South Hartwell Railroad Redevelopment Project by Colin Owen

S OUTH HAR TWELL R AILROAD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT transportation. connection. education.

SOUTH HARTWELL RAILROAD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT By Colin W. Owen Course Instructor: Brian LaHaie A Senior Design Project Presented to the College of Environment and Design University of Georgia In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Athens, Georgia Spring 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SOUTH HARTWELL RAILROAD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 CONTEXT

REGIONAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

LOCAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

HISTORICAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

INVENTORY + ANALYSIS

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

SITE PHOTOGRAPHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NATURAL CONDITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MASS/VOID + SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CIRCULATION + MOVEMENT PATTERNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ZONING MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

COMPOSITE ANALYSIS MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DESIGN PROCESS

COMPATIBILITY MATRIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PROGRAM ELEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PRECEDENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

INSPIRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

iii

FINAL DESIGN

MASTER PLAN DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

MASTER PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

ELEVATION VIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

SITE PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

SITE DESIGN FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

PLANTINGS

PLANTING PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

PLANT SCHEDULE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

PLANT PALETTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

H-BEAM ARCH SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

DIRECTIONAL SIGNPOST DETAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

MULTI-TIER FOUNTAIN SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

FREESTANDING CURVED “GREEN SCREEN” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

INTRODUCTION

ABOUT THE PROJECT

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was one man and I tackled a big railroad. I did the best I could.â&#x20AC;? - O. WINSTON LINK, AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHER

The idea for this project came to me on a hot and soggy summer afternoon, as I was clambering over the railing of an abandoned passenger coach railcar. A friend and I were picking blackberries from the vines that were making a desperate attempt to engulf the decaying railroad ruins. As I stood there on the rusting metal deck with my hands full of berries, I paused to reflect on just how quintessentially Southern this scene felt - like a still from an old black and white movie. The past and the present, blissfully ignorant of each other and yet, undeniably linked through the passage of time. Two railcars, alone on a section of track, waiting patiently while the city around them marches on into the future. Eventually, the forces of growth and decay will erase these historic artifacts from the community that, by and large, chooses to ignore them. I looked around me, through the forest and across the freshly mown field, and wondered what this space could be - how it could serve the future residents of Hartwell while preserving the historical context of their past. The goal of this project is to use the existing railroad infrastructure to revitalize downtown Hartwell and link it to the rest of Georgia and the greater Southeast. The design aims to embrace contemporary and cutting edge technologies while preserving the historical assets of the surrounding area, combining the two characteristics into an exciting new opportunity for the city of Hartwell, its residents and visitors from all over. - COLIN W. OWEN, MAY 2011

REGIONAL CONTEXT

Proposed and Existing Georgia Passenger Rail System

COMMUTER RAIL INES IN THE SOUTHEAST

Chatsworth

Hedges

Dalton

LaFayette

Intercity Rail

Mineral Bluff Murphy Jct. Blue Ridge

McCaysville

Cohutta

To Greenvile, SC

Ellijay

Commuter Rail

Toccoa Jasper Lyerly

Fairmount

Tate

Existing Amtrak Routes

Lula

Bowersville

Krannert Rome

Cedartown

Aragon

Georgia Northeastern Railroad

Canton Cartersville

Hartwell

Gainesville

Rockmart

Athens

Austell

T min o g AL ham, Bir

Bishop

Monroe

Atlanta

Bremen

Washington

Social Circle Madison

Covington Carrollton

Federally Designated High-Speed Rail Corridor

Elberton

Elizabeth

Union Pt.

Yates Newnan Raymond Senoia Rover Williamson Greenville

Wansley

LaGrange

Barnett

McDonough Eatonton

Griffin Barnesville

Wayside

Waynesboro

Milledgeville Sandersville

Thomaston

West Point

Augusta Hephzibah

Sparta

Woodbury

Durand

Camak

Machen

Warm Manchester Springs

Gordon

Macon

Louisville Wadley

Tennille

Midville

Mogul

Millen

Roberta Talbotton Junction City Fort Valley

Meyer

Dover Dublin

Perry

Columbus

To Columbia, SC

Sylvania

Kirby

To Charleston, SC

Ardmore Shawnee

Statesboro

Cochran Metter Montezuma

Cusseta

Hawkinsville

Omaha

Vidalia

Richland

Vienna

Americus

Preston

Kimbrough

Rhine

Cordele

Georgetown

Dawson Sasser

Riceboro

Ocilla Tifton

Douglas

Bridgeboro Willacoochee

Hilton Camilla

Moultrie

Saffold

Everett Pearson

Sparks Nashville Adel

Nahunta Waycross

Anguilla Jct. Bladen Brunswick

Coolidge Dupont

Climax Thomasville

Fowltown Metcalf

Quitman

Boston

Folkston

Kingsland Moniac

PROPOSED/EXISTING Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Intermodal Programs July 8, 2002

