GATEWAY - PROJECT DEFINTION - M.ARCH

PROJECT GROUNDING

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND

THE CHALLENGE : THERE IS A LACK OF QUALITY PUBLIC GATHERING AND AMENITY SPACE THAT CAN BE UTILIZED YEAR ROUND.

PROJECT VISION GOALS AND PROJECTED OUTCOMES

THE LACK OF PUBLIC AMENITY IN FORD CITY IS EVIDENT WHEN YOU BEGIN TO LOOK AT THE CITY PARKS AND TRAIL SYSTEMS. THE ARMSTRONG TRAIL IS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE ALLEGHENY RIVER AND DIES OFF SHORTLY AFTER FORD CITY. THE CITY HAS NO REAL GATEWAY FOR VISITORS COMING FROM PITTSBURGH AND A LACK OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WEST BANK OR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. THIS INTERVENTION WILL CONNECT FORD CITY TO ITS SURROUNDINGS WITH TRAIL SYSTEMS, BOAT DOCKS AND PUBLIC HOTSPOTS. IT WILL ACT AS THE NEW GATEWAY AND CREATE A SPACE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR. A PLACE TO WITNESS NATURAL SYSTEMS AND VEGETATION, EXPERIENCE LOCAL FOOD TASTES, AND STRENGTHEN THEIR SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

GOALS :

-CREATE A YEAR ROUND PUBLIC AMENITY THAT SERVES AS THE NEW GATEWAY TO THE CITY

-PROVIDE PARK SPACE THAT BOTH HOSTS SPECIFIC PROGRAM BUT ALSO IS ADAPTABLE FOR THE CITIES NEEDS AND DESIRES

-FULLY INTEGRATE NATIVE VEGETATION AND WATER PURIFICATION METHODS TO SERVE THE CITY IN YEARS TO COME

FORD CITY IS A SMALL TOWN LOCATED IN RURAL PENNSYLVANIA, AMONG THE ROLLING BLUFFS OF THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS. THE REGION IS HOME TO HEAVY INDUSTRIAL USE, WITH A HISTORY IN MINING AND MANUFACTURING. FORD CITY SPECIFICALLY WAS THE SITE OF ONE OF THE LARGEST GLASS FACTORIES IN THE WORLD. SINCE THE GLASS COMPANY LEFT THE TOWN, THE CITY HAS BEEN STRUGGLING TO FIND IT’S NEXT FOOTHOLD TO KEEP RESIDENTS IN THE AREA. THROUGH RESEARCH AND DIAGRAMMING EXERCISES, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THEIR IS A LACK OF PUBLIC SPACE THAT IS UTILIZED IN A YEAR ROUND CAPACITY. THE STRONG COMMUNITY SENSE IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH FARMERS MARKETS AND CITY WIDE FOOD TRUCK MEET UPS. THESE EVENTS TAKE OVER THE STREETS IN A POP-UP FASHION WITHOUT THEIR OWN DESIGNATED SPACE. ADDITIONALLY, THE PARKS IN THE AREA ARE UNDERDEVELOPED AND LACK THE SQUARE FOOTAGE TO HOST ANY LARGER COMMUNITY GATHERING. THIS LACK OF PUBLIC SPACE AND COMMUNITY AMENITY INSPIRED THE INTERVENTION TO CREATE A YEAR ROUND PUBLIC SPACE, THAT CAN BE ACTIVATED BY LARGE COMMUNITY GATHERINGS.

