Charleston Parklet Program by Danny Kelly

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

MANUAL PRODUCED BY

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY MASTER OF RESILIENT URBAN DESIGN STUDIO

B.D. Wortham-Galvin, Director + Associate Professor Cora Butler Murray Byrd Crystal Hill Dan Kelly Tre Mason Eduardo Moreria Amy Nguyen Lee Rodriguez Joe Scherer Jack Staples Courtney Wolff

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

WITH ASSISTANCE FROM

The purpose of this project is to support the development of a robust, successful parklet program on the Charleston peninsula.

DESIGN DIVISION CHARLESTON CIVIC DESIGN CENTER

Cities with Parklet Programs we look to for not only general guidance, but also specific quantifications related to pricing and design dimensions include: Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Minneapolis, Oakland, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco, and Vancouver B.C. This manual is the product of a collaboration between students, community leaders, advocates, city officials, designers, and professionals. Additional thanks to all professors and review committee attendees who dedicated their time and expertise.

Document Version 1.1 Produced in 2020

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

Allen Davis, Director Morgan Gundlach, Senior Urban Designer

THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS (AIA) CHARLESTON CHAPTER

Ashley Jennings, President

CITY OF CHARLESTON TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

Keith Benjamin, Director

SPARKS+SULLIVAN STRATEGY AND DESIGN STUDIO

Ryan Sullivan, Founding Partner

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHAT IS A PARKLET? p.3-13

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

HOW DO WE START? p.14-21

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT? p.22-35

HOW DO WE BUILD IT? p.36-40

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEXT? p.41-43

NEED MORE? p.44-61

WHAT IS A PARKLET? The City of Charleston Parklet Program guidelines intend to guide parklet applicants through the processes and procedures for designing, permitting and building a parklet. Within these guidelines you will uncover helpful resources and best practices to create a successful parklet. This section will cover an overview of the program, program goals, types of parklets and provide case studies from parklets across the country. Based on extensive research from pilot cities, these guidelines tackle the national trend in a manner that is uniquely Charleston. Enjoy!

WHAT IS A PARKLET?

PROGRAM OVERVIEW PURPOSE Charleston’s Parklet Program aims to promote pedestrian friendly streets and encourage people’s engagement with the urban environment through the re-imagining and conversion of on-street parking into alternative public spaces.

ABOUT PARKLETS Parklets are platforms that turn existing parking spots into an outdoor space for public enjoyment. While expanding the sidewalk, parklets can provide amenities like seating, dining space, plantings, and bike parking. They are typically funded and maintained by neighboring businesses, residents and/or community organizations. The first formal parklets were initially conceived and installed in San Francisco in 2010. Since that time, parklets have been emulated in cities around the world showcasing a variety of designs and programming initiatives.

BENEFITS • Transform underutilized street space into vibrant public spaces • Foster community interaction and social engagement • Support local businesses by activating commercial corridors • Promotes alternative modes of transportation • Increase foot traffic

Image sourced from Meristem Design and manipulated by Jack Staples

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

WHAT IS A PARKLET?

PROGRAM GOALS ENHANCE Charlestonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity through unique,

community-driven projects.

SUPPORT local businesses and economic vitality in

commercial districts.

PROVIDE alternative outdoor space opportunities for

community interaction.

ENCOURAGE walking, biking and the use of transit.

PRIORITIZE pedestrian safety and accessibility in the

public right of way.

RESPOND to the dynamic climate and numerous

environmental concerns that Charleston faces. Images manipulated by Jack Staples.

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

WHAT IS A PARKLET?

TYPES OF PARKLETS

Images manipulated by Jack Staples.

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

PUBLIC

BUSINESS

Public parklets are not limited to an establishment or entity. A public parklet creates a new public space adjacent to the sidewalk and is open to everyone. Similar to a miniature park, they serve the community by providing a new place for people to stop, sit, and enjoy the life of the street.

Business parklets allows businesses such as restaurants, cafes, and retail stores to expand their space onto the parking lane and to provide unique dining and shopping opportunities.

TEMPORARY

PERMANENT

A temporary parklet will either be installed for a singular event as an exhibition or can be installed for a short period of time. A temporary parklet plan can be set up to test a certain concept and gauge interest for a more permanent installation.

Permanent parklets are longterm installations that can serve a variety of services such as outdoor-seating for a business or providing a certain infrastructure that was lacking in an area.

WHAT IS A PARKLET?

TYPES OF PARKLETS

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

WHAT IS A PARKLET?

CASE STUDIES

https://awalkinaparklet.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/chromer-building-parklet/

https://www.ggnltd.com/chromer-building-parklet-and-streatery

PUBLIC & PERMANENT PARKLET: CHROMER BUILDING PARKLET

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The largest parklet in Seattle at 718 sq. ft. Five parking spaces are occupied by the Chromer Building Parklet. The parklet is divided into five terraced platforms because of the slope of the street. There are movable tables and chairs along with a built in bar along one end and concrete blocks at the platform seams. A highly flexible, modular design allows for the rotation of installations as well as performances. All materials were chosen for durability and paint colors were chosen to match the adjacent Chromer Market Building. The material palette also echoes the industrial, pacific northwest style that is popular in this part of downtown.

• Location: Seattle, Washington • Sponsored by Urban Visions • Installed in 2014 • Not associated with the adjacent business • Public and permanent parklet • Amenities: Bench seating, tables, music stage, and plants

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

https://www.ggnltd.com/chromer-building-parklet-and-streatery

WHAT IS A PARKLET?

https://blog.spin.pm/the-spin-spot-six-finalists-selected-to-build-out-parklet-prototypes-in-denver-a0c739504749

https://blog.spin.pm/honeycombs-and-urban-backyardstake-over-denvers-streets-937015df06a9

PUBLIC & TEMPORARY PARKLET: THE URBAN BACKYARD

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Designed by Michael Schimt and DuRon Netsell for the 2019 Spin Spot Parklet Design Competition, this parklet demonstrates how a parking space can be better served as a transit stop. This design provides a fun and comfortable space to pass time with games during daily commute. There is a bus stop opening in the parklet designed to assist with the boarding process. The design mimics a back patio which encompasses socializing, introducing vegetation and providing yard games. The traditional backyard elements are combined with modern parklet uses to create a flexible asset for the community.

• Location: Denver, Colorado • Judge’s Choice winner in the Spin Spot Parklet Design Competition • Constructed in September 2019 for Park(ing) Day • Public and temporary parklet • Amenities: seating, games, scooter bike parking, bus stop shelter

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

WHAT IS A PARKLET?

http://www.interboropartners.com/projects/ad-bloc

PUBLIC & TEMPORARY PARKLET: AD BLOCS

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Interboro Partners developed a modular design (big LEGOS), that was easy to install, linkable and could be filled with water to stabilize. Forms interlock with no carpentry or fasteners. All configurations of AD BLOCS are generated from one rotomolded plastic 22” x 22” x 7’ block that can be aggregated with a cylindrical stool, which doubles as a planter and a peg to interlock pieces together. Each block weighs less than 50 lbs (the maximum amount a city employee can be expected to lift). Current installations occupy 2 parking spots, but expansion is simple. Design is lightweight, easy to replicate and low cost.

• Location: Boston, Massachusetts • Installed in 2014 • Public and permanent parklet • Amenities: flexible seating and tabling, planters

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

http://www.interboropartners.com/projects/ad-bloc

WHAT IS A PARKLET?

https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2014/05/portland_street_seats_adds_onl.html

https://www.flickr.com/photos/26480842@ N08/10846087943

TEMPORARY BUSINESS PARKLET: OVEN AND SHAKER STREET SEAT

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Oven and Shaker is a Portland restaurant that installs their parklet every summer and dismantles it every fall. This method prioritizes increasing seat numbers seasonally when the weather is nice and avoiding extra dues to the city during the winter months. As one of the three first pilot parklets in the Portland Bureau of Transportation pilot Street Seats project in 2012, this parklet is a private parklet only available to customers of the adjacent business.

• Location: Portland, Oregon • Initially installed in 2012 • Seasonal business parklet • Amenities: extra outdoor-dining space limited to customers

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

ACCESS TO PARKS

The city of Charleston is responsible for 120 parks consisting of approximately 1,809 acres of open, public space. Within these parks, there are also a total of 211 buildings, containing 3,670,000 ftÂ˛ of space. Each park has been given a 10-minute average walking distance radiating from its center point. While many parks are located within neighborhoods, some are adjacent to the I-26 and US-17 corridor. These obstructions make accessibility to parks for the local residents difficult. For this reason, parks are largely localized and concentrated within neighborhoods.

PARKS IN CHARLESTON

GREEN DESERT

(BY 10-MINUTE WALKING DISTANCE)

(BY PERCENTAGE OF LAND AREA) PARKS MAKE UP 9% OF THE CHARLESTON PENINSULA

PARKS IN NEIGHBORHOODS

(SORTED BY ACREAGE)

0 800 1200 SCALE BAR 1:3200

1600

GREEN SPACE DISTRIBUTION COMPARISON In Savannah, Georgia, there are 187 green spaces. By average, the size of green space is 8.7 acres and has the highest count of green spaces among the cities neighboring municipalities. The city of Atlanta maintains over 3,000 acres of green spaces and operates 33 recreational centers. In comparison to Charleston, the peninsula falls short in accessibility, distribution and amenities.

21.4

11.4

28.6

Much like the term Food Desert, a Green Desert is an area where people do not have easy access to reliable and affordable amenities, such as green space or public space. Parks make up only 9% of the total land area on the peninsula. However, this area is not evenly spread out among individual neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods, like Robert Mills, barely contain more than 0.1 acres dedicated to parks, while others, like Wagener Terrace, contain over 55 acres.

0.1 0.2

3.3

7.6 0.1

13.7

6.6

2.8

WHAT IS A PARKLET?

ACCESS TO PARKS IN CHARLESTON

3200

Data Source: City of Charleston Open Data

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

WHAT IS A PARKLET?

PARKLET IMPACT STUDY Parklet impact studies have been done in Philadelphia, PA, Long Beach and San Francisco, CA. Across all three studies, there is no doubt the benefits of transforming one or two parking spaces into a unique and innovative public space. The studies concluded parklets were responsible for increased sales in commercial areas, greater neighborhood vibrancy, and overall safer pedestrian conditions.

SAN FRANCISCO GREAT STREETS PROJECT https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/parklet_impact_study_sf_planning_dept.pdf

Parklet hosted by Crepe House & Zaytoon Wraps on 1136 Valencia Street.

Since the initial creation of parklets in 2010, San Francisco has installed 38 parklets across the city. The San Francisco Great Streets Project conducted a study to measure the influence of parklets on pedestrian traffic, behavior and perception. Pedestrian counts, stationary activity counts, pedestrian and business surveys were conducted at three locations before and after the parklets were installed. The three parklets were located in three different neighborhoods, Mission, Polk Gulch and North Beach.

KEY FINDINGS

Average foot traffic on Stockton Street increased 44% from 304 to 438 people per hour after the parklet was installed. None of the businesses reported significant concerns about the parklet regarding loss of nearby street parking or other impacts on their business.

https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/parklet_impact_study_sf_planning_dept.pdf

Parklet hosted by Quetzal Cafe at 1234 Polk Street.

Five of the seven business observed that most of their customers are primarily from the surrounding area neighborhood and arrive to their establishment by foot. Incremental increase in the number of bikes parked in each location. The number of businesses applying for parklet permits indicates that they see an economic benefit to investing in these public spaces. https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/parklet_impact_study_sf_planning_dept.pdf https://issuu.com/studiooneeleven/docs/17-0329_parklet_research_study https://www.universitycity.org/sites/default/files/documents/The%20Case%20for%20Parklets%20 2015.pdf

https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/parklet_impact_study_sf_planning_dept.pdf

Parklet hosted by  Tony’s  Pizza  Napoletana  at 1570 Stockton Street. CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

HOW DO WE START? Planning for a Parklet is a 6-step process. Parklets are available on a variety of different streets and in different conditions. This process involves close communication with the City Planning Department, the Charleston Design Review Committee, as well as community members in your potential Parklet location. Review the following pages to understand the Process and Planning.

PROCESS PICK A PLACE

Pick a place from the previous Parklet Locations map.

ess

c Permit ting Pro

I want a Parklet!

PERMITTING PROCESS

Fill the appropriate forms and get authorization from the city.

HOW DO WE START?

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

ick

la aP

In order to build strong community support for your Parklet, you are required to attain a written letter of support from local business owners and residents. You are not required to invite them into the design process, but you are strongly encouraged, as this builds trust between the community and yourself.

on Fee

ti Applica y Communit

APPLICATION FEE

Suppor t

nce

Maintena

s s Guideline Operation

There are some initial costs included when applying for a Parklet. You should consider funding the Parklet yourself, or you can apply for public funding. Consider contacting area Universities for design assistance.

OPERATIONS GUIDELINES

No smoking is allowed in outdoor spaces unless designated otherwise. Alcohol may be served if you are able to attain a license.

rawings D it m b u S

MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES

Parklet owners are responsible for the maintenance of their own parklets.

SUBMIT FINAL DRAWINGS

l Approva

Send your final drawings to the Charleston Design Review Committee for approval. If rejected, you have a one-month window to revise your design and re-send.

APPROVAL

If your Parklet has been approved for construction, you can begin construction. You now have a six-month window to create your Parklet.

Yay!

