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America's Capitals
Greening East William Street
Carson City, Nevada

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Greening America's Capitals
Greening America's Capitals is a project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities
between EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the
U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) to help state capitals develop an implementable
vision of distinctive, environmentally friendly neighborhoods that incorporate innovative green
infrastructure strategies. EPA is providing this design assistance to help support sustainable
communities that protect the environment, economy, and public health and to inspire state
leaders to expand this work elsewhere. Greening America's Capitals will help communities
consider ways to incorporate sustainable design strategies into their planning and development
to create and enhance interesting, distinctive neighborhoods that have multiple social,
economic, and environmental benefits.
Carson City, Nevada was chosen in 2014 as one of five state capital cities to receive this
assistance, along with Austin,Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Pierre, South Dakota; and Richmond,
Virginia.
Find more information about Greening America's Capitals atwww.epa.gov/smartgrowth/
greening-americas-capitals
All images courtesy of Community Design + Architecture unless otherwise noted.
Smart Growth
GREENING
AMERICA S CAPITALS

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Acknowledgements
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Abby Hall, Office of Sustainable Communities
Connell Dunning, Region 9
Carson City
Lee Plemel, Community Development Director
Patrick Pittenger;Transportation Manager
Robb Fellows, Stormwater Program Manager
Vern Krahn, Senior Park Planner
Community Design + Architecture
Connie Goldade, RLA, Principal in Charge
Phil Erickson, AIA, Complete Streets Advisor
Warren Logan, Urban Designer
Ashley Cruz, Urban Designer
Zack Haison Dinh, Urban Designer
Sandra Wendel & Associates Landscape Architecture
Sandra Wendel, Principal

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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
Table of Contents
Executive Summary	iv
1	| Introduction	I
2	| Project Area and Existing Conditions	3
3	| Design Workshop	9
4	| Design Options	I I
5	| Next Steps and Funding	33
Appendices	39

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Executive Summary
Nevada Department ofTransportation (NDOT) recently transferred East William
Street to Carson City.The city would like to transform the street from a vehicle-
dominated, high-speed corridor to a greener; more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly
street—a green and complete street.
Carson City, Nevada requested technical assistance from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to create a cohesive vision for East William Street and
to begin planning, with local citizens and stakeholders, how the street could better
serve the local community. Currently the street is wide, traffic is fast-moving, and
there are few bicycle or pedestrian amenities. In some sections there are no
sidewalks. EPA hired a design team to develop design options that improve the
comfort of pedestrians and cyclists while also addressing other city goals to create
a sense of community identity (the street is the main entry to downtown from the
east); collect and treat stormwater runoff; and encourage economic development
along the street.
Greening East William Street
Executive summary
This report includes a project area assessment of conditions along East William
Street (presented in chapter 2); a discussion of project goals, challenges, and
opportunities identified during the three-day workshop in Carson City (presented
in chapter 3); and a set of design options for East William Street (presented in
chapter 4).The design options outline a series of potential improvements that
could help East William Street become a smaller; slower city street, while providing
new opportunities to capture and treat stormwater runoff through the use
of green infrastructure, and make the street more walkable and bikeable.The
design options vary along the corridor; recognizing the different character and
available right of way width of the street as it transitions from the Interstate to the
downtown area.
The final chapter of this report, Next Steps and Funding, captures the robust
discussions that occurred during the workshop between the design team, city,
state and federal agency staff, and local business owners, residents, and other
stakeholders.This chapter also presents ideas about how to pay for and implement
the designs, and possible near-, mid-, and long-term actions that could catalyze
improvements along East William Street.

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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
Introduction
East William Street has a rich history as an important transportation corridor in
Carson City, Nevada. It once served as theVirginia City-Truckee (V&T) Railroad
track line for freight and mining in nearby towns, served as part of the Pony
Express route, later became part of the Lincoln Highway (State Highway 50),
and is now a major city corridor that connects the newly constructed Interstate
580 (1-580) to downtown Carson City. In 2009,The Nevada Department of
Transportation transferred the street to Carson City. Carson City wants to
transform a 1.5 mile long segment of East William Street from an auto-oriented
street into a green and complete street.
When East William Street was part of the state highway system, it was the primary
traffic corridor into downtown Carson City with little accommodations for
pedestrians and bicyclists.The extension of 1-580 removed a significant amount of
traffic from the corridor, and while traffic volumes have decreased, accidents have
increased. Speed is believed to be the cause of many accidents because the street
is wide, blocks are long, stoplights infrequent, and traffic volume is relatively low—
all of which make drivers feel it is safe to drive fast.These and other conditions that
are further described in this report create unsafe and uncomfortable walking and
bicycling experiences, and discourage some residents from walking or biking along
East William Street.
Carson City requested assistance from the EPA's Greening America's Capitals
program to help enhance East William Street to:
Improve pedestrian facilities and crossings at key intersections and along East
William Street.
Increase bicycle comfort and safety to encourage bicycle ridership.
Improve vehicle circulation and reduce traffic speeds to safer levels.
Create a sense of place and unique character along East William Street
through business investment, public art installations, and attractive landscaping.
Establish a gateway to downtown Carson City from 1-580.
Incorporate green infrastructure techniques along the corridor to help
manage stormwater.
City staff identified five focus sites along East William Street which represent the
various conditions along the street. It is intended that design options created for
each of these sites could be used elsewhere along the street with similar conditions
(or even elsewhere in the city).
The design team, hired by the EPA, made an initial site visit to Carson City to tour
East William Street and meet with city planning, transportation, public works, and
parks and recreation staff to discuss and understand current policies, collect local
data and maps, and identify opportunities and challenges of the street. Based on
information gathered on the site visit, the design team created a set of preliminary
design options.
Following the initial site visit, EPA staff, Carson City staff, and the design team held
a three-day workshop with stakeholders, residents, and staff from city, state and
federal agencies to understand local priorities and challenges for East William
Street, as well as potential partnerships to move street improvements forward.
During the workshop, the design team presented and discussed preliminary design
options at four focus group meetings and two public open houses. After collecting
valuable comments and suggestions from community stakeholders and city staff, the
design team refined the preliminary design options.
The design options in this report illustrate complete streets strategies combined
with green infrastructure design features. Complete streets refers to a set of
strategies that make streets and sidewalks safe for all users, including people
walking, bicycling or driving. However; a street is not necessarily "complete" without
considering its environmental performance. Incorporating green stormwater
infrastructure into street design, known as "green streets," adds the environmental
component. Green infrastructure includes a range of natural and built approaches
to stormwater management-such as rain gardens, stormwater planters, and
permeable paving-that mimic natural systems by capturing and treating polluted
stormwater runoff and letting it absorb back into the ground rather than flow into
the storm water system.The design options presented in this report envision East
William Street as a green and complete street—a street that is more walkable and
bikeable; better connects popular destinations; supports existing businesses; helps
attract new development; and manages its own stormwater all while creating a
more positive and attractive identity for Carson City.

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Greening East William Street
Introduction
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A Figure I Aerial view of the Greening East William Street and surrounding context. Source: Douglas County, Nevada.