THE SITE SELECTED FOR THE INTERVENTION IS THE FORD CITY VETERANS BRIDGE, AT THE SOUTH END OF THE CITY. THE BRIDGE WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 2000 AND WAS ONE OF THE FIRST OF IT’S KIND IN PENNSYLVANIA. DUE TO ITS LOCATION AT THE SOUTH OF THE CITY, AND THE FEW MAIN ROADWAYS THAT SERVE FORD CITY, THE INTERVENTION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME THE GATEWAY OF THE CITY. ANY VISITORS COMING FROM PITTSBURGH OR METRO AREAS IN THE SOUTH OF THE STATE, OFTEN TRAVEL ACROSS THIS BRIDGE. THE SITE HAS MANY OTHER QUALITY ASPECTS SUCH AS IMPRESSIVE 360 DEGREE VIEWS OF FORD AND THE SURROUNDING BLUFFS. THE ARMSTRONG TRAIL INTERSECTS THE SITE ON THE EAST BANK, LEAVING A OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND THAT PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR TO THE WEST BANK OF THE ALLEGHENY RIVER. THE WEST BANK IS LARGELY UNDERDEVELOPED DUE TO ITS ROUGH TOPOGRAPHY, BUT AN UNDERUTILIZED RAIL LINE COULD HOST A NEW HIKING TRAIL FURTHER EXTENDING THE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT. THE BRIDGE ITSELF IS ALREADY AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT FOR THE CITY, DURING FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS RESIDENTS SET UP CHAIRS ON THE BRIDGE AND WATCH THEM GO OFF OVER THE RIVER. AN INTERVENTION ON THIS PIECE OF CITY INFRASTRUCTURE WOULD ALLOW RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO FULLY UTILIZE THE SPACE IN A YEAR ROUND CAPACITY. WITH THE SITE BRIDGING OVER THE ALLEGHENY RIVER, THE INTERVENTION HAS THE ABILITY TO FILTER AND PURIFY SOME OF THE WATER FROM THE RIVER. LASTLY, THE SITE IS ADJACENT TO MANY VACANT PROPERTIES ON THE BANKS FOR THE RIVER. THE INTERVENTION COULD INFLUENCE THE CITY TO CREATE NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD FURTHER SERVE THE COMMUNITY ADJACENT TO THE INTERVENTION SITE.

THE INTENDED PROGRAM FOR THE INTERVENTION WOULD INCLUDE COMMUNITY AMENITY THAT CAN BE UTILIZED IN A YEAR ROUND CAPACITY. THE NEW GATEWAY WOULD SERVE AS A PLACE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO GATHER AND FURTHER ENHANCE THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN THE AREA. PROGRAM HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FOR THE CHANGING SEASONS SUCH AS ; TUBING HILL IN THE WINTER, POP-UP KITCHEN SPACES OCCUPIED BY LOCAL CHEFS AND RESTAURANTS, FIREWORK VIEWING SEATING IN THE SUMMER, AREAS TO FISH AND SWIM IN THE RIVER, IMPRESSIVE VIEWS OF THE SURROUNDING HILLS AND CHANGING LEAVES IN THE FALL. ACCESS TO THE INTERVENTION IS ENHANCED BY INCREASING WALKING TRAILS AND BRANCHING OFF THE ARMSTRONG HIKING TRAIL ON THE EAST BANK. AS WELL AS AN AREA FOR BOATERS NAVIGATING THE ALLEGHENY RIVER TO DOCK AND EXPERIENCE THE CITY. ADDITIONALLY, A SECTION OF THE SQUARE FOOTAGE WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEMS IN AN ATTEMPT TO PURIFY SOME OF THE WATER FROM THE RIVER.

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN THIS INTERVENTION FOR THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND USES OF THE CITY. SOME OF THOSE POTENTIAL STAKEHOLDERS WOULD INCLUDE ; CITY COUNCIL FOR FORD CITY, THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN OF PITTSBURGH, LOCAL BARS AND RESTAURANTS, THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION, FORD CITY WATER MANAGEMENT, THE ALLEGHENY COLLEGE WATERSHED CONSERVATION RESEARCH CENTER, AND THE ALLEGHENY VALLEY RAILS TO TRAILS ASSOCIATION.

SUSTAINABILITY GOALS :

ENVIRONMENTAL

-UTILIZE 100 PERCENT OF NATIVE STYLE VEGETATION THROUGHOUT INTERVENTION AND WALKING TRAILS

-UTILIZE VERTICAL WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS TO PURIFY WATER FROM THE ALLEGHENY RIVER TO BE UTILIZED IN THE CITY OR TO IRRIGATE THE VEGETATION

-SOURCE LOCAL MATERIALS FOR ANY BUILDING ELEMENTS

-UTILIZE FLOATING STRUCTURES FOR ANYTHING NEAR RIVERS EDGE TO ACCOUNT FOR WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS

-REUSE MATERIALS FROM ABANDONED BUILDINGS WHENEVER POSSIBLE SOCIAL

-CREATE A SPACE WHERE COMMUNITY CAN EXPRESS THEIR CULTURE, FOOD BACKGROUNDS, AND CONGREGATE IN AN ESTABLISHED PLACE

-PROVIDE A SPACE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONALS TO SHARE THEIR SKILLS WITH THE GREATER COMMUNITY -PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE EASILY ADAPTABLE FOR CHANGING NEEDS

-UTILIZE THE SPACE TO GIVE RESOURCES BACK TO THE CITY SUCH AS MEALS, FRESH WATER, OR SAFE AND EQUITABLE RECREATION SPACE

ECONOMIC

-PROVIDE A COMMUNITY AMENITY THAT WILL ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT IN THE ADJACENT SITES TO BETTER THE CITIES ECONOMY AND OFFERINGS

-UTILIZE DONATIONS AND SUPPORT FROM LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WHEREVER POSSIBLE TO OFFSET COST TO CITY

-CREATE A SPACE LARGE ENOUGH TO BE ACCOMMODATING TO A POTENTIAL GROWTH IN THE CITY

-UTILIZE CITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN A WAY THAT CAN INCREASE THE OFFERING TO RESIDENTS BESIDES JUST A FORM OF TRANSPORTATION

-ENGAGE WITH VISITORS COMING TO THE CITY BY VEHICLE AND THOSE TRAVERSING THE RIVER BELOW

WHY IS THIS NEEDED - MARKET ANALYSIS :

THE POPULATION OF FORD CITY HAS RAPIDLY DECLINED IN PREVIOUS DECADES AND CONTINUES TO SLOWLY DECLINE YEAR AFTER YEAR. ANY INDUSTRY IN THE AREA HAS PROVEN TO NOT BE ENOUGH TO STIMULATE THE AREAS ECONOMY. UNEMPLOYMENT IN FORD CITY AT THE BEGINNING OF 2022 WAS 7.3 PERCENT, MUCH HIGHER THAT THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 4 PERCENT. THE CITY ALSO HOSTS AN 18 PERCENT POVERTY RATE COMPARED TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 11.4 PERCENT.

THE PUBLIC OPINION GATHERED IN THE RESEARCH PHASE, DIRECTS BELIEF TOWARDS THE MAIN HOLDING FACTOR OF FORD CITY IS THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND OWNERSHIP OF THE AREA. THE LACK OF AMENITY AND DESIGNATED SPACE FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITY ONLY NEGATIVELY IMPACTS THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY. AN IMPACT THAT WILL CONTINUE TO INFLUENCE DECISIONS TO STAY OR GO IN AN AREA THAT IS ALREADY STRUGGLING TO FIND A STRONG ECONOMY.

THE INTERVENTION HOPES TO JUMP START COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CITY DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE RIVER FRONT. THIS INFLUX OF AMENITY AND PUBLIC SPACE WILL BRING VALUE TO THE CITY ECONOMY, RESIDENT WELL BEING, AND CITY OFFERING.

SITE ANALYSIS SCALE

This is our second chance at a second chance...” MAINS (FORD CITY RESIDENT)-

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SPRAWLS AWAY FORM PITTSBURGH ALONG CORRIDORS DEFINED BY THE HILLS AND ROLLING LANDSCAPE. DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY PITTSBURGH TRANSFORMED FROM A COMMERCIAL TO AN INDUSTRIAL CENTER. FACTORIES DEVELOPED ALL OVER THE REGION BURNING COAL THAT WAS MINED IN THE REGION, TRANSPORTED ALONG THE RIVERS. STEEL MINES SOON BECAME THE LEADING ECONOMIC DRIVER IN WEST PENNSYLVANIA BRINGING PEOPLE FROM OVER THE WORLD TO WORK IN THE PLANTS. SOON, DUE TO THE INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS, THE REGION BECAME HOSTS OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS “SMOKY CITIES”.

