Great Streets

Practical Solution

The “How To”

Great Streets is a local effort to encourage and promote the ideals behind Complete Streets. Through the Great Streets program, East-West Gateway Council of Governments offers educational opportunities for community leaders. Great Streets also provides funding opportunities for communities interested in diversifying the design and use of public streets.

The South Grand District was the first project of the Great Streets Initiative to move into design and construction. Changes were intended to improve safety, walkability, and aesthetics of the street, while setting a new standard for local sustainability and accessibility practices. All current and completed Great Streets Plan projects are available here. Each of these projects incorporated the Great Streets design principles in the development of a plan for a specific community.

The 8 Principles of Great Streets can be incorporated into any street design. The basic idea behind Great Streets is for the streets to be sustainable and accessible by multiple forms of transportation. East-West Gateway encourages all communities to incorporate the Great Streets principles into their roadway projects. As communities complete the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) application process, they are encouraged to include a discussion of how their project incorporates the principles of Great Streets.

Smart Growth America has published a Guide to Answering the Costs Question for Complete Streets. While Smart Growth America promotes the benefits of the Complete Streets, it is also honest and up front about the costs.