The primary issue the North Loop has faced over the past several decades has been depopulation, due in no small part to the effects of outdated highway infrastructure. We have seen massive losses in potential economic value through underused valuable land, not only with the highway footprint itself, but also adjacent blocks deprived of much of their value through the negative effects of the infrastructure.

It’s important to note that there are real economic benefits to any piece of infrastructure, and that must be taken into consideration – the removal of a highway, without careful thought, could end up helping some groups while hurting others. I will detail this point more in my next blog.

For future land use, I considered the effects of my proposed busway, and how commercial development might fit the downtown core and transportation-adjacent areas better, while areas such as Columbus Park might call for more residential infill. I also looked at past land use and aimed to match the character of both past and present.

The recent trend of increased development is continued exponentially with my plan, and catalyzed through “keystone” developments such as the transit center and massive housing developments towards Columbus Park.

A key factor in catalyzing development in the North Loop is the accommodation of commercial deliveries.

The largest piece of this is my proposed delivery corridor along the busway. This corridor would provide dedicated access to deliver goods to what would become a massive commercial corridor along the former highway. The unique topography of the corridor makes this work quite well, with the possibility of loading bays on the delivery route, which would align with the lower level of the commercial developments, one floor below the street-level first floors.

In addition, the pedestrianization of some downtown streets would prove beneficial for delivery vehicles, eliminating conflicts for parking spaces and providing easier access for vehicles permitted to enter the pedestrianized zone.