AFTER WORLD WAR TWO, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND HOUSING PROBLEMS CREATED CONCERNS FOR GOVERNMENT LEADERS. THEY JOINED TOGETHER TO PLAN A NEW COALITION TO BETTER PITTSBURGH. THEY PLANNED TO BUILD PARKS AND HIGHWAYS, TRANSFORM EXISTING INDUSTRY, AND CLEAN UP THE SOIL AND WATER WAYS OF POLLUTION. THE SURROUNDING TOWNS AND BURROUGHS, SUCH AS FORD CITY, HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THEIR OWN ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATIONS. LOSS OF INDUSTRIES AND FAILING ECONOMIES PLAGUE THE REGION AND LIMIT FUTURE GROWTH.

ARMSTRONG BUTLER CLARION

CLARION BROOKVILLE

FORD CITY IS LOCATED IN ARMSTRONG COUNTY WITH THE NEAREST CITY BEING KITTANNING. LISTED BELOW ARE THE ADJACENT COUNTIES, NOTABLE CITY POPULATIONS, AND DISTANCE TO FORD CITY :

ARMSTRONG : KITTANNING - 3.9 MILES - 3,751 RESIDENTS

BUTLER : BUTLER - 25 MILES - 13,008 RESIDENTS

JEFFERSON

PITTSBURGH KITTANNING

ALLEGHENY

BUTLER

WESTMORE LAND INDIANA INDIANA

CLARION : CLARION - 40 MILES - 5,650 RESIDENTS

JEFFERSON : BROOKVILLE - 44 MILES - 3,801 RESIDENTS

INDIANA : INDIANA - 29 MILES - 13,162 RESIDENTS

WESTMORE LAND : GREENSBURG - 38 MILES - 14,329 RESIDENTS

ALLEGHENY : PITTSBURGH - 43 MILES - 301,286 RESIDENTS

LEFT : STATE HIGHWAY 28 IS THE MAIN CONNECTION ROUTE FOR FORD CITY TO PITTSBURGH, IT’S CLOSEST LARGE CITY. US ROUTE 422 IS ANOTHER MAJOR CONNECTOR FOR FORD AS IT CONNECTS DIRECTLY WITH YOUNGSTOWN, OH AND A HUB OF US INTERSTATES.

RIGHT : THERE ARE MANY ACTIVE RAILROAD LINES IN THE REGION THAT SERVICE THE GREATER PITTSBURGH AREA. THE NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY IS SHOWN IN DARKER BLACK AND TRANSPORTS FREIGHT THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THE PITTSBURGH AND SHAWMUT RAILROAD LINE IS LOCATED ON THE BANKS WEST OF FORD CITY. IT STRETCHED FROM FREEPORT JUNCTION ALL THE WAY TO LAKE ONTARIO AND CARRIED FREIGHT AND PASSENGERS. TODAY THE RAIL ROAD HAS BEEN SOLD TO BPRR AND IS RARELY UTILIZED FOR FREIGHT ACTIVITIES.

500 MILE RADIUS - NEARBY HUBS

500 MILE RADIUS - LARGEST ECONOMIC CENTERS BY POPULATION :

-CHICAGO, IL - 2.69 MILLION -NEW YORK CITY, NY - 8.38 MILLION

-PHILADELPHIA, PA - 1.58 MILLION -COLUMBUS, OH - 889,079 THOUSAND -CHARLOTTE, NC - 873, 570 THOUSAND -WASHINGTON, D.C. - 701, 974 THOUSAND -DETROIT, MI - 672,351 THOUSAND -BOSTON, MA - 689,326 THOUSAND

LARGEST INDUSTRIES IN 500 MILES BY EMPLOYEES :

HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES - 8,717,469

RETAIL TRADE - 5,960,977

MANUFACTURING - 5,513,647

FOOD SERVICE AND ACCOMMODATION - 4,602,481

WHISKEY HOLLOW HILL - 1217 FT

GAULT HILL - 1224 FT

STATE FOREST LAND

LANDSCAPE ZONE (PLANT HARDINESS) :

ZONE 6B - ANNUAL AVERAGE WINTER TEMPERATURE OF -5 TO 0 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT CLIMATE ZONE :

ZONE 5 - MOIST COLD NORTHERN CLIMATE

LEFT : LANDSCAPE REGIONS OF THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN RANGE

ABOVE : FORD CITY AND NEARBY PEAKS WITH ELEVATIONS

MAJOR PARKS AND FORESTS IN THE REGION

NATIVE VEGETATION

TREES :