CONSTRUCTION

Constructio CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

Congratulations, your parklet should be finished soon. 15

Diagram by Eduardo and Murray

PROPOSED PARKLET LOCATIONS DETERMINING PARKLET LOCATIONS

Before putting any parklet locations on the map, we examined many key factors. These overlaps are shown at the bottom of the next page. These included, but were not limited to: 1

HOW DO WE START?

• State owned streets vs. city owned streets • Flooding • City of Charleston “Parking Opportunity Zones” • Traffic violations and fatalities • Public transit and stops • COVID-19 curbside relief zones • Locations already proposed by the Charleston Design Division

If you wish to design and build a parklet in a location not listed here, please reach out to the Charleston Parklet Program for further assistance.

3 4

5 6 7

8 11 12

9 C D 18

13 14

17 15

24 25

23 20

35 32

Whole Street Proposal

MRUD Proposal

30 37

42 39 46

Design Division Proposal

State Owned Street

Proposal in Flood Risk Zone Proposal in Safety Hazard Zone

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

AS PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE

AS BUSINESS SUPPORT

A Hester St. B Mary Ellen Dr. C Jackson St. D Lee St. E Murray Blvd. 1 Heriot St. 3 1020 King St. 8 55 Johnson St. 9 12 Harris St. 11 9 East St. 13 247 Congress St. 14 237 Fishburne St. 21 148 Cannon St. 22 98 Cannon St. 27 16 Mary St. 28 48 Elizabeth St. 30 549 East Bay St. 33 131 Anson St. 34 329 Calhoun St. 35 33 Calhoun St. 36 108 Murray Blvd.

2 1107 King St. 4 1011 King St. 5 730 Rutledge Ave. 6 98 Francis St. 7 Mary Murray Dr. 12 2 Race St. 15 301 Ashley Ave. 16 267 Rutledge Ave. 17 125.5 Line St. 18 8 Line St. 19 229 St. Philip St. 20 168 Spring St. 23 68 Cannon St. 24 199 St. Philip St. 25 4 Cannon St. 26 46 America St. 31 225 Calhoun St. 32 409 King St. 33 137 Calhoun St. 37 70.5 Beaufain St. 38 41 George St. 39 193 King St. 40 181 King St. 41 159 Church St. 42 159 East Bay St. 43 198 East Bay St. 44 205 East Bay St. 45 133 Queen St. 46 112 Queen St. 47 100 Meeting St.

STATE STREETS 1 Heriot St.

FLOOD RISK

B Mary Ellen Dr. D Lee St. E Murray Blvd. 8 55 Johnson St. 9 12 Harris St. 14 237 Fishburne St. 28 48 Elizabeth St. 30 549 East Bay St. 34 329 Calhoun St. 35 33 Calhoun St. 37 70.5 Beaufain St. 44 205 East Bay St. 36 108 Murray Blvd.

12 2 Race St. 16 267 Rutledge Ave.

COVID-19 CURBSIDE RELIEF ZONES

These zones have been established to help support businesses during the pandemic by modifying parking spaces for curbside pick-ups. When the pandemic is over, curbside relief zones will be converted into business support parklet locations thereby taking advantage of the temporary use of the parking space and extend the altered use for parklets

HOW DO WE START?

TRANSIT ROUTES AND STOPS

26 46 America St.

PARKING OPPORTUNITY ZONES

These are the areas on the Charleston Peninsula that have been identified by the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transportation department as facing a parking shortage. As much as possible, these zones have been avoided when identifying possible parklet locations.

31 225 Calhoun St. 33 137 Calhoun St.

38 41 George St. 39 193 King St.

FLOODING

Many of the parklet locations identified as public infrastructure are placed at either a current CARTA bus stop or the future location of the Lowcountry Rapid Transit Line. For the locations at bus stops, the parklet could act as a bus stop. For the locations at the future Rapid stops, parklets could be leveraged to inform the community about the upcoming system.

Flooding, from rain, tides, and storms, is a issue on the peninsula that cannot be ignored. Parklet locations do not avoid areas of increased flooding risk but have been identified as such. These parklet locations have the unique opportunity of working with the flooding rather than ignoring the problem facing Charleston.

STATE STREETS VS. CITY OWNED STREETS

TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND FATALITIES

Parklets on city owned streets will be easier to get approved than parklets on state owned streets. For this reason, only city owned streets have been deeply investigated. In some specific cases, parklets are being proposed on state owned streets to support either the new Lowcountry Rapid Transit Line or CARTA bus stops that serve multiple lines.

27 16 Mary St.

Safety is a priority for both parklet users as well as drivers passing by. Investigations into intersections with high rates of moving violations, streets with high rates of speeding, and areas with pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities led to identifying areas to avoid. Only two parklets are located in a high risk area.

DESIGN DIVISION

4 1011 King St. 6 98 Francis St. 18 8 Line St. 15 301 Ashley Ave. 17 125.5 Line St. 19 229 St. Philip St. 20 168 Spring St. 23 68 Cannon St. 24 199 St. Philip St. 32 409 King St. 45 133 Queen St.

A B 5

A B

3 4 8 11 12

C D

8 11 12

C D

11 12

13 14

24 25

17 15

24 25

23 20

35 32

42 39 46

COVID-19 Curbside Relief Zones CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

35 32

42 39 46

35 32

42 39 46

35 32

24 25

35 32

31 43

42 39

42 39 46

40 47

Traffic Violations and Fatalities

Flooding

C D

Parking Opportunity Zones

24 25

8 11 12

13 17

Transit Routes and Stops

24 25

C D 18

11 12

6 7

13 17

31 43

24 25

31 43

C D

3 4

6 7

13 17

11 12

13 14

C D

A B

3 4

6 7

13 17

A B

3 4

6 7

A B

3 4

6 7

A B

3 4

6 7

City Owned Streets

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

While in the process of planning your Parklet, there are some design considerations you should consider. • Equity • Sustainability • Historic District • Temporary/Permanent • Street Character • Weather

HOW DO WE START?

What do we Consider?

If the Parklet is to be located in a metered parking space, the applicant will be responsible for lost meter revenue. Transportation staff will provide accurate cost estimates of these charges based on location. Fees will be due upon approval of application, prior to issuing a permit to install.

ati r e d

nsi

PARKING METERS

ons

BUSINESS PARKLETS

Applicants for Business Parklets, who wish to allow for table service and the consumption of alcohol, will be have additional costs. See the list of fees.

PUBLIC PARKLETS

arklet Business P

Applicants for Public Parklets will incur less charges as they are not allowed to provide table service. Insurance is required. Public Parklets must be signed as such and must be visually distinct from the sponsoring business.

We’re open!

ter

e Parking M

EQUITY

Fees Equity

Parklets must be equitable, open to everyone, and are required to include ADA-accessiblility. This means that the Parklet platform must be flush with the sidewalk. There should be no gap between the platform and the sidewalk.

LIST OF FEES

Public Parklets will not incur the linear foot charge as they cannot provide table service.

klet Public Par

• Non refundable application fee $100.00 • Base fee for new permit $500.00 • Base fee for renewal permit $250.00 • Restaurant permit $105/linear foot • Lost meter revenue $2,000-$7,000 • Additional incurred costs $150-$500 CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

Diagram by Eduardo and Murray

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS EXAMPLE OF GUIDELINES A Generally, the dimensions of Parklets should be 2 parking spots long. 4

B The sidewalk-facing side of the Parklet should be open to pedestrians.

4 4

C The size of Parklets should obey the width of parking lanes. If the

parking lane is striped, applicants needs to consult the road department to obtain official parking lane size.

D Parklets must have reactive soft barriers. The platform must align with 1

Parklet

SLOW 35

this barrier and it may not be in the travel lane.

MPH

HOW DO WE START?

However, both shorter and longer lengths may be considered. This length is inclusive of curb-stops and wheel lengths.

E Parklets may have wheel stops installed 24 inches from the curb. Wheel stops may be fixed to the asphalt using a drill and bolts. 1

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

Parklets must not pose a danger to pedestrian or vehicle traffic. An enclosure of a strong material must separate the Parklet from the street to protect any pedestrian that may be using the space.

B 2 4

Be mindful of traffic laws in potential Parklet locations. Parklets must not interrupt the flow of traffic, and must not be any wider than the parking space itself. Be careful of one-way streets, as these are too narrow for Parklets. 3

TRAFFIC FLOW

CITY AND STATE REGULATIONS

There are many city and state regulations to keep in mind when planning Parklets. For example, Parklets may not be placed on state-owned roads with speed limits exceeding 35mph.

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE

Please send your Parklet design to the Charleston Design Review Committee prior to sending the documentation to the city. CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

Diagram by Eduardo and Murray

BUSINESS VS. PUBLIC PARKLETS ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PARKLETS?

HOW DO WE START?

BUSINESS PARKLET

Parklets can become key place-making elements in communities. They are meant to be embraced and supported by local residents and businesses. Building support early in the process is important as the design develops and is constructed. Complete support from all owners and businesses along the block is not required; however, it is important to understand concerns that can be addressed early on.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BUSINESS PARKLETS?

An essential goal of this program is for Parklets to become an integrated part of the community. Submission packages must demonstrate clear community support. The following documentation is required. • Letters of support from property owners and businesses in the Parklet area • Letters of support from residents, businesses, or other organizations

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PUBLIC PARKLETS?

Parklet Oscar Freire II by Estúdio HAA!, Image manipulated by Murray

PUBLIC PARKLET

These Parklets are stewarded by local partners, but are free and open to anyone. Public Parklets differ from Business Parklets in that advertising, table service, and other commercial activities are not permitted in this space.

1. FILL OUT THE APPLICATION

The official Parklet application can be found at the appropriate website. The application includes most of what has been covered in this chapter.

2. PAY THE FEES

Send in the application along with the fees to ensure that it is considered by the city. You are also given a paperless option at no extra cost.

3. WAIT FOR AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE

You are not allowed to begin construction on your Parklet until you hear an official response from the city. If you have started construction before the official response, you will be fined and your Parklet will be removed. You are only allowed to begin construction after you have an official confirmation from the city of Charleston.

Image by Yuzhu Zheng, Image manipulated by Murray

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION DESIGN NARRATIVE

A design narrative should be included, describing how the Parklet will be used, the benefits it will provide to the community, and any other noteworthy attributes that make it unique. The design narrative has to respond to the context of the neighborhood architecturally, culturally, and historically. Materials must also correspond to the context. The final design must comply with Design Review Committee regulations. As refinements and changes are made to the design, the design narrative should be updated to reflect the current design.

HOW DO WE START?

RENDERINGS

Documentation should include perspective renderings to convey the overall character of the Parklet. Renderings should also convey materials and how the design narrative has been expressed and maintained throughout the design development. At least two renderings should depict a pedestrian perspective. Parklet Elevation by EstĂşdio HAA!

CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

These drawings should show how the Parklet will be constructed and used by the City to assess drainage, landscaping, pedestrian access, and structural requirements. Upon final approval from the City, these drawings will need to be signed and sealed by a certified, registered structural engineer.

PLANS

A plan of the Parklet should be included with the documentation. This view is required to show all measurements. The subsequent site plan should also include the context of the Parklet, as well as any urban furniture or vegetation.

SECTIONS

Sections are cut-through drawings that help to illustrate structural details of the Parklet that cannot be seen from the other drawings. They should include dimensions for all elements.

ELEVATIONS

Parklet Plan by EstĂşdio HAA!

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

The documentation should include elevation drawings from each side (left, right, front, back). These elevations should also include clear representation of all elements, materials that are represented legibly, and dimensions for all elements.

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT? It is necessary to require strict design regulations on parklets because of the potential dangers moving traffic has on the occupying pedestrians. This section starts with design narrative considerations which include (but are not limited to): making sure the intended program and location considers zoning, demographics and equity; thinking about materiality and context choices that are appropriate to Charleston. Following the design narrative considerations are design & placement guideline that explain in detail rules and regulations to consider when designing a parklets. The design regulations are broken down into choosing a safe location, placement design, and the intended program. These categories explain in detail all the rules and regulations to consider when designing a parklet. Because of the ever changing city landscape and policies, the design regulations are setting a high standard for a rapidly emerging trend in cities. Any design that has reason to break the regulations written in this section can apply for approval from the city design planner. These strict regulations are like the city in the sense that they will change as new ideas, discoveries, and innovations emerge in the trend of the parklets in Charleston.

DESIGN NARRATIVE CONSIDERATIONS In this portion of the guidelines, the information that should be considered while designing a parklet will be laid out, explained, and applied to a parklet. The maps and diagrams that follow are starting points for the design of a parklet and should be used only to improve the impact a parklet makes on the community it is in. In no way should this information limit a parklet’s innovation and adaptation to unique site conditions. More mapping and information can be found in the “What’s Next?” section of this manual as a way to assist in the development of your design narrative considerations, however this is meant as a way to begin your research-based design investigations, not as a way to circumscribe or limit them. The following list are items to consider and are explored either here or in the “What’s Next?” section.

