Belhaven Downtown Master Plan

1
Belhaven DowntownMaster Plan

• Allison Platt Associates

2
The 2003 Waterfront Plan
Phase One Residential Mixed Use
Phase Two Marina Residential
Phase Three Downtown Revitalization
3
Progress Since 2003
Optioned for a marina, residential, retail
Purchased for residential construction to begin
late 2005
Optioned for a residential, retail
Remains Industrial
Optioned for a residential, retail
4
The 2005 Downtown Plan

• Goals of the Plan
• Address flooding problem
• Save historic buildings
• Allow non-contributing buildings to be replaced,
  but raise the elevation of new buildings 4 feet
• Ensure public waterfront access at key sites
• Provide opportunities for new retail and
  residential downtown

5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
Goal Address the Flooding Problem

• The main source of non-storm flooding is Wynnes
  Gut in its present state
• The plan seeks to alleviate intermittent flooding
  through a combination of measures
• Culvert(s) with backflow prevention
• Raising the banks of the Gut
• Increasing flow by raising the road over the Gut
  at Main Street
• Increasing surface area with created wetlands

8

• Created wetlands
• Original banks of Wynnes Gut
• Wetlands walkways, trails, educational markers
• New amphitheater
• Allen Street partial closures
• New Bridge/culvert at Main Street
• New Bridge/culvert at Water Street with backflow
  prevention and pumps
• Backflow prevention for water draining into
  Wynnes Gut
• Raising the banks of the Gut 2-4 feet

9
Goal Not JUST flood control

• It is possible and desirable to devise a solution
  that not only alleviates flooding, but also
  creates a new open space amenity in the heart of
  the downtown
• This will not only solve the flooding problem,
  but also
• improve the image of the Town
• Expand open space dramatically
• Connect to waterfront walkways and the proposed
  hike/bike trails along the railroad right of way

10
Functional Solution Jacks Creek
11
Wynnes Gut New Open Space Amenity

• Created wetlands
• New amphitheater
• New Bridge/enhanced Town gateway over the Gut at
  Main Street
• Direct connections to outdoor dining
• Raised banks with interconnected trail system to
  waterfront, hike/bike trails
• Opportunity for small craft

12
New Streetscapes, New Buildings

• Streetscapes must be improved to attract both
  visitors and new development
• New buildings should be raised 4 feet to avoid
  flooding
• How to raise the buildings gracefully and
  integrate them into the new streetscapes was an
  challenging problem

13
The solution expand the streetscape to an upper
level

• New buildings must to set back at least 20 feet
  to allow handicap ramps, stairs, and walking
  areas at the upper level
• Fortunately, the historic buildings are very
  deep, so building can fit into the space left
• The result creates spaces for outdoor dining,
  additional landscaping and seating, outdoor sales
  and displays

14
Pamlico Street Existing Conditions
Proposed Improvements with new buildings, 20
foot setback and raised terrace
15
PAMLICO ST
MAIN ST
Plan view with new building
Elevation of new building
16
Main Street Existing Conditions
Proposed Improvements
17
Elevation of new building
PAMLICO ST
MAIN ST
MAIN ST
Plan view of new building
18

• Water Street Existing Conditions
• Water Street has a very narrow ROW
• It is the primary water address in Belhaven

Proposed Improvements This solution requires
additional ROW
19

• Water Street ROW Line
• Because of the importance of this street,
  additional ROW should be acquired for sidewalks,
  parking

20
Downtown Waterfront Redevelopment
Former Robbs Marina
Former Sea Safari Site
Former BelhavenFish and Oyster Site
Public Access to Waterfront
21
Other Downtown Redevelopment
2
4
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
1 Residential/commercial 2 Restaurants
w/water views
3 Consider for residential/mixed use on Water
St. 4 Possible residential
22
Implementation Strategies

• Approve the plan
• Consider Self-Financing District (5 of Town area
  is allowed)
• Municipal Service District, other funding sources
• Design Guidelines, overlay districts
• Flood control design, funding, approvals
• Ensure public access to water
• Development moratorium?
• Begin planning for infrastructure improvements

23
Self-Financing (TIF) District Boundaries
24
Design Guidelines
Examples used to explain the guidelines.
25
The rest is up to you.