Project Updates
Phase 2 Engagement Summary
Timeline: August 15, 2025, to September 5th, 2025.
We received a total of 99 responses. Of these, 45 respondents indicated that they live within the study area, while 54 said they do not. Among all respondents, 42% reported using the corridor daily, and an additional 34% use it at least once a week.
Preferred Alternative: Alternative 1- Planted median.
53% of all respondents selected Alternative 1, the Planted Median option, as their first choice. Among respondents who live within the study corridor(a total of 45 respondents), 75% identified Alternative 1 as their preferred option.
Another 33% selected Alternative 3 : Parking-protected Bike Lane as their 1st choice.
Preferred Corridor Alternative
S. 21st Street Parking Study Memo
The Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) conducted a parking study to better understand current parking trends and identify opportunities to offset the loss of parking spaces if the illegal center parking lane is removed. In the study, DOMI staff surveyed parking along the corridor to assess parking levels at various times (in May 2025), including weekday (morning, afternoon, and evening) and weekend (afternoon and evening) times.
The changes to parking described in the memo would cumulatively provide 91 additional free parking spaces in the immediate vicinity, within one or two blocks of the project area. These additional spaces could be used by residents and visitors and do not include changes to the residential permit parking zone. This addition would more than offset the 60 spaces that are proposed to be removed from the median on 21st St.
Guiding Principles for Corridor Options
Existing traffic and safety trend of the corridor:
- Corridor extent: E. Carson St. to Josephine St.
- Traffic volume: 3,051 (2025)
- 85% of drivers drove through this corridor at or below 24 MPH.
- Total reported crashes: 16 (2020-2024).
- Highest crash points: Sarah St. & Jane St. (Angle crashes)
Core design principles:
- Reduce speeding and aggressive driving.
- Enhance sight line & pedestrian safety with well-designed crossings at key intersections.
- Create a welcoming green gateway to South side Park and expand green spaces along the corridor.
- Establish bike connections to the park.
- Maintain safe and efficient access for emergency vehicles.
Why has parking maximization at the corridor not been considered?
While angle parking can generate 40% -60% more parking than parallel parking, it hasn’t been considered for this project for the following reasons.
- Reduced Green Space: Angle parking requires 25 to 27 ft., reducing overall space available for beautification
- Safe Bike Connection vs. Back-in Parking Conflict: This would require back-in parking (something the community is not supportive based on Phase 1 engagement inputs)
- Additional Parking Locations Available: Enough spaces can be created in the immediate area to offset any parking lost without using angle parking.
Community Engagement
Community Vision: Residents envision this corridor as a welcoming, green gateway to South Side Park and a neighborhood gathering space.
Balancing Priorities: While enhancing aesthetics is important, pedestrian safety, traffic calming, & parking demand must remain top priorities and should not be compromised.
Teams from DOMI and the Mayor's Office joined the March monthly meeting with South Side Community Action Network (SouthSideCAN) to discuss plans to upgrade and enhance the South 21st Street corridor.
Below are the high level comments and feedback our teams received:
On August 28, 2025, teams from DOMI and the Mayor's Office held a public meeting on the South Side to discuss the progress of the S.21st St. project.
This engagement opportunity gave residents, business owners, and community members the opportunity to provide real-time feedback on the three design alternatives (see corridor alternatives above) that would best serve the community.