Zoning

• Know where to put a parklet • Know the surrounding conditions

Street and Traffic

• Know the surrounding conditions • Become aware of the surrounding safety concerns that will have to be addressed

Parking and Car Use

Context

• Know what parking spots will support local businesses • Know which parking spots are in temporary pick up zones

Public Transportation

Materiality

Bicycle Infrastructure

• Shows potential bike routes that could be near potential parklets • Shows current bike routes within the city that could be near to future parklets

Fatalities and Infractions

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

• Keep income in mind when designing • Know where people of different ages live within the city, if the designer is trying to design for a specific market • Know how dense of a population lives in a specific area of the city of Charleston • Be considerate of ethnicities and race common around the site

• Understand the cultures of the neighborhoods of the city • Respecting native cultures and traditions such as those of the Gullah people

• Know what parking spaces are near or on Public Transportation routes

• Shows areas within the city of Charleston that car accidents are more likely to occur • Shows areas that are more likely to be safer for pedestrians

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

Demographics & Equity

• Integrate local materials and tradition such as Indigo • Integrate local plants and tradition like Sweet Grass • Historical materials of Charleston • Contemporary materials in Charleston

ZONING COMMERCIAL

RESIDENTIAL

MIXED USE

General Business

Limited Business

DR1F

C. Transitional

DR2F

DR12

MU1WH

Business Park

DR1

SR1

MU2WH

Urban Commercial

DR2

SR2

General Office

DR3

SR3

Residential Office

DR4

SR4

DR9

SR5

STR

Single/Two-Family

MU1

Diverse Res.

MU2

INDUSTRIAL

Mixed Use

OTHER

Heavy Industrial

Light Industrial

PUD C

Planned Development 2

Conservation Neighborhoods

Workforce Housing

Upper Peninsula 22

10 9 16

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

Name

Size (Acreage)

Commercial Access

1 Silver Hill 848.95 • 2 Four Mile Hibernian 372.77 • 3 Harleston Village 371.6 • • 4 Wagener Terrace 369.4 • • 5 Rosemont 324.5 • 6 Westside 305.24 • • 7 Charlestowne 268.42 • • 8 Elliottborough 195.83 • • 9 North Central 186.2 • • 10 East Central 181.56 • • 11 East Side 132.06 • • 12 Radcliffeborough 118.33 • • 13 Wraggborough 96.94 • • 14 Hampton Park Terrace 50.4 • • 15 French Quarter 46.5 • • 16 Meeting St. Manor 42.7 • • 17 Ansonborough 39.8 • • 18 Bridgeview 23.6 • • 19 Wraggborough Homes 14.4 • • 20 Gadsden Green 13.8 • 21 Robert Mills 13 22 Kiawah Homes 11.3 • • 23 Joseph Floyd Manor 3.98 • • 24 Gadsden Wharf 3.36 • 25 Laurens Place 1.04 • 26 Anson House 0.95 •

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

Park Access

11 19

SPECIFIC USE TYPES

24 26

12 17

3.7 4.7 5.7 15.2

GENERAL USE TYPE

38.2 7

32.4

EQUITABLE FRAMEWORK 1

EQUABILITY Equity priority areas are shown with darker areas 2

A B

3 4

5 6 7

8 11 12

9 C D

Applications that are submitted for projects located within the highest priority. Communities of Concern may be considered for loaned materials, such as traffic cones, barricades and signs or financial breaks on permitting, lost revenue, etc. The neighborhoods listed in the adjacent map are included considered equity priority areas. If your project site is located in an equity priority area, you may be eligible to rent materials from the City free of charge. The following guidelines apply for loaned materials:

18 13 14

17 15

24 25

23 20

• Materials will be loaned for an agreed upon period of time and must be returned to the City at the end of specified period. • Inventory availability may vary depending on season or other circumstances. Emergency activities and weather-related events will take priority and may limit availability of materials. • Applicants will be required to maintain the project and associated materials during the duration of the project installation.

35 32

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

31 43

30 37

42 39 46

For further reading, please see the City of Atlanta’s Equity Framework Program (part of their Tactical Urbanism Guidelines).

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

The Charleston Parklet Program wants to make sure every effort is employed in order to extend parklets into all neighborhoods by promoting an equity framework. Equity frameworks utilize specific data indicators such as no vehicle access, percentages of school-age children, seniors, and persons with disabilities, as well as race, income, and no health insurance, amongst a number of other indicators to determine vulnerability and to establish a bases of priority for these communities of concern.

SOCIAL CONDITIONS

DEMOGRAPHICS

DEMOGRAPHICS & EQUITY Garden Hill

Garden Hill

Meyers

HWY 17

Meyers

HWY

26 HWY

HWY

Garden Hill

Magnolia Meyers Cemetery

Garden Hill

Meyers

HWY 17

WWW.CHAR

The Citedal

etin

College of Charleston

Kin

College of Charleston

1 WY

etin

Kin

Charleston

1 WY

Gadsden Green Homes

etin

College of Charleston

Kin

Gadsden Green Homes

Charleston

Gadsden Green Homes

etin

Kin

Wragg Borough Homes

Gadsden Green Homes

Wragg Borough Homes

Charleston College of Charleston

https://blogs

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

INCOME

AGE

EDUCATION

DENSITY

Avg. Agg Household Income From 2014 - 2018

Percent Population 25-44 (age) from 2013-2017

Percent College From 2014-2018

Percent Population 25-44 (age) from 2014-2018

Income - Census Planning Database (2020) Dollars (11,798-379,568)

Age - Census Planning Database (2019)

Education - Census Planning Database (2020)

Age - Census Planning Database (2019)

0.0-10

Insufficient Data

11,798-50,000

10 -20

297 or less

50,000-60,000

20 - 30

298 - 429

60,000-70,000

30 - 40

430 - 572

70,000-80,000

40 - 50

573 - 774

80,000-90,000

50 - 60

775 or more

90,000-100,000

60 -67.9

60 - 70

SOURCE: POLICYMAP

100,000-125,000

SOURCE: URBAN FOOTPRINT

70 - 80

125,000-150,000

80 - 90

150,000-175,000

90 - 100

www.redfin.c

175,000-200,000 SOURCE: URBAN FOOTPRINT

200,000-379,568

www.postand SOURCE: URBAN FOOTPRINT

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

DEMOGRAPHICS & EQUITY Meyers Magnolia Meyers Cemetery

Magnolia Meyers Cemetery

Garden Hill

H WY

Garden Hill

H WY

Magnolia Cemetery

H WY

Magnolia Meyers Cemetery

The Citedal

HWY 17

College of Charleston

etin

Kin

Charleston Charleston

Gadsden Green Homes

Wragg Borough Homes

etin

College of Charleston

Wragg Borough Homes

Wragg Borough Homes Kin

Charleston

Wragg Borough Homes Me

Gadsden Green Homes

College of Charleston

etin

Kin

etin

Kin

Gadsden Green Homes

Charleston Y1

The Citedal

Wragg Borough Homes

Charleston

HWY 17

The Citedal

Gadsden Green Homes

https://cck

Garden Hill

HWY 17

Wragg Borough Homes

Magnolia Meyers Cemetery

Garden Hill

HWY 17

Magnolia Meyers Cemetery

Charleston

College of Charleston

https://ww

DISABILITY People with Disability From 2014 - 2018

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

Source: Census

RACE

HEALTH INSURANCE CRIME

INTERNET ACCESS CRIME

Source: Census

without Insurance ReportedHealth Incidents From City of2013-2017 Charleston Police, SC

without Access to Internet Reported Incidents From 2013-2017 City of Charleston Police, SC

Insufficient Data

White> 90%

297 or less

White 70-90%

298 - 429

White 50-70%

430 - 572

White < 50 %

573 - 774

Black > 90%

775 or more

Black 70-90%

DATA: POLICY MAP

Aggravatedof Assault Percentage People From 2019-Currently

Predominant Racial or Ethnic Group From 2013-2017

Source: Census

34 knife 78

Black 50-70%

firearm

Burglary breaking/entering Percentage of People From 2019-Currently Source: Census

https://tihvi

178 breaks DATA: https://pdi-charleston-sc.opendata.arcgis.com/

DATA: https://pdi-charleston-sc.opendata.arcgis.com/

White < 50% DATA: POLICY MAP

https://home.h

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

MATERIALITY

HISTORICAL

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

CONTEXT

• Brick Structures date back to the 1600s in Charleston • Metal has been used more since the 1886 earthquake • Stucco has been used since the late 1700s

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

DETAILS

• Brick is fire and water resistant and is geologically abundant • Stucco is used to preserve early bricks • Black Cypress is the native wood • Wrought Iron was used as reinforcements • Stone was used as ascents

PARKLET DESIGN

• Incorporating old brick-layering styles into • Incorporating local blacksmiths on the design and construction. • Promote the usage of recycled material • Include historical references alongside guidelines and requirements as an informative component to honor the rich history of Charleston • Provide resources to promote traditional arts and local artisans

MATERIALITY

CONTEMPORARY

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

CONTEXT

• Brick gives a sense of structure and strength • Wood is plentiful in Charleston and is readily available • Stucco is used as a cheaper alternative to brick • Metal plates are not historic to Charleston, but they bring a contemporary touch when mixed with other materials • Wrought Iron has been used historically in Charleston • Blue Slate was originally used as a ballast material for ships

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

DETAILS

• Brick provides a natural texture and color • Wood grows quickly and is a cheaper material • Stucco can give a masonry feel without the weight

PARKLET DESIGN

• Brick could be used for ground cover or barriers • Wood could be used as siding, shading, or as structure depending on the size • Stucco can be shaped and scored into any shape and pattern • Metal panels can be used as accents or a screen • Wrought Iron can be used as a decorative element • Blue Slate can be used as a paving material or seating

MATERIALITY

INDIGO & SWEETGRASS

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

CONTEXT

• Resurgence in natural dyes has led to renewed interest in planting indigo. Local craftsman have taken the craft into the next century • Indigo (Indigofera) is a native deciduous shrub • Sweetgrass baskets are a dying art form as the baskets, along with their ties to heritage, nature and culture, are under attack

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

DETAILS

• Canopies, dividing curtains, upholstery, umbrellas and sun shades • The state flag bears its color • Inspiration for activities of a parklet • Curated into a garden • Natural tie-dye station for workshops

APPLICATION

• The obvious use of sweetgrass is planters to mitigate excess water • Ideal visual barrier to the street • Sweetgrass is not limited to baskets; furniture, fans, almost anything can be crafted out of the sewn grass as it forms a strong, stiff fabric • Inspiration can come from the geometry and patterning of coiled baskets • Inspire programming by offering workshops for the craft

MATERIALITY

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

LOCAL PLANT LIFE RECOMMENDATIONS

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

CONTEXT NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITIES RESIDENTIAL

Making up over 38% of the downtown buildings, single/two family homes range from abandoned and lower class to historical and upper class depending on the neighborhood. When considering the location of a parklet, the surrounding residential buildings need to be taken into account. The use of a parklet in a lower class neighborhood will be far different from the use in an upper class area.

HISTORICAL

The historical characteristic of Charleston reaches across many kinds of architecture and landscape. Since the peninsula developed from the south eastern tip and outwards, it is no surprise that a majority of historical attributes are located there. Developing in these areas is typically more difficult than any other neighborhoods in Downtown because of the strict historical preservation regulations. This could prove to be a strenuous speed bump in the development of a parklet.

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

RETAIL

While tourist come to Charleston to experience the rich history, they stay to indulge in the copious amount of retail stores. The mixed use areas of downtown Charleston are located in the center of the peninsula and are consistently busy. This is where the most foot traffic can be recorded in Charleston, making retail zoned areas a hot spot for parklets to be placed.

INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL

There is an overwhelming amount of downtown that is dedicated to industry. Trains, parking lots, and shipping yards take up the majority of the east side and separate the public spaces within the city from the Cooper River. Although it seems like it would be the last place for a parklet to be introduced, with clever program and intention, a parklet could be unique and successful in this seemingly closed off part of Charleston. CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

DESIGN & PLACEMENT GUIDELINES LOCATION & SPECIFICATIONS CHECKLIST

WHY?

• NOT located on top of any public utility. • Sidewalk to parklet entry and exit must be flush with adjacent area-way and accessible to an entrance of the parklet. • Parklets must be raised from the pavement, with unobstructed water flow and drainage underneath. • Parklets must also be sufficiently set back from travel lanes and parking spaces with a barrier between. • Parklet seating area must be separated from traffic with a hard edge through railings or planters, and allow visibility of users and business. • Parklets cannot obstruct other street furniture, plantings or public signage. • Parklets also must be located at least 15 feet from a fire hydrant, 20 feet from the corner, and needs to have plants or other greenery. • Parklets also must be built with access to trash removal, and cleaning under the flooring surface.

FATAL CRASHES

PERSONS KILLED

PEDESTRIANS KILLED

BICYCLISTS KILLED

643 118

720 10

in South Carolina in 2019

BUILDING

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

BUS STOP

15’ MINIMUM FROM HYDRANTS

ATLEAST 60’ FROM BUS STOP

OCCUPY 12 PARKING SPACES

CANNOT BE IN TRAVEL OR PEAK HOUR CLEARANCE LANES

CANNOT BE LOCATED ON UTILITIES

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

20’ MINIMUM FROM CORNER

PARKLET ZONE MINIMUM 5’ FROM UTILITIES

SIDEWALK

CANNOT INTERFERE WITH EXISTING CROSSWALKS

SET BACK FROM TRAVEL LANES AND PARKING WITH BARRIER

TRAFFIC SPEEDS 25MPH OR BELOW

DESIGN & PLACEMENT GUIDELINES PARKLET DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

• Maximum width of 7’ • Must maintain curb-line drainage • Parklet decking must be flush with curb at entrance. • Wheel stops 2’ away from parklet on both ends to create a buffer to maintain an efficient distance from the parked cars adjacent to the parklet. • Visually permeable outside edge with protective railing • Temporary reflective bollards installed on both outside ends of the parklet. • Design cannot be altered after design submittals are approved • Parklet must have posted signage indicating whether or not it is a public space. • Parklets must be able to move in case of emergency. Designs that use easily dismantled/handled elements are required. • Vegetation is strongly encouraged within Parklet to support both storm water management and local ecosystems Native species are recommended.

