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IPi :.~ A Vision for New Brighton 2010 Forward: This vision was written from a future perspective. It describes how the City of New Brighton looks. feels and functions in the year 2010. The vision helps provide direction for the city and is a step in the process of updating New Brighton's Comprehensive Plan. In the past years, New Brighton has built upon its strengths. Working from existing cultural, natural and historic patterns, the city has developed a unique, distinct image identifiable to both residents and visitors. This image is seen immediately upon entry into New Brighton, where gateways with welcome signage and attractive landscaping announce one's arrival into the city. Through a special landscape treatment at the edge of the freeway, even those passing by on 1-35W and 1-694 can identify the city. Nowhere is New Brighton's image more apparent, however, than within the Old Highway 8 Corridor, which has been transformed into the city's "mainstreet." While it remains an important vehicle route, new walkways, street furnishings and landscaping make the street a comfortable place for pedestrians and bicyclists. Walking and biking within the corridor have been further encouraged by the redevelopment of several key sites. The formerly vacant intersection of Old Highway 8 and Highway 96 has been transformed into a mixed-use gateway, where goods and services are readily accessible to those working in the area or just passing through. The highlight of this gateway is the office and restaurant building overlooking Rush Lake, offering spectacular views of the water. Just a little further down the corridor, the Northwest Quadrant (of 1-35W and 1-694) has dramatically changed. The eyesore heavy industrial uses are gone and instead the city center has expanded to fill the site. In this "urban village", there are opportunities for people to work, shop, live and play. Buildings containing a variety of goods and services hug the street, making it an exciting place to stroll. An open space system connects these businesses to several office buildings and higher-density housing. A transit hub is located here, providing easy access to destinations in New Brighton and the metro region. Pocket parks with interpretive signage tell the history of New Brighton, much of which took place on this site. While much activity has focused on the Old Highway 8 corridor, exciting things have taken place in other parts of New Brighton. By reestablishing historic drainage patterns and protecting them with open space, many of New Brighton's lakes, streams and wetlands have been reconnected to form a prominent north- south corridor. A trail winds through this corridor, providing recreational opportunities as well as a major off-street transportation route for pedestrians and bicyclists. The trail provides amenities such as rest stops with drinking water and benches, interpretive signage, overlook points, and links to a regional network of pedestrian and bicycle ways. New Brighton's residents have many transportation options. The pedestrian and bicycle system offers several major routes with regional connections, as well as neighborhood connections to parks, schools and other activity areas. Due to an improved and expanded schedule, public transit is a much more viable option for many residents. Those who choose to drive do so on traffic-calmed streets. New Brighton's shopping and service areas have improved as well. While these areas still provide basic goods and services, they now have much more to offer. Buildings have been brought to the street to create a lively place to stroll. New businesses such as coffeehouses and delis provide both outside and inside seating, and attractive benches and street furnishings make the sidewalk a friendlier, more social place. The city's retail areas have become gathering nodes for the community. August 4, 1999 New Brighton Comprehensive Plan Page 2.4