-BLACK BIRCH (FULL SUN TO PART SUN)

-BLACK OAK (FULL SUN)

-EASTERN WHITE PINE (SUN TO PART SUN)

-RED MAPLE (FULL SUN TO PART SHADE -RED OAK (FULL SUN)

SHRUBS :

-BUTTON BUSH (PART TO FULL SUN)

-CAROLINA ROSE (SUN TO PART SUN)

-COMMON ELDERBERRY (PART SUN)

-DEER BERRY (PART SUN)

-LOW BUSH BLUEBERRY (SUN TO BRIGHT SHADE)

GRASSES :

-TURKEY FOOT (FULL SUN)

-BLUE-EYED GRASS (PART SUN) -INDIAN GRASS (FULL SUN)

-RIVERBANK WILD RYE (PART SUN) -SWITCH GRASS (SUN TO PART SUN)

APPLICABLE LANDSCAPE / VEGETATION CODES AND NOTES :

-LARGE OR UNIQUE TREES WHICH CANNOT BE PRESERVED SHALL BE REPLACED BY TREES WITH THE SAME SPECIES

-ABRUPT CHANGES OF GRADE SHALL BE AVOIDED WITHIN 40 FEET OF THE CRITICAL ROOT ZONE OF ANY TREES

-TREES TO BE PRESERVED SHALL BE PROTECTED IN CONSTRUCTION. CABLES, ROPES, SIGNS AND FENCING SHALL NOT BE PLACED ON PROTECTED TREES

-NO DEVELOPMENT IS ALLOWED WITHIN 20 FEET OF A WETLAND EDGE

SITE ANALYSIS MICRO SCALE (FORD CITY)

FORD CITY, PA POPULATION : 2,797 RESIDENTS FOUNDED :

YEAR 1887 - JOHN BAPTISTE FORD - FOUNDER OF PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS CO.

ORIGIN STORY :

THE CITY WAS FOUNDED BY JOHN FORD WHEN HE CHOSE THE SITE FOR WHAT WOULD COME TO BE ONE OF THE LARGEST GLASS FACTORIES IN THE WORLD. THE TOWN WAS COMPOSED OF RESIDENTS BROUGHT FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO WORK AT THE FACTORY. IN THE COMPANY’S PRIME THEY EMPLOYED NEARLY 5,000 WORKERS IN THE FORD CITY PLANT. IN THE 1970’S CHANGES IN MANUFACTURING FORCED THE PPG PLANT IN FORD CITY TO RELOCATE. IN 1993, PPG FORMALLY CLOSED DOWN THE FACTORY AND THE REMAINING WORKERS WERE LET GO. THE LOSS OF THE ECONOMIC STRONGHOLD WAS FELT DEEPLY IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RECOVER EVER SINCE. OTHER COMPANIES HAVE TRIED TO ESTABLISH RESIDENCY IN THE AREA, BUT FEW HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMAIN.

CLIMATE AND DEMOGRAPHICS

CLIMATE SUMMARY -

FORD CITY GETS 41 INCHES OF RAIN, ON AVERAGE PER YEAR. THE US AVERAGE IS 38 INCHES PER YEAR.

THE CITY AVERAGES 32 INCHES OF SNOW PER YEAR. THE US AVERAGE IS 28 INCHES OF SNOW.

ON AVERAGE, THERE ARE 164 SUNNY DAYS PER YEAR IN FORD CITY. THE US AVERAGE IS 205 SUNNY DAYS.

SUMMER HIGH : JULY TEMPS REACH AROUND 84 DEGREES

WINTER LOW : JANUARY TEMPS DROP AS LOW AS 19 DEGREES

ALTERED MAPPING OF FORD CITY - (ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED BY KRUPALI SUTARIYA, NICOLE ALGIEN, SUSANNAH MONTGOMERY)

-COLOR GRADIENT KEY ON THE RIGHT CORRELATES WITH THE BUILDING COLORING TO SHOW WHEN THE BUILDINGS OR HOUSES WERE CONSTRUCTED

-OPAQUE GRAY SHADING TO THE SOUTH AND NORTH OF THE CITY DESIGNATE DENSITY OUTSIDE OF FORD CITY

-EXISTING PARKS ARE SHOWN IN GREEN

-RAILWAY ON THE WEST BANK OF THE RIVER IS SHOWN IN DOTTED BLACK LINE -GRAPH AT THE BOTTOM SECTION SHOWS THE POPULATION DECLINE OVER TIME