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

PUBLIC TREE DENSITY

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

DESIGN & PLACEMENT GUIDELINES BUILDING

ELECTRICAL CORD NOT ALLOWED THROUGH PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY

ELECTRICAL PARKLET COMPONENT IS DISCOOURAGED

SIDEWALK 2’ FROM PARKLET TO WHEEL STOP DECKING & CURB FLUSH

MAINTAIN CURBLINE DRAINAGE 7’ MAX

PARKLET ZONE

HOW DO WE DESIGN IT?

WHEEL STOP

VERTICAL ELEMENT TO MAKE PARKLET VISIBLE TO CARS

VISUALLY PERMEABLE OUTSIDE EDGE WITH RAILING

RAILING MUST WITHSTAND A 400LB HORIZONTAL FORCE

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

VERTICAL REFLECTIVE BARRIER POSTS

TRAFFIC

HOW DO WE BUILD IT? This section will guide you through the pre-construction phase of preparing the site for your parklet, through the technical requirements for the parklets, into guidelines for the construction and post-construction phases. The design of your parklet should take into account construction requirements for the dimensions, materials, and anchoring as listed below. While designing and building your parklet, take into account the space you will have to build on site, the materials you will need to store on site, and tools and power requirements. Remember you will only have two days to block traffic, so plan accordingly. Successful parklet designs are often completely or partially fabricated off-site, and then placed and anchored.

HOW DO WE BUILD IT?

CONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST ON-SITE CONSTRUCTION 1- SITE PREPARATION

4- POST-CONSTRUCTION

The parklet site must be cleared, parking meters removed, barriers installed, and materials stored. Measure the site for your design, provide preconstruction site photographs. Ensure that you have a plan for construction, to be ready to build the parklet in 48 hours, including installing and removing the construction barrier. We recommend pre-fabricating as much of the parklet as possible.

The city needs to inspect the site and ensure all requirements are met. Once approved, the parklet must be maintained until removed.

2- STAGING & MATERIALS

5- REMOVAL

Install temporary construction barrier. Materials that must be stored on site may not impede traffic. Materials cannot be stored more than 48 hours. Lockable toolboxes are also allowed for up to 48 hours. Temporary construction barrier has a 48 hr permit, must be removed at end of the 48 hours.

3- CONSTRUCTION

Decide how you are going to build the parklet. Consider fabrication offsite, either complete or partial (modular). The parklet must be assembled quickly once construction begins, so we recommend at least partial off-site assembly to save time.

When you decide to remove the parklet, notify the city. The parklet must be completely removed within 24 hours of approval of removal.

UTILITIES All power and utilities (water) must be stand-alone. Electrical cords are not allowed across sidewalks. Solar power is allowed by permission of the DRC. If required, subterranean power can be accessed in some locations explicit approval required by DRC on case-by-case basis.

NOTE: Builder must have independent power source for construction, unless permission is granted by adjacent businesses.

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

PRE-FAB MODULAR

COMPLETE PRE-FAB

HOW DO WE BUILD IT?

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS 1 THE PLATFORM The deck of the parklet platform shall be flush with the sidewalk without a horizontal or vertical separation greater than 1/2 inch. Vertical separations between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch high shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:4 (25%). Where the parklet fronts existing driveways or curb ramps, the driveway area or curb ramp shall be temporarily leveled for the duration of the Parkletâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s installation.

OVERHEAD STRUCTURES BARRIER

PLATFORM

CURBSTOPS Curbstops are required 24â&#x20AC;? from either side the parklet, unless there is a parking island.

SURFACE MATERIALS Loose particles, such as sand or loose stone, are not permitted as surface materials on the platform. Platform surface materials must be textured or treated with a non-skid coating to ensure a safe walking surface.

CONCRETE In general, poured concrete platforms are discouraged as they impede water flow on the street during heavy rain events; they will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If poured concrete is used, the concrete cannot be poured directly onto the road surface. A plastic slip-sheet or similar must be used to prevent the concrete from binding to the roadbed below. To facilitate easy removal of the parklet, the concrete floor should not include structural rebar and must weigh less than 200 pounds per square foot. Platforms consisting of concrete pavers mounted on a metal frame are a recommended alternative to poured concrete as they are durable, easy to de-install, and permit water flow under the parklet.

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

BOLTING

SIDEWALK

CURB

BASE

Bolting into the street or penetrating the surface of the road in any way is prohibited. Parklets may be bolted to the existing curb, but only with a restoration plan and performance bond posted by the parklet sponsor. Bolting may be waived on a case-by-case basis depending on the weight of the parklet. Bolting into the asphalt is not permitted. If there is a planting strip instead of sidewalk, see ADA section below. If the curb is granite, bolting will not be permitted unless the granite curb is replaced after removal of parklet, since the granite curb cannot be patched.

HOW DO WE BUILD IT?

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS 2 OVERHEAD STRUCTURES

GENERAL DIMENSIONS

The minimum vertical clearance for an overhead structure within the parklets footprint (e.g. a pergola) is 84 inches above platform grade. A structural engineer may be required to stamp your drawings if your proposal includes an overhead structure, this will be determined by the DRC on a case-bycase basis. When located near intersections, overhead structures cannot impede visibility of intersection - vertical elements must be less than 6” in diameter. The overhead structures must resist any wind uplift in the zone the parklet is in.

84” MIN OVERHEAD 36” MIN

36” MIN

MAINTENANCE ACCESS Parklets must be designed to provide access under the platform to allow for maintenance (i.e. repairs or clearing debris). If the platform base is not a solid mass, access can be provided through access panels, removable pavers, or other means. All parklets must provide access through the parklet platform or threshold to the gutter adjacent to the curb.

DRAINAGE Parklets cannot impede the flow of curbside drainage. A 6 inch by 6 inch minimum clear gutter space must be provided along the entire length of the parklet adjacent to the curb. The ends of the parklet should be covered in screens to prevent buildup of debris under the parklet transition. Consider making the transition removable for cleaning.

BARRIER

CURB

6” MIN

The barrier must be at least 36” high traffic-side. The top of the barrier must be able to withstand at least 400lbs of load applied horizontally from the interior of the parklet towards the exterior. The barrier may not have any openings greater than 6” in diameter. The barrier may not penetrate the asphalt in any way.

GUTTER

6” MIN

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

PARKLET

HOW DO WE BUILD IT?

ADA DETAILS SIDEWALK TRANSITION The minimum vertical clearance for an overhead structure within the parklets footprint (e.g. a pergola) is 84 inches above platform grade. A structural engineer may be required to stamp your drawings if your proposal includes an overhead structure. When located near intersections, overhead structures cannot impede visibility of intersection - vertical elements must be less than 6” in diameter. The overhead structures must resist any uplift in the zone the parklet is in.

SIDEWALK TRANSITION Must meet ADA threshold transition standards, 3/4” thick maximum, with 1” bevels.

PLANTING STRIP TRANSITION

ADA SEATING

If the parklet is adjacent to a planting strip, a ADA-compliant transition must be made that reaches to the nearest sidewalk. In this case, anchoring can be made either to the curb, or through ground anchors.

If there is seating provided in parklet, there must be a least one available ADA roll-up seating compliant with ADA Standards Chapter 9.

ADA TURNAROUND AREA Parklet must include at least one seating area with a 6’-7” clear area.

GROUND ANCHORING

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEXT? Now that the parklet is set up and ready for individuals to enjoy, it is important to keep it maintained and free of trash, debris, and graffiti. Maintenance is extremely important for ensuring the longevity and user-friendly nature of parklets. A parklet can only be well used if it is well maintained. Part of the approval process includes signing a maintenance agreement. These responsibilities include: upkeep of the parklet; changes to the parklet; removal of the parklet.

MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

Part of the approval process includes signing a maintenance agreement. These responsibilities include: • Upkeep of the Parklet • Changes to the Parklet • Removal of the Parklet • Self Evaluation

UPKEEP OF PARKLET

The creators of the parklet must choose a host. Parklet hosts are responsible for the duties and costs associated with keeping the parklet in prime condition. Duties may include but are not limited to: • Rinse out debris • Remove litter • Stowe or lock moveable furniture • Clean graffiti • Keep plants in good health

WHAT’S NEXT?

Parklet hosts should please take pride in their parklet and see the reputation and image of their parklet as an extension of their business or organization in the public realm. Parklet sponsors who fail to properly and sufficiently maintain the cleanliness, safety, and accessibility of their parklet may be subject to violations and fines.

CHANGES TO PARKLET

Parklet hosts may make minor changes to the parklet including changing movable furniture or putting in new plants. Major changes include: • Materials • Function • Footprint • Major Appearance Changes Major modifications are subject to be reviewed by the Charleston Civic Design Division and may require a new permit to be pulled to proceed with changes. If your business changes ownership or your community group dissolves, you may choose to either transfer the parklet permit a new host or remove the parklet. Please contact us at parklets@charleston.gov if you would like to transfer your permit.

Photo by Cora Butler 2020. “Parklets should be simple to construct and disassemble.”

REMOVAL OF PARKLET Parklets must be easily removed when needed. The City reserves the right to remove your parklet if street or utility work needs to be conducted and will provide 30 days notice. Other reasons for parklet removal include public safety issues, removal needed for city street-scape improvements, failure on part of the parklet host to maintain the cleanliness, safety, and accessibility of the parklet, and self-initiated removal. Parklet hosts are responsible for the costs of removing, storing, and re-installing the parklet.

Parklet sponsors are required to keep all plants in good health. CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

EVALUATION SELF EVALUATION

Our goal is to use the data to measure the impact of parklets on local businesses and promoting alternative transportation.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Parklets owners and or parklet host should preform regular parklet progress checks. The Parklet must be visited after installation to gather data for case studies to support the Charleston Parklet Program. Information gathered may include, but is not limited to: • Number of daily visitors • How people use the parklet • Use of alternative transportation for users • Observational studies • Changes in sales data due to parklet installation

PARKLET HOST DUTIES

OUTCOMES

Remove Litter

Clean Graffiti

Stowe/Lock Up Moveable Furniture

Hours of Operation: Xam-Xpm

Post & Enforce Rules

Keep Plants in Good Health

Parklet sponsors are responsible for keeping the parklet safe, free of debris, grime, and graffiti. It is recommended to sweep and spray down all areas of the parklet. Trash should be emptied daily.

HELPFUL REMINDERS TO PARKLET SPONSORS

The Parklet will be evaluated periodically by the host or a third party. This is to ensure all protocols are followed and to keep track of the usage and visits to the parklet.

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

• • • •

Parklets that want to serve alcohol and food must apply accordingly during the application process. Additional awnings can NOT be installed onto the parklets after final approvals are made, unless confirmed by city design approval. Planters should have hearty native species. Electrical cords to the parklet must be included in the approved designs and can NOT be added to the parklet, unless confirmed by the city design approval. 43

Persistent issues could result in significant fines and/or a public hearing with the Board of Permit Appeals regarding your parklet. Please Self-Report Parklet Progress

NEED MORE? The following is the research work from the Master of Resilient Urban Design students. This work was integral in their parklet studies and can be used as a starting point for your own research. This appendix includes selected works about the following: parklet case studies, materiality, crafts, and culture posters, and mapping posters.

PARKLET CASE STUDY Toronto Parklet 2017 Design Description •

Designed and built by architecture students

•

Removed in 2018 and painted black

•

Removed again in 2019

•

Primary material is the Accoya wood modules

•

Includes LEDs for nighttime use

•

Modular and reconfigurable

https://rb.gy/pejyoo

NEED MORE?

https://rb.gy/jwzfe9

https://rb.gy/eyimyp

Toronto Parklet 2017

The “What”

The “So-what”

•

Created by Ryerson University Architecture students

•

Sanctioned by an advocacy group for local businesses

•

Commissioned by YONGE BIA

•

Current location unknown

•

Located in Toronto, Canada

•

Accoya wood requires more maintenance

•

Built in 2017, removed in 2019

https://www.archdaily.com/879211/how-to-build-anawesome-undulating-walkway-using-a-modular-woodenbench

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

•

Wood waves not comfortable

•

Unintentional defensive design / hostile urbanism

•

Is this a good approach for Parklets, and if so, how can the design be improved?

https://rb.gy/u3si4e

https://rb.gy/m0glbq

https://rb.gy/slovwz

PARKLET CASE STUDY LIMÓNagua This installation occurred for a single day to celebrate Parking Day in 2015. Located on Medellin Street, Mexico City, Mexico. https://archello.com/story/42289/attachments/photos-videos/33

Designed by students from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) María José Barrera Pavón, Nicole Galván, Priscila Quintanilla, Daniel Kaufmann, Karina Manriquez, Roberto Gómez, Adlai Pulido, Escuela Libre de Arquitectura.

https://archello.com/project/limonagua

Design

(LIMÓNagua)

Critical Questions

NEED MORE?