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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
2 | Existing Conditions
Carson City is located in the Great Basin, a region
that experiences hot, arid summers and cold, snowy
winters. It is windy year-round and like many arid
regions, rain is infrequent, but when it comes, it is in
heavy downpours.
East William Street, as a state highway, was designed
to move a lot of traffic quickly through town.
After 1-580 was expanded, traffic on the street has
decreased but all the travel lanes remain—four
downtown (west of North Carson Street it goes
down to two lanes) and six lanes at the Interstate.
Blocks are long and intersections with stoplights
are infrequent.The result is fast-moving traffic with
only minimal accommodations for pedestrians and
bicyclists.
Walking along and crossing East William Street can
be difficult and uncomfortable. Sidewalks, when
present, are typically narrow, in poor condition, and
with no buffer between pedestrians and fast moving
traffic. In many places, there is no sidewalk, or it is
poorly defined because of parking and driveways,
or obstructed with power lines and other utility
poles.There is very little shade because there are
very few street trees (a legacy of NDOT ownership
when street tree planting was discouraged) and only
a few storefronts with awnings over the sidewalk
near downtown. Crossing East William Street is also
challenging—the blocks are long so intersections are
spaced far apart, and the intersections themselves are
wide, making long crossing distances for pedestrians.
Many intersections lack crosswalk markings or signals.
There is usually one wheelchair accessibility ramp
at each corner with little or no paved area behind
the ramp for pedestrians to congregate and wait for
the light to change. Because East William Street was
designed as a highway with truck traffic, many corners
have large radii which may cause drivers to either
turn quickly without looking for pedestrians, or drive
into marked crosswalks to turn right on red.
Bicyclists on East William Street do not fare any
better than pedestrians.There are painted bike lanes
between 1-580 and Humboldt Lane, and a multi-use
path on one or both sides of East William Street
between Mills Park and 1-580. Otherwise, there is very
little consideration for bicyclists.
There is no transit service on East William Street and
no plans to provide it (however design options in this
report do not preclude the option for future transit
service).
Because the street used to be a state highway, no on-
street parking was allowed, and this remains the same
today with the exception of along Mills Park where
on-street parking is separated from travel lanes by a
narrow landscaped median. Parking for businesses is
off-street, primarily in front of buildings, with larger
parking lots wrapping around the sides and rear of
buildings. Most of the parking lots butt up to or even
extend into the street right of way with no screening
which makes for an uncomfortable and unattractive
pedestrian experience. Sometimes when there are
events in Mills Park, people park illegally on the north
side of the street and run across the street—which is
obviously hazardous.
The city requires property owners to detain and
treat stormwater on site so even though there are
few examples of green infrastructure used within
public rights of way, there are examples of green
infrastructure on private property. Private green
infrastructure facilities are mainly bioretention areas
or infiltration trenches that are lined with decorative
rock. In a few places plants are in the retention
areas but are too sparsely planted to provide much
biotreatment.
Green infrastructure facilities can also infiltrate into
the ground on sites where soils allow infiltration, the
water table is not too high, and where earthquake
liquefaction is unlikely.Where infiltration into the
native soils cannot occur due to high ground water
or liquefaction issues, stormwater can be collected
into the subdrains below the green infrastructure
and combined with storm flow in the city's traditional
system. A portion of these waters are directed to an
outfall in Mills Park.These waters flow within a man-
made grass lined channel and eventually discharges
into the Carson River
Focus Sites
The Greening East William project looks specifically at
five focus sites that represent the various conditions
along East William Street.The existing conditions for
the focus sites on the following pages are presented
east to west, which corresponds to the funneling of
traffic and decreasing travel lanes from the Interstate
to downtown.
3

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Greening East William Street
Project Area and Existing Conditions
Focus Site 1 - Interstate 580 to Russell Way
This portion of East William Street is the widest with six travel
lanes. It serves as a major entrance and exit to I- 580 and is still
controlled by NDOT A large sign spans the street to direct traffic
to freeway destinations. Sidewalks here have no landscaping to
provide a buffer between pedestrians and fast-moving traffic.This
street segment includes both bike lanes on the street as well as
a shared bicycle and pedestrian pathway along the northern side
of the street. Businesses are set back from the street with parking
lots in frontThere are very few sidewalks: connecting the business
to the street and those that are there are not very welcoming for
pedestrians.
Figure 3 View looking east towards Interstate 580,
north side of East William Street.
Figure 4 View looking east towards Interstate 580,
south side of East William Street.
4

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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
Focus Site 2 -Rand Avenue to North Saliman Road
The second focus site is a single block that typifies several prevailing issues along the remaining
eastern portion of the project area.The intersection of North Saliman Road and East William Street
is one of the busiest and widest intersections along the corridor; and has two left turn lanes on
East William Street in each direction. In addition, there are four travel lanes and a dedicated right
northbound turn lane. Carson High School is south of East William Street and generates a lot of
foot and vehicle traffic.The intersection also serves high vehicle traffic at commute hours.Together;
this situation creates an unsafe dynamic between large volumes of high school students crossing the
street and heavy vehicle traffic.This focus site also illustrates the common occurrence of multiple
wide driveways and parking spaces that directly abut and even encroach into the public right of way.
Sidewalks are narrow with no buffer from traffic and there is little space for pedestrians, namely
students, to wait comfortably at the intersection. The re is a multi-use path on the south side of East
William Street.
Figure 6 View looking west towards North Saliman
Road. Image source: Sandra Wendel & Associates.
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Greening East William Street
Project Area and Existing Conditions
Focus Site 3 - State Street to Mills Park Mid-Block
In this segment of East William Street a vacant lot is on the north side of the street and there is no
sidewalk, curb and gutter; street lighting and landscaping. Mills Park is on the south side of the street
and has on street, angled parking separated from the travel lanes by a narrow landscaped median.
A shared use pathway is present along the park. Between North Roop Street (the west end of Site
4) and North Saliman Road (the east end of Site 3)—a length of over half a mile—there are no
signalized crossings and only one intersection at State Street. State Street leads to many northern
neighborhoods.Traffic moves quickly, posing a threat to pedestrians in general, and to park users
who often park illegally on the north side of East William Street and jaywalk across the street.
Figure 8 View looking west towards State Street.

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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
Focus Site 4 - Mills Park Mid-Block to North Roop Street
This segment of the street directly abuts Focus Site 3 with Mills Park and	f
the Carson City Community Center to the south. Many of the same	j
conditions exist as in Focus Site 3, and on-street parking in front of the
park extends into this segment.There are low-rise commercial buildings	, *'
and apartments on the north side. On the south side there is a sidewalk
or multi-use pathway, but on the north side there is a combination of a
narrow sidewalk, no sidewalk, or parking lots.
Figure 10 View along East William Street. Figure I I View looking east along Mills
Park

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East William Street
7

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Greening East William Street
Project Area and Existing Conditions
Focus Site 5 - North Stewart Street to North Carson Street
This focus site is located in the downtown core, and East William Street is the narrowest
here and has the shortest blocks. North Carson Street is being redesigned to widen
sidewalks and reduce travel lane widths and quantity (through a road diet) but East
William Street still has only narrow sidewalks and no landscaping. Moreover; sidewalks
are often interrupted by wide driveways.The intersection at North Stewart Street
typifies several issues prevalent throughout the East William Street corridor; including
large curb radii designed for heavy truck traffic and wide pedestrian crossing distances.
Many buildings are set back from the street with parking placed in front of the buildings.
No bike facilities are provided within this street segment, and there is no on-street
parking.The southern leg of North Stewart Street experiences fairly heavy commute
traffic between downtown and East William Street leading to and from 1-580.
Figure 13 View looking east towards
North Fall Street.
Figure 14 View looking east towards
Stewart Street.
East William Street
8

