Joint Livingston
Avenue Plan

The City of Bexley and the City of Columbus are partnering on a planning project to identify opportunities for improvements to the Livingston corridor that benefits the residents of all surrounding communities. Members of the community are invited to share ideas at an upcoming public workshop or provide input via the Livingston Avenue Input Survey.

Draft Final Report

After a year of collaboration, workshops, and public feedback, the Livingston Avenue Steering Committee voted and approved on a final draft report. To download a copy of the plan, click here.

Project Background

The Livingston area bordering Berwick and Bexley, and bookended by Driving Park and South Eastmoor, encompasses the north and south side of Livingston Avenue from Alum Creek to Kenwick Road. The commercial section of the corridor is primarily located between Alum Creek Drive and College Avenue, with current use in this area including service and convenience oriented retail along Livingston Avenue; institutional uses; multifamily residential; and parkland.

A variety of challenges exist that make it difficult for substantial redevelopment and improvement to occur within the East Livingston Area of Bexley and Berwick. On the other hand, this area presents a tremendous opportunity for two neighboring communities to unite behind a common vision for improvements to the corridor, bringing renewed value to the area that provides meaningful physical and cultural connectivity, and enhancements to pedestrian, cyclist, motorist, and public safety.

Project Timeline, Vision, and Steering Committee

A Renewed Vision for Livingston Avenue

The Cities of Bexley and Columbus are working jointly through a public process to provide a Joint Livingston Avenue Plan, in order to provide for safe and accessible infrastructure, attractive streetscape, and cooperative development and land use policies in the corridor focused on revitalizing the corridor and surrounding neighborhoods of Bexley, Berwick, Eastmoor, and Driving Park.

Phase I: Information Gathering (Months 1-2)

Overview of the initial phase, Phase I:

Inventory of property assets, infrastructure, streetscape improvements, safety statistics, traffic environment, and land use policies.
Initial Working Group (Working Group Meeting #1) and Steering Committee (Steering Committee meeting #1) to discuss the corridor as it currently exists, and vision for the corridor in the future.
Stakeholder interview sessions
Presenting preliminary findings to Working Group (Working Group Meeting #2)

Task A:
Project Kick-Off & Visioning | Working Group Meeting #1:
Our first interface with the Working Group will be a project kick-off meeting to ensure alignment on project goals, process, and schedule. We will discuss our strategy to get needed data in support of our work. We will submit a data request for information to be provided by city staff. We will lay out a schedule with proposed dates for future meetings with the group and our stakeholder engagement strategy, including public interface. We will engage in a Visioning session with the Working Group to formulate goals and objectives for the Livingston Avenue Corridor.

Task B
Kick-Off & Visioning | Steering Committee Meeting #1:
Our first interface with the Steering Committee will be a project kick-off meeting where we will discuss the goals and intent of the project, key milestones, future meeting dates, and stakeholder engagement strategy. We will also take this time to get the Steering Committee’s recommendations on specific stakeholders we should engage with. We’ll use this bulk of our meeting time to conduct a Visioning Workshop with the Steering Committee. The objective of the visioning session will be to draw out the group’s aspirations for the Livingston Avenue corridor and build consensus amongst the Steering Committee members to the vision and goals.

Task C
Crash Analysis:
Crash data in the study area will be downloaded from ODOT TIMS. The crash study limits include E. Livingston Ave. from (and including) S. Nelson Rd. to 250 ft. west of James Rd. (since this intersection is covered in a separate study). Intersection approaches within those limits are included. Vehicular crash data from 2017-2020 (three nearest years of typical data plus 2020 data) will be downloaded. Pedestrian and bicycle crash data from 2015-2020 will be downloaded (five nearest years of typical data plus 2020 data). This preliminarily includes 757 crashes. The OH-1 report for each crash will be reviewed and summarized in a crash diagram. Crash trends will be determined at a high level.

Task D
Traffic Data Collection:
Average daily traffic (ADT) and turning movement count (TMC) data available will be provided by the City and downloaded from ODOT TIMS and MORPC TDMS. It is assumed 12-hour TMC data will need to be collected at a maximum of 5 signalized intersections within the study limits. The corridor limits include E. Livingston Ave. from (and including) S. Nelson Rd. to James Rd. Growth rates will be obtained from MORPC for the portion of E. Livingston Ave. between College Ave. and James Rd. since it’s on the state system. Growth rates for the remaining area will be determined using historic traffic data and ODOT TFMS. Traffic volumes for all signalized intersections in the corridor will be developed for Opening and Design Years, AM and PM peaks. Traffic volume calculations will generally be developed in accordance with ODOT Certified Traffic standards. This includes an early coordination meeting with ODOT M&F to discuss the need for Certified Traffic and their requirements if determined necessary. This task does not include the work to get the traffic certified, see the If Authorized task in the attached exhibit.