In their design process they wanted to prioritize an interactive component where the community can experience and enjoy something familiar, a lemonade stand, while being exposed to water accessibility challenges in México City.

(LIMÓNagua)

This installation prioritized visitor experience through a simple and temporary activity to raise awareness on water accessibility issues but the intent was never to solve the issue.

LIMÓNagua was proposed to consist of 70 pallets stacked strategically to include a hydraulic water system that could be pumped manually by visitors. Gravity moves water from the highest point to the bottom pond, visitors will manually pump the water back up to the highest point. https://archello.com/story/42289/attachments/photos-videos/38

https://archello.com/story/42289/attachments/photos-videos/34

Could the system be altered to become a permanent source of water for the local community? Would city municipality allow for different forms of accessible sources of water?

Through this action, the hope is for visitors to self reflect about the 124-kilometer distance water is mechanically pumped by the Cutzamala System to a faucet in a single house in México City, 2,250 meters above sea level. *Translations are done by Amy Nguyen in the color red.

What would be the cost to maintain this installation if it was designed to be permanent? Drinking water and safety is important, what regulations would need to be considered for the public to use?

https://archello.com/story/42289/attachments/photos-videos/39

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

https://archello.com/project/limonagua

https://archello.com/story/42289/attachments/photos-videos/37

PARKLET CASE STUDY The Public Spectacle Located on Montgomery Street in San Francisco, CA the Public Spectacle is part of the city’s Pavement to Parks initiative. Commissioned in 2014 by Swissnex San Francisco, it was developed and designed in partnership with Jan Gehl Architects, students from ETH Zürich and experts from UC Berkeley. The design focused on providing a space that encourages communication, creation and collaborative work. The configuration of the design can be modified to allow for different uses such as public seating or venues for performances, lectures, meetings or screenings.

http://u-tt.com/project/swissnex-parklet/

https://www.swissnexsanfrancisco.org/event/parkletmovienight/

http://u-tt.com/project/swissnex-parklet/

Critical Questions

Design (The Public Spectacle)

Would adding a source of electricity be possible to add infrastructure for the public to use as a charging station?

NEED MORE?

The structure measures to be 14’ in length, 6’ wide and 13’ high and is placed in a single parking space.

The design looks like the fencing around playgrounds or basketball courts, something very familiar to children. How can this model be designed to be more functional for kids?

The design can be configured to the users needs. Red cubed objects are easily pulled out from drawers as extra seating and tables can be tucked away and pulled out when needed.

Collaboration, communication, and creation are all promoted as the goal for this parklet. However, in terms of creating, how could the design support that notion more?

The materials used include a metal frame, metal bunkers/drawers, metal fencing, plastic and a heavy-duty canopy.

https://dannywills.com/The-Public-Spectacle

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

http://u-tt.com/project/swissnex-parklet/

PARKLET CASE STUDY Vitorino de Moraes: What Design by Homã Alvico, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Constructed December 2014. Sponsored by Frangaria Restaurant.

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An outdoor waiting area, attached to an existing restaurant. Has seating, shade, shelter, and bicycle parking.

Instant City Life: Design

Instant City Life: Relevance

Materials include: tile, wood, fabric, plants, concrete.

As with most of these parklets, there was an element of community engagement. The more local and directly the people who will use the parklet are involved (as opposed to top-down planning/design), likely the more successful it will be. I would suspect that the importance and success of the project ties much more to the involvement of the users than the perfection of the design.

The shade is essential for a hot sunny climate - naturally calls to mind Charleston. Some shelter from trafﬁc. Can be used directly for the restaurant, but also invites pedestrians to shelter. Might have secondary effect of new business for restaurant. The blue tile has a lovely cool feel compared to the ﬂat hot concrete.

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

PARKLET CASE STUDY AFGHAN BAZAAR CULTURAL PRECINCT DANDENONG, AUSTRALIA

Architects: Hassell Community Engagement: Sinatra Murphy Collaborating Artist: Aslam Akram Civil Engineer: Aurecon Construction: 2Construct, Big Fish Workshop Lighting and Electrical: WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff Scale: Street, Block Cost: 1.1 million

The Greater City of Dandenong is the only recognized Afghan precinct in Melbourne, Australia and Thomas Street has evolved naturally over time to become the main community hub. Here there is a high concentration of Afghan businesses, ranging from cafes and grocers to social support service providers.

32% of Australia’s Afghan population lives in Victoria

This project was a small piece of the 20 year Revitalization of Central Dandenong Initiative with a 10 year focus on “highly visible pedestrian oriented environments by creating people places that have a strong staying power and reflect the aspirations and needs of diverse user groups.”

42% of Victoria’s Afghan population lives in Dandenong

Divided into two phases, the project lasted 6 years. Funding was secured in July 2010 by the city from the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship as a part of a streetscape grant and amounted to 1.1 million. 2000 Afghan Bazaar Precinct emerges organically

1866 Dandenong markets established

2010 Funding secured for the parklet

2006 Revitalizing Central Dandenong initiative

2014 Phase 1 Complete

2012 Construction on Phase 1 begins

2016 Phase 2 Complete https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/projects/landscape-urban-design/afghan-bazaar-cultural-precinct-by-hassell

AFGHAN BAZAAR CULTURAL PRECINCT

AFGHAN BAZAAR CULTURAL PRECINCT “The project moves beyond the often literal clichés of ethnic branding and explores multicultural notions of place and space in our public streetscape environments.”

The main objective for this project was to create a place that unified the Australian Afghan community and that the local community could be proud of. This was also one of the greatest design obstacles, creating a truly unifying space instead of a representation of specific ethnic groups and cultures. A secondary design goal was to develop an engaging cultural destination for tourists and visitors to explore.

-Jury comment, 2016 National Landscape Architecture

Primary meeting spaces are defined by variation in intensity of color, texture, and geometry. Three separate pavement types were developed to achieve this.

Awards: Award of Excellence for Communities

This is a sanctioned project with public funding.

Many details and elements are drawn from Islamic cultures, implemented into the urban Australian context. Some examples of this are the blue tiles, the seating, and the centerpiece artwork.

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The tiling was inspired by Marc-e-Sharif, the fourth-largest city of Afghanistan and home to the widely recognized Blue Mosque. The seating reinterprets the Arabic ‘suffah’, or bench. The centerpiece artwork, Lamp, is by Australian-Afghan artist Aslam Akram.

There was a high amount of community engagement with discussion groups including a range of stakeholders, resulting in a highly used and celebrated place for the entire community. https://www.archdaily.com/637568/afghan-bazaar-cultural-precinct-hassell/556bf1b7e58ecea4d1000109-afghan-bazaar-cultural-precinct-hassell-model

This is a precinct that emerged organically and the city recognized the growing need for it’s support of community-building and an expression of the people.

https://architizer.com/idea/1252909/cinct/

https://www.archdaily.com/637568/afghan-bazaar-cultural-precinct-hassell/556bf14ce58ecea4d1000107-afghan-bazaar-cultural-precinct-hassell-photo

Instead of specific cultural branding, patterns and symbolic gestures are implemented to create a place that is welcoming to all. Awards: 2014 Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture (AILA) Victorian Awards - Design Award 2015 LGPro Awards for Excellence in the Community Assets and Infrastructure Initiative 2016 National Landscape Architecture Awards: Award of Excellence for Communities Questions: Where is the line of what is successful design and what is cliche/offensive when designing for a culture outside of your own? What would have been the outcome of this project if it wasn’t sanctioned? Are there other groups that should have been included in the community engagement? https://www.archdaily.com/637568/afghan-bazaar-cultural-precinct-hassell/556bf1cce58ece378c000109-afghan-bazaar-cultural-precinct-hassell-master-plan

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/afghan-bazaar-cultural-precinct/#img-1

https://architizer.com/projects/afghan-bazaar-cultural-precinct/

PARKLET CASE STUDY

https://www.publicspace.org/works/-/project/j235-mierigi

MIERIGI

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Designed by: Fine Young Urbanists Location: Riga, Latvia Client: Fine Young Urbanists Duration: 2014 (one week) Big Ideas: Low cost, Community Awareness, Mobility

mierigi premise

mierigi outcomes

Miera Street is a flurry of activity with tram, car, bike and pedestrian traffic within a narrow European cobblestone road. Several have advocated for more effective mobility and social access, but large scale change is hard to envision and even tougher to actualize.

“Almost 45K plays (update — over 120K plays) for our Mierīgi! video and countless tweets, shares and likes from people all around the world. We can’t believe how fast ideas travel today. Local equals global.” - Fine Young Urbanists (Tumblr) While a short intervention, the project has inspired others to pursue change in their own cities. This tactical urbanist approach made all of the diagrams, studies and statistics a real tactile experience for local residents. It also offers a valuable lesson in how large city-wide projects should have roots in small, local low-cost installation experiments before being scaled up.

The meaning of the Latvian word “Mierīgi” is “peacefully, easily.” Miergi is a self-initiated 1 week project that offered a glimpse into ‘what could be’ with only 3 days of preparation and 7,000 euro budget. Fine Young Urbanists seized the opportunity to show a 1:1 mockup of their vision.

Is a week enough time to test something? How do you determine your metrics of success? What are the obstacles with scaling something like this up?

The solution showcases: – a combined car and tram lane – cycling paths on both sides of the street – a width of at least 1.7 m reserved for pedestrians – “Miera street belt” – a strip of varying width for placing greenery, cafe tables, bicycle and car parking. https://www.publicspace.org/works/-/project/j235-mierigi

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

https://www.publicspace.org/works/-/project/j235-mierigi

CULTURAL STUDY https://lcdl.library.cofc.edu/content/avery-research-center-sweetgrass-basket-collection/

https://permies.com/t/37159/dyeing/fiber-arts/Indigo-blue-growing-harvesting-processing

Sweetgrass

history

Indigo was a gamble of a crop for colonists as it serves no primary function other than its beauty and fluctuating market value which hinged on being exported to Britain thousands of miles away. In an effort to diversify South Carolina’s agricultural economy, a cash bounty of one shilling per pound of merchantable produce for export was placed on experimental crops. Indigo was a gamble of a crop for colonists as it serves no primary function other than its beauty and fluctuating market value which hinged on being exported to Britain thousands of miles away. Despite wariness, indigo took off and by the late 18th century, indigo was SC’s chief export behind rice.

https://www.ccpl.org/charleston-time-machine/indigo-fabric-early-south-carolina#:~:text=What%20does%20indigo%20have%20to,1740s%20to%20the%20late%201790s.

details

Extracting the dyestuff f rom the plant was costly, time consuming, and labor intensive. In 1755 Charles Woodmason, estimated that 15 “hands” were required to plant and tend f ifty acres of indigo. Once that crop matured, he advised that it would take 25 “ very able” (skilled labor) hands to transform that 50 acres of plants into indigo dyestuff. He estimated 50 lbs per acre to be an average yield, thus 50 acres of plants would yield an average of 2,500 pounds of dye, and required the labor of 25+ slaves.

Indigo (Indigofera) is a deciduous shrub that has a native species to the Carolinas, however it is inferior in dye color to imported species f rom the Caribbean. To create the dye, f reshly-cut indigo leaves and branches into a water-f illed vat called a “steeper ” to precipitate the natural juices f rom the leaves. The “liquor ” ferments for hours and leaves and branches are removed. In the “battery,” (a 2nd vat) laborers agitate the clear liquid to mix with the air which creates the chemical change needed to produce the heavier, blue substance. The liquid rests and settles until the heavier blue mud separates f rom the water. The liquid is drained and the mud is shaped into cakes and dried to harden.

https://www.ccpl.org/charleston-time-machine/indigo-fabric-early-south-carolina#:~:text=What%20does%20 indigo%20have%20to,1740s%20to%20the%20late%201790s.

context

https://permies.com/t/37159/dyeing/fiber-arts/Indigo-blue-growing-harvesting-processing

details

history

Sweetgrass (Muhlenbergia f ilipes), which gets its name f rom the f resh f ragrance of its leaves, became a popular material for the baskets over the utilitarian marsh grass, bulrush. It wasn’t until the 1800s when basket-makers became more creative that they started using other plant materials, including pine needles, saw palmetto f ronds and sweetgrass. Sweetgrass is found in moist, sandy soils near oceans and marsh. “Pullers” harvest the plant in the summer to be dried out. The beige grass turns violet in the fall, but dries and fades to white.