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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
3 I Charrette
The design team, EPA, and Carson City staff hosted a three-day design charrette.
The charrette had three major components: a series of four; topic-based focus
group meetings; two public open houses; and on-going design workshops.The
design team gathered feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders during this
process, which helped the team refine the designs based on local goals and
priorities.
The four focus group topics were I) economic vitality; 2) transportation,
walkability, and connectivity; 3) green infrastructure, art, and landscaping; and 4)
implementation. Following a brief introduction of the Greening Americas Capitals
program and a description of the preliminary design options, the focus group
participants were prompted with a series of questions to gather feedback. Each
focus group provided several important takeaways and identified community goals,
some of which are described below.
9
There was general consensus among charrette participants on the following
actions:
•	Make the street safer and more comfortable for pedestrians and bicyclists, and
see these kinds of improvements as an economic development strategy.
•	Create a similar streetscape design on East William Street in the downtown as
is being created on North Carson Street.
•	Create an identity for East William Street through public art, signage, and
informational kiosks with special consideration given to a "gateway" at 1-580.
•	Create more pedestrian crossings to reduce jaywalking.
•	Provide better access, parking, and connections to Mills Park for both public
events and day-to-day use.
•	Develop a vehicular access management plan to guide better driveway design
and location to improve pedestrian safety.
•	Provide green infrastructure to manage runoff, and make it visible and
educational.
•	Add more landscaping and shade.
•	Allow flexible or reduced parking requirements so that some businesses that
were permitted by NDOT to use right of way for parking can meet the intent
of the city's parking requirements without the use of right of way area.
•	Implement change incrementally as the city obtains funding.

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Greening East William Street
Charrette
Figure 15 Community members and city staff identified opportunities for improving	Figure 16 Open house presentation to community and stakeholders.
East William Street during focus group discussions.
10

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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
4 | Design Options
This chapter discusses and illustrates the design options for East William Street.
These design strategies respond to the community's goals of increasing pedestrian
safety and bicycle safety, establishing East William Street as a memorable
place, creating a gateway at 1-580 and an entrance to the city, and increasing
environmental sustainability.
The design options for East William Street have been organized into three
segments illustrated in Figure I 6: Gateway, Park Blocks, and Downtown.The
Gateway segment extends east-to-west from Interstate 580 to North Saliman
Road; the Park Blocks are between North Saliman Road and North Roop Street
(and front Mills Park); and the Downtown blocks are located between North Roop
and North Carson Streets.
The design team developed options based on green and complete streets
principles and refined those based on focus group discussions, public open house
comments, and Carson City staff input.The following community priorities frame
the ultimate design options agreed upon at the final public open house and
presented in this report:
Transform East William Street from the character of a state highway
to that of an attractive and comfortable city street. Design options "right-
size" East William Street as it gets closer to downtown by narrowing and reducing
lanes as traffic volumes decrease along the length of the street.Two roundabouts
and a pedestrian activated crossing signal may also slow traffic for pedestrian safety,
and these designs should consider emergency vehicle response and truck traffic.
Establish East William Street as a unique place and a gateway to
downtown. The community talked a lot about the potential to see East William
Street become a street that felt more connected to the high school, Mills Park, and
the businesses that line the street. Several design options include landscaping, public
art, lighting, and gateway and wayfinding signage.Together; these design elements
are meant to reflect local history, sense of place, and the community's hopes, and
plans, for the future of Carson City.
Increase safety and comfort for people walking. All design options
consider pedestrian safety as a paramount goal for greening East William Street by
including consistently wide sidewalks, multi-use paths, and running trails along the
street. Additionally, the design options include special crosswalk paving, pedestrian
activated crossing signals, roundabouts, and larger gathering areas at intersections
and mid-block crossings to increase pedestrian comfort.
Increase safety and comfort for bicyclists of all ages and abilities. The
design options respond to a call for increased bicyclist safety and comfort. New
wide multi-use trails could serve as family-friendly bicycle facilities while on-street
bike lanes and buffered bikeways can serve more experienced bicycle riders and
commuters.
Promote environmental sustainability. The design options introduce green
infrastructure and landscaping throughout the corridor not only to manage and
clean stormwater runoff, but also to establish East William Street as a unique street,
and provide shade and comfort for pedestrians. Green street strategies include
street trees in planters, rain gardens, and permeable surface treatments. Lighting
and other elements such as pedestrian activated crossing signals could support
the city's desire to use LED lights, solar power opportunities, and other sustainable
energy strategies.
Provide on-street parking to buffer pedestrians and provide additional
parking for nearby businesses and Mills Park.The design options use
the full width of the city-owned right of way. In some situations, those designs
repurpose existing off-street parking or vehicle access (either leased by NDOT to,
or unknowingly used, by private businesses) that falls within the city-owned public
right of way. By providing on-street parking in the downtown blocks and expanding
the Mills Park parking lot, the design options calm traffic; provide additional parking
spaces for businesses; and buffer people walking, running, or bicycling along the
sidewalk and multi-use path from moving vehicles.

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Greening East William Street
Design Options
Gateway
Downtown
Park Blocks
Four travel lanes
Six travel lanes
Two travel lanes
Sidewalks and pedestri.
Multi-use pathway and
Bike lanes
ian crosswalks
crosswalks
Expanded Mills Park parking
Traffic Signal
Pedestrian crossing © Pedestrian crossing with pedestrian
activated crossing signal
CARSON
HIGH SCHOOL
CARSON
COMMUNITY
CENTER
V- '* v , '<
MILLS PARK
W.Washington St.
Figure 17 Circulation and Street Segment Diagram. This diagram shows overall improvements and strategies that can be used in conjunction with existing
facilities to create a green and complete street
12

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Figure I8 View looking west on East William Street towards Russell Way from Interstate 580 exit. Image source: Sandra Wendel & Associates,
Focus Site 1 - Interstate 580 to Russell Way
The design option establishes this block as a gateway to the city and downtown.
The improvements consider the view that drivers see from the interstate and
encourage them to exit and visit East William Street and Carson City's downtown
area.To that end, the design option uses tall columnar trees and public art features
that could be seen from the freeway. Street trees in linear planters could allow
the multi-use trails to be buffered from vehicles and provide shade and comfort
for pedestrians.Thematic street and pedestrian lighting, metal fencing reminiscent
of railroad bridge trestles, and special paving could welcome visitors and reinforce
the existing themed gateway character. New and widened I 2-foot wide multi-use
pathways could provide family-friendly access for people walking and riding bikes to
downtown and to other destinations, including for those residents who live east of
I-580.
The design options also provide green infrastructure within stormwater planters
between the sidewalk and the curb and does not require narrowing the roadway.
13

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Greening East William Street
Design Options
Figure I 9 Perspective view west from 1-580 exit illustrating how landscaping, thematic site furnishings, and public art can create a gateway into Carson City.
These planters have curb cuts to allow stormwater from the street to flow into
the rock and landscape areas to capture and treat roadway runoff.These green
infrastructure features could be designed for the arid climate using appropriate
plants that can withstand drought and road salts (used during the winter).
During the charrette, stakeholders identified the northeast corner of Russell Way
and East William Street as an opportunity area that might include a public gathering
area and a visitor's kiosk to provide people with information about the local bike
routes, Carson City destinations, and even a bike repair station.The city would need
to coordinate with NDOT to implement designs for landscape planters, widened
pathways, and gateway features.The city has begun exploratory talks with NDOT
about how to obtain land from adjoining vacant parcels for use as part of planned
right of way development.
14

