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Transportation Alternatives <br />Staff and consultants evaluated numerous transpor- <br />tation alternatives for this area. Each alternative <br />looked at a different way of re-routing a portion of <br />the traffic in order to reduce the "wall" enough to <br />allow a crossable intersection at 8th and Mill, while <br />still addressing the need for a connection to the river. <br />Based on the four urban design goals, staff devel- <br />oped aset of criteria for evaluating alternative <br />transportation concepts for the district: <br />• Handling of traffic- including the Highway 99 <br />- and Ferry Street Bridge components of traffic <br />moving through and around the site, as well as <br />local access and circulation and accomodation of <br />transit. <br />. Pedestrian environment -including the quality of <br />the crossing at 8th and Mill, the pedestrian <br />experience of walking along 8th to the river, and <br />the opportunities for improving the pedestrian <br />environment along Broadway. <br />. Urban Design -how the alternative fits with other <br />goals for redevelopment of the district, including <br />potential access under the tracks to the river, and <br />the block structure and general access/visibility of <br />the site. <br />• Cost and feasibility -including long range costs, <br />need for buying land, and required partnerships. <br />After extensive analysis and thoughtful discussion, <br />one alternative, 6th Avenue Realignment, emerged <br />as the preferred transportation option for the Court- <br />house District Concept Plan. This option appeared to <br />present the most balanced alternative to addressing <br />the four urban design goals. A more extensive <br />discussion of the transportation alternatives consid- <br />eyed is included as Appendix B. <br />Page Z6 <br />