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City Center Block Plan: staff flags pedestrian bottlenecks and offers signal, sidewalk and shuttle options
Summary
City planners presented a draft City Center Block Plan to the Orem City Council that identifies pedestrian bottlenecks, unsanctioned crossings and ADA gaps and proposes signalized crossings, widened sidewalks and shuttle and wayfinding strategies for high-attendance events.
City planners briefed the council on a draft City Center Block Plan that focuses on improving pedestrian safety, event circulation and ADA access as attendance at City Center Park and downtown events has grown.
"Our estimates is that it's grown into the hundreds of thousands," the presenter said, summarizing larger crowds and higher pedestrian volumes tied to events such as the farmers market, concerts and ballpark games. Staff showed photos and on-site observations of unsanctioned crossings and "desire lines" where pedestrians routinely cross parking lots rather than using formal sidewalks.
Preliminary recommendations include studying a signalized crossing at a key unsanctioned mid-block crossing, evaluating rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB/Hawk signals) at other crossing points, widening narrow sidewalks in bottleneck corridors, adding formalized pedestrian connections through the parking fields, improving ADA routes to the senior center and library, and expanding tree canopy to create more shaded places. Staff also proposed event-parking management measures, wayfinding and a possible shuttle program for high-attendance events.
The plan includes an interactive base map to test alternatives and noted recent proactive fixes (temporary crosswalks removed pending formal design). Staff said these ideas will be refined in coordination with updates to the citywide transportation and bicycle master plans.
Councilmembers welcomed the approach and suggested shuttle and partnership options. The plan is a draft; staff will return with refined alternatives and cost estimates for implementation.
