Reconnecting Communities Planning Project

This project will result in conceptual designs and an implementation strategy intended to improve multimodal connections along the five Focus Corridors that were impacted by the construction of I-81 and the elevated railroad tracks. Early action items will be identified that can be implemented in the short-term to begin improving connectivity even before the I-81 community grid project.

Throughout 2025, the team held multiple pop-up events, multiple open house events, and two traffic calming mural demonstration projects, during which the Project Team collected community input and collaborated with residents to incorporate their ideas to improve connectivity.

The team implemented two traffic calming demonstration mural projects. The first occurred on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 on Martin Luther King between Oakwood Avenue and Leon Street (adjacent to Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary School). The second occurred on September 19^th, 2025 on Taylor and State Street.  The two demonstration projects were designed by Dr. King Elementary art teacher Andrea Buckvold, in collaboration with her students. The murals were both designed and painted by community members.

After months of community input, including multiple open house events to incorporate feedback on draft designs, the final draft of the recommendations will be displayed for the public at STEAM at Dr. King elementary, on Wednesday, March 4^th, from 5-7 Public Meeting. The event will involve a short presentation starting at 5, with an open house to follow, and catering provided by Who Want Smoke.

Open House #1

• The first Reconnecting Communities Open House took place on November 12, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Beauchamp Library, attracting over 25 attendees. Participants reviewed concept plans aimed at enhancing pedestrian, bicycle, and transit connectivity along Adams Street, Harrison Street, Linear Park, Taylor Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Street, and Colvin Street. Attendees had the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed corridors by placing sticky notes with their comments on the designs that showcased the planned designs for each corridor, allowing them to create their own.

 

Open House #2

• The second Reconnecting Communities Open House took place on November 13, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Homes Coffee House, attracting over 40 attendees. Participants reviewed same concept plans aimed at enhancing pedestrian, bicycle, and transit connectivity along Adams Street, Harrison Street, Linear Park, Taylor Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Street, and Colvin Street. Attendees also had the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed corridors by placing sticky notes with their comments on the designs.

 

 

Open House #3 

• The final Reconnecting Communities Open House was held Wednesday, March 4, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at STEAM at Dr. King on East Raynor Avenue. Community members reviewed the proposed design concepts for five focus corridors—Adams/Harrison Street, Linear Park, Taylor Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and Colvin Street—and participated in interactive breakout sessions to share feedback. 

Here you can view the Unveiled Plans for the 5 Corridors:

Taylor Street

Taylor Street Concept Design(PDF, 3MB)

Colvin Street

Colvin Street Concept Design(PDF, 3MB)

MLK

MLK_1_2_Concept Design(PDF, 2MB)

Adams - Harrison

Adams Harrison Concept Design(PDF, 2MB)

Linear Park Concept

Linear Park Design Concepts(PDF, 44MB)