Task E
Traffic Analysis:
Synchro will be utilized to analyze existing signalized intersections in the corridor at a high level. Analysis will include Existing (2020) and Horizon (2040) years, AM and PM peaks, existing conditions and proposed alternatives. A maximum of two proposed alternatives is included in this proposal. Additional analysis scenarios are not included. Turn lane warrant, signal warrant, and roundabout analysis is not included. The corridor limits include E. Livingston Ave. from (and including) S. Nelson Rd. to James Rd.

Task F
Stakeholder Interviews (5 Interviews):
We will engage with identified stakeholders in a virtual one-on-one or focus group setting. The goal of these meetings will be for stakeholders to share the opportunities and challenges of the study area, from their perspective, and to gauge their aspiration for the future of Livingston Avenue. As key users of the corridor, the information the stakeholders provide us will also serve as valuable qualitative data.

Task G
Compile Analysis:
The information collected in this phase will be assimilated into clear, graphic representations — drawings, diagrams, plans —that illustrate the existing conditions relevant to the tasks of this study.

Task H
Share Phase 1 Findings | Working Group Meeting #2:
We will conclude this phase by presenting our analysis of the Livingston Avenue study area and outcomes from the stakeholder engagement to the Working Group to get their feedback. We will seek validation to the vision, goals, and objectives outlined for the study area. We will update the analysis based on feedback received.

Phase II: Draft Design Phase (Months 3-6)

Overview of Phase II:

Hold follow-up Steering Committee meeting to discuss stakeholder interviews and preliminary findings (Steering Committee meeting #2)
Hold public workshop (public workshop #1)
Identify preliminary vision for the corridor
Identify challenges to achieving the vision
Prepare preliminary concept solutions with Working Group (Working Group meeting #3)
Review workshop concept solutions with Steering Committee (Steering Committee meeting #3)
Prepare concept exhibits
Hold follow-up public workshop (public workshop #2) with concept ideas
Hold Steering Committee meeting to discuss public workshop findings and refine draft concepts (Steering Committee meeting #4)
Refine draft concepts to into a draft final plan

Task I
Share Findings | Steering Committee Meeting #2:
We will present the findings and outcomes from Phase 1 to get Steering Committee confirmation. Opportunities, challenges, and concerns compiled from stakeholder engagement and our own analysis will be synthesized and shared. We will discuss our strategy for the public workshop and solicit guidance from the Steering Committee to ensure the public workshop is well attended by a diverse and well represented cross-section of the community and will be a success.

Task J
Public Workshop #1*:
We will hold a public workshop to discuss opportunities, challenges, and concerns. We will employ engagement methods that excite participants and solicit more informed input. For example, we will facilitate the engagement so that residents and business owners are participants in shaping their own future – and not just being presented to. We will give the community hands on visual tools to help them articulate, and describe their visions for Livingston Avenue Corridor. This feedback will yield goals and aspirations which will inform big picture planning strategies for the corridor.

*Public meeting notifications will be posted using existing communication channels for Bexley and Columbus (city websites, neighborhood civic association, water bills, newsletter, e-blasts, social media channels etc.) If additional outreach is needed (ex. mail-in postcards), we can incorporate that in our scope as an additional service.

Task K
Develop Preliminary Concept Ideas:
Informed by all the input up to this point, we will develop preliminary planning concepts to address the goals and vision for the corridor. Innovative intersection designs will be considered at a high level. Different typical section options for the corridor will be considered at a high level (i.e. 3-lane or 5-lane section with bike lanes, a cycle track, or a shared-use path). Traffic calming and pedestrian crossing and safety measures will be considered at a high level. The proposed recommendations will tie into the planned Livingston Avenue/James Road intersection improvements. We will consider the placemaking opportunities along with the street safety recommendations. We will develop 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional illustrations to communicate the physical improvements of the recommendations.