Seals

Valdosta

Clyattville

Jesup

Alma

Arlington

Lynn

Richmond Hill

Wiggins

Sylvester

Freight lines throughout Georgia are owned (or leased) and operated by a number of different companies. Some lines are interstate (“mainlines”) while others only run within the state (“shortlines”).

Savannah

Alternate Hazlehurst Routings Fitzgerald

Albany

Bainbridge

Georgia Central Railroad

Helena McRae

Rochelle

Smithville Cuthbert

Georgia’s rail history began in the 1830s as America was just beginning to build a network of tracks. By 1850 Georgia had the most miles of rail line of any southern state. These early lines transported everything from people to industrial and commercial goods. Prior to the creation of the Interstate Highway System, which began construction in 1956, the railroad was by far the most practical system for moving large quantities of freight and passengers around the country. The Interstate System allowed for the increased use of large semitrailer trucks and buses, thus, along with commercial airlines, broadening the variety of ways in which people and goods move from place to place. Today, most rail lines only operate one type of traffic - either commuter trains or freight trains (some lines still alternate between the two, depending on the service needs along the route).

STATEWIDE PASSENGER RAIL SYSTEM

St. Mary’s

To Jacksonville, FL St. George

Amtrak, the sole intercity passenger train service in America, currently runs four long distance trains through the state of Georgia - one daily through Atlanta (from New York to New Orleans) and three through Savannah (from New York to Miami). The Amtrak rail passing through Atlanta roughly parallels I-20 to the west and I-85 to the northeast.

REGIONAL CONTEXT

Georgia COMMUTER Rail Passenger Program RAIL INES IN THE SOUTHEAST Proposed Commuter Routes

“THE BRAIN TRAIN”

GEORGIA RAIL PASSENGER PROGRAM

Gainesville

Canton

Oakwood

Holly Springs

Sugar Hill

The Georgia Rail Passenger Program (GRPP) is a set of plans, as yet unbuilt, for intercity and commuter rail in the metro Atlanta region. It would extend the current service of Atlanta’s existing commuter train, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) out to such surrounding cities as Macon, Gainesvile and Athens. The proposed line extending to Athens (known as the “Brain Train”) would link the University of Georgia, Georgia-Gwinnett College, Gwinnett Tech, Mercer University, Emory University, Agnes Scott College, Atlanta University Center, Georgia Tech and Georgia State University, as well as the emerging BioScience Corridor along Hwy 316.

Sandy Plains Rd. Rockmart

Dallas

Powder Springs Austell Temple

Bremen

Duluth

Suwanee

Winder

Norcross Cumberland Mableton Lenox Emory

Marietta

Atlanta Villa Rica Douglasville

East Point Red Oak

Fairburn Tyrone Peachtree City

Senoia

Dacula Lawrenceville Reagan Pkwy Lilburn Tucker Stone Mountain Avondale Lithonia

Athens

Social Circle

Conyers

Aviation Blvd. Forest Pk. Morrow Jonesboro Lovejoy

Bogart

Covington

Madison

Hampton

Griffin

Forsyth

Barnesville Bolingbroke

Macon

Legend Proposed Passenger Route Environmental Assessment (EA) Complete/ Underway Potential Rail Station GDOT - Owned R.O.W. Georgia Dept. Of Transportation Office of Intermodal Programs May 23, 2002

30 miles

LOCAL CONTEXT HARTWELL RAIL LINE CONNECTION

Many shortlines exist throughout the state of Georgia. They can connect and pass through multiple cities (as shown here with the line between Elberton and Toccoa) or extend as “spurs” from a shortline into a city or town (as with the line from Bowersville to Hartwell). This particular spur is currently used as storage for parked rail cars. The section to the east has fallen into a state of disrepair from lack of use and service.

