First design studio successful

Martin Shukert, left, of RDG Planning and Design discusses with Jerry Witt, right, local resident and business owner, discuss possibilities of how to control the traffic circulation in the downtown area during Monday evening's design studio as part of the U.S. 69 Corridor Study. Monday evening's design studio was the second of two held at the Lyons Twin Mansions, with the first being held earlier in the day. (Tribune photo/Michael Pommier)

Local residents took the opportunity to provide input for the U.S. 69 Corridor Study.

Approximately 40 local residents and business owners assembled at the Lyons Twin Mansions Monday for the first two design studios as part of the U.S. 69 Corridor Study. Attendees met with project engineers and designers to express concerns about the transportation and land usage through the U.S. 69 Corridor.

"Right now we are experimenting to see what works and feels right and what doesn't," Martin Shukert, RDG Planning and Design, said.

Shukert added the response was great.

"We've had very spirited participation," Shukert said.

Shukert, who is focusing on how transportation relates to the access and experience of Fort Scott, said he spent more time discussing the circulation of the downtown area during the design studios than anything else. He said too much thought about one-way circulation was put into the design resulting in a loss of functionality.

"Right now we have a pretty convoluted circulation pattern in downtown and it confuses visitors," Shukert said. "It was almost right, it wasn't that far off."

Shukert said an idea discussed with attendees was a north and west extension of Scott Avenue to connect with National Avenue as well as making Main Street a two-way street and connect to the Scott Avenue extension. He added this idea would reflect the original street grid.

Kyle Anderson, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, said other issues discussed included the intersection of South National Avenue and U.S. 69. Both Anderson and Shukert mentioned the space under U.S. 69 on Wall Street as a potential community art project. Anderson also said the study will look at the addition of bicycle lanes as well as other ways to enhance pedestrian flow.

Shukert and Anderson said they usually have more ideas drawn by the end of the first day, however they have been spending more time talking and less time drawing. Spending more time talking is the main goal of the studios, according to Shukert and Anderson.

"That way we know we are responding to things people actually are identifying as issues," Shukert said.

Anderson said they may have a couple of concept drawings at the next design studios. The next set of studios will be held on Tuesday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 22, to discuss the area of the U.S. 69 Corridor from the intersection of South National Avenue and U.S. 69 to the Crawford and Bourbon County lines.

A brief summary of the work completed at the design workshops held Monday will be presented at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7 at the Lyons Twin Mansions, 740 S. National Ave.