Services Provided
About the Project
City of Wentzville, Missouri
CBB was the lead consultant on the Wentzville Historic Downtown Transportation Revitalization. The goal of this project is to ensure that Downtown Wentzville continues to be a vibrant and integrated part of the community with improved access, circulation, parking, walkability, wayfinding, gateway treatments, and streetscape. Wentzville was founded with the expansion of the railroads in the 1850s, and Downtown Wentzville has been the central gathering place for the city ever since. Downtown Wentzville is one of the authentic historic places that define the midwestern United States. It is critical that these places are healthy, vibrant, and economically successful.
In the pre-interstate era, Pearce Boulevard was a principal thoroughfare for east-west traffic, serving as a site for businesses that served residents and travelers alike. The expansion of the interstate system relocated through traffic to Interstate 70, leaving behind a grid of walkable, charming, and compact blocks, featuring an eclectic collection of pedestrian-scale buildings dating from different periods of Wentzville’s development. Today, these buildings house a variety of independent businesses and function as a unique commercial center within Wentzville and the St. Louis region. Wentzville is one of the fastest growing cities in Missouri. The population of Wentzville has risen six-fold in less than 20 years, increasing from 6,900 residents in 2000 to more than 41,000 residents in 2019. The Wentzville population is projected to exceed 50,000 residents as early as 2024. Wentzville leaders, recognizing the opportunity to better capitalize on the downtown assets, partnered with CBB to develop transportation improvement recommendations that can be leveraged toward revitalization of the downtown district.
CBB conducted transportation planning studies, alignment studies, traffic operations studies, alternatives development/evaluation, and public engagement as a part of this project. CBB also submitted a $11,789,124 Federal Build America 2018 Grant application on behalf of the City. Revitalization recommendations included:
- A better downtown environment for business and visitors by completing sidewalks; constructing a multi-use path; and installing amenities such as pocket parks, benches, and streetscape elements.
- Improved distribution and circulation of traffic on downtown streets by building stronger connections to Allen Street, which is currently underutilized. This also allows for better management of the street network during events, maintenance activities, and daily use.
- Improved traffic flow by upgrading the corridor’s four-way stop controlled intersections to traffic signals.
- Raising electric and other above-ground utilities by approximately 15 feet higher than the existing poles for better aesthetics. The taller poles will allow for longer spans reducing the total number of utility poles by about a third.
- Upgrading technology in downtown Wentzville through new fiber optic communications and 5G light poles.
- Implementation of a “quiet zone” and improving safety through four-quadrant gates at the Linn at-grade railroad crossing.
- New on-street parking.
- New gateway treatments that reflect Wentzville’s unique character and history.
- Storm sewer repairs and replacements