Where rail spurs terminate, there is often a need for a device known as a “round table,” which is used to rotate individual cars or, in some cases, entire trains. The Hartwell round table is visible in the bottom left corner of the above image.

Located at the end of the Hartwell spur is a collection of buildings - a train depot, loading platform, warehouses, and other industrial ruins - once used by the rail company and affiliated businesses.

LOCAL CONTEXT HART COUNTY - POINTS OF INTEREST TO HART STATE PARK 0.5 MILES TO MEGARAMP 2.2 MILES TO I-85 10.4 MILES TO BOWERSVILLE 6.8 MILES

Hartwell was selected as the site for a new commuter rail station and mixed-use community based on its proximity to major cities in Georgia and South Carolina, as well as the numerous amenities within the county. Local legislators are attempting to increase the city’s tourism profit by touting the area as an “outdoor enthusiast’s dream.” A new boat ramp facility located on Lake Hartwell (locally known as the “Megaramp”) has already started hosting bass fishing tournaments which, in time, will become large enough to warrant regional media coverage, further boosting Hartwell’s image as a sportman’s paradise.

CLAY ST PARK PROJECT BOUNDARY 46.90 ACRES

TO HARTWELL DAM 5.6 MILES

TO ELBERTON HWY PARK

0.5 MILES

TO ATHENS

41.5 MILES

HISTORICAL CONTEXT THE HARTWELL RAILROAD TIMELINE

1900 Census lists a total population of 1,672 inhabitants. 1902 Southern Railway gains control of the line. 1905 Original 3-foot gauge line is relaid to standard gauge after coming under control of the Southern Railway. 1917 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Manual of the Railroadsâ&#x20AC;? reports that the Hartwell still only operates one locomotive and one passenger car. 1920 Census lists a total population of 2,323 inhabitants.

1850

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1910

1920

1898 HRC is reorganized as the Hartwell Railway. 1879 10-mile line from Hartwell to Bowersville is completed. 1878 Original charter granted for the Hartwell Railroad Company. 1860 Census lists a total population of 235 inhabitants. 1856 The city of Hartwell is officially incorporated.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

THE HARTWELL RAILROAD TIMELINE

1924 Southern Railway sells the line to a group of local businessmen. 1967 The historic courthouse catches fire.

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

2000 Census lists a total population of 4188 inhabitants. 1990 Rail line ownership is transfered to Benny Ray Anderson, who continues to operate the track to this day. 1980s A tourist train, the Hart County Scenic Railway, briefly operates on the line between Hartwell and Bowersville.

VISUAL INVENTORY DESCRIPTION LOCATIONS 03 03

02 05

01 06 12

07 08

13 14

09 10

VISUAL INVENTORY SITE DESCRIPTION

The proposed site for the redevelopment project can be divided into four principle sections: 1. The strip mall grocery store complex, bordered to the north and west by Howell Street and Highway 29, respectively. These buildings are unsightly, slightly rundown and surrounded by a large parking lot, much of which is always empty. To the north, the railroad tracks run parallel to Howell Street. 2. The central collection of vacant lots, including a large grass field, a few wooded lots, two large parking lots and a small assortment of commercial buildings. This section is bordered on three sides by Highway 29 to the west, Howell Street to the north and Webb Street to the east. Here, the railroad tracks run through the center of the site, in varying stages of disrepair (03 and 06). Two rail cars - a passenger coach (04) and a caboose (01) sit on a section of track next to an overgrown roundtable (02 and 05), once used as a means of reorienting locomotives and rail cars. 3. The commercial district in the northeast corner of the site, composed primarily of shops and restaurants, located within several historic brick buildings (12, 13, 14, 15, 16). Some business are thriving while other buildings sit vacant. It is bordered by Webb Street to the west, Depot Street to the south, Forest Street to the east and Howell Street to the north. 4. The section to the southeast includes a variety of historic railroad artifacts, including the depot (11), a boarding platform (09) and other features (07, 08, 10). This area is overgrown with weeds and is largely abandoned by the community.

