Pleasant Ridge Master Plan by Katie Poppel

Pleasant Ridge Master Plan March 2012

College of Design, Art, Architecture, & Planning School of Planning 5470 Aronoff Center Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0016 Professor Mahyar Arefi

This document was carefully crafted by the following urban planning students at the University of Cincinnati, Winter of 2012:

Andrew Benoit Andrew Boughan Shelby Buckingham Nick Charles Cathleen Consilio Maria Dienger Tram Enyeart Winfield Harris Jake Henderson Ryan Homsi Kyle Kerns Ashley Keith Yilin Li Haoyu Li Justin Lightfield

Yuchen Ma Stefan Molinaro Megan Moore Bert Perkins IV Raleigh Pierson Katie Poppel Emad Rashidi Scott Reynolds James Rosen Brandon Sehlhorst Yue Yan Blake Young Teaching Assistant Lila Rasoulian

Mission Statement The mission of this document is to propose three unique master plan alternatives for the neighborhood of Pleasant Ridge, Cincinnati, Ohio. These three visions address the issues pertaining to land use, transportation, and the connectivity to other communities. More specifically, the areas of focus are as follows: • Arts District • Triangle • Pleasant Ridge Golf Course • Hilton Davis • Pleasant Ridge Community Center • Open Space • The Parkview Complex • Pleasant Ridge Schools • Infill By examining thee above areas of focus, three master plan alternatives were created to enhance the community of Pleasant Ridge into a safer, more connected, and well developed neighborhood district.

Introduction Pleasant Ridge is a diverse neighborhood of a little over 30,000 residents spread over 6.37 square miles. Ridge Ave and Montgomery Rd form the main intersection of the neighborhood and central business district. It is only minutes away from I-71, !-75, Norwood Lateral and Cross County Highway, a short, convenient drive from Blue Ash, Hyde Park, Oakley and Amberly Village.

According to their website, the Pleasant Ridge business district is now recognized as a Community Entertainment District by the City of Cincinnati and the State of Ohio. It received a “very walkable” 80 out of 100 by the reputable WalkScore.com. However, the intersection of Ridge and Montgomery Roads see an estimated 45,000 cars pass through it every day, creating substantial traffic congestion during rush hours

(PleasantRidge.org). In terms of entertainment, Pleasant Ridge community members enjoy a handful of eclectic restaurants, serving African, Vegan, and American Fare. There are many wellknown establishments like Molly Malone’s, Everybody’s Records, Pleasant Perk, and Queen City Comic and Card Co. A collaborative arts effort with Kennedy Heights, known as District A, provides a new Arts and Entertainment District (PleasantRidge.org). Pleasant Ridge enjoys its well valued public amenities, including great schools like Nativity School, Pleasant Ridge Montessori, and TCP World Academy in its neighborhood business district. Additional public facilities are the Pleasant Ridge Recreation Center and Public Library. Both of these appreciated

amenities offer year round activities for all ages such as quilting, pottery, ceramics, karate, volleyball, various after school programs, and accommodating meeting spaces (PleasantRidge.org). This Pleasant Ridge Master Plan collaborative project between a studio from the University of Cincinnati’s School of Planning and Pleasant Ridge neighborhood from Cincinnati. The plan itself will guide future development of the neighborhood seeking to build on existing opportunities and amenities and preventing current problems and weaknesses. The studio focused on some of issues facing Pleasant Ridge. We looked at the problems through 3 different lenses: 1. 2.

Land Use Transportation and Traffic

3. Connectivity These three topics address the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problems in different ways: 1.

The way a community uses its land affect its efficiency and effectiveness at mitigating problems. For example, by mixing an array of businesses, parks, institutions, and residential, the community can reduce unnecessary trips a resident has to make. Also, creating a larger mix of land uses creates a community that serves a more diverse group of residents. 2. Transportation that is allows for easy travel throughout the community is vital to a thriving community. Pleasant Ridge currently has acute traffic problems during the rush hours, as well as, insufficient, hard to find

parking along its main roadways. Therefore, road widths and parking, street hierarchy and street conditions, key traffic generators like schools and businesses, signage, and even sidewalks need to be thoroughly examined. 3. Connectivity appears to be a recurring theme in debates about the planning problems in Pleasant Ridge. Great potential for exploring connectivity between Pleasant Ridge and its surrounding communities. For example, Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights are adjacent to each other and could create an Arts District, which capitalizes and celebrates the concentration of their local art assets. Other potentials for connectivity between Pleasant Ridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighbors may include specialized schools, places for recreation and leisure, and remediation of shared brownfield sites.

