The Millcreek Corridors Redevelopment Plan looked at significant shopping centers in the Township, including two in the District. They are the Shops at Colony Plaza and West Erie Plaza, both with access to W 8th Street. West Erie Plaza also contains a southern access point to W 12th Street.
The Shops at Colony Plaza contains a series of retail and dining establishments that cater to both tourists and community members. The parking area would benefit from physical and aesthetic improvements, including screening and landscaping. The redevelopment plan also identifies deficiencies on W 8th Street, including a lack of sidewalks and the absence of street trees and bike lanes. Furthermore, the plan suggests the need for an overall redevelopment strategy for the W 8th Street corridor that incorporates the Shops at Colony Plaza.
West Erie Plaza is well-positioned to welcome tourists and community members to the district. Renovations were made in 2017 including landscaping, seating, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and a central arch feature. These improvements are a good precedent to providing future pedestrian-scaled improvements in the district, particularly on significant corridors such as W 8th Street. The owners have a master plan for the entire West Erie Plaza site including the redevelopment of key pads sites along W 8th Street and enhancements to the creek.
Erie's active transportation plan implores the City to establish the entire West Bayfront as a model for pedestrian and bicycle safety and convenience. It includes 6th Street and Pittsburgh Avenue, important corridors for the District in Millcreek Township.
The active transportation plan identifies 6th Street as an important bikeway. The plan calls for 5' bike lanes on both sides of 6th Street near Millcreek with 10' travel lanes. This bikeway is intended to be a low-stress bike network that should be comfortable for most cyclists. The 6th Street bikeway will rely primarily on pavement markings and signage.
Pittsburgh Avenue is identified as one of 7 important north-south bikeways in Erie. The plan recommends 5' bike lanes and 10' travel lanes for Pittsburgh Avenue south of W 8th Street, and sharrows within travel lanes north of W 8th Street.
East/West Bikeways
In 2020, The City of Erie coordinated with PennDOT to identify streetscape and mobility enhancements for pedestrians and motorists along the W 8th Street corridor. Improvements are planned between Pittsburgh Avenue, immediately adjacent to Millcreek Township, and Greengarden Road in the City. Improvements include - but are not limited to - curb installations, new and improved sidewalk, driveway aprons, ADA curb ramps, pedestrian-level lighting, and street trees.