-CITY BOUNDARY SHOWN IN DASHED LINE

-WATER RUNOFF LINES ARE SHOWN IN BLUE DASHED LINES DIRECTED TOWARDS THE ALLEGHENY RIVER

INCLUDED IN THIS DIAGRAM ARE THE MAJOR PARKS AND AMENITIES THAT SERVE FORD CITY. A MAJORITY OF THE CITIES EVENTS ARE POP-UP STYLE EVENTS SUCH AS FARMERS MARKETS AND FOOD TRUCK VENUES. THE PARKS IN THE CITY ARE UNDERDEVELOPED AND UNDERUTILIZED.

SITE ANALYSIS

SITE OF INTERVENTION

THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE SITE SELECTION :

THE MAIN INSPIRATION BEHIND THE SITE CAME FROM DEEPLY RESEARCHING WHAT THE RESIDENTS OF FORD CITY WOULD CONSIDER IMPORTANT OR SPECIAL ABOUT THEIR TOWN. A MAJORITY OF SURVEYS AND PUBLIC OPINION WOULD POINT TOWARDS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND OWNERSHIP OF THEIR TOWN. ONE SITE AND ACTIVITY THAT PARTICULARLY STOOD OUT WAS IMAGES OF RESIDENTS WATCHING FIREWORKS ON THE VETERANS BRIDGE. NATURALLY, I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT TO EXPAND ON THIS USE OF THE CITIES INFRASTRUCTURE AS PUBLIC SPACE.

ADDITIONALLY, THE BRIDGE ACTS AS A GATEWAY AND POTENTIAL PEDESTRIAN CONNECTOR. MANY VISITORS FROM PITTSBURGH AND SURROUNDING CITIES, TRAVEL ACROSS THIS BRIDGE TO GET INTO FORD CITY. ON THE FORD SIDE OF THE BRIDGE, THE ARMSTRONG WALKING TRAIL INTERSECTS WITH THE ROAD WAY. THIS PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THIS INTERVENTION TO EXTEND THE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE WEST BANK OF THE ALLEGHENY RIVER.

THIS NEW PUBLIC SPACE COULD BECOME NOT ONLY A LINK TO OTHER CITIES AND TRAILS, BUT IT COULD BE A WAY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND FEEL THAT SENSE OF OWNERSHIP THROUGH VARIOUS AMENITIES. A NEW COMMUNITY HOTSPOT, AND AN ICONIC GATEWAY TO FORD CITY.

THE EXISTING STRUCTURE - FORD CITY VETERANS BRIDGE

-CONSTRUCTED IN 2000 REPLACING A STEEL STRUCTURE BRIDGE BUILT IN 1914 -THE BRIDGE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CONSTRUCTION TYPES OF IT TIME, UTILIZING A CONTINUOUS CURVED GIRDER -PENNSYLVANIA’S LONGEST CURVED HIGH PERFORMANCE STEEL BRIDGE STRUCTURE

COMMERCIAL BOAT TRAFFIC :

REQUIRES 35’ MIN HORIZONTAL CLEARANCE AND 47’ MIN. VERTICAL CLEARANCE. SHIPS CAN BE AS LONG AS 195’. ACCOUNTS FOR LESS THAN 25 PERCENT OF LOCAL TRAFFIC.

PRIVATE BOAT TRAFFIC :

ALLEGHENY RIVER IS UTILIZED HEAVILY IN RECREATIONAL FORMS. FISHING BOATS, PONTOONS, AND LARGE HOUSE BOATS TRAVERSE THE RIVER FROM MANY DOCKS AND MARINAS IN THE REGION. THE CLEARANCES FOR THESE BOATS WILL NOT EXCEED THOSE REQUIRED FOR COMMERCIAL TRAVEL. MIN. MIN. VERTICAL SITE CONDITIONS AND CONSTRAINTS

CLIMATE AT THE INTERVENTION SITE

CLIMATE DATA FOR THE SPECIFIC INTERVENTION SITE :

INCLUDED IS THE ANNUAL SUN PATH FOR FORD CITY AND THE SHADOWS THAT WOULD OCCUR ON THE SITE. ADDITIONALLY, THE WIND ROSE INFORMATION IS SHOWN BY THE PERCENTAGE OF WIND DIRECTION.