The studio addressed these problems in 3 phases. 1. In phase 1, 3 large groups of 9 created a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) after physically walking around the community and talking to residents and business owners. Each group presented each of these analyses in an open Community Forum, where residents provided feedback and answered questions about Pleasant Ridge under each lens. From the community forum, each group identified feasible projects relevant to their individual theme and 9 project were created. 2. In phase 2, the 3 groups dissolved into 9 groups of 3, each working on one of the 9 projects created in phase 1. These projects were picked by the professor and a Pleasant Ridge Community member and assigned to the 9 student groups. Each group then came up with individual master plans, to guide development for their project. Land use, transportation and traffic, and connectivity were all taken into account when creating the projects. The students presented their 9 to another open public forum at the Pleasant Ridge Library. 3. In phase 3, the original groups of 9 regrouped and created detailed master plans pulling from all 9 individual projects. The every group revised their individual projects to incorporate all feedback from the community, creating the final product you are reading now.

Table of Contents Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats Analysis Land Use Transportation Connectivity

1st Community Meeting Precedent Solutions

Land Use Transportation Connectivity

Areas of Focus Arts District Triangle

10 12 14

20 22 24

March 2012 Pleasant Ridge Golf Course Hilton-Davis Pleasant Ridge Community Center Open Space The Parkview Complex Plesant Ridge Schools Infill

34 38 40 44 48 50 56

2nd Community Meeting Master Plan Alternatives

Conclusion

Vision A Vision B Vision C

60 62 64

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Strengths

- ‘Block Watch’ - People: community activism - Diversity range: age, belief, ethnicity, etc. - Mix of business along Montgomery & Ridge intersection a. Expand out b. Core area c. Local retail and commercial businesses - Connectivity to Amberly Village: expand business district - Bridge gaps: support of community events regardless of who may ‘belong’ and who is putting on event - Residential, triangle, & more/; all around support, involvement, and community involvement vs. isolations - Golf Manor helps attract people - Pleasant Ridge Montessori brought in more families a. every child guaranteed a spot - Residents willing to walk, yet businesses want parking a. May bring externalities in - Gaslight district - Strong vision of artist - Pleasant Ridge Community Center

Weaknesss

- Disassocaition between older buildings/ locals and new “chain” buildings - Disconnect from Monessori to triangle and down towards almost Norwood - Lack of community gathering areas - Pleasant Ridge Montessori School decline with relocation a. Transition process a little rough - Empty storefronts (movie theater) a. Some due to landlord issues b. Not as apparent now - Not enough public parking (necessary for business district, not really for specialty shops) - Poor signage on current parking areas - Hilton-Davis: poor clean-up of environmental pollution a. Scares new possible community members b. Poor rentention caused environmental issues c. Perception vs. reality d. Contamination issues since 1970s - Business district: no grocery store - Triangle of land (Montgomery, Woodford, Ridge) - Fire station disconnect - Location of schools a. Movement required? - One story buildings - Pass through community - Lack of minority involvement - Vacancy rates

Opportunities

- Variety of specialty shops a. add multi-purpose for multi-functional day errands - Family friendly businesses - Lighting in parks (user friendly after dark) - Capitalizing park acreage - Regulating signage - Facade improvements - Form-based codes - Triangle could be center if used correctly a. Used to have events b. Recent improvements on UDF - Neighborhood identities - Cultural/historic trail - Community could support entertainment district a. Entertainment district: 25 acres at least b. Small slice from golf course - Grocery store - Community parking addition showed immense help and use - Kennedy Heights and Amberly Village connection - More green space - Walkability - Pleasant Ridge gateways/ identification - So many schools - Railroad: light rail use? - Community of arts - Install mixed use - Centralized public space - Vacancy across Montessori School - Downtown revitalization