Sweetgrass baskets came to South Carolina by way of the slave trade. Sweetgrass baskets are almost identical in style to the “shukublay baskets” of West Af rica, where the traditional coil baskets are woven so tightly they could hold water. Using marsh grass known as bulrush, slaves coiled and sewed together sturdy, intricate work baskets called fanners using a “nail bone” or “sewing bone”. The baskets were used for winnowing — the process of tossing hulls into the air to separate the chaff f rom the rice. Both genders, but mainly the elderly, shared the craft; women focused on more delicate baskets for the home while men focused on large baskets used by f ield hands. Plantation owners could sell the baskets for extra income. After the Civil War, the artistry of basket making took off as decorative baskets became fashionable. By 1930, basket sewers found a way to reach a moving market. They began selling baskets on the side of Highway 17 (then Route 40), the main North-South artery carrying tourist traff ic between Florida and the Northeast. The highway has now been recognized as the Heritage Corridor and many traditional roadside stands still exist.

https://jmccharleston.com/dmcslocate-local-products-for-gifts-andsweet-grass-baskets-are-the-best/

Indigo’s market power waned after ties with Britain were broken after the American Revolution and exports f rom India and Asia flooded the market place. Indigo fell to wayside, but its scars upon the landscape are still evident. Large brick vats for production (still stained blue centuries later!) have been found forgotten in the woods of plantations. The size of the vats shows the commercial scale of the dye being produced in its hey day. Recently a resurgence in natural dyes has led to renewed interest in planting indigo. Local craftsman have taken the craft into the next century. The “Vat Shack” is a traveling expo that teaches the community about indigo and how to dye.

https://indigowares.com/how-to-create-the-magical-indigo-dye-from-its-plant/

https://www.southerncultures.org/article/babylon-is-falling/

https://charleston.com/charleston-insider/arts-culture/sweetgrass-baskets-of-the-lowcountry https://www.ccpl.org/charleston-time-machine/indigo-fabric-early-south-carolina#:~:text=What%20 does%20indigo%20have%20to,1740s%20to%20the%20late%201790s.

https://www.postandcourier.com/news/indigo-is-long-gone-as-an-sc-cash-crop-buttraces-linger-on-the-lowcountry/article_395137ee-96af-11e9-ac0d-abac04e4e41e.html

NEED MORE?

https://enoughpie.org/indigo/

Application

https://www.ccpl.org/charleston-time-machine/indigo-fabric-early-south-carolina#:~:text=What%20 does%20indigo%20have%20to,1740s%20to%20the%20

application

Indigo dye can be implemented into parklet design in a multitude of ways. Any type of fabric element, such as canopies, dividing curtains, upholstery, umbrellas and sun shades could utilize the dyed patterns. Even just the use of the color symbolizes South Carolina as the state flag bears its color. Dye could be used as the inspiration for the activities of a parklet. Indigo plants and other natural dyes could be curated into a garden and used at a natural tiedye station for workshops.

https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/article101349157.html

more info

Inspiration can also be drawn f rom the geometry and patterning of coiled baskets. Interpretations of its symbolism are evident in Charleston through iron gates, stained glass and other architectural expressions. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_South_Carolina.svg

https://www.michaelgraves.com/2019-parking-day-philly/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/200410252145118073/

Sweetgrass baskets could also inspire programming within the parklet as artisans struggle to f ind authorized places to sell their wares or offer workshops on their craft.

“Indigo Crop Fact Sheet” by Lowcountry Local First “Red, White & Black Make Blue: Indigo in the Fabric of Colonial South Carolina Life” by Andrea Feeser

https://www.michaelgraves.com/2019-parking-day-philly/

https://www.pinterest.com/kbradleywilson/ south-carolina-artists/

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-sweetgrass-endangeredin-sc-lowcountry-2014sep03-story.html

more info

INDIGO DYE https://kssarchitects.com/intersections/blog/2016/09/refocused-perception-place-and-parking-sidewalk-shroud

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

While we often associate sweetgrass baskets with antebellum times, they are pertinent to the struggles of the local black community today. The rampant development of Charleston has destroyed the native habitat of the species as rich, predominately white developers turn marsh into gated waterf ront properties with manicured suburban lawns. Old bonds between families where “pullers” were allowed to harvest other ’s sweetgrass have been f ractured as many locals have been priced out of town. Highway 17 has widened to six lanes pushing out the stands despite its “Heritage Corridor ” name. Imported knockoff baskets with synthetic materials are sold cheaper in downtown gift shops. Sweetgrass baskets are a dying art form as the baskets, along with their ties to heritage, nature and culture, are under attack.

Sweetgrass offers a rich vocabulary for design. The obvious use of sweetgrass is to employ it in planters to mitigate excess water. The vibrant purple color in the fall and its vertical height make it an ideal visual barrier to the street. Sweetgrass is not just limited to baskets; furniture, fans, almost anything can be crafted out f the sewn grass as it forms a strong, stiff fabric.

“Indigo in the Fabric of Early South Carolina” by the Charleston County Public Library “Indigo is Long Gone as an SC Cash Crop, but traces linger on the Lowcountry Landscape” by Post & Courier

context

https://www.southerncultures.org/article/babylon-is-falling/

https://naturalfabricdyeing.com/about/shibori-tie-dye-samples-using-natural-dyesmadder-woad-and-weld/

“Babylon is Falling: The State of the Art of Sweetgrass Basketry” by Southern Cul ture

http://www.hooddesignstudio.com/phillips

“Sweetgrass Baskets of the Lowcountry” by Charleston.com “Sweetgrass: Protecting Ecology, Culture, and Livelihoods” by The Journal of the South Carolina Native Plant Society http://www.hooddesignstudio.com/phillips

https://thistlefarms.org/products/natural-black-geometric-planter

“Sweetgrass Basket: South Carolina State Handicraft” by SCIway.net

CULTURAL STUDY GULLAH Gul·lah /'gələ/

17 08

NORTH CAROLINA Slavery Legalized in 1715

The Gullah-Geechee are a group of African Americans from the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Their ancestors were brought to America as slaves from the Western coast of Africa, with high populations from Sierra Leone. “Geechee” has traditionally been a term used specifically for the African American people of the Georgia Sea Islands, but has evolved to have negative connotations while “Gullah” has recently developed in a more positive fashion.

18 65

The number of enslaved Africans grew to a black population majority

18 08

Special Field Order No.15 by General William Sherman. All fields within 30 miles of the sea for “the Negroes now made free by the acts of war”.

18 65

The Slave Trade Act, banning the importation of slaves, was put in place.

SOUTH CAROLINA

19 59

20 13

First bridge with access to islands constructed

19 90

Special Field Order No.15 reversed by President Andrew Johnson

19 57

Wilmington

Construction of first resort on the Sea Islands

Slavery Legalized in 1682

First Corridor Management Plan introduced

Penn Center placed on the “Most Endangered Historic Places” list by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Originally the first school for freed slaves

ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

Myrtle Beach

Over 40% of the slaves imported to North America came through the Charleston Harbor. Many of the slaves from Sierra Leone were shipped to Charleston because of their intimate knowledge of rice production.

1 Charleston

Beaufort

4 3 6 5

2 HISTORIC OVERLAYS

Areas of high rice production

8 Savannah

10 11

African influence on Gullah Language

Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Sierra Leone

% CHANGE IN MEDIAN HOME VALUE

IN THE PAST 10 YEARS

80.5-101% 101.5% or more

18 58

Actual end of slave importation. Isolation of the islands made them a prime location for slave traders to land illegal cargoes.

PLACE

ARTS

NEED MORE?

https://www.scseagrant.org/living-soul-of-gullah/

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

https://gardenandgun.com/recipe/okra-pilau-aka-limpin-susan/

FL U

ENCE

EST

Christianity One God Heaven/Hell

GULLAH

Spirits Communal Living Medicine

LU EN CE

The deep connection between the Gullah people and the land is highlighted when looking at traditional Gullah meals. Recipes contain a mixture of produce that is easily grown in the Lowcountry, but many varieties were brought from Africa. Slave rations didn’t include enough meats; instead, “variety meats” were used to stretch the rations. Variety meats are still popular in Gullah cooking today. Rice is the base for most meals, and the importance of rice is so great that rice pots are passed down from generation to generation.

Religion in the Gullah communities is a unique hybridization of Christianity and traditional West African practices. The colonists introduced slaves to western Christianity, and many turned to the religion to alleviate their oppression. The praise houses on the plantations reflected these ideals and became the community centers for the slave population. W IN F

FOOD

RELIGION

20 06

Congress creates the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Comission

LANGUAGE

The Gullah language is the only distinctly African American creole language in the United States. While many of the individual words are derived from English, Gullah is not a dialect of English nor is it “broken” English. The other biggest influence on Gullah language is Mende, from Sierra Leone. Influences from Nigeria, Senegal, Jamaica, and Guyana can also be found. Studies of the Gullah language have significantly contributed to how we study human language.

Major Cities

Existing Gullah Communities Historic Gullah Communities

Jacksonville

Timeline collage self-produced

Many of the traditional arts in Gullah culture came from functional crafts that have been raised to a high level of art. Most widely known are the sweetgrass baskets that have become a source of income for many Gullah women. Textile arts are also a Gullah specialty. Cloth strips are sown together, this method slowly mixed with the English patchwork style of quiltmaking. The skill of making and casting nets has been passed down from generation to generation, but it is one of the art forms that is close to being lost. Song and dance is also deeply ingrained in Gullah culture. The Ring Shout in particular dates back to the 1840s, and is still performed today.

Construction of Interstate 95 begins leading to higher tourism and isolation of the Gullah people.

The coast of South Carolina and Georgia was historically filled with lush vegetation and bordered by many small, sea islands. The Lowcountry was filled with cypress gum and thick patches of pinewood that lead to white sandy beaches. This quickly changed with colonization and the popularization of rice. Through slave labor, the land was moved, cleared, drained, and rice was cultivated along with other popular crops of the time. The Sea Islands that bordered the coast could only be accessed by boat until 1959. During the civil war, many of the plantation owners fled, but many of the slaves stayed and laid claim to the land.

19 28

19 70

President Coolidge visits Sapelo Island to go hunting and his trip is heavily reported leading to the popularization of the Sea Islands for sport.

Rice becomes the most lucrative export from the Carolina Colony.

Emancipation Proclamation

POINTS OF INTEREST

Slavery Legalized in 1755

Gullah people pushed from homeland in start of huge out-migration

17 20

19 60

E URO

18 63

GEORGIA

HEIRS PROPERTY: Property is divided into shares where each member of the family has their own share. The law allows anybody who has shares of the property to force all of the others to sell the entire property.

FLORIDA

Slavery Legalized in 1821 Spanish territory until then

PIDGIN: A simplified speech used for communication between people with different languages.

1 2 3 4 5

Sand Island Mt Pleasant Morris Island James Island Johns Island

6 7 8 9 10

Wadmalaw Island Edisto Island St Helena Island Hilton Head Island Dafuskie Island

11 12 13 14 15

Tybee Island Sandfly Ossabaw Island Sapelo Island Jekyll Island

“Unless something is done to halt the destruction, Gullah Geechee culture will be relegated to museums and history books, and our nation’s unique cultural mosaic will lose one of its richest and most colorful pieces.”

CREOLE: A language that has its own phonological, syntactical, and grammatical rules even though the vocabulary is derived from ancestral languages.

-“Lowcountry Legacy” in the 2004 November issue of National Geographic magazine

THE RING SHOUT: A traditional, religious song and dance first practiced by slaves. It is in a call and response format accompanied by rhythmic, shuffling dance movements in a counterclockwise movement.

TODAY

History is once again repeating itself. The Gullah people are being pushed from their homes but this time because of rising land value. Their Heir’s Law is being used against the very people it was intended to protect. Congress has recognized the importance of the Gullah people and their culture, but only small tokens of recognition have been made. Signs notify passerbys’ that they are in a “cultural heritage corridor” but this doesn’t solve any of the very real problems of the Gullah people losing their home, language, and way of life.

VARIETY MEATS: Pig’s feet, ears, jowls, heads, and entrails PILAU: A popular meal made of a rice base with bacon, peas, seafood, veggies, or ham mixed in. PRAISE HOUSE: Churches that also functioned as community centers, courtrooms, and general gathering places for slaves. ooman woman oonuh you tittuh sister enty? is that so? buckruh white man e he, she, it, his, her day clean dawn coota turtle krak teet talk nyam eat gwine going

TOURISM

The difference between tourism and searching for understanding is severe. In the past multiple decades, the interest in the Gullah people has been from a tourist standpoint, positioning the Gullah as an attraction. We attend their festivals and buy their baskets but the interest stops there. This breeds stereotypes and only the most shallow of understanding. If there are goals of indigenization and empowerment of the Gullah people, of learning from their relationship to place, then more than simple tourism will need to be promoted.

Maps self-produced

PARKLET APPLICATION

How can we pay respect to the Gullah people and their deep relationship to the land that we now inhabit? How do we move past something resembling a theme to something with more meaning? Can we use the Gullah way of life and history as inspiration and if so, what does that look like? METHODS OF STORYTELLING Form Materials Location Intended users Program

STORIES TO BE TOLD Displacement Hybridization Relationship to the land Farming Community Empowerment Perseverance

CULTURAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR: Property is divided into shares where each member of the family has their own share. The law allows anybody who has shares of the property to force all of the others to sell the entire property. PARKLET: A small seating area or green space created as a public amenity on or alongside a sidewalk, especially in a former roadside parking space. INDIGENIZATION: The action or process of bringing something back to its roots, reversing the influences of oppression and instead reclaiming empowerment.

The photographs below were taken by Pete Marovich as a part of his Shadows of the Gullah Geechee collection

https://thebrunswicknews.com/life/sea-islands-festival/article_ 4c80aac4-4041-53f6-8aa9-27a3d52e424b.html

SUSTAINABILITY STUDY Lense: Sustainability Best Practices- Historic ●

Sustainability: the ability of something to be maintained at a certain rate or level - while avoiding the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.

Passive Systems ○ ○ ○ ○

The pursuit of Global Environmental Sustainability

● ● ● ● ● ●

Materials that require less energy to harvest, manufacture, and transport. Permeable paving. Naturally stormwater drainage. Low-maintenance landscaping Well-designed landscaping can help reduce air conditioning energy consumption by 75%. It also can increase property value by as much as 15%.