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Focus Site 1 - Interstate 580 to Russell Way
Interstate 580 to Russell Way Cross Section
Q Wayfinding signage.	Public art.	Low rail fencing with train trestle pattern.
^ Kiosk parking.	Columnar trees.	Q Pedestrian-scale lighting with banners.
Gateway entry kiosk with public art.	Stormwater planters.
Figure 20 Plan view of focus site.
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Greening East William Street
Design Options
Focus Site 1 - Interstate 580 to Russell Way
Interstate 580 to Russell Way Cross Section
Mixed-use
path
Mixed-use
path
Unchanged existing improvements within NDOT right of way
Figure 21 Section view of East William Street.
20
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Figure 22 Existing view of Last William Street and North Saliman Road intersection looking east.
Focus Site 2 - Rand Avenue to North Saliman Road
This option demonstrates how a more attractive, pedestrian and bicycle-
friendly street can be created without necessarily narrowing the roadway. City
staff requested limited changes to the roadway at this focus: site due to existing
and future anticipated traffic volumes.The design option would remove one
northbound left turn lane, remove one dedicated right turn lane, reduce the width
of travel lanes, remove shoulders, and transition from four travel lanes to two west
of North Saliman Road.These road reductions would allow for the addition of
buffered bike lanes and a raised median placed east of North Saliman Road that
would restrict potentially unsafe left turns by vehicles traveling eastbound on East
William Street. Pedestrians not able to cross the full street at one time could use a
push button placed on the median at the crosswalk to activate the crossing signal
on demand.To accommodate a pedestrian push button, the median width would
need to be at least six feet wide and preferably eight feet wide.
A paved multi-use trail with adjacent compacted decomposed granite running trail
and lined with landscaping on both sides could be used to provide family-friendly
17

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Greening East William Street
Design Options

Figure 23 Perspective of East William Street and North Saliman Road intersection illustrating new landscaping, wider sidewalks along the street and at intersections, and buffered
bike lanes could make the street more attractive and safe for pedestrians and bicyclists.
facilities.The decomposed granite running trail offers a more gentle running surface	Landscaping at this site could screen adjacent uses, buffer pedestrians and bicyclists
and separates runners from bicyclists and walkers.This design option also considers	from adjacent traffic, and capture and clean stormwater runoff.This design option is
the addition of multi-use trails along portions of the north and south legs of North	particularly unique for its green infrastructure opportunities.The option repurposes
Saliman Road to better connect students to Carson High School.	the portion of the Wells Fargo parking lot that encroaches into the public right of
To increase pedestrian safety and comfort, driveways could ramp up to the multi-	waX as a rain £arden for collecting and infiltrating stormwater runoff, and public
use trail to emphasize the priority of pedestrians. Driveways could be consolidated	art could also be mcorporated.This green infrastructure element could become a
and reduced in width to define the pedestrian space and limit pedestrian-vehicle	prototype for a shared public-private facility if all parties could reach agreement,
conflict points.
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Focus Site 2 - Rand Avenue to North Saliman Road
North Saliman Road and East William Street Intersection
fjj! Public Art.
^ Crosswalks with colored paving
Accessibility ramps at each
crosswalk.
Stormwater planters, permeable
paving.
^ Reconfigured parking lot (to
remove it from the public right of
way).
Sidewalks placed along driveways
accessing businesses.
^ Wayflnding signage.
^ Narrowed travel lanes (to
accommodate bike lanes).
^ Shared and consolidated driveway.
Sidewalk level maintained at
driveways.
@1 Landscape screening.
© Bike lanes with striped buffer
median.
Multi-use pathway with adjacent
running trail.
©Continuation of a multi-use
pathway to Carson High School.
Figure 24 Plan view of focus.site.
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Greening East William Street
Design Options
Focus Site 2 - Rand Avenue to North Saliman Road
Rand Avenue to North Saliman Road Cross Section
Rain garden
and art wall
Mixed-use
path
Buffered
bike lane
Travel
lane
Travel
lane
Travel
lane
Travel Buffered
lane bike lane
Mixed-use
path
Right of way
Figure 25 Section view of East William Street.
20

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Figure 26 View looking west towards State Street.
Focus Site 3 - North Saliman Road to Mills Park Mid-Block
Participants at the workshop really wanted to have better access to Mills Park since	Park into the street. In addition, permeable paving could be used along the curbs to
it is an important gathering place for the community.This design option therefore	capture rainfall, provide a safe space for city employees to stand while performing
greatly improves the street environment and access to Mills Park by continuing the	maintenance of the median, allow vehicle left hand turns only at designated points,
paved multi-use trails and accompanying compacted decomposed granite paths	and create a storage area for snow removal.Trees are not placed in the median so
described in Focus Site 2.This would be buffered from the street by attractive	as not to obstruct views to the mountains.The median includes a raised planter to
landscaping with green infrastructure and have better lighting. More experienced	deter illegal U-turns and jaywalking.
cyclists could use the on-street buffered bike lanes. A new park entry near the	At the gtJ Stpeet intersection a roundabout is included.The roundabout
State Street intersection provides better access to the park.	marks the transition of East Wi||iam Street| a narrowei^ slower-moving street
A wide landscaped median is included that brings some of the character of Mills	more appropriate for being next to a park as well as better reflects existing and
21

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Greening East William Street
Design Options

Figure 21 Perspective view west towards State Street illustrating a roundabout with public art, landscaped medians, and a crosswalk with corner bulb outs.
anticipated traffic demand.The roundabout also allows for continuous, slow-moving	Those bicycling along East William Street have two choices when approaching the
vehicular traffic flow, while providing shorter distances for pedestrians to cross	roundabout depending on their desired level of separation from vehicular traffic,
between both sides of East William Street.	Bicyclists could choose to continue through the roundabout with vehicle traffic.
A similar treatment opportunity may be considered at the entrance to Mills Park	Alternatively ramps before pedestrian crossings allow riders to join the off-street
(located in Focus Site 4).Togethen these two roundabouts can provide "book ends"	mixed-use pathway around the roundabout, returning back to the buffered bike
to notify drivers that they have entered a unique space along East William Street	'ane us'n§ a ramP after the opposite pedestrian crosswalk.
while also calming traffic along a high-volume pedestrian area.The case study from	Rain gardens and stormwater planters are placed within the roundabout and street
Kings Beach provides an appropriate example of roundabouts used for a similar	landscape areas to capture and treat stormwater runoff. In addition to unique
purpose (see Case Study - Kings Beach Roundabouts in Appendix A).	landscaping opportunities, these spaces provide excellent opportunities for public
art along East William Street.
22

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Focus Site 3 - State Street to Mills Park Mid-Block
State Street and East William Street Intersection
Shared and consolidated driveway.	Bicycle access ramp.
^ Sidewalk level maintained at driveways. Crosswalk with colored paving.
Bike lanes with striped buffer median.	New entry to Mills Park.
^ Public Art.	Multi-use pathway with adjacent
©running trail.
Stormwater planters.
Wayfinding signage.
A Figure 28 Plan view of focus site.
23
MILLS PARK

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Greening East William Street
Design Options
Focus Site 3 - State Street to Mills Park Mid-Block
State Street to Mills Park Mid-Block Cross Section
Mixed-use
path
Landscaping
and green
infrastructure
		
