City of Independence

Design Charrette Recommendations

Add signage directing towards community areas (library, museum). Add more signs downtown: “1 mile Museum.” Add maps and signage to riverside. Use signage to indicate Main Street is a “shared space” with bicyclists and pedestrians. [wayfinding]

Fix drainage with bioswales. Add bioswales to Main Street. Build bioswales along 2nd Street to filter runoff from street and to add aesthetic value to the street. [bioswales]

Have a downtown mural art competition. Create mural on side of second-hand store on 2nd and B Street. Design mural for vet clinic with community engagement. Implement more color/art for aesthetic appeal; sense of place. Incorporate a themed “artway” along Monmouth Street towards downtown. Paint a mural on the new theater wall at the high school. Install ‘airplane’ and ‘hop’ art. [public art]

Redesign the streets to incorporate multimodal transportation. Promote connectivity with bike lanes, paths and greenways. Build a pedestrian/bike path under power lines by high school. Create green belt/bike path that loops around city. Increase access to surrounding neighborhoods with more sidewalks and well-developed bike lanes. [bike lanes, paths, sidewalks and greenways]

Host water tower design contest (culturally oriented). Paint the water tower. [water tower]

Rename “Monmouth Street” to “Independence Avenue.”

Install light-up cross-walk. Install a crosswalk near Waremart with safety lights/blinkers. [crosswalks]

Incentivize greenwalls for private businesses. Create greenwall on side of second-hand store on 2nd and B Street. [greenwalls]

Build microparks in unused city parking lots (between Community Center and Post Office). Build covered outdoor picnic area near school and church (for Tuesday lunches). Build outdoor food court / picnic area with solar panel covering empty lot adjacent to Post Office. [public space]

Install river trail solar lighting. Implement wind power near/around soccer field. [solar/wind power]

Open brewhouse on corner of 2nd and D Street.

Extend and connect riparian zone to intersection. Repair riparian zone in front of old quarry development. Provide more river access to generate tourism. [riparian zone]

Build a pioneer-themed monument near Independence border. Install two welcoming ornamental and function light fixtures at the entrance of town. Install a “Welcome” archway on River Road bridge. [entry statements]

Convert 2nd Street to a one-way street. [couplet]

Close C and 2nd Street to create a public square.

Include permeable surfaces in future developments.

Explore community garden potential. Built/plant a school garden. [community gardens]

Tell a story by placing historic information signs by historic buildings. Add interpretive signs along river path for plants and animals. [interpretive signage]

Close 2nd street for community events near the library/cinema one a month. (1st Friday / Last Thursday) [festival street] Create community event by the river path at completion of river path and celebration of river history. Close 2nd Street for monthly community event. Incorporate community-oriented ideas. [community events]

Plant more trees, hops and native plants along sidewalks. Add planters as a divider between railroad/people/cars. Plant hops and native plants in entry way to amphitheater (between pillars). Plant native shrubs around high school border. [landscaping]

Rename lettered streets to hop varieties.

Build a frame at the sides of Railroad Bridge to add visual interest/safety.

Build bike shop/rental shop on bike path or on waterfront.

Re-design old City Hall to include potential transit center.

Create a roundabout on 2nd and G Street (incorporate art). Install a landmark / art piece / roundabout at Main and C Streets. Install a roundabout or traffic light to improve traffic flow. [roundabout]