02 04 01

VISUAL INVENTORY PHOTOGRAPH LOCATIONS

SITE PHOTOGRAPHS ROUND TABLE + RAIL CARS

01 04 05

03 02 12

VISUAL INVENTORY

PHOTOGRAPH LOCATIONS

07 08 11

09 10

SITE PHOTOGRAPHS RAILROAD STREET + INDUSTRIAL RUINS

09 10 11 06 07

VISUAL INVENTORY

PHOTOGRAPH LOCATIONS

12 15 13

SITE PHOTOGRAPHS DEPOT STREET COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

15 16 16

SITE INVENTORY NATURAL CONDITIONS WOODL AND WEEDS / UNMAINTAINED MOWED GRASS / TURF

Vegetation throughout the site consists primarily of grasses, both maintained turfgrass and wild grasses such as broomsedge and bluestem grass. The majority of turfgrass is located around the center of the site, adjacent to the existing church. Wild grasses are most prevalent around the east side of the site, along the abandoned railroad tracks and in areas that are difficult to access. Hardwood tree cover exists around the perimeter of the site, mostly to the west along Hwy 29. Oaks make up the majority of the forest, with other companion species scattered throughout. Some pecans exist as remnants of former land uses.

SITE INVENTORY MASS/VOID + SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Much of the site consists of vacant lots and abandoned singlestory structures. As one approaches downtown to the northeast, the density, size and height of these structures increases, with some buildings having two or even three stories. To the south and southwest, single family residences make up the majority of structures. These structures are small and widely spaced, with lots generally deeper than they are wide.

SITE INVENTORY CIRCULATION + MOVEMENT PATTERNS

SITE INVENTORY ZONING MAP

EXEMPT (GOVERNMENT OR RELIGIOUS)

COMMERCIAL

RESIDENTIAL

INDUSTRIAL

NO INFO AVAIL ABLE

COMPOSITE ANALYSIS OPPORTUNITIES + CONSTRAINTS

railroad crossing next to major intersection presents a potential safety hazard.

LARGE PAVED AREA existing large grocery store should be reimagined to be more accessible to pedestrians and include less paved surface area

potential site entrance from chandler st notable trees

potential conflict between pedestrians and busy highway potential location for community entrance signage and pedestrian overpass

MATURE TREES

MATURE TREES mature oak, pine and pecan trees should be preserved whenever possible, contributing to historic nature of the site

wooded forest lots include trees between 30 and 100+ years of age

historic focal points

pote

ntia

R OLD TREE

100+ YEA

gentle slopes and existing grass could be preserved for passive recreation and increased percentage of green space

train shed can remain as a historic artifact or be moved and used as a picnic shelter

AREA

L AR

rit

EXISTING

COMMER

build than ings loca ted othe a co mmo rs. all bu in this are ild n well for a , bland a ings are a are larg city th e n o is siz d tired fe ne story ly historic e e. ho a in ch weve l. the com nd have a simila racter, w r, it w merc it ould r bene ial infrastr architec h some in tural fi ucture t from potential mural location style better co is som s, g nd e res good a nd se iving the ition tructu s e ring of the ms to be treets w socia l fram orking ework .

DEPOT S

T HISTOR

n ba irst e f istur lb wil ite d rty ize s e p pro inim m ed lop n to eve uctio d g nstr in t o is ex ew c rn y fo

S any development here should be limited to landscaping or recreation purposes only

VED A P GE

prio

GARDE

rea r wou meth entran o c for t ar a g ld be id dist c e to ea b hu a rde etw n an eal loc rch een atio dp ped n ubli estr c ar ians t and train s

l co nflic

GRASS FIELD

STEEP SLOPE

potential bridge link to adjacent neighborhood

historic methodist church

warehouse from 1896 could be restored as museum

TRICT

IC DOWN

TOWN

com m of ra ercial bu il ild loadin access, p ings all h rima g do rily in ave som cks e fo the fo rm o rm f

railroad industry-related historic focal points preserved

GARDEN EXISTING RESIDENTIAL LOTS NO INFO AVAIL ABLE landscaped entryway for existing church