●

Daylighting Natural ventilation Landscape House position

House Materials ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Brick Tabby Stones Wood Shutters (indoor/outdoor) Metal roof

○ ○ ○ ○

Source: South Carolina State Historic Preservation Ofﬁce

●

NEED MORE?

Daylighting Natural ventilation Landscape

House Materials ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

●

Passive Systems ○ ○ ○

○

Radiant barrier roof sheathing. Low-E glass windows. Acrylic Urethane Enamel made by PPG. Awnings Automatic shutters. Metal roof (reﬂective). Low VOC paints. Insulated Concrete Forms (pre-made form). Tankless water heaters.

Patios ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabby_concrete#/media/File:Hamilton_Plant ation_slave_houses,_St._Simons,_GA,_US_(08).jpg

Operable Shutters Low-cost and accessible building material.mixing various compounds including earth, limestone, and clay with lime

Focus: Adaptive Material Reuse - Ongoing

Lense: Sustainability Best Practices - Modern ●

https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=25972&picture=vinta ge-windows-and-doors

Radiant barrier roof sheathing. https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/3-im prove-energy-efﬁciency.htm

AUTOMATIC SHUTTERS https://charlestonlivingmag.com/smart-awnings

Cultural Adaptation ○

A rain garden can be 30% - 40% more effective at ﬁltering pollutants than a standard lawn. www.coastallandscapedesign.com/sustainability.htm

○

●

Port city typology Ballast management

Architectural Salvation ○

“Parcel Colonialism”

○

Preservation efforts, 1900’s

■ ■

○ https://www.palmettowindowfashions.com/bahama-shu tters.html

○

LOW -E GLASS http://www.sustainableconstructionblog.com/construc tion/choosing-a-low-e-window

●

Charleston Historic District, 1966 Historic Charleston Foundation, 1947

108 Meeting St. (1930) ■ ■

Permeable material. https://www.watershedcouncil.org/permeable-pavers.html

Tree canopies Gardens Bricks Permeable material Patio Position Geothermal heating and cooling

Albert Simmons, 1930 Historic Charleston Foundation, 1980

Planter Hotel + Dock St. Theater (1935) ■ ■

Fueled by New Deal, 1933 W.P.A. - Charleston

Tasteful Reintegration ○

Amherst + Reid St. Gentriﬁed Block ■ Stoop steps

Personal Image

Insulated Concrete Forms http://www.mccoryconstruction.com/gallery_10.html Designing with Nature Source: “Charleston Green Plan”

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

https://homereference.net/geothermal-hvac/

Passive techniques of cooling buildings Air ﬂow, pervious area, tree canopies, position of the yard

Tree Canopies (cooling) Gardens (pervious area) Bricks (thermal mass) Permeable materials

“ The recycling of buildings is one of the most beneﬁcial “green” practices, and stresses the importance and value of historic preservation in the overall promotion of sustainability.”

Source: Board of Architectural Review City of Charleston

Recycle as much as possible

https://news.ﬁndit.com/news/1797915/order-new-interior-or-exterior-shutters-for-your-home-i n-charleston-south

Patios

●

Source: “Charleston Green Plan”

www.davidrumsey.commaps167.html

Plantation Shutters (interior)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabby_concrete#/media/File:Hamilton_Pla ntation_slave_houses,_St._Simons,_GA,_US_(08).jpg

Tabby Low-cost and accessible building material.mixing various compounds including earth, limestone, and clay with lime.

https://www.handsomehomes.com/real-estate/34-society-street-c-charlesto n-sc-29401/20005905/88332551

Patios Traditional permeable materials

CONTEXT

PARKLETS IN CHARLESTON

COMMUNITY GOALS

COMPILED FROM OUTREACH INTERVIEWS

https://www.threadsoflife.com/textile-arts/techniques-and-materials/

branding of a city through materiality, color, motif, etc.

provide public space downtown

https://blog.visitalexandriava.com/king-street-alexandria-shopping/

support local business & retail https://uncletimsbench.com/photos

increase pedestrian traffic & create economic opportunity

https://www.threadsoflife.com/textile-arts/ techniques-and-materials/natural-dyes/

channel cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/tropical-storm-erikas-aftermath-flooding-carolinas-flood-warnings-florida-n418631

passive to flooding & change with seasons

respond to climate

https://bit.ly/32G7UGz

increase pedestrian traffic & create economic opportunity

protection from the sun & shelter from the rain

https://twitter.com/hashtag/sweetgrassbasket?src=hash

promote cultural awareness & preserve heritage crafts

https://www.ssww.com/blog/5-fun-sidewalk-chalk-activities-and-ideas/

accessibility, inclusivity & safety oriented

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/party-of-two-for-the-parklet-year-round-outdoor-spaces-good-for-restaurants-city/

ADA accessible, kid-friendly & safe

https://hctf.ca/project_tag/education/

educate visitors about history, land & wildlife

NEED MORE?

program parklet to serve community https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/an-introduction-to-native-plants-for-sc-landscapes/

connect to nature in urban context

https://www.insider.com/new-york-public-housing-elevator-breakdowns-people-with-disabilities-2019-9

provide community assets & be versatile in function

showcase native species & add greenery to asphalt to city https://www.iseif.org/illinois-science-energy-innovation-foundation/hands-in-circle-

https://charlestonmag.com/features/a_bike_friendly_city

integrate into bus routes & locate near bike paths

http://media.islandpacket.com/static/news/gullahgeechee/

tie into larger infrastructure

http://media.islandpacket.com/static/news/gullahgeechee/

FALL 2020 RUD 8600

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

CONTEXT PARKLETS IN CHARLESTON

PEOPLE ON THE STREETS

A DEEPER DIVE INTO NEIGHBORHOOD PERSONALITIES SOUTH OF BROAD Bissinverfera quibusae estotat urepudignis is et andaerume vidionsequi nimagnimus es evenecta nobit la sus voluptur? Lessus, antibeataqui tem velloratio esto minulliquia nihillu ptatiae corerum experro omnim accusa iunto blabore ruptati aeriati orumqui cumqui occae ma vendae idi doloriatus sim isim voluptate voloressin re, quidici aspello renihil luptas vel int am et et restota seditiiscil

HARLESTON VILLAGE Bissinverfera quibusae estotat urepudignis is et andaerume vidionsequi nimagnimus es evenecta nobit la sus voluptur? Lessus, antibeataqui tem velloratio esto minulliquia nihillu ptatiae corerum experro omnim accusa iunto blabore ruptati aeriati orumqui cumqui occae ma vendae idi doloriatus sim isim voluptate voloressin re, quidici aspello renihil luptas vel int am et et restota seditiiscil

KING ST, ASONBOROUGH & FRENCH QUARTER

NEED MORE?

Bissinverfera quibusae estotat urepudignis is et andaerume vidionsequi nimagnimus es evenecta nobit la sus voluptur? Lessus, antibeataqui tem velloratio esto minulliquia nihillu ptatiae corerum experro omnim accusa iunto blabore ruptati aeriati orumqui cumqui occae ma vendae idi doloriatus sim isim voluptate voloressin re, quidici aspello renihil luptas vel int am et et restota seditiiscil

SOUTH OF BROAD

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

HARLESTON VILLAGE

KING ST, ASONBOROUGH & FRENCH QUARTER

DAN KELLY RUD 8600

CONTEXT PARKLETS IN CHARLESTON

PEOPLE ON THE STREETS

A DEEPER DIVE INTO NEIGHBORHOOD PERSONALITIES MEDICAL COMPLEX, RADCLIFFBOROUGH & THE GARDEN DISTRICT Bissinverfera quibusae estotat urepudignis is et andaerume vidionsequi nimagnimus es evenecta nobit la sus voluptur? Lessus, antibeataqui tem velloratio esto minulliquia nihillu ptatiae corerum experro omnim accusa iunto blabore ruptati aeriati orumqui cumqui occae ma vendae idi doloriatus sim isim voluptate voloressin re, quidici aspello renihil lu

CANNONBOROUGH & ELLIOTBOROUGH Bissinverfera quibusae estotat urepudignis is et andaerume vidionsequi nimagnimus es evenecta nobit la sus voluptur? Lessus, antibeataqui tem velloratio esto minulliquia nihillu ptatiae corerum experro omnim accusa iunto blabore ruptati aeriati orumqui cumqui occae ma vendae idi doloriatus sim isim voluptate voloressin re, quidici aspello renihil luptas vel int am et et restota seditiiscil

EASTSIDE

NEED MORE?

MEDICAL COMPLEX, RADCLIFFBOROUG & THE GARDEN DISTRICT MEDICAL COMPLEX, RADCLIFFBOROUG & THE GARDEN DISTRICT CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

CANNONBOROUGH/ ELLIOTBOROUGH CANNONBOROUGH/ ELLIOTBOROUGH 56

EASTSIDE EASTSIDE

DAN KELLY RUD 8600

CONTEXT PARKLETS IN CHARLESTON

PEOPLE ON THE STREETS

A DEEPER DIVE INTO NEIGHBORHOOD PERSONALITIES WESTSIDE & HAMPTON TERRACE Bissinverfera quibusae estotat urepudignis is et andaerume vidionsequi nimagnimus es evenecta nobit la sus voluptur? Lessus, antibeataqui tem velloratio esto minulliquia nihillu ptatiae corerum experro omnim accusa iunto blabore ruptati aeriati orumqui cumqui occae ma vendae idi doloriatus sim isim voluptate voloressin re, quidici aspello renihil luptas vel int am et et restota seditiiscil

WAGNER TERRACE, NORTH CENTRAL & EAST CENTRAL Bissinverfera quibusae estotat urepudignis is et andaerume vidionsequi nimagnimus es evenecta nobit la sus voluptur? Lessus, antibeataqui tem velloratio esto minulliquia nihillu ptatiae corerum experro omnim accusa iunto blabore ruptati aeriati orumqui cumqui occae ma vendae idi doloriatus sim isim voluptate voloressin re, quidici aspello renihil luptas vel int am et et restota seditiiscil

NORTH CHARLESTON

NEED MORE?

WESTSIDE & HAMPTON TERRACE WESTSIDE & HAMPTON TERRACE CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

WAGNER TERRACE, NORTH CENTRAL WAGNER & TERRACE, NORTH CENTRAL EAST CENTRAL & EAST CENTRAL 57

DAN KELLY RUD 8600

CONTEXT

PARKLETS IN CHARLESTON

TRANSPORTATION

STREETS AND TRAFFIC

PARKING AND CAR USE Car as Main Mode of Travel

City of Charleston Parking Focus Area Residential Parking District Metered Parking Curbside Relief Zone

Speed Limits (mph) Under 25 26- 35 36 and Over Daily Traffic Counts 0-2,000 2,001-5,000 5,001-10,000 10,001-50,000 50,000+

CURBSIDE RELIEF ZONES are Temporary Pickup Zones that have been implemented by the City of Charleston as a part of the city’s COVID-19 RESPONSE. These zones provide support to local businesses that are fulfilling takeout service. This allows many businesses to continue to operate during the pandemic that may not be able to operate otherwise.

86.7%

PARKING OPPORTUNITY ZONES

Rush Hour Congestion Low Medium High

LED

RUT

T RS

KIN

ETI

OUN

CALH

T YS T BA EAS

AVE T GS RIN N ST O NN A C

RESIDENTIAL PARKING DISTRICTS

Average Vehicle Trips (Per Person, Per Week) 7.8 and more 7.2-7.8 6.5-7.2 6.5 or less

NEED MORE?

BROAD ST

0 800 1200 SCALE BAR 1:3200

1600

3200

0 800 1200 SCALE BAR 1:3200

1600

3200

SPEEDS

DAILY TRAFFIC

CARS AS TRANSPORTATION

TRAFFIC CALMING

CITY OF CHARLESTON PARKING

RESIDENTIAL PARKING

METERED PARKING

CURBSIDE RELIEF ZONE

Roads with speeds of 25 or less seem to have less travelers. As the speed limits go up the amount of traffic goes up, this is where we see the most traffic congestion as well as speeding violation and accidents.

The traffic count on bridges and overpasses are high with the speed limits higher than most areas. Whereas main traveled roads throughout downtown have relatively high traffic counts but have speed limits 2535MPH. These roads typically lead to the bridges and overpasses. Travel on roads with speeds lower than 25 have less traffic counts.

Nearly 87% of individuals in the Charleston area use a car as their main mode of transportation. The lower left district of the peninsula as well as the upper left take more vehicle trips per week. Is this because walking and cycling in areas of downtown have proven to be unsafe?

Excessive speeding, pedestrian safety, and cutthrough traffic are common concerns in residential neighborhoods. To maintain a pleasant living environment and ensure safety of children and residents, measure is taken to make speeding more difficult and cutting-thorough less attractive while also preserving street success.

The city owns 12 parking garages with nearly 6,700 public spaces. Additional privately owned parking garages and lots (with varying daily, hourly, evening and weekend rates) are found throughout the city. Most of the city owned parking garages are in the main traveled sections throughout downtown and close to metered parking options.

Most of the peninsula appears to have an abundance of residential parking except for the lower left region. Not all Residential parking throughout downtown have the same rules. In certain districts, most have time limits between 2 to 4 hours.

The City of Charleston offers 1,656 metered parking spaces with two methods of payment: coins and the SmartCard. All meters require payment from Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (excluding Sunday and official city holidays). The hours for parking meters in the City’s surface lots are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Satur-day. The rate for both parking meters and surface lots is $2 per hour, with a 2-hour limit. I see little parking options in the lower left region of the peninsula.