INTERVENTION SITE

HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF WIND DIRECTION ANNUALLY SITE SHADOWS

EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS - RIVER

ADJACENT PARCEL MAPPING :

1 - PENNSYLVANIA DOT - INDIANA - 25% OCCUPIED

2 - PRIVATE OWNERSHIP - KITTANNING - 5 % OCCUPIED

3 - FORD CITY PROPERTY - FORD CITY - 0% OCCUPIED

4 - PITTSBURGH & SHAWMUT RAIL ROAD INC. - FORD CITY50 % OCCUPIED (RAIL)

5 - PRIVATE OWNERSHIP - FORD CITY - 100% OCCUPIED

6 - FORD CITY PROPERTY - FORD CITY - 0% OCCUPIED

7 - PROJECTILE PROPERTIES LLC. - FORD CITY - 0% OCCUPIED

8 - BLAIR REAL ESTATE - FORD CITY - 0% OCCUPIED

SITE CONSTRAINTS - ZONING AND SETBACKS

SITE CONSTRAINTS :

ALLOWABLE USE : INDUSTRIAL / OFFICE

REFUSE COLLECTION : MUST BE AT THE REAR OF THE SITE. CAN BE LOCATED INSIDE THE BUILDING BUT MUST HAVE EXTERIOR DOORS THAT LEAD TO THE REAR OF THE SITE

LOT COVERAGE : 75 PERCENT, 90 PERCENT IF UTILIZING A GREEN ROOF SYSTEM

PARKING : 1 PER 500 SQFT. (MOST SIMILAR USE TYPE OF CLUB - SEE 6.02 PARKING RATIOS)

RIGHT OF WAY : 54’ MIN. FOR A TWO WAY STREET

SERVICE / FIRE LANE : A SERVICE LANE SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR ALL BLOCKS (PARKING DRIVES OR ROADWAYS MAY SERVE AS ALLEY IF THE DRIVE IS CONTINUOUS WITH AT LEAST TWO ACCESS POINTS)

ALL SURROUNDING BUILDINGS TO THE SITE WITHIN A ONE MILE RADIUS ARE NO LARGER THAN TWO STORIES

PROJECT PRECEDENTS

COPENHILL ENERGY PLANT AND RECREATION CENTER

ARCHITECTS : BJARKE INGELS GROUP

COMPLETED : 2019 LOCATION : COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

IMPORTANT PRECEDENT ELEMENTS :

-CREATING PUBLIC SPACE OUT OF SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

-CREATING A YEAR ROUND ACTIVATED PUBLIC SPACE

-UTILIZING ARCHITECTURE AS THE STRUCTURE FOR PROGRAM ELEMENTS TO REDUCE “TACKED ON” STRUCTURES

-PROVIDED VIEWS TO SURROUNDING CITY IN A FLAT LANDSCAPE

+POOL

ARCHITECTS : FAMILY AND PLAY LAB COMPLETED : CONCEPT AND PLANNING LOCATION : NEW YORK CITY

IMPORTANT PRECEDENT ELEMENTS :

-CREATES PUBLIC SPACE IN A NORMALLY “UNACCESSIBLE” WATER SOURCE

-IMPLEMENTS A VARIETY OF SPACES AND USES FOR EVENTS

-FILTERS WATER FROM THE RIVER TO SUPPLY THE POOL

-FLOATING SO IT CAN RISE WITH THE FLUCTUATING WATER HEIGHTS

HIGH LINE PARKWAY

ARCHITECTS : JAMES CORNER, OTHERS

COMPLETED : 2009

LOCATION : NEW YORK CITY

IMPORTANT PRECEDENT ELEMENTS :