CIAL DIS

EXISTING WOODED RESIDENTIAL LOTS

deep, wooded lots with relatively steep slopes that drain to a creek

fountain housing

/ /

DESIGN PROCESS grocery store

parking

rear access

shops COMPATIBILITY MATRIX

Sheet1

playground fountain housing grocery store parking rear access shops restaurants museum rail station railroad tracks shuttle bus parking shuttle bus stop walking trails amphitheater open lawn multi-purpose open space bike racks woodlands access creek access rain garden rec courts

rec courts

rain garden

museum

creek access

woodlands access

bike racks

multi-purpose space

open lawn

amphitheater

walking trails

shuttle bus stop

shuttle bus parking

railroad tracks

rail station

museum

restaurants

shops

rear access

parking

grocery store

housing

fountain

playground

restaurants

Before making any decisions regarding the placement of different program rail station elements during the design process, it is important to railroad tracks understand the relationships between those elements. When a program features a wide shuttle bus parking variety of uses and events, it is only natural for shuttle bus stop conflicts to exist. walking trails

With this site in particular, the major conflict amphitheater zone is the area surrounding the train tracks. Certain program elements,open such as the train lawn station, must be located in close proximity to multi-purpose open the tracks. Other uses, such asspace those involving pedestrians and, especially, children, could bike racks create a potential safety hazard if located too woodlands access close to to the railroad infrastructure.

/ / / / / /

creek access

However, most of the proposed program rainadjacent garden elements can be situated to one another, with only minor incompatibility issues rec courts to resolve.

/ / / / /

MUST be located together / /

Can be located together / /

Close proximity should be avoided if possible

/ /

Should NOT be located together

/ / /

No specific relationship

22 MUST be located together

PROGRAM ELEMENTS PROPOSED SITE USES + EVENTS

In addition to the program elements listed below, all new construction will adhere to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building certification standards and the New Urbanism principles of neighborhood design.

RESIDENTIAL • • • • • •

Multiple lot sizes that will appeal to residents of varying age, ability and income Single family homes, rowhouses and apartments, with most being at ground level for elderly citizens All residential units will be within a 5 minute walk (roughly 1/4 mile) from community center and transit station Homes will feature front porches and balconies, encouraging the “eyes on the street” philosophy Back alley and on-street parking All homes within walking distance of existing elementary, middle and high school

COMMER CIAL • • • • • •

Shopping, dining and recreation options Wide sidewalks Tree canopy cover Semi-private/public outdoor patio space Within a 5 minute walk (roughly 1/4 mile) of community center and residential units Variety of building sizes

PROGRAM ELMENTS PROPOSED SITE USES + EVENTS

TR ANSPORTATI O N

OTHER

• • • •

• • •

Central commuter rail station Shuttle bus service will transport people to and from the transit center Adjacent parking deck for long term/overnight parking Transit center will feature bike racks, lockers and shower space for cyclists

Areas around train tracks will be safely secured to prevent pedestrian injuries Historical buildings and rail elements will be preserved, restored and/or readapted where possible Site features will meet all standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

RECREATION • • • • • • • •

Walking trails through both developed and wooded areas Educational signage throughout site as part of a walking history tour Outdoor amphitheater/performance space in central location Open lawn space for passive recreation Community gardens Playground(s) Public courts for basketball, tennis, etc. Open space for festivals or special events

ENVIRONMENT • • • •

Any existing contamination within the site will be dealt with before habitation occurs Existing woodlands will be preserved where possible Stormwater will be contained and treated within the site boundaries Habitats for native wildlife will be created and/or encouraged within natural areas

PRECEDENTS

EXAMPLES + MODELS + STANDARDS

BRUNSWICK MAINE STREET STATION BRUNSWICK, MAINE, USA

Brunswick Maine Street Station is a multi-modal, multi-use real estate development in the middle of Brunswick, Maine, located on Maine Street. It is currently under construction and, when finished, will consist of commercial offices, service centers, retail, restaurants, theatre and residential space. Maine Street Station will also be a transportation hub for city buses, taxis, and passenger trains. The development is split into two parts, the “West” and “East” sides. The west side will consist mostly of residential apartments and homes, along with some retail and commercial office space. The east side will consist of mostly retail and commercial office space, along with some apartments. The east side is also the location of the passenger train station. This development is currently being built on vacant lots surrounding the railroad junction between the cities of Portland, Lewiston, Augusta, and Rockland.