Due to COVID19. The city began implementing temporary curbside parking relief zones to provide support for local businesses that are fulfilling curbside pickup and delivery orders in lieu of dine-in service. The temporary pickup zones will be clearly marked with “Temporary Curbside Parking” signs. Most of the zones are located on King Street.

Urban Footprint City of Charleston’s Open Data

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

City of Charleston Comprehensive Parking Study Charleston Peninsula Residential Parking Districts & Peninsula Parking Study City of Charleston Citywide Transportation Plan City of Charleston’s Open Data

CRYSTAL HILL AND COURTNEY WOLFF RUD 8600

CONTEXT

PARKLETS IN CHARLESTON

TRANSPORTATION

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE Public Transportation as Main Mode of Travel

Bike as Main Mode of Travel

CARTA Bus Line

Planned Bikeway Existing Bikeway Existing Bikeway (Needs Improvement) Bike Share Hub Bike Parking

DASH Shuttle Line Planned Rapid Transit Line Bus Stop, 1 Route Bus Stop, 2+ Routes Rapid Transit Stop

4.2%

NEED MORE?

.75%

0 800 1200 SCALE BAR 1:3200

1600

CARTA/DASH ROUTES

PLANNED BIKE INTERSECTIONS

RAPID ROUTE

EXISTING “SAFE STREETS”

3200

0 800 1200 SCALE BAR 1:3200

1600

3200

CARTA BUS LINE

DASH BUS LINE

BUS STOPS

RAPID TRANSIT LINE

PLANNED BIKEWAY

EXISTING BIKEWAY

BIKE SHARES

BIKE PARKING

Offers Rack & Ride and Park & Ride options. The CARTA bus lines run from Summerville, James Island, West Ashley, and Mount Pleasant to downtown Charleston.

Dash Bus line has a few park and ride options for downtown. It runs every 30 mins. This bus ride option is free and shuttles through-out the peninsula and to major shops and attractions.

CARTA and Dash has bus stops spread out through the Peninsula. The main line of tops through downtown are through Meeting Street to Calhoun Street with fewer on King and Market Street. Most of the bus stops are marked with a Carta sign. Seating and a covered space would be more appealing and offer shelter from heat and rain.

Lowcountry Rapid Transit is a bus rapid transit project that will connect the communities of Charleston, North Charleston, and Summerville. It will improve mobility for people on public transportation, in cars, on foot and on bikes, and will be a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity throughout the area. Will have 27 proposed stops, 18 busses, and 15-30 second stops at each station. The bus line will al-so run through Meeting Street and Calhoun Street.

The planned bikeway will run along the entirety of Brigade Street, under I-26 and to the end of Cypress Street. The bikeway will take the place of what is currently dozens of parking spots. This project will add in a bike lane, additional sidewalk ramps and signs for pedestrians to make it safer for everyone on and off the road.

Currently the bike paths are located along the battery, from King Street to East Bay, around Hampton Park, and one along Fishburne Street. There are little to no bike paths in the center of downtown even though this is where there is an abundance of bike share stations.

There are numerous bike share hubs downtown. Holy Spokes has 27 locations across the peninsula used for commuting or exploring downtown. Rentals range from 8 per hour to $69 per year. Some safe bike paths near these pickup and drop off stations would be a great implementation to downtown.

The is several Bike parking located downtown. There are a total of 199 bike racks located throughout the peninsula. Most are located near MUSC, King Street and College of Charleston areas.

CARTA System Map Lowcountry Rapid Transit Recommended Route City of Charleston Citywide Transportation Plan City of Charleston’s Open Data

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

People Pedal Plan Holy Spokes Bike Share Map City of Charleston Interactive Bike Map City of Charleston’s Open Data

CRYSTAL HILL AND COURTNEY WOLFF RUD 8600

CONTEXT

PARKLETS IN CHARLESTON

TRANSPORTATION

ZONING

FATALITIES AND INFRACTIONS

PROGRAMMATIC STRUCTURE ZONING

In South Carolina this year there has been... Speeding*

SORTED BY USE TYPE

FATAL CRASHES

DUI* Other Moving Violation* Motorist Fatality** Pedestrian or Cyclist Fatality** *Data from 2020 *Data from 2001-2020

643

COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL MIXED USE GB

General Business

STR

Limited Business

DR1F

C. Transitional

DR2F

Business Park

DR1

MU2WH

PERSONS KILLED

720

Urban Commercial

DR2

General Office

DR3

Residential Office

DR4

PEDESTRIANS KILLED

Single/Two-Family

MU1

Mixed Use

MU2

Diverse Res.

INDUSTRIAL OTHER HI

Heavy Industrial

Light Industrial

PUD C

MU1WH Workforce Housing

Planned Development

Conservation

Neighborhoods

Upper Peninsula

DR9

118

DR12 SR1

Single Family Res.

SR2 SR3

BICYCLISTS KILLED

SR4 SR5

PERCENTAGES SORTED BY AREA OF SPECIFIC USE TYPE

Reckless Driving Speeding

(See above Legend)

•Residential Zoning is broken down into 14 categories, ranging from single-family homes to diverse residences.

15-25 mph over limit 10-15 mph over limit 15 mph over limit and less

•Mixed Use Zoning is one of the smallest use types, being broken even further into 5 categories.

•Commercial Zoning contains 7 categories, but most businesses are classified as General Business.

•Heavy Industrial accounts for the largest single use type.

14 11

SORTED BY AREA OF GENERAL USE TYPE 8 20

4.7

•There is a larger amount of land planned for development than there is for conservation.

3.67

5.7 25 38.23

15.26

•This is followed closely by Industrial Zoning, which accounts for 32.44% of the total peninsula.

Right of Way Violation Stopping Violation

•Even when combined, Commercial Zoning still only accounts for 15.26% of land area.

32.44 3

•When combined into their general use types, Residential Zoning becomes the largest category.

21 15

NEIGHBORHOODS

SORTED BY LAND AREA

NEED MORE?

0 800 1200 SCALE BAR 1:3200

1600

3200 0 800 1200 SCALE BAR 1:3200

1600

3200

Name

Size (Acreage)

Commercial Access

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Silver Hill Four Mile Hibernian Harleston Village Wagener Terrace Rosemont Westside Charlestowne Elliottborough North Central East Central East Side Radcliffeborough Wraggborough Hampton Park Terrace French Quarter Meeting St. Manor Ansonborough Bridgeview Wraggborough Homes Gadsden Green Robert Mills Kiawah Homes Joseph Floyd Manor Gadsden Wharf Laurens Place Anson House

848.95 372.77 371.6 369.4 324.5 305.24 268.42 195.83 186.2 181.56 132.06 118.33 96.94 50.4 46.5 42.7 39.8 23.6 14.4 13.8 13 11.3 3.98 3.36 1.04 0.95

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Park Access

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

SPEEDING FATALITIES

DUI’S

MOTORIST FATALITIES

NON-MOTORIST FATALITIES

ZONING OVERVIEW

ZONING

COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL

NEIGHBORHOODS

Speeding throughout Charleston appears to be a common factor. It is mostly an issue leading into downtown on main roads and overpasses. The downtown road with the most speeding violations is located on Calhoun Street. This is also the main road leading into downtown from Highway 30/ James Island Expressway.

A third of the people who die on South Carolina highways are killed by drunk drivers. According to the map, DUI’s are prevalent throughout Charleston. The lower peninsula shows little to no DUI’s as well as the upper left region of the map.

According to the map, the lower peninsula and the left region have less motorist fatalities. So far this year in 2020, South Carolina has 177 deaths due to traffic related accidents. That is 55 fewer than in 2019.

So far this year, 60 pedestrians and bicyclists have died in the Charleston area. Pedestrian and bike fatalities have occurred in urban centers as well as along rural roads. According to this map, the area in the upper left region appears to be a possible option for pedestrian and bicyclist.

In total, there are over 4,600 acres on the Charleston peninsula (including Drum Island) and more than 30 different zoning classifications. While some zoning classifications, like Industry, are more straightforward, others can be complex. The Residential Zoning contains 14 different classifications, based on unit size to the number of families living within a unit. Commercial Zoning contains 7 different types, and Mixed Use Zoning contains 5 types. Industrial Zoning consists of only 2 types: Heavy and Light Industry.

Residential Zoning accounts for the largest land area at 1762.3 acres or 38.23%. This is followed by Industrial Zoning with 1492.6 acres or 32.44%. Commercial Zoning comes in third at 701.85 acres or 15.26%. Mixed Use Zoning is relatively small in comparison to Commercial or Residential, with only 261.8 acres or 5.7%. Planned Unit Development is a special category for urban development, with 215.7 acres or 4.7%. Finally, Conservation areas account for just 168.6 acres or 3.67%.

Commercial Zoning accounts for 15.26% of the zoned areas on the peninsula, while Residential Zoning is the largest type and accounts for 38.23%. Residential Zoning is more than twice as large as Commercial. Even when taking into account the 5.7% that Mixed Use Zoning occupys, Residential Zoning is still significantly larger. Furthermore, with the areas currently zoned for Planned Unit Development (PUD), this figure will likely grow in the future.

There are 26 neighborhoods on the Charleston Peninsula. The median size is 155 acres, however these neighborhoods can range in size from 848 acres to 1 acre. Not all of the peninsula is covered by these neighborhoods, as most Commercial and Industrial areas are left out. However, most neighborhoods have easy access to commercial zones (except for some of the smaller neighborhoods). Many neighborhoods further up the peninsula are also missing adequate park access.

Charleston Police Department's Police Response Datasets City of Charleston’s Open Data

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

CRYSTAL HILL AND COURTNEY WOLFF RUD 8600

Data Source: City of Charleston Open Data

MURRAY BYRD RUD 8600

CONTEXT

PARKLETS IN CHARLESTON

PARKS

ENVIRONMENTAL MAPPING

ACCESS AND ATTRIBUTES

HYDROLOGY & CLIMATE PARKS IN CHARLESTON

(BY PERCENTAGE OF LAND AREA)

PARKS MAKE UP 9% OF THE CHARLESTON PENINSULA

ACCESS TO PARKS

(BY 10-MINUTE WALKING DISTANCE)

PARKS IN NEIGHBORHOODS

(SORTED BY ACREAGE)

33 47

ATTRIBUTES OF PARKS

(SORTED BY PARK SIZE)

34 24

32 50

45 46

9 48

58 39

5 52 22 8 56

13 59 16

19 60

42 10

NEED MORE?

21.4

43 3

0.1

57 53

11.4

28.6 9

7.6

0.1 0.2

13.7

6.6

2.8

3.3

0 800 1200 SCALE BAR 1:3200

1600

3200

Name

Fields

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

Hampton Joe Riley Waterfront Stoney Field Harmon Field Alberta Long Lake Brittlebank Joseph P. Riley Jr Colonial Lake Marion Square White Point Gardens McMahon Gadsdenboro Gen. William Moultrie Maritime Center Corrine V. Jones Hazel Parker Martin Cannon Horse Lot Singleton Mitchell Yvonne duFort... Low Battery Liberty Square Jack Adams St. Julian Devine Washington Square Hampton Dog Park Vivian Anderson... Wragg Mall Wragg Square Tiedemann Park Mall Playground Charlotte St. Hampstead Sq. NE Hampstead Park Hampstead Sq. SE Elliottborough Lucas Park Allan Park East Bay Bike Path High Battery Park Shaw Community Center Wragg Mall Extension DeReef Park Simonton Park Coming Crosstown Theodora Rev. Alma Dungee Chapel St. Fountain House Park Logan St. Triangle Mary Watson Septima Clark East Bay Calhoun Gillon St. Park Flag Park Courtenay Sq. New Street Mini Cheney Park

•

Picnic

Playground

Dogpark

• •

•

• •

•

• • •

• • • • • •

• • •

• •

•

• •

•

• •

• • • •

• •

•

PARKS IN CHARLESTON

GREEN DESERTS

WHO HAS ACCESS?

WHAT ARE THE ATTRIBUTES?

According to the City of Charleston website, the city is responsible for 120 parks consisting of approximately 1,809 acres of open, public space. Within these parks, there are also a total of 211 buildings, containing 3,670,000 ft² of space. Each park is different, with varying sizes and locations spread throughout the city. The smallest city-owned park is 227 ft², while the largest is 1,750,000 ft². The Department of Parks consists of 10 branches that handle everything from horticulture to maintenance.

In the above map, each park has been given a 10-minute average walking distance radiating from its centerpoint. While many parks are located within neighborhoods, some are adjacent to the I-26 and US-17 corridor. These obstructions make accessibility to parks for the local residents difficult or near impossible. For this reason, parks are largely localized and concentratred within neighborhoods.

Many parks have amenities such as athletic fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, and dogparks. However, few parks have all of these amenities, with many missing essential attributes. According to the City of Charleston, there are only two parks on the peninsula that have ADA accessibility. Only five of these parks have public restrooms, and four have parking. Most parks are open seven days a week during daylight hours only, but seven of these are open twenty-four hours a day.

Data Source: City of Charleston Open Data

CHARLESTON PARKLET MANUAL

TEMPERATURE

MURRAY BYRD RUD 8600

RAINFALL

HUMIDITY

UV INDEX

CORA BUTLER RUD 8600

Charleston Parklet Program

Articles inside

Charleston Parklet Program