Task M
Preliminary Concept Ideas with Working Group | Working Group Meeting #3:
The purpose of this meeting is to get the Working Group’s feedback on the preliminary concepts and discuss the pros and cons of each. We will discuss potential challenges in implementing the concepts and discuss concepts that may not have been considered. Any necessary adjustments to the concepts will be made if needed before sharing with the Steering Committee.

Task N
Workshop Concept Ideas with Steering Committee | Steering Committee Meeting #3:
The purpose of this meeting is to get the Steering Committee’s feedback on the preliminary concepts. Further adjustments to the concepts will be made based on the feedback received before being shared with the public.

Task O
Planning Concept Level Cost Estimates: Different typical section options for the corridor will be evaluated at a high level (i.e. 3-lane or 5-lane section with bike lanes, a cycle track, or a shared-use path). Planning-level cost estimates of each alternative will be prepared. A maximum of four cost estimates is included. Cost estimates will be produced at a high level, using available online data from Franklin County Auditor's site and OGRIP. This does not include the collection of field survey data. The cost estimate limits include E. Livingston Ave. from (and including) S. Nelson Rd. to just west of James Rd. (tying into the planned improvement project).

Task P
HSM/ECAT Analysis:
Highway Safety Manual (HSM) analysis of existing conditions and a maximum of two benefit-cost analyses will be prepared for the recommended countermeasures using the ODOT Economic Crash Analysis Tool (ECAT). A maximum of four countermeasures is included. The analysis limits include E. Livingston Ave. from (and including) S. Nelson Rd. to just west of James Rd.

Task Q
Concept Exhibits:
We will preparation concept exhibits in preparation of the public workshop. These will include illustrative graphics to communicate the concepts and their impact as a way to enable the public to provide their feedback and the potential pros and cons of each concept. The exhibits will provide clear and visually descriptive materials to ensure the intent of the concepts are clearly communicated.

Task R
*Public Workshop #2:
We will hold a public workshop to share the concepts with the public. We will facilitate the workshop with the goal of maximizing engagement and open dialogue. Our exhibits will be designed to illustrate the concepts and vision for Livingston Avenue Corridor.

Task S
Refine Draft Concepts | Steering Committee Meeting #4:
We will hold a Steering Committee meeting to discuss public workshop findings and refinement to the draft concepts. We recommend including the Working Group as well in this meeting. As a group we will decide on the concepts that will be refined to develop the draft plan.

Task T
Draft Final Plan:
The feedback received will inform the development of a preferred solution and the draft master plan. The draft concepts will be refined further into a draft final plan.

Phase III: Final Plan and Delivery Phase (Months 7-12)

Overview of Phase III:

Meeting with Working Group to get feedback on the draft final plan (Working Group meeting #4)
Hold a public workshop to present the draft final plan and solicit final feedback (public workshop #3)
Seek input from the Working Group to incorporate any final feedback into final plan (Working Group #5)
Present the final plan to the Steering Committee (Steering Committee meeting #5)
Present the final plan to the Bexley Board of Zoning and Planning, Bexley City Council, Columbus Area Commission and Columbus City Council, for adoption.

Task U
Draft Plan Presentation to Working Group | Working Group Meeting #4:
We will share the draft master plan with the Working Group to get their feedback. If critical changes are expected to be made before sharing the draft plan with the public, then those changes will be made.

Task V
*Public Workshop #3:
The draft final plan will then be presented to the public and their final comments and feedback will be collected and considered as we finalize the plan.

Task W
Final Steering Committee Input | Steering Committee Meeting #5:
At this concluding meeting with the Steering Committee we will seek to get their final feedback to incorporate in the final plan.

Task X
Final Plan Report & Deliverables:
Using concise narratives and compelling graphics, the final report will document the overall process, existing conditions analysis, goals, vision, and recommendations for corridor/street enhancement strategies, joint development, and land use policies. We will send the draft master plan final document to the Working Group and Steering Committee for their review and suggested edits after which the document will be finalized. The final Joint Livingston Avenue plan document will be delivered in an electronic format that can be posted and read on the City’s website, viewed as a pdf and printed as necessary. In addition we will provide high resolution electronic images of renderings and other graphic components of the final plan.

Task Y
Final Plan Adoption:
As a final task, we will make a presentation of final plan to Bexley Board of Zoning and Planning and Bexley City Council as well as to the Columbus Area Commission and Columbus City Council for adoption.