INSPIRATION

EXAMPLES + MODELS + STANDARDS

RAILYARD PARK+ PLAZA S A N T A F E , N E W M E X I C O, U S A

Designed by Landscape Architect Ken Smith, Railyard Park + Plaza is a 13-acre park located on the grounds of a former railyard. Adjacent to the park is a busy four-lane highway to the south and an active rail line to the north. The park combines local Native American history and building practices such as stone-lined irrigation trenches with modern technology such as rock-filled gabion baskets and glue-laminated wood. Some industrial elements are preserved as well, including old rail axels and wheels. Smith’s design reflects the presence of the missing rail lines with linear pathways and rows of elm and native Apache plume trees. “The by-product of the geometry of this site is that it produces a very untypical circulation system in the park,” Smith says of his design. “When you move through the park, it takes you places you don’t anticipate going - and you end up discovering things you don’t expect.” (ASLA Magazine, July 2010)

COMTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

ROLLING HILLS

AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

INSPIRATION LOCATIONS + IMAGERY

SOUTHERN ICONS

RAILROAD ARCHITECTURE

AERIAL PATHS

NATURAL RECLAMATION

OMES

CIR

CIAL

FOCAL POINT

S FAMILY INGLE HOMES

COMMER

CIAL

OFFICE

GREEN SP ACE DEPOT ST

MUSEU

RETAIL A

TOWNHOM ES TOWNHOM ES TOWNHOM ES

APARTM ENTS

SPACE

CIAL

OM HT C

SPA

GREEN FOCAL POINT

COMMER

RCIAL

FOREST AV

MER

CHURCH

COMME

LIG ATH E

NS S

TS APARTMEN

T/H WY

ILY HOMES SINGLE FAM EEN

ND RESTA

OLD BOARDING DEPOT PLATFORM

URANTS

COMMER

RAILROA

D ST

CIAL

TOWNHOM

LIBERTY

CIR

N TOW ES HOM

ENT RTM

ATHE N

HOM

Y 29

RCIAL

TRAIN STA TION

S FAMILY INGLE HOMES

adjacent areas within the plan. Commercial buildings will be located along existing thoroughfares where visibility and demand are highest. Existing commercial spaces will be revitalized and new spaces will be implemented. Housing types will include apartments, town homes and some single family units. Existing historic structures will be converted to museums and other educational assets.

This concept places the rail station within the limits of downtown, surrounded by dense commercial areas. Much of the derelict space surrounding the existing rail line will be converted to a “green belt” series of parks that link different areas within the site. Denser housing centered around a central green space provides more of a “city feel” for residents. The existing grocery store complex will be converted to apartment homes and retail / office space.

GREEN SP ACE

MUSEU

COMMER

CIAL

EXISTING COMMER CIAL DEPOT ST

RETAIL A

OLD BOARDING DEPOT PLATFORM

RAILROA

EXISTING COMMER CIAL

ND RESTA

URANTS

TOWNHO MES TOWNHO MES

D ST

This concept is similar to the first in that the train station is located within the center of the site. Residential housing clusters have been rearranged for more variety and commercial clusters are distributed more evenly throughout the site. Depot St. will be converted into a low-vehicular traffic pedestrian mall which will link to the historic museum complex and green space adjacent to the rail line.

CIR

TOW

LIBERTY

EXISTING COMMER CIAL

FOREST AV E

CHURCH

COMME

CAROLINA

IAL

APARTM ENT HOMES N HO MES

WEBB ST

LIG CO HT MM ERC

JACKSON

ROUND TABLE

LL ST.

PACE

RET AIL

E. HOWE

OFFICE S

HOM ENT

ICES

APA

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INGLE F ST FOCAL A M The central idea behind this concept is to have the train station I L Y POINT OMESThe station located within the townHcenter. be surrounded by a COMMwill E R CIALa pedestrian link to buffer of public green space, which will serve as

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN #3

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MASTER PLAN PROPOSED PROJECT DESIGN

Upon entering the site via the new high-speed commuter line, rail passengers will pass through a collection of natural and man-made, offering a glimpse into the history and landscapes of the Southern US. From the northwest corner of the site, passengers first enter a linear park, parallel to walking trails and manicured gardens. A pedestrian bridge over Highway 29 announces their arrival into Hartwell. Next, the train enters a mature hardwood forest of oaks, hickories, pines and pecans. From shadow to sun it passes, into a field of waving native grasses, with the restored round table visible to the left. The train then crosses the lake by way of a wooden trestle. Ahead, a steel-truss pedestrian observation bridge arches gracefully overhead, atop two earthen mounds on either side of the tracks. Next, visitors pass by the new Southern Railway Museum and Hartwell Heritage Center and Plaza. Finally, the train pulls into the new modern train station located at the southwestern edge of downtown Hartwell.

