March 5, 2024 | Main Spotlight: An Accessibility-First Approach in Downtown Ruston | Amy Stegall, Main Street Director at Ruston Main Street |
Downtown Ruston, Louisiana. Photo by Henry McCoy.
In the heart of North Louisiana, the city of Ruston has become a beacon of inclusive design. The Louisiana School for the Blind is located within our Main Street district, and this drove us to place accessible design at the forefront of our efforts. The impacts of these changes have been huge in creating a welcoming and inclusive Main Street.
The recent Downtown Revitalization project and the ongoing Monroe Street Corridor project exemplify our commitment to accessibility and walkability. We learned a lot from these projects, and we encourage other Main Streets to take an accessibility-first approach to downtown design.
Designing Downtown Ruston
Like many Main Streets, Ruston’s once-thriving downtown suffered from disinvestment and vacancy. Despite this, our community’s leadership recognized Ruston as a place with a rich cultural heritage and piles of potential. In 2010, the Downtown Revitalization project emerged as a collaborative effort between community leaders, local businesses, and government authorities. The vision was to breathe new life into the area and create a downtown that catered to the diverse needs of residents and visitors.
Since the Louisiana School for the Blind is located within our district, we knew that the Downtown Revitalization project had to consider the unique needs of the students and staff at the institution. We invited them to participate in joint discussions between the City of Ruston and other stakeholders. Our conversations brought up numerous apprehensions regarding both the current infrastructure and the construction process, specifically focused on uneven surfaces, road closures, above-ground power lines, barricades, narrow paths, and how these barriers would affect the Center. These discussions informed the design choices we made and the ways we accommodated different abilities during the construction phase.
While under construction, we ensured the safety of students from the Louisiana School for the Blind by utilizing barricades and boards to cover the terrain. Sidewalk construction was a priority and usually was the first part of the process for each block of construction. This guaranteed safe pedestrian travel during each phase of the project.
Sidewalks throughout Downtown Ruston underwent a significant transformation as a result of the project. Wider pathways were created to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids, ensuring unobstructed movement for individuals with varying mobility needs. The smooth surfaces also benefited those with visual impairments, creating an environment where navigating the downtown area became more intuitive.
The design and placement of street furniture–including benches, planters, and trash receptacles–were implemented with inclusivity in mind. Features like the addition of tables and benches were incorporated into the park to cater to individuals with different mobility levels, fostering a sense of comfort and convenience for everyone. Tactile paving, designed to guide individuals using canes or relying on tactile feedback, was also incorporated. These features not only improved wayfinding for the visually impaired but also contributed to a more inclusive urban landscape.
The ripple effects of the Downtown Revitalization project on the Louisiana School for the Blind have been profound. The school saw an immediate improvement in the accessibility of its surroundings. Students, faculty, and visitors from the school now experience a more welcoming and navigable environment, fostering a sense of independence and community integration. Pam Allen, the Director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind, said “construction is a part of progress and a normal part of life. Our students have learned valuable skills navigating safely around construction since it will happen in various places and times throughout their lives just as drivers experience it and problem solve around it.”
Monroe Street Corridor
In 2019, following the success of the Downtown Revitalization project, we continued our journey towards inclusive development with the Monroe Street Corridor project. This initiative aimed to create a seamless connection between key areas of the city by completing a 7-mile walking and biking path. The corridor provides convenient access to downtown, Louisiana Tech University, dining establishments, employment opportunities, healthcare facilities, and grocery stores. We collaborated with Louisiana Tech University to successfully secure a BUILD grant to fund the development of this multi-modal pathway traversing the city.
The Monroe Street Corridor project included many important accessibility upgrades. Enhanced crosswalks are equipped with features catered to pedestrians of all abilities. Improved street lighting along the corridor increases visibility, which is crucial for pedestrians with reduced vision. The emphasis on lighting also contributed to a heightened sense of safety for pedestrians. The integration of tactile markers at crosswalks and the repair of uneven surfaces throughout the corridor further enhanced accessibility, providing a supportive and inclusive route for those with visual impairments.
Engaging the Community
The success of both the Downtown Revitalization and Monroe Street Corridor projects was contingent on the active involvement of local businesses and institutions. Stakeholder collaboration played a crucial role in shaping the inclusive design features, ensuring that the projects were not only visually appealing but also genuinely accessible to everyone.
Public forums, consultations, and engagement initiatives allowed residents, including those from the Louisiana School for the Blind and Louisiana Tech University, to express their needs and concerns. This iterative design approach facilitated a more nuanced understanding of accessibility requirements, leading to adjustments and refinements that maximized inclusivity. We will continue to collaborate with local authorities, businesses, and residents to address emerging needs and preserve our inclusive urban landscape.
The leadership of our mayor was also a key factor in our success. “The City of Ruston understands that quality of life issue is an important part of growing a great city,” said Mayor Ronny Walker. “One of those issues is developing and consistently improving a vibrant downtown.” This understanding has allowed the City of Ruston to accomplish a great deal for its residents and students.
The Downtown Revitalization and Monroe Street Corridor projects illustrate how downtown design can foster a sense of independence, community integration, and equal opportunity. By collaborating with local institutions like the Louisiana School for the Blind, we created a model of inclusive development that goes beyond aesthetics to build environments where everyone can thrive. Through this work, Ruston has become a powerful example of the transformative power of community collaboration, accessibility, and inclusion.
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