A streetscape is the specific arrangement of site furnishings, trees, signage, crosswalks and street crossings, building facades or other elements in a given street or avenue. It increases the value of local businesses and residential properties and works as a catalyst for downtown revitalization.
With few opportunities for open space development, communities need to look at their streets as places for beautification and as a common gathering ground for citizens. An effective program will create a community that is both pedestrian and bicycle-friendly.
It is also important to preserve and enhance the condition of historic neighborhoods that have considerable significance to the downtown area.
Some common components include, but are not limited to: site furnishings (benches, planters, trash and ash receptacles), signs and banners, intersections/crosswalks, sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, historical sites, and median treatments.
The cost of any comprehensive streetscape program is significant and will require a variety of funding sources. Before funding is committed, however, it is recommended that the city hire a qualified professional to develop a detailed plan. Public input is also important in creating a vital, ongoing program.