-CREATES PUBLIC SPACE IN MUNDANE OR UNDERUTILIZED CITY INFRASTRUCTURE

-DEVELOPING A SPACE THAT CAN BE USED IN A YEAR ROUND CAPACITY

-CREATES AN ARTERY FOR DEVELOPMENTS AND EVENTS TO BUILD AROUND IN THE FUTURE

-PROVIDES MULTIPLE WAYS TO ACCESS THE WALKWAY AND EXTENDS THE PEDESTRIAN REALM

1 - COAL DROP YARDS - HEATHERWICK STUDIO - MERGING EXISTING STRUCTURES TO FRAME PUBLIC SPACE

2 - TRANSITION - MAJA CZESNIK - VERTICAL WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS CAPTURING AND FILTERING WATER FROM THE RIVER - FILTRATION ELEMENTS IN DRAWING

3 - CAFE OPEN - DE ARCHITEKTEN CIE - INTEGRATING NEW STRUCTURE WITH NETHERLANDS LAST PIVOT BRIDGE. PROVIDING RIVER FRONT ACCESS

PROGRAMMATIC ELEMENTS

PROGRAM SUMMARY

A-

F -

G - PARKING

ALLOCATION OF SQFT.

TOTAL ALLOWABLE SPACE : 9.25 ACRES / 404,019 SQFT

A - 20,000 SQFT

B - 40,000 SQFT - 3,000 SQFT (500 FOR EACH KITCHEN UNIT)

D - 40,000 SQFT

E - 40,000 SQFT

F -30,000 SQFT

G - SEE PARKING REQD.

FUTURE GROWTH

PROGRAMMATIC ELEMENTS QUALITATIVE BREAKDOWN

PROGRAM SUMMARY :

A - FISHING DOCKS / PIERS

-PROVIDES RIVERFRONT ACCESS FOR FISHING AND SWIMMING IN THE ALLEGHENY RIVER

-PLACE FOR BOATS AND KAYAKS TO DOCK WHEN THEY ARE VISITING THE GATEWAY -FLOATING SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS -HOST NATIVE WETLAND VEGETATION

B - SLEDDING / TUBING AREA

-SLOPED INCLINE THAT HOSTS NATIVE VEGETATION IN THE SUMMER MONTHS

-LARGE ENOUGH TO HOST MULTIPLE SLEDDING RUNS AND SLOPES -HOSTS WALKING TRAILS IN THE SUMMER MONTHS -STAIRS OR INTEGRATED TREADS IN THE INCLINE TO ALLOW USERS TO WALK BACK UP THE HILL

C - OUTDOOR VENDOR KITCHENS

-A “POP-UP” KITCHEN THAT MEETS COMMERCIAL COOKING SPACE REQUIREMENTS

-DAY USE OR SHORT TERM RENTAL FOR LOCAL VENDORS, RESTAURANTS, OR ASPIRING CHEFS

-NIGHT LIGHTING TO PROMOTE DAY ROUND USE -VISUALLY ACCESSIBLE TO PUBLIC EYE TO ACT AS A DEMONSTRATION OR PERFORMANCE OF FOOD PREPARATION

D - OUTDOOR DINING / GATHERING SPACE

-DINING SPACE AROUND AND ADJACENT TO KITCHEN SPACE

-LARGE TABLES TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY GATHERING -FIRE PITS OR TABLES WITH SEATING TO BE USED AS FLEX SPACE

-GATHERING SPACE ALONG WALKING TRAILS AND FACING NORTH FOR FIREWORK VIEWING

E - WALKING TRAILS

-WALKING TRAILS CONNECTING THE ARMSTRONG TRAIL TO A NEW WEST BANK TRAIL -TRAILS TO BE MADE OF NATURAL GRAVEL OR RECYCLED ELEMENTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE

F - WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEMS / SUPPORT SYSTEMS

-WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM TO CAPTURE RUNOFF FROM THE BRIDGE AND FILTER IT BEFORE REACHING THE RIVER

-PURIFICATION SYSTEM TO BE FULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE INTERVENTION STRUCTURE -PROVIDES GLIMPSES AND MOMENTS OF REVEAL TO THE PURIFICATION PROCESS OCCURRING

G - PARKING

-SURFACE LOT SPLIT ON BOTH BANKS OF THE RIVER -SHOULD INCLUDE NATIVE VEGETATION AND SHADE STRUCTURES IN MEDIANS -AREAS FOR BIKE PARKING

PROGRAMMATIC ELEMENTS IN SECTION

TO FORD CITYTO WEST BANK