Threats

- Safety a. Parks after dark b. Past shooting caused housing value to drop c. Under utilization of spaces leads to sketchy areas - Economic hardships on central business district a. High vacancy rates b. A lot of spaces stuck waiting on banks - Citizens see no need for change - Redevelopment sites - Panhandling

Land Use Pleasant Ridge Land Use Map

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

1. Lots of traffic; helps businesses and city growth 2. Easy access to I-71 and I-75, Norwood lateral and Ronald Reagan 3. Lots of Walking with many sidewalks 4. Wide crosswalks for pedestrians 5. 70% of kids walk to school 6. Green space- the Recreation Center, the County Club, the WWII Memorial, and the Cemetery 7. Get the ADT- average daily traffic 8. Good Bus Service, Metro

1. Not enough Surface parking 2. Signage, not being able to see streets names a. No signage for surface parking, people don’t know where to park 3. People cutting through streets to bypass the Ridge Rd intersection 4. Congestion a. during school hours, lots of school bus traffic b. two schools and church along Ridge Rd create lots of traffic 5. Several streets with no left turns: Montgomery to Ridge, the triangle 6. Ridge Road a. Two lanes going one way and one lane going the other way b. No left turn onto Montgomery Rd; awkward intersection between Montgomery and Ridge Rd c. Some left turn lights only work during rush hour 7. Semi-Trucks have trouble making the awkward turns 8. Speed a. Speed limit on roads around 25 to 35, but most drivers drive 45 to 50. 35 is too slow of a speed limit for a 4 lane road. 9. Lack of good traffic lights; few traffic lights have turning signals or two turning lanes 10. Lack of police presence; no traffic cops during school hours to slow down traffic 11. Ridge road(4 lanes) crosses railroad, causing traffic stops 12. Parents j-walk with their kids when schools starts and ends. Parents can’t find parking close to school 13. Golf course lack of public participation and interest in the community

1. New Design for the big triangle intersection of Montgomery, Ridge, and Woodford 2. New Design for better highway accessibility 3. Overall increase the walkability of the area a. increase the number of crosswalks and speed bumps/humps to slow traffic down around school zones 4. New pick up/drop off area for schools a. So the buses don’t have to pick up kids along the street which cause congestion 5. Design new bike lanes all the way up to Kennedy Heights to make the area more bike friendly a. encourages a more active and healthier community 6. Schools need to be more accessible which can make traffic safer 7. Orien Parking Lot, potential to use for school parking and parent drop. Orien Parking lot owned by the community

Threats 1. Parking requirements for all the businesses along Montgomery and Ridge Rd limit are ability to redesign the area to meet our goals 2. Current businesses should not be moved a. They are essential to the cities overall growth and identity; another limiting factor to design 3. School Zones 4. Crime 5. Metro bus stops close to major intersections 6. Two bus routes on Lester Rd 7. Too many bus routes go through the business triangle a. adding to congestion and safety problems; kids being dropped off and picked up all very busy streets

Transportation

Pleasant Ridge Transportation Analysis Map

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Strengths

Weaknesses

• The neighborhood business district street infrastructure of sidewalks and building setbacks allow for ease of physical connectivity/walk-ability between businesses and institutions • Ample on street parking in the business district • There are numerous small-businesses • An incredible housing stock • Active community members • The renovation of the community pool will be an integral part in improving activity in the community • There has been a major emphasis on the arts (Montgomery mural, District A, etc.) • There are numerous prestigious schools within Pleasant Ridge • Public safety involvement

Nativity of Our Lord

• The absence of a major grocery store reduces community interaction • Home Ownership, like many areas since 2007, has been on a decline and an increase in renters have made a disconnection between the pedestrian • Lack of handicap accessibility to institutions and businesses • Improving the business district streetscape will increase the attractiveness of the area • Inexistent use of alternate modes of transportation(bicycle lanes, bus stops) • There is no distinct community identity (signage, uniformity) that has made Pleasant Ridge a “pass through” community • There is a under utilization of the park system

Parent walking child home from school.