ELEVATION VIEW LOOKING NORTH FROM THE RAIL LINE

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SITE PLAN DESIGN FEATURES

GABION WALLS SUBMERGED TRACK POND

RESTORED WATER TOWER

COVERED OUTDOOR SEATING

WINDMILL HILL GREEN SCREEN

RUSTIC WOODEN BRIDGES

PLANTING PLAN PLANT SELECTION + LOCATION

PLANT SCHEDULE QUANTITY + QUALITY

INLAND SEA OATS

INDIAN HAWTHORNE

MOUNT AIRY FOTHERGILA

WILLOW OAK

WHITE FRINGE TREE

WEEPING YAUPON HOLLY

SARGENT CHERRY

DRUMMOND RED MAPLE

PLANT PALETTE

VISUAL IDENTIFICATION

MIDNIGHT WATER LILY

RUSH

LOUISIANA IRIS

WATER PLANTAIN

SWEET FLAG

AMERICAN WISTERIA

CROSS VINE

REDBUD DAYLILY

PLANT PALETTE VISUAL IDENTIFICATION

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS H BEAM ARCH SECTION

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS DIRECTIONAL SIGNPOST DETAIL

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS MULTI-TIER FOUNTAIN SECTION

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FREESTANDING CURVED “GREENSCREEN” DETAIL

BIBLIOGRAPHY WORKS CITED

1. BuildingGreen.com. Web. <http://www.buildinggreen.com/>. 2. Cobb, James C. “Hartwell.” New Georgia Encyclopedia. Web. <http://www.newgeorgiaencyclopedia.com/ nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2216>. 3. Georgia Brain Train Group - A Commuter Rail, Passenger Train, Atlanta Rail, College Connector Rail. Web. <http://www.georgiabraintrain.com/>. 4. “Guide to Railcars.” World Trade Ref - Your One Stop Resource for Trade Information. Web. <http://www. worldtraderef.com/WTR_site/Rail_Cars/Guide_to_ Rail_Cars.asp>. 5. “Hartwell, Georgia.” Hart County Library - News. Web. <http://www.hartcountylibrary.com/city/>. 6. “Hartwell Railroad - The Red Carpet Line.” HawkinsRails.net - A Scrapbook of Railroad Photography. Ed. Ralph W. Hawkins. Web. <http://hawkinsrails.net/shortlines/hrt/hrt.htm>. 7. “Hartwell Railroad.” Georgia Railroads, History and Heritage.html. Web. <http://railga.com/hart.html>. 8. Pace, Brent. “Advantages and Disadvantages of Mixed-Use Development. Web. <http://www.gaebler.com/Advantages-And- Disadvantages-Of-Mixed-Use-Development.htm>. 9. “Pictures Taken in Hartwell, GA.” Railroad Picture Archives.NET. Web. <http://www.rrpicturearchives. net/locThumbs.aspx?id=28448>. 10. “Railroad Glossary Terms & Definitions.” Web. <http://www.allenrailroad.com/consulting/ Railroad_Glossary.htm>.

11. 12. 13.

“Railway Station Design.” Railway Technical Web Pages - Home Page. Web. <http://www. railway-technical.com/stations.shtml>. “Track Standards.” Mill Creek Central. Web. <http://www.millcreekcentral.com/TrackStandards/ TrackStandards.htm>. Ulam, Alex. “The Rail World: Santa Fe.” Landscape Architecture Magazine July 2010: 78-92. Print.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THANKS + APPRECIATION

• Brian LaHaie and Douglas Pardue for their knowledge, experience and guidance. • Ilka McConnell and the rest of the Archway Partnership program for introducing me to the town of Hartwell. • Leah Graham and Mario Cambardella for their shared resources, findings and advice. • Jon Caime, David Aldrich, Jim Owens and Charles Rice for their support and enthusiasm for my various projects in Hartwell • My family, friends and classmates who have been infinitely patient with me these past five years. Finally, I would like to dedicate this project to the memory of Roy Stallings III, who constantly reminded me to take all things in stride with a laugh and a smile.