As can be concluded from looking at these plans, a large emphasis was afforded to the development of the bulb-outs - especially around the Courthouse Square proper.  This was not the first time bulb-outs were introduced as a solution, but HD03 represented the most comprehensive application of their usage.  From the start of discussion, many residents and public officials felt that the bulb-outs would either: a) not be approved by INDOT since it would not allow trucks to turn adequately, or b) would reduce parking.  It was quickly pointed out that both of these concerns were unfounded since: a) city officials met with INDOT engineers prior to the development of the plan, in which they lent their verbal support short of any final plans submitted, since adequate enough room would exist for the trucks to turn, and b) the bulb-outs actually INCREASED parking since cars could not chamfer corners due to the bulb-out's planters keeping cars "honest", and thus opening a new space or two where cars and trucks used to take close corners.

Beyond these local issues, bulb-outs, or curb extensions, have proven to be vastly popular where installed elsewhere in pedestrian-friendly areas.  Bulb-outs provide numerous benefits to pedestrians, which include:

Another common issue regards maintenance.  Yes, bulb-outs which incorporate raised planters will require upkeep - but not that significantly.  All depends on how intense the city would like to plant these areas.  Another major concern expressed by public works departments is snowplowing.  It is true that the bulb-outs would hinder speedy plowing of the area, but the impact is marginal.  If increased pedestrian safety means losing a few parking spaces on heavy snow days, then it goes to reason many people would be fine with this trade-off.  Besides, city crews can shovel out the spaces in the hours and days following a major snow event. 

In addition to the bulb-outs, the time has come to install ped-countdown signals throughout the Square.  The image on the left shows an example of this popular product.  Clearly a picture says a thousands words, and it is not hard to figure out how these signals would greatly aid in those looking to get around the downtown area.  However, the Indiana Dept. of Transportation (INDOT) is one of the very few state DOT's that have not approved these signals on state roads.  Although they are close to changing their vague policy, the city has used this excuse as their reason for not requesting the ped-countdown signals.  It's high time they did pursue this policy change with added vigor.

Another glaring omission around the Square is the complete absence of any proper parking for bicycles.  This issue needs to be clarified on two fronts.  First, what type of racks are best, and second, where to place them.  The first is very simple - inverted U-shaped racks.  End of discussion. The image on the right shows such a rack, and how a bike is supposed to lock up to it.  These are simple, easy to install, and the best type of rack to buy.  Other popular designs, such as a "wave" rack may look attractive, but many actually lock up their bikes parallel to the rack, thus making what should be a multi-bike rack into one that will only allow for two.

The second issue concerns placement of the bike rack.  In the image on the left, taken from the HD03 Plan, the proposed rack has been placed along the outer edge of the sidewalk, allowing enough room on both sides to park a bicycle, and far enough way from the building as to allow enough room for pedestrians to pass by.  When placing bike racks, do NOT plan to lump them all together in a single location, with the expectation that the biker will simply walk to their destination.  It is a well-known fact that bikers will park AS CLOSE to their destination as possible since, as another well-known fact, bikes can be easily stolen.  If parked too far away, the owner has no control over the security of their bike, and thieves have a far better chance to steal them.


2005 Downtown Circulation & Parking Plan
Another study of the downtown area was undertaken to primarily address the ongoing issue of parking and motorized vehicle circulation around the Square district.  The Downtown Circulation & Parking Plan (DCP) primarily focused on automobile and truck movement, but curiously addressed many of the same issues that were already proposed in HD03 in regards to pedestrian safety and movement.  Crown Point Safe Pathways recognizes the relationship between motorized and non-motorized traffic, so the implementation of this plan could represent a positive step forward.  Long and short-term recommendations such as reverse parking, selected one-way street designations and improved signage offer workable solutions to many long-standing problems in the area.

However, the report actually waters down, or outright eliminates many recommendations in the HD03 Plan.  It must be noted that the DCP plan does extend into recommendations for streetscape improvements - thus a comparison of both plans are in order.  The first, most glaring problem with the DCP plan is the complete omission of ANY references to bicycle traffic.  In fact, the words "bicycle" and "bike" are inexplicably left out of the text.  No mention of bike racks or how bicycles can successfully harmonize with the motorized traffic.  Ironically, one of the chief recommendations - reverse angle parking - actually ACCOMMODATES bike lanes, where the traditional angled parking does not since those leaving the reversed space can clearly see the oncoming traffic - including the bicyclist.

Otherwise, the DCP agrees with much of what was already proposed in the HD03 such as wider sidewalks, increased planting beds, and most especially, bulb-outs (or bump-outs as they describe them).  However, where the HD03 plan specifically addressed each bulb-out in regards to their design, the DCP plan leaves these areas wide open - no planters or benches, almost as an afterthought.  Beyond their aesthetic appeal, providing raised planters at each corner significantly increases the safety factor for pedestrians since cars and trucks alike enjoy cutting the corners as they whip around the Square.  Not so with concrete planters which will remind them soon enough to start taking the corners far slower.  On other matter involves crosswalk signals where the DCP plan recommends, but does not detail the type. Again, ped-countdown signals are far-and-away the best remedy.

What the DCP plan does agree with are bulb-outs being implemented as a SHORT-TERM project (before 2008).  This should resonate clearly with the city officials - decorations and facade improvements are nice, but they are not going to make the area any safer for those who want to visit.  What should be looked at is a harmonization between both the HD03 and DPC documents, since strong recommendations exist in each.

The 2007 Bicycle Plan does address the Square situation as well, but in regards to signage and bike racks only.  You can read more about this plan by clicking HERE.