Barr developed a living-streets plan for RWMWD as part of a larger effort to meet the district’s goals for reducing pollution flowing to lakes in the watershed district. “Living streets” is a term that addresses livability and environmental needs and describes a design approach for rebuilding streets. By considering the many beneficial uses that a public right-of-way may provide, Barr offered alternative, multi-modal street designs. The City of North Saint Paul embraced this design approach to build road networks that are safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, include rain-garden designs, incorporate an urban-forestry strategy, promote walkable communities, slow traffic, provide aesthetic value, and improve the quality of lakes and streams by reducing stormwater pollution.
Barr’s living-streets framework provides North Saint Paul with a set of tools to design street-reconstruction projects that will be implemented more efficiently and at lower long-term cost. The framework aims to reduce impervious surface, treat stormwater in the right-of-way, and provide for safe pedestrian and bike movement. Communities within RWMWD will use the living-streets templates and guidelines to direct the design and construction process and supplement standing practices related to street reconstruction.