Opportunities

• Increase the interaction of art events • Increase connectivity amongst the learning institutions • Increase the collaboration and unity between the small-businesses • Provide alternate modes of transportation • Increase the marketing of businesses and events • Establish a connectivity between Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights • Establish a distinct boundary for Pleasant Ridge, something lets you know your in Pleasant Ridge • Increase the night life

Threats

• A major threat are brownfields • There is a lack of stern “Third Places” • The loss of residency and home ownership • The connection between the surrounding communities are only through major roads • The blockade of equal opportunities for education threaten the diversity of the community • The loss of major industries threatens economic development

Intersection of Woodford Road and Ridge Avenue.

Connectivity Strengths

Opportunities

Weaknesses

Threats

A Meeting with the Community of P l e a s a n t R i d g e After visiting Pleasant Ridge several times to observe how the community functions (i.e, individuals walking around, traffic issues, amenities like parks and recreational spaces, the use of the newly refurbished community library, etcâ&#x20AC;Ś) we scheduled a brainstorming session with the community so we could receive feedback from community members about the early analysis stages of the project. At this point, the class was divided into three groups, each of which was tasked with focusing on a specific community issue: land use policies, transportation, and connectivity. Prior to the meeting, each group conducted an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) they saw in the category they were assigned. The meeting was held at one of Pleasant Ridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many amenities, the PR recreation center, located just south of the Triangle area in the business district. Several concerned individuals from the community attended the meeting to

provide their input to each of the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s analysis. The backgrounds of the individuals who participated varied greatly: some were parents of children who attended to schools in Pleasant Ridge, a few were focused on the real estate aspect of the community, others were members of the community council or they participated in groups related to economic development within the community. The list goes on, but each individual who participated in this meeting provided immense assistance to each group by helping to steer the projects in a direction that would benefit the greatest number of people while also pointing out other important issue-areas in the community that each group may have missed in their initial analysis. The land use group found that many citizens were concerned about the use of the Triangle, and about how this area is a unique feature of the community that should be better leveraged. Another major issue this group heard about was the lack of cohesiveness in some areas of the business district

due to store-front vacancies andbanking issues related to the foreclosure crisis. The transportation group heard many comments about the traffic congestion issues along the major arterial roads of the community, especially near the triangle area. Comments also focused on changing the signage around these busy intersections to allow for a more smooth flow of traffic. Another issue that all groups heard about was the lack of parking for visitors who may be interested in bringing more commerce into the community. The construction of gateways at the entrances of Pleasant Ridge was also discussed. The connectivity group found that many citizens wanted a wider variety of entertainment options for their families, such as a movie theater, better parkland, and a more affordable grocery store. By working along these fronts, Pleasant Ridge would be in a better place to compete with Norwood and Kenwood with regards to shopping and entertainment.

Ja nuary 18, 2 012

Another important area for future development with regards to connectivity involves the installation of bike lanes where doing so is possible. All of the concerns voiced by the community members were integrated into the initial observations. From these new insights and observations, the class was split into smaller groups, with each group being tasked to deal with a more focused issue area, such as open space redevelopment, infill development, work with the Hilton-Davis site, and more. The communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in this step helped move the project forward to the next step.

Precedents: L a n d U s e Solutions Aesthetic Appeal & Community Integration Cultural Trail

Not ideal sidewalk conditions for a community who walks often. Pleasant Ridge lacks the “destination” feel and something to prideful about in the town. Improvements to the sidewalk throughout Pleasant Ridge will improve walkability. A cultural trail will give Pleasant Ridge a “destination” feel. Residents can feel pride in the trail by displaying their history and strong sense of community. Pocket Parks Pocket Parks are parks within residential areas that are accessible to the general public, frequently created on vacant lots or irregular pieces of land. Pocket parks can be put on public and private land. They provide greener, a place to sit outdoors, and also a children’s playground. Pleasant Ridge residents have mentioned that they would like more area’s to go, take their dog or kids, and enjoy the outdoors. Pocket parks are a great asset to any community that gives a nice aesthetic to an area and creates a place for people to go and relax. Our project will be to find areas throughout Pleasant Ridge and turn them into nice areas where families, couples, and singles can sit and enjoy the outdoors and gather together. They will provide children with a place to go near home to enjoy outdoor activities as well as creating a better looking community. Filling up the empty lots with parks, fountains, and benches makes neighborhoods more

