Rossville BLVD : Public Life Study

PUBLIC LIFE STUDY: A NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE

CDS SUMMER INTERNSHIP 2021

INHABIT!

Connection to education is central to the Studio's legacy and remains a substantial feature of the work. As a steward of the city’s rich legacy of urban design and planning, the Studio strives to increase public awareness of urban design issues and their impact upon our quality of life. The internship program connects the Studio’s focus on education to young professionals, students and universities with the goal of infusing urban thinkers into Chattanooga, while equally inspiring and expanding the design process of the Studio staff. CDS works closely with many external partners providing high-level coordination of urban design efforts to help frame a vision that promotes optimal value for the community.

2021 INTERNS: CRISTIAN ARANDA JOSIAH KINNEY GINA NGUYEN CDS STAFF: LINDSEY WILLKE ERIC MYERS BEVERLY BELL URBAN DESIGN ADVISOR: MALLORY BACHES 2

ENRICH!

ENJOY!

ROSSVILLE BLVD PROJECT The BLVD Project was formed in 2018 by two East Lake neighbors who wanted to change the narrative and experience of their community to better represent the positive assets of the corridor. The vision is to see the BLVD become a thriving community for both businesses and neighbor that celebrates the rich culture of our diverse community. We believe this will require improvements in safety, transportation, asethetics and the formation of a formal business association.

ROSSVILLE BLVD CORRIDOR The Rossville BLVD corridor is 2.2 Miles from the Interstate to the TN?GA State Line. The road supports five adjoinging neighborhoods, encompasses three census tracts, and hosts 29,000 cars per day. There are an estimated 10,000 residents who make up the diverse neighborhoods representing 1/3 Black, White, and Hispanic populations. The corridor is home to a strong business community with over 300 registered businesses. The road serves as both the Gateway to Downtown Chattanooga and the Gateway to the Chickamauga Battlefield.

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CONTEXT Rossville BLVD is located Southeast of Downtown Chattanooga. The BLVD has been a transportation corridor since Chattanooga’s founding. The BLVD parallels the Chickamauga creek which explains its prominance as a major transportation hub. It was redlined during the 1930s and 40s. There are multiple neighborhoods loated along the stretch of the 2.2 mile long corridor.

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NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITY Rossville BLVD is known for its diverse people, food and culture. The BLVD itself has many tiendas and taquerias along the corridor. Many people are able to shop for groceries at great prices and enjoy authetic cuisines. There is also a prominent auto mall cutlure that starts to demonstrates its own identity through displaying car motifs.

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CLIO AVE

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GREEN SPACES

GREEN SPACES

ROSSVILLE BLVD

CLIO AVE

CALHOUN AVE

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BUILDING TYPES

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INDUSTRIAL

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COMMERCIAL

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CIVIC

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RESIDENTIAL

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CHURCHES

ROSSVILLE BLVD

CLIO AVE

CALHOUN AVE

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VACANT LOTS

VACANT LOTS

ROSSVILLE BLVD

SITE INVENTORY URBAN FABRIC 9

} BIKE LANES CLIO AVE

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BIKE LANES hood.

ROSSVILLE BLVD

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STREET HIERARCHY

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ARTERIAL ROADS

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COLLECTOR ROADS LOCAL ROADS

ROSSVILLE BLVD

CLIO AVE

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BUS ROUTE 13

BUS ROUTES

ROSSVILLE BLVD

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SITE INVENTORY CIRCULATION 11

QUALITY OF NEIGHBHORHOOD LIFE 12

This is how I LIVE and MOVE in my neighborhood.

INHABIT CAPTURES THE DAILY ROUTINE AND BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE IN A NEIGHBOR. FOR EXAMPLE: HOUSING, ACESS TO FOOD, TRANSIT, AND INFRASTRUCTURE (SIDEWALKS, ROADS, ECT.)

This is how I LEARN, GROW, AND WORK in my neighborhood.

ENRICH DESCRIBES THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY, BELONGING, SUPPORT, AND PURPOSE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. iT IS TRYING TO PIN DOWN THOSE THINGS THAT GIVE OUR LIVES MEANING WHERE WE LIVE. FOR EXAMPLE: SCHOOLS, CHURHCES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND COMMERCE.

This is how I PLAY, SOCIALIZE, AND CREATE in my neighborhood.