Buffered Travel
bike lane lane
Median and
turn lane
Travel
lane
Suffered
bike lane
Landscaping
and green
infrastructure
Mixed-use
path
Landscaping and green
infrastructure
Mills Park
A Figure 29 Section view of East William Street.
Right of way
24

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Figure 30 Existing view looking south across East William Street towards Mills Park.
Focus Site 4 - Mills Park Mid-Block to North Roop Street
This focus site is directly adjacent to the previous site and continues the same
street improvements to provide residents and visitors better access to Mills Park.
The difference is that in this segment there is existing on-street parking (separated
by a narrow median from travel lanes) along the park edge that this design option
maintains and expands.The increase in parking along Mills Park, doubling the
existing number of parking spaces, could help reduce the need for people to park
illegally across the street and then jaywalk to access the park.
A new multi-use pathway connects neighborhoods from the north to East
William Street without causing pedestrians to walk through the parking lot of an
intervening office building complex (which is the common path currently taken).
Landscaped screening can be placed along the path, as well as the sidewalks
abutting parking areas, to make the walk more comfortable and attractive.This
multi-use pathway leads to a new mid-block crossing with a pedestrian activated
crossing signal connecting into the parkThe median would permit pedestrians to
cross a shorter street width, made up of only one travel lane and a buffered bike
lane, at one time.
25

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Greening East William Street
Design Options

Figure 31 Perspective looking south across East William Street towards Mills Park illustrating a midhlock crossing and new streetlamps, landscaping, and street trees.
Like other focus sites, bicyclists along this segment would be afforded two	Stormwater runoff is managed and treated via stormwater planters along
options for riding. Slower; family-friendly riders could use the wide multi-use the street, in rain gardens behind the multi-use pathway where more space is
pathway, while more experienced riders could use the on-street buffered	possible, and with permeable paving within the median, left turn lanes within the
bikeway.The multi-use pathway and accompanying running trail, buffered on	median, and parking stalls within the Mills Park parking lot.
both sides by landscaping, street trees, public art, and lighting would offer a
comfortable and unique place for people to walk, run, and bike along East
William Street.
26

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Focus Site 4 - Mills Park Mid-block to North Roop Street
Mills Park Mid-Block Crossing Plan
Multi-use pathway with adjacent running trail.
Stormwater planters and permeable paving.
Expanded parking lot.
Sidewalks and crosswalks placed along
driveways to access businesses.
Sidewalk level maintained at driveways.
@ Public Art.
Bike lanes with striped buffer median.
Multi-use pathway connecting to northern
neighborhoods.
Mid-block crossing with colored paving.
Landscape screening.

Figure 32 Plan view of focus site.
27

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Greening East William Street
Design Options
Focus Site 4 - Mills Park Mid-block to North Roop Street
Mills Park Mid-Block Cross Section
21' 4' 3' 12' 6'-9' T 3' 10* 16' 10' 3' 7	10' 22' 18' 22' 4' 12' 3'
	—/-jC	*	*	afesal*	*	*	^	»)«	/	*	/—/	
Potential 	n
T	1
Right of way
Figure 33 Section view of East William Street.
•J-V
28

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Figure 34 Existing view of East William Street looking west towards North Stewart Street. Image source: Sandra Wendel & Associates.
Focus Site 5 - North Stewart Street to North Carson Street
This design option illustrates improvements to East William Street as it enters	The design option includes on-street parking, corner bulbouts with benches and
downtown. Participants at the charrette voiced eagerness to have a similar level of	landscaping, street trees, more visible crosswalks, wayfinding signage, information
transformation on East William Street as is planned for North Carson Street and	kiosks, bicycle parking, and public art. The turning radii at each corner is reduced
the downtown area. That includes continuing the character; materials, and colors; and	(more typical for a downtown) and each crosswalk has its own wheelchair
a road diet that reduces travel lanes from four to two with one center turn lane.	accessibility ramp.The southeastern corner radius of North Stewart Street can
Additionally, each lane is reduced in width.This road diet provides additional space	have an even smaller radius because the new bike lane causes vehicles to make
for wider sidewalks, landscaping, parking lanes, and bike lanes—all the amenities one	their right turn away from the curb; this can help make pedestrians more visible to
would expect in a downtown.	drivers and allows for shorter pedestrian crossings. Driveways are ramped up to
29

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Greening East William Street
Design Options
Figure 35 Perspective of East William Street looking west towards North Stewart Street illustrating a bulbout with landscaping, street trees, and bench. Note how the
crossing distance is now reduced.
the sidewalk. Bike lanes with a painted buffer median continue into downtown.
Together these features create a more comfortable atmosphere for visitors and
residents to downtown.
The landscaped areas at the bulbouts and along the street can be used as part
of a green infrastructure system that collects runoff and allows it to infiltrate in
to the ground. Permeable paving can be used in the parking lanes and medians
to allow more stormwater infiltration, and to visually narrow the street and slow
traffic.
It is important to note that the existing curbline is maintained in this design option
(with the exception of the bulbouts at the corner) because of the high cost
required to shift the curb and gutter and other utilities a short distance.
30

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East William St.
Focus Site 5: North Stewart Street to North Carson Street
North Stewart Street and East William Street Intersection Plan
Bike lanes with striped buffer median.	Bike parking.	0 Benches.
On-street parking with permeable paving.	Sidewalk ievel maintained at driveways.	Small intersection corner radii.
^ Narrowed driveway.	^ Permeable paver planting strip and stormwater 0 Public Art.
©planters.
Information kiosk.
Figure 36 Plan view of focus site.
31

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Greening East William Street
Design Options
Focus Site 5: North Stewart Street to North Carson Street
North Plaza Street to North Fall Street Cross Section
30'	8'	r 5' 3' 10'	10'	10' 3' 5' 7'	8'	35'
*	

1	Jf	Jf JpnwJt

->f	Jf~

Jf-	X /
t
	*


Sidewalk Parking Buffered
bike
lane
Travel
lane
Dual turn
lane
76'
Travel
lane
Buffered Parking Sidewalk
bike
lane