attractive and invinting. Gateways Pleasant Ridge would benefit from creating noticeable gateways at certain locations that serve as key entryways into the community. Gateways are usually placed on the busiest streets and serve as a welcoming mat into the community. Gateways also help visitors have a sense of place and help them realize that they are in Pleasant Ridge as opposed to other communities. Being in a region where there are more than 55 local municipalities, Pleasant Ridge would benefit from gateways because it would make this community distinct from the others. These gateways are usually made out of stone or brick with the saying “Welcome to.” Flowers, trees, and shrubs help make a vibrant welcoming mat into the community with decorative lighting and landscaping. Gateways require little to no upkeep, which makes this a viable option considering the economic situation of Pleasant Ridge. A proposal to incorporate a pedestrian bridge with a gateway over Ridge Avenue has surfaced due to the safety concern of students. Children from T.C.P. World Academy and Nativity Elementary School walk across Ridge Ave. in order to go to the Pleasant Ridge Community Center for afterschool programming. A pedestrian bridge would ensure safe access for students across Ridge and would be a welcoming archway into the community. Other possibilities exist for potential gateways on the other side of Ridge and Montgomery.

Signage Signs define a community. Gateways into the community mark when you’ve entered an area or when you are leaving. They also designate public use facilities such as parking, and social activity venues for eating and entertainment. Pleasant currently lacks way finding signs. While there are public use parking lots it is very difficult to find them while driving along Ridge or Montgomery. The lack of cohesive signage takes away from the identification of Pleasant Ridge. Although signage is only a small part of the community, according to noted planner Kevin Lynch, signs are indirect influences over an area. When you implement effective signage it will allow motorists throughout the community and surrounding areas a better chance at finding the places they want to visit as well as public parking. Pleasant Ridge is a gaslight community; it has old gas lamps that were originally used as street lights. By incorporating signage that would match the aesthetics of the gas lamps it keeping the classic town feel and would create a universal look throughout the area.

Corner Market Pleasant Ridge is missing a crucial amenity common in most communities, a grocery store. Up until 2000, an IGA grocery store resided on Montgomery Rd, nearly in the heart of Pleasant Ridge, but was closed down when the owners purchased another IGA in Germantown, OH. Pleasant Ridge residents are now travelling to other neighborhoods of Cincinnati in order to do their grocery shopping leaving a large

demand for some sort of food store to move into the Pleasant Ridge area. Pleasant Ridge does not have the space or the means for a full size grocery store such as Kroger, but would benefit greatly from a corner store type of market. A corner market integrates community gathering and shopping without bringing in mega corporation stores. Our project would include either filling a vacancy or building something new, and possibly creating an outdoor facility similar to that of Findlay Market.

Reconstruction & Structual Improvements

Interconnected Infill A mixture of buildings with unused, paved open space between them. No connection between the business district and the Montessori school. Redevelopment of street front, mixed-use building from intersection of Losantiville Avenue and Montgomery Road to Montessori school. Along with open space that is child and family friendly across Montgomery Road. This will be a continuation of the Entertainment District, with residential units above ground-floor retail/office/ restaurants. This will bridge the gap between the school and

Entertainment District, as well as give the children a friendly, inviting space across Montgomery Road. Our project will not include tearing down the buildings and redesigning the area, but instead using landscaping, benches,

Precedents: L a n d U s e Solutions statues, and even some fountains in order to draw attention and create a space people will want to spend time. Community Center Park Revamp It is a concern among local residents that there is not enough public gathering places or green areas to relax. Many of the businesses hold festivals and concerts in parking lots. The community center is the jewel of Pleasant Ridge and is located just steps away from the current business and entertainment district. It has a playground, pool and tennis courts all surround this little piece of green space. Connecting the entertainment district with the community center is key for revitalization. Ideas like a bandstand with tiered seating that creates an amphitheater like setting has been proposed. The