ENJOY CAPTURES THE BEST PARTS OF A NEIGHBORHOOD, THE PLACES

WHERE WE GO TO HAVE FUN AND RELAX. FOR EXAMPLE, PUBLIC GATHERING SPACES, PARKS, ART, PROGRAMMING, AND EVENTS.

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CLIFTON HILLS

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EAST LAKE

BOULEVARD PARK

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CEDAR HILL

32ND ST

AREA OF STUDY 1B

AREA OF STUDY 1A

AREAS OF FOCUS AREA OF STUDY 2

50TH ST

Rossville BLVD corridor stretches 2.2 Miles from the interstate down to the TN/GA state line. Due to its long distance, CDS has narrowed the scope down to two intersections: 32nd ST and 50th ST. 32nd ST connects two big assets of Rossville BLVD: Crabtree Farms and East Lake Park. Activating this intersection would allow more access to both of these assets. 50th ST is located near the TN/GA state line which consists of many store fronts and vehicular traffic. Activating this intersection would allow for more businesses to fill in the gaps and would also create a safer and more accessible area for the community.

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No shading on sidewalks

Large fields for future activities

Crosswalks are not visible

No shading on sidewalks

Pillars of Remembrance

Wide/Dividing Boulevard

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Dangerous intersection without 4-way Stop

Crabtree Farms west Car wash coming soon of the boulevard

Temple Baptist Church property

Clifton Hills Elementary

East Lake Park East of the Boulevard

32ND ST SITE ANALYSIS These images represent initial observations for the 32nd ST, noting the two intersection of 32nd ST and Rossville BLVD and 32nd ST and Clio Ave. The analysis demonstrates certain strengths and weaknesses of these two nodes.

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Clifton Hills Porch

32ND STREET

Traffic Calming & Corner Park

Crosswalk Enchancement & Temporary Market

SHORT-TERM INTERVENTION SITE 1

32nd street has great potential to expand and develop into a lively intersection. This node is the most efficient connection between two of Rossville BLVD’s biggest assets: Crabtree Farms and East Lake Park.

By activiating certain areas along 32nd street, the BLVD is able to strengthen these assets within the community and allow more assesible and safer paths.

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Additional outdoor seating for Clifton Hills Elementary students

Planters added beside sidewalk on Clifton Hills Elementary porch

I INHABIT SIDEWALKS WHEN THEY ARE SAFE.

Outdoor seating

CLIFTON HILLS Large Planters with PORCH native plants Clifton Hills Elementary has great assets for their students and the community. The “porch” of Clifton Hills has wonderful shade and space which could be improved with better additional outdoor seating and tables.

A vegetation buffer could be added along the sidewalk as a way to enliven the space, making it more approachable and safer to walk along.

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I ENJOY GREEN SPACES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. Park furniture and landscaping for leisure use of area

Repaint faded crosswalk

32ND STREET

Convert into a 4-Way stop intersection

Trees and vegetation

TRAFFIC CALMING AND CORNER PARK

Park seating

The intersection of 32nd street and Clio Ave is a bit dangerous for both cars and pedestrians.

One short-term proposal is to add stop signs to each corner, making it a 4-Way stop intersection. Touching up the crosswalks would also improve safety. Adding park furniture and landscaping to the corner of the intersection would help activate the space for the community.

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Temporary flea market/ food stalls

Repaint faded crosswalk

Painted wayfinding on street to Crabtree Farms

I INHABIT SAFE PATHWAYS TO DIFFERENT ASSETS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

CROSSWALK ENHANCEMENT AND TEMPORARY MARKET Tents used The intersection of 32nd and for flea market/ Rossville BLVD could be activated food stall by converting the parking lot into a temporary flea market zone. This would allow people of the community to sell and buy efficiently and conveniently.

The flea market zone would be a good opportunity for Crabtree Farms to sell their produce to the community. Repainting the crosswalk would also help with the safety of crossing for pedestirans.

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32ND STREET

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Clifton Hills Porch & Building Infill

32ND STREET

Community Garden & Corner Park

Building Infill & Greenway

LONG-TERM CHANGE SITE 1 As development and improvement continutes, 32nd street could expand its initial activation ideas to become permenant assets of the neighborhood. Each short-term intervention that was mentioned in the previous proposals can be expanded upon with layered activation.

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Seating and Shading for Clifton Hill Elementary students

Greenway from Clifton Hills Elementary to Rossville Blvd Vegetation Buffer Townhomes along 32nd St

Multi-family housing

I ENJOY PLEASURABLE WALKING SPACES.

