Blue Springs picks double‑lamp fixtures and 15‑foot sidewalks with hybrid parking for downtown Main Street

The Blue Springs City Council on July 7 directed staff to move forward with double‑lamp streetlight fixtures for Main Street and approved 15‑foot sidewalks with a hybrid parking configuration (a mix of parallel and angled/diagonal stalls) between U.S. 7 Highway and 15th Street, with the engineering details to be finalized during the design phase.

City staff and Cochran Engineering presented the downtown streetscape work that grew from the city’s Downtown Master Plan (adopted March 18, 2024) and the Downtown Streetscape Enhancements Task Force. The council heard a summary of a June 10 public meeting and an online survey. Staff reported the survey favored the double‑lamp option and, by margin, supported 15‑foot sidewalks with a hybrid parking layout in the options presented.

Project consultant Dave Christiansen and staff presenter George reviewed existing parking counts and options. Staff reported 118 striped on‑street parking stalls on Main Street between 7 Highway and 15th Street and 129 spaces in public parking lots, for a total inventory of 247 public spaces (not counting city hall and some church lots accessible after hours). The master plan options presented to the public included: retaining diagonal stalls with 10‑foot sidewalks, a hybrid option with 15‑foot sidewalks that combines parallel and diagonal stalls, and a 19‑foot sidewalk option that would require parallel parking on both sides.

Staff recommended moving forward to preliminary engineering for two separate council motions: one selecting the streetlight design (double lamps) and one selecting the sidewalk width and parking configuration (15‑foot hybrid). The council approved the double‑lamp motion and then approved the motion to pursue 15‑foot sidewalks with a hybrid parallel/diagonal parking configuration; staff noted the final side (north/south) for angled stalls will be determined by engineering and safety analysis. Cochran will perform a lighting study and prepare bid documents asking bidders for a base model and priced alternatives (smooth vs. fluted poles, single vs. double heads). Staff advised that some decorative options (for example, fluted poles) have longer lead times (six to eight months).

Council members raised traffic and circulation questions, including whether a one‑way configuration for part of Main Street should be studied. Council member Erickson moved and the council approved an instruction to staff to evaluate a one‑way option as part of the design process; the council did not adopt any traffic reconfiguration at this meeting and directed staff to return with engineering work and schedule if the one‑way option is to be pursued. The police chief and other council members cautioned that a one‑way conversion would require traffic analysis and consequences for adjacent streets and downtown circulation should be evaluated.

Public reaction presented at the meeting and summarized by staff included support for improved walkability and ADA accessibility and requests that final streetscape elements consider building facades and pedestrian connectivity to Central Park and the railroad crossing; staff said cost estimates for quiet crossing modifications would be developed if the council requests that work be included in the construction scope. Staff said final design and bidding will include alternate features and a timeline will be developed after the cross‑section (sidewalk width/parking) and lamp choices are confirmed by council.