t




t

Right of way
Figure 37 Section view of East William Street.
0	15
32

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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
5 | Next Steps and Funding
The design options presented in this report, as well as associated planning and
policy efforts being undertaken by Carson City could be a catalyst for a range
of improvements along East William Street. Summarized below are action items
for near-, mid-, and long-term and potential funding sources and community
partnerships.
During the three-day charrette, the design team, staff from the city and from
regional, state and federal agencies, as well as local residents and business owners
identified tasks, programs, and policies that could help the city and its partners
implement the design options illustrated and discussed in this report.
Near-Term (2016 to 2018)
¦	Adopt a resolution to support Greening East William Street. The
Carson City Board of Supervisors could adopt a resolution to support moving
forward with implementation of the design options presented in this report.
¦	Implement a road diet on the downtown segment of East William
Street.The first three blocks of East William Street, Focus Site 5, includes
design options that could be implemented in the near term to create a sense
of place, maintain community excitement, and serve as a showcase for the full
project. As a first step, the city could re-stripe and paint the blocks to remove
travel lanes and add parking, bike lanes, crosswalks, and corner bulbout areas.
Planters or bollards at the corners could also be used to temporarily delineate
the widened pedestrian zone. At a later phase, as funding is obtained, the city
could install permeable pavers, landscaping, and curb reconstruction for corner
bulb-outs. By implementing interim improvements, the city could promote the
larger project and demonstrate initial improvements that may spur additional
private partnerships, create business reinvestment and development, or garner
grant funding.The Phoenix, Arizona case study provides a good example about
how the city reactivated and rejuvenated a similar corridor with interim painting
interventions (See Appendix B).
Perform technical studies and implement a road diet and
roundabouts for the East William Street corridor.The city could
begin the process of developing traffic models and conducting related technical
studies to confirm the viability of a road diet and roundabouts to create a
comfortable, attractive, and functional street for all modes of travel.
Work with NDOT to obtain additional right of way near 1-580.
With the city's and community stakeholder's desire for a gateway into the city
at 1-580, it is apparent the existing right of way is too narrow to achieve the
desired goals.The city should continue to coordinate with NDOT to obtain
additional right of way near 1-580 to be able to provide for gateway features.
Study and implement an access management plan.The city has no
access management plan or policy which makes the placement of and ability
for shared driveway entrances difficult to mandate and control.The city could
develop an access management plan to require the design and engineering of
driveways that create a safe and attractive public environment while maintaining
functional needs of private owners.
Implement signal timing adjustments. Several participants identified
a couple of intersections along East William Street that have temporal/peak
traffic problems that may be improved by adjusting signal timing. Signal timing
adjustments could improve traffic flow for vehicles turning onto or from East
William Street. Similarly, those improvements could increase crossing time, and
thereby safety, for pedestrians crossing to and from major destinations including
Mills Park and Carson High School.
Continue to investigate NDOT agreements of East William
Street right of way. The city should continue to investigate the various
licenses, leases, easements, and other agreements NDOT made with adjacent
property owners.This review could help the city understand the areas of East
William Street being used by businesses and then determine the feasibility and
timing of implementing pedestrian, bicycle, landscaping, art, lighting, and other
33

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improvements along the street.Where there is no agreement with NDOT to
use the East William Street right of way but private development is using it, the
city could request that the private entity vacate the right of way.
Study and implement parking guidelines for the East William
Street corridor. Many of the design options identified for East William Street
return the public right of way from private-serving, off-street parking to public
uses and benefits including landscaping, sidewalks, and multi-use trails. As a
consequence, the businesses that currently lease the right of way from the city
or are just using the land for their parking requirements may not have sufficient
parking spaces on their own property to satisfy zoning requirements.The city
could consider developing parking standards and guidelines for the East William
Street businesses to maintain consistency and reduce potential confusion. Many
business owners requested this kind of clear guidance during the charrette. In
addition, the city could generally review their parking standards to determine
if revising parking standards is warranted.This could include reducing parking
ratios, discouraging parking between the street and the building within the
downtown blocks, and providing flexibility in parking standards to account
for the anticipated change in travel mode due to increased and improved
pedestrian and bicycle facilities and associated improvement in the comfort for
people who walk or ride a bicycle in the area.
Study and implement green infrastructure design guidelines. Several
stakeholders encouraged the city to study and implement guidelines for green
infrastructure in the project area.The design options identified for East William
Street illustrate how permeable paving, stormwater planters and tree wells, rain
gardens, and other techniques can be used to capture, slow, treat, and infiltrate
runoff prior to it moving downstream.The city could provide assistance and
guidance for private property owners to implement similar techniques that, if
coordinated, could further these goals along the corridor
Greening East William Street
Next Steps and Funding
Coordinate shared parking strategy for major community events.
Community stakeholders identified Mills Park and Carson High School event
parking as a major issue. On occasion, both facilities may host coinciding
community events that require a significant level of parking that cannot be met
by their facilities alone.To improve this situation, the event organizers could
coordinate use of private off-street parking lots in the area. Additionally, event
sponsors could encourage visitors to use alternative modes of transportation
including bicycling and walking to attend events.
Institute a pop-up art program. Establishing a rotating pop-up art
program could promote community interest in the East William Street project
and other areas of the city until a more formal public art program can be
developed.These temporary art installations could also provide a venue and
low-cost opportunity for emerging artists. Community stakeholders suggested
that the city reach out to nearby Burning Man artists, as well as to local artists
and Carson High School student artists.
Coordinate upcoming development opportunities.The city could
coordinate with private developers and property owners within or adjacent
to the East William Street corridor to establish partnerships that advance the
agenda and plans for East William Street.
Pursue "Pavement-to-Parks" or "Tactical Urbanism" installations.
Pavement-to-parks projects are where portions of a roadway are repurposed
from vehicle use to public open space by closing off a roadway, or removing
a portion thereof, with the use of street furniture, paint, and/or planters to
define a pedestrian space. "Tactical urbanism" is a related concept of using
paint, planters, and other low-cost, sometimes temporary, improvements to
provide bulb-outs and other complete streets elements at a lower cost as final
designs and funds are raised to build full improvements.These interventions
can improve pedestrian safety, calm traffic, and enhance the attractiveness of
the street. Pavement-to-Parks can be applied at complicated intersections or
excessively large paved roadways with right turn lanes where cars are not
34

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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
required to stop.These streets and intersections can create a safety hazard for
all street users, especially pedestrians. Public open space improvements can
range from larger painted corner bulbouts to an expanded public plaza with
painted surfaces, public art, planters, tables, seating, canopies, and/or stormwater
features.These strategies are increasingly being employed in cities across the
United States. See the case study of Lower Grand Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona
in Appendix B.
Mid-Term (2018-2020)
¦	Capitalize on local and regional outdoor active lifestyle and
activities. To attract new and return visitors, many stakeholders suggested that
the city capitalize on its local and regional outdoors active lifestyle and actively
promote sports tourism and family-friendly opportunities. Activities revolving
around biking, marathons, triathlons, street fairs, and others could be organized
to draw crowds into Carson City for socializing and competitive events that
highlight the value of East William Street as a safe, comfortable corridor for
people to walk, bike, and drive.
¦	Develop and establish a public art program.The city could continue
to investigate funding opportunities to develop and implement a public art
program. Establishing a public art program could create a unified process
and shared community goals, and provide direction for the city as a whole,
and specifically along corridors such as East William Street. Partnering with
community, arts, and business associations, the program could be based on
integrating art into the community to reinforce city placemaking goals.The
program could identify priority sites, a process for solicitation and selection, and
sources of funding.
¦	Develop a design competition for public art along the corridor,
including that which reflects the history of Carson City. Public art
is an important element that the city wishes to see incorporated throughout
their community.The design options presented identify numerous locations
throughout East William Street for potential public art installations. Carson City,
in conjunction with arts and business associations, could develop and manage
design competitions to solicit, select, and install unique artwork along the
corridor and within the city.
35
Long-Term (2021 and beyond)
¦	Consider potential transit route along East William Street. East
William Street was previously US Route 50 owned by NDOT, and the design
and use of the street were not conducive to transit service. Now under
city ownership, there is the potential to provide cross-town transit service
connecting businesses and local points of interest to downtown Carson City
and beyond. By planning for transit along East William Street, complete streets
designs that include transit options may be more competitive for federal
transportation grant dollars.
Funding
The use of green and complete streets can also help projects compete for limited
infrastructure improvement funding from regional, state, or federal agencies.
Green and complete streets elements can be easily integrated with other street
improvements and support sustainable and multi-modal concepts emphasized by
many funding entities.
Participants in the focus group on implementation identified several potential
funding sources that the city and its partners can use to advance the design options
described in this report.The design team also researched and suggested additional
potential funding sources.
Federal and National Sources
¦	EPA's Clean Water Act Section 3 19 grants are directed to
demonstration projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution. Green
infrastructure elements of the design options could be eligible for funding
through this program.
¦	EPA's Brownfields Program works to protect the environment, promote
partnerships, strengthen the marketplace, and facilitate sustainable reuse.
EPA's Brownfields grants and technical assistance give communities and other
stakeholders resources to prevent, assess, and cleanup properties where the
I United States Environmental Protection Agency. Polluted Runoff: Nonpoint
Source Pollution. http://www.epa.gOv/polluted-runoff-nonpoint-source-pollution/31 9-
gront-current-guidonce. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.

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potential presence of a hazardous substance may complicate sustainable reuse.
Sites within the project area may be eligible for Brownfields grants and technical
assistance/
¦	The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service offers a cost-share grant
program, through the National Urban and Community Forestry
Advisory Council, aimed toward program development that addresses
strategies in theTen Year Action Plan. Greening East William Street could qualify
for this grant through the priority strategy to "build human health through
urban and community forestry."J
¦	EPA's Office ofWater has a plethora of grants and funding sources.The
Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) provides eligibility to
projects aimed to manage nonpoint source pollution, recapture stormwater;
and reduce water use. Another such program is the Green Project
Reserve. It is a program that serves as a water quality financing source that
helps communities meet the goals of the Clean Water Act. Nonpoint source
pollution control and green infrastructure can be eligible for funding through
this program.4 Section 106 Water Pollution Control Grants provides
assistance to build and sustain effective water quality programs.-1
¦	EPA's Urban Waters Small Grants Program funds research, training,
and studies that advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water
quality through activities supportive of community revitalization and other local
priorities. Grants of up to $60,000 have been awarded. About I 9 percent of
recent grants have been given to advance green infrastructure.11,
2	United States Environmental Protection Agency. Brownfields. http://www.epa.gov/
brownfields. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
3	Urban and Community Forestry. Urban and Community Forestry Advisory
Council, http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
4	United States Environmental Protection Agency. Clean Water State Revolving
Fund, http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/cwsrf/. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
5	United States Environmental Protection Agency. Water Pollution Control
(Section 106) Grants, http://www.epa.gov/water-pollution-control-section-l 06-grants.
Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
6	United States Environmental Protection Agency. Urban Waters Small Grants
Fact Sheet, http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants-fact-sheet.
Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
Greening East William Street
Next Steps and Funding
Under the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program offers the
Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program. Section I 08 provides financing
for a range of development related projects including public facilities and site
improvements.These loans can act as a catalyst for private development.7
CDBG funds allocated to the city for use in low to moderate income areas
could be used to implement the design options as well.
The U.S. Department ofTransportation passed a new bill, Fixing
America's Surface Transportation Act or "FAST Act" which was
signed into law on December 4, 201 5 8.This law allots $835 million annually
for biking and pedestrian infrastructure over the next two years, increasing
to $850 million annually for the following three years. A block grant has been
created under this Act; walking, bicycling and road safety projects remain
eligible activities.The formerTransportation Alternatives Program (TAP) was
discontinued as a stand-alone funding source, but the funding source remains
available moving forward as a set-aside of the Surface Transportation Program
Block Grant. Programs including improvement of non-motorized travel
options, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, environmental mitigation activities
such as stormwater management, and Safe Routes to School are eligible for
consideration.9
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation
Program Block Grant provides annual funds to NDOT that could be used
for a variety of project types, including some of the design options provided in
this report.
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Section 108
Loan Guarantee Program, https://www.hudexchange.info/section-l 08/ Accessed on
January I 9, 201 6.
United States Department ofTransportation. Fixing America's Surface
Transportation Act or "FAST Act", https://www.transportation.gov/fastact/.
Accessed on January 21, 201 6.
Nevada Department ofTransportation.Transportation Alternatives Program.
http://www.nevadadot.com/TAP/. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
36

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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
¦	The U.S. Department ofTransportation's Highway Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP) also makes annual allotments to NDOT
and complete streets are an eligible use of the funds.
¦	The U.S. Department ofTransportation provides aTransportation
Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, Discretionary
Grant program.This program provides grants to fund capital improvements
in surface transportation infrastructure that are innovative; increase pedestrian,
cyclist, and transit safety; and support accessible transportation that can
revitalize communities.The city is interested in improving many of their arterial
corridors throughout the city, and could package these arterials together to
submit for aTlGER Grant. 10
¦	The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) provides numerous
grants that support the arts and creative placemaking, including the OurTown
Grant. The OurTown Grant program funds design and the commissioning
for and creation of public art, but does not support project construction.
Matching grants of between $25,000 and $200,000 are available, and require a
one-to-one match. Depending upon the grant amount, a partnership between
a non-profit organization with a local government entity, or solely a non-profit,
industry, or university organization is required to receive the grant award."
¦	ArtPlace America is a consortium of various foundations with national
financial partners and government agencies serving as strategic advisors
to integrate the arts and culture into the planning and development of
communities where art making improves community or place.The National
Grants Program offers grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, while the
Community Development Investments offers one-time grants of up to
$3 million. Other grants programs are available. Funding requires a nonprofit
partnership with the city, or are targeted for non-governmental organizations.12
I 0 United Sates Department ofTransportation.TIGER Discretionary Grants, https://
www.transportation.gov/tiger. Accessed on January 19, 201 6.
I I National Endowment for the Arts. Grants, https://www.arts.gov/grants and https://
www.arts.gov/grants-organizations/our-town/arts-engagement-cultural-planning-and-
design-projects-grant-program-description. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
I 2 ArtPlace. http://www.artplaceamerica.org. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
37
¦	The Kresge Foundation provides operating and project supportive
grants and program investments to promote and integrate creative
placemaking-based arts and culture into communities.These grants and
investments could be assessed for developing and implementing an arts
program.13
State Sources
¦	Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Bureau ofWater Quality
Planning has a 3 19(h) Nonpoint Source Grant Program, open to any
project that will improve conditions to Nevada's watersheds and protect against
nonpoint source pollution.The grant provides funding to qualifying counties,
conservation districts, regional agencies, and others.14
¦	Due to numerous reasons, NDOT funds are currently not available for street
improvements, and may continue to not be available for the foreseeable future.
The city should continue to monitor and work closely with NDOT to ascertain
when funding may be available, and the process to acquire such funding.
¦	The Nevada Division of Forestry's (NDF) Urban and Community Forest
(U&CF) Grant Program for community tree planting projects will not be
funded for the near future. Any funds that do become available for sub-grant
awards will target community program development in the areas of developing
tree ordinances and management plans, performing tree inventories, or to
provide professional forestry staffing. NDF Urban Forestry staff is available to
provide technical assistance for grant projects funded from other sources".15
I 3 The Kresge Foundation, http://kresge.org/. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
14	Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Grant
Opportunities, http://dcnr.nv.gov/conservation-district-program/grant-opportunities/;
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. Nonpoint Source Grant Program.
http://ndep.nv.gov/bwqp/nps31 9h.htm; and Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection. 3 I 9(h) Grant Proposal and E-Form Instructions, http://ndep.nv.gov/
bwqp/file/NPS_e_form_instructions.pdf. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
15	Nevada Division of Forestry. Urban and Community Forestry, http://forestry.
nv.gov/forestry-resources/urban-and-community-forest/. Accessed on January I 9,
2016.

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¦	The Governors Highway Safety Association provides Section 402
State and Community Highway Safety Grant Programs. Its purpose
is to "provide grants to states to improve driver behavior and reduce deaths
and injuries from motor vehicle-related crashes." East William Street could be a
candidate for this program due to the implementation of a road diet and other
strategies, which will reduce vehicle speeds and increase roadway safety.16
¦	The Nevada Arts Council offers many different grants focused on artists,
educators, non-profits, and public institutions that could be used to provide
various art and culture programs.17
Community and Other Sources
¦	Sales tax for East William Street. East William Street is one of the
corridors which was identified by the city for future capital improvements in
2014. A 1/8 cent sales tax was implemented in 2014 to pay for various capital
projects, including the improvement of this corridor Approximately $600,000
has been earmarked for improvements along the portion of East William Street
within the Greening America's Capitals project area.These funds could be used
for various beautification and infrastructure improvements.The city recognizes
that additional funding and support for the ultimate design and construction of
the street are needed.
¦	The Carson Water Subconservancy District works with local entities
to provide assistance on projects that incorporate better water quality and
outreach and education to promote watershed health and stewardship.18
I 6 Governors Highway Safety Association. Section 402 State and Community
Highway Safety Grant Program, http://www.ghsa.org/htirl/stateinfo/programs/402.
html. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
I 7 Nevada Arts Council, www.nac.nevadaculture.org. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
I 8 Carson Water Subconservancy District. What We Do. http://www.cwsd.org/what-
we-do/. Accessed on January I 9, 201 6.
Greening East William Street
Next Steps and Funding
¦	The Greenhouse Project, located on the Carson High School property,
could be a partner for selecting and growing locally cultivated plants and
trees to be used in the green infrastructure and landscape planters along the
corridor19
¦	Alliance for Community Trees is an organization that offers its members
grants for community tree planting as well as other types of grants and
scholarships.They also have an extensive list of resources for urban forestry.20
¦	A business improvement district could be created for stormwater,
landscape and lighting, or other streetscape improvements to help fund capital
investments and operations and maintenance of potential improvements.The
properties and/or businesses that would contribute to the improvement district
will depend upon the specific boundary and improvements of the district.This
business improvement district could link with and build upon the efforts and
programs of the Carson City Downtown Business Association and the existing
business corridor improvement and infrastructure projects tax measure process.
¦	The Downtown Business Association could consider expanding
and changing their funding and investment strategies to assist with capital
investments and operations and maintenance of potential improvements.
¦	Muscle Powered Carson City is a citizen-based organization aimed at
making Carson City healthier for all citizens and safer and more accessible for
bicycling and walking through education and advocacy.21 It is unknown if Muscle
Powered Carson City provides grants or other non-monetary resources, but
this could be investigated.
19	The Green House Project, http://carsoncitygreenhouse.org/. Accessed on January
19,2016.
20	Alliance for CommunityTrees.What We Do. http://actrees.org/what-we-do/.
Accessed on January 19, 201 6.
21	Muscle Powered Carson City. About, http://musclepowered.org/about/. Accessed
on January I 9, 201 6.
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Greening America's Capitals
Carson City, NV
Appendix A
Case Study: Kings Beach Commercial Core
Improvement Project Kings Beach, CA
A portion of Highway 28 in Kings Beach, California, part of Placer County
and located in close proximity to Carson City, is undergoing a road diet and
construction of a pair of roundabouts.These improvements will slow yet maintain
highway traffic flow traveling through downtown, create a comfortable and
safe pedestrian and bicycle environment, develop a more attractive downtown,
and improve water quality before runoff is released into LakeTahoe.1 The two
roundabouts are approximately 800 feet apart (located at either end of one block)
and provide direct access to both side streets and off-street business and visitor
parking.
Figure A-1 Wide sidewalks of permeable paving increase pedestrian comfort and treat
stormwater runoff Image source: Sandra Wendel & Associates.
I Piacer County Online. "Kings Beach Core Project set to begin construction".
http://placercountyonline.com/2015/kings-beach-core-project-set-to-begin-
construction/. Accessed on October I 0, 201 5.
39
The plan was begun as a community grassroots effort and reduces four lanes to
three and adds bicycle lanes, wider sidewalks, landscaping, and other amenities,
along with gateway roundabouts.The project included other improvements to
community streets to create a walkable district. Extensive community outreach
was undertaken with numerous stakeholders. Funding included sources such as the
Main Street program and local, state, and federal organizations and agencies.The
overall project cost is $50 million, with construction to be completed in 201 6.
The space within roundabouts can provide opportunities for public art.The town
of Kings Beach, throughTahoe Public Art, a consortium of local art and business
associations, held a public art competition to solicit, select, and install sculptures
within the roundabouts.2The local community was involved in the selection of the
final artworks.
The American Public Works Association, Sacramento chapter; selected the Kings
Beach Commercial Core Improvement Project as the 201 5 Complete Street
Transportation Project of the Year
Figure A-2 Roundabouts create gateways. Figure A-3 Roundabouts calm traffic.
Image source: Sandra Wendel & Associates. Image source: Sandra Wendel &
Associates.
2 Sierra Sun."Leaf, fish structures to grace North LakeTahoe roundabouts", http://
www.sierrasun.com/News/15610232-1 13/ieaffsh-structures-to-grace-north-lake-
tahoe-roundabouts. Accessed on October 10,2015.

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Appendix B
Case Study: Lower Grand Avenue, Phoenix,
Arizona
The city of Phoenix was a recipient of EPA's Greening America's Capitals design
assistance.3The city selected Lower Grand Avenue as its project because the
city wanted to make the street more walkable and bikeable. In 201 3 the city
implemented a "paint and planters" approach to quickly and cheaply implement
street improvements before longer-term complete street work could be done.
Lower Grand Avenue was restriped from five lanes to three lanes, freeing space for
on-street parking and bike lanes. Artistically enhanced painted crosswalks, bulbouts,
and bike lanes were added, as were planters and seating to encourage pedestrians
to gather and stay.4 Because most of the improvements relied on paint, the cost
and time to design and implement the project was much less than a larger capital
improvement project.This allowed the project to be completed in less than a year
of the plan's adoption and provided benefit until funding for the full project could
be secured.
The city has found that the implementation of these simple techniques has created
a vital district and spurred economic reinvestment and development in the corridor
Lower Grand Avenue has become an established arts and small business district.
Festivals, events, and other activities are ongoing and attract large crowds.
3	United States Environmental Protection Agency. Greening America's
Capitals: Phoenix, AZ. https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/greening-americas-
capitals#phoenix. Accessed on March 22,201 6.
4	Downtown Devil."Two Phoenix events combine festivities to promote arts and
local business", http://downtowndevil.com/2014/09/02/59655/phoenix-festivities-
arts-businessi. Accessed on January 25,201 6.
Greening East William Street
Appendix
Figure 8-1 Paint and planters are cost effective and immediate interim techniques to
improve multi-modal comfort and opportunities. Image source: PLANet and City of
Phoenix, Arizona.
Figure B-2 Decorative crosswalks create
instant placemaking. Image source: City of
Phoenix, Arizona.
Figure B-3 Temporary solutions can
increase community and economic vitality.
Image source: PLANet and City of Phoenix,
Arizona.
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Smart Growth
GREENING
AMERICA S CAPITALS

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