CLIFTON HILLS PORCH AND BUILDING INFILL To improve the Clifton Hills Elementary Porch, the addition of sails to increase shading is necessary. The “porch” could be expanded to become secured, permanent seatings for the students.

The sidewalk buffer could also develop into a Greenway with many different trees, plants, and flowers for children and pedestrians to interact with. With more individuals moving into the neighborhood because of the increasing amenities, multi-family housing could start development over time.

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Stormwater Wetland

Community garden between Crabtree Farms and Clifton Hills Elementary Passive Park with trails, seating and gathering space

32ND STREET

I’M ENRICHED BY LEARNING HOW TO GROW FOOD IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

COMMUNITY GARDEN AND CORNER PARK At the corner of 32nd and Clio Ave, the park furniture could develop into a community garden as an extention of the sidewalk greenway. A path populated with trees and native plants could be placed within the corner park.

Seating and gathering spaces could be built in the park for the students to enjoy as well as the community. The existing stormwater infrastructure can be developed into a natureal wetland.

Community garden Bridge over stormwater drainage

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I’M ENRICHED WHEN MY NEIGHBORHOOD GROWS.

Multi-Family Housing

Landscaped Entry to housing a part of Greenway

Adaptive reuse of church Truck with signage for Crabtree farms

BUILDING INFILL AND GREENWAY To expand on this intersection, the parking lot could have a proposed multi-family housing, which would accomodate the growing population of the neighborhoods. Landscaping would hug the edge of the bulding which would allow for the flea market zone to shift to. The church across the street from the proposed housing could be adapted to either accomodate different businesses or become more housing for residents. To further get people to Crabtree Farms, a produce truck could be placed on the corner lot and have a sign that could indicate its location.

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Housing typology for townhomes

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32ND STREET

Missing street-front

Very hot! There is no shading in area Industrial and manufacturing corridor

Noisy! Boulevard can be dominating during the day

Vacant and empty lots

Space for plaza

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Existing buildings can be renovated

Opportunity for infill buildings

CSL Plasma

Vacant Lots/ businesses

Tennessee/Georgia State line

Dollar Tree

Future Coffe Shop

Roy’s Grill

50TH ST SITE ANALYSIS These images represent initial observations for the 50th ST, noting the proximity to the TN/GA state line. The analysis demonstrates certain strengths and weaknesses of the intersection.

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CURRENT STREET SECTION Rossville BLVD’s current street fabric consists of five vehicular lanes with the middle lane being the turning lane. There are several painted bike lanes scattered along the BLVD and a few street parking spots near the TN/GA state line. Each building on Rossville BLVD goes up to only two-stories and some of the storefronts are currently empty. The sidewalks are about 10’ feet across which allows for pedestrians to walk. However, due to the lack of trees on most of the BLVD, there are no good shading mechanisms so not many people choose walking as a mode of transportation.

There are two bus routes in the area, however, there are not many good bus shelters to wait in.

SHORT-TERM INTERVENTIONS For the short-term intervention, the five vechicular lanes are cut down to four lanes. The middle lane will still perform as a turning lane, but parts of the middle lane has planters with growing trees. Store fronts start to fill as as more people visit different short-term projects that have been implemented along the BLVD. Trees are planted along the sidewalks so that there could be initial shading mechanisms implanted. As Rossville BLVD continues to grow, people of the community will slowly start to populate the corridor.

LONG-TERM CHANGE For the long-term invervention, the middle turning lane becomes a raised with trees planted within the median. The initial trees have become more substantial which allows more shading and protection for the pedestrians. The sidewalks expand to 18’, allowing more pedestrians to walk to and from places along Rossville BLVD. Multi-family housing and new buildings have now started to fill in major open spaces along the BLVD because more people have began to move into the neighborhood.

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Food Truck Plaza

50TH STREET

Pop Up Movie Theatre

Crosswalk Island and Corner Plaza

SHORT-TERM INTERVENTION SITE 2 50th street is a crucial intersection of Rossville BLVD because of its proximity to the Tennessee/Georgia state line. This intersection has great potential because of its current store fronts and large open spaces.

There are many pilot ideas that can be proposed to activate and develop this node to become a big asset in the community.

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Parking available for food trucks along sidewalk

Outdoor seating for plaza

Addition of bus shelter to the food truck plaza

I ENJOY OUTDOOR SEATING SPACES.

Shading from canopy Colorful signage

FOOD TRUCK PLAZA One of the pilot proposals for 50th street is a food truck plaza. This food truck plaza would help by creating a place of gathering and activity for the community. With the addition of a bus shelter, this corner of the intersection has a much easier access for the residents which would add to the appeal of going to this node on Rossville BLVD. Various outdoor seating types 36

I ENJOY FUN POPUP ACTIVITIES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. Side of building used as projection screen

Temporary outdoor seating/ bring your own chair

50TH STREET

Large-sized planters and trees in median.

Movie projected on side of building

POP UP MOVIE THEATER

Outdoor seating/ Bring your own chairs

Native plants species

Large size planters

The current open lot of this intersection could be transformed into different temporary activities. For example, a night where people of the community can come together to watch a pop up movie could be a great idea to activate this site. To ensure safer precautions for pedestrians and cars, Rossville BLVD could test out a median with planters and trees.

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Art sculpture made of recycled materials from auto shop Crosswalk island at 50th St. Planters in median

Corner outdoor seating for businesses

I INHABIT PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY DESIGN.

CROSSWALK ISLAND AND CORNER PLAZA

Creative reuse of tires in art sculpture

One of Rossville BLVD’s assets is the auto mall culture. A proposed tire sculpture on the corner can be a simple nod to Rossville BLVD’s identity. To get more residents to visit businesses at this intersection, a plaza that has outdoor shading and seating could Painted be placed on the corner. Providing crosswalks more outdoor seating where people could gather could also bring in more businesses and fill in the empty store fronts. A crosswalk island could be added to expand the median and provide safer pedestrian circulation.

Vegetated median for safety of pedestrians 38

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50TH STREET

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Central Plaza

50TH STREET

Building Infill and Pocket Park

Formal Median and Building Infill

LONG-TERM CHANGE SITE 2 As Rossville BLVD continues to expand, 50th street will start to see a boom in businesses and housing starting fill in the gaps.

The short-term projects can be developed as more people start to visit this intersection.

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Commercial/ Mixed Use proposed buildings

Interactive plaza

Raised bus stop shelter

I ENJOY SHADED COMMUNITY SPACES.

Small trees and plants included around seating Shading devices for proction from sun and comfort

CENTRAL PLAZA As this intersection gets more popular, commercial and mixeduse buildings will start to fill in the large open spaces. To keep this corner open for people of the community, an interactive plaza is proposed. This interactive plaza provides shade and seating for people to come and hang out with others. The bus shelter is enhanced and becomes a raised bus shelter.

Various seating options 42

Commercial/ Mixed Use proposed buildings

Pocket park inbetween future commerical buildings

Raised landscape median

Enclosed and private space

50TH STREET

I ENJOY RELAXING OUTDOOR EATING AREAS WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

Small trees and plants included around seating

BUILDING INFILL POCKET PARK Pocket park plazas have been quite successful because they create a calm and relaxing oasis within the chaotic and loud urban environment.

Inbedding new buildings on this lot while keeping the previous community space is essential to developing the intersection of 50th street.

Outdoor seating 43

Raised landscape median

Store frontage seating

Commercial/Mixed use building

I INHABIT SPACES WITH IMPROVED STORE FRONTS.

FORMAL MEDIAN AND BUILDING INFILL

Store frontage seating

As the pedestrians and vehicles get more used to the decreasing road lanes, a raised landscape median can now be permanent feature. Trees are planted along the raised median and act as a shading and cooling element for the road. A commercial building could be placed on the empty lot and could act as an edge for the seatings that have been placed on the corner intersection.

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Raised landscape median

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50TH STREET

32ND ST SITE 1

50TH ST SITE 2

Clifton Hills Porch

SHORT TERM

Traffic Calming & Corner Park

Crosswalk Enchancement & Temporary Market

LONG TERM

Clifton Hills Porch & Building Infill

Community Garden & Corner Park

Building Infill & Greenway

YOUR FEEDBACK!

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AMENITIES

Food Truck Plaza

Pop Up Movie Theatre

TREES

BENCHES

LAMP POSTS

SIDEWALKS

PUBLIC ART

OTHERS

Crosswalk Island and Corner Plaza

Central Plaza

Building Infill and Pocket Park

Formal Median and Building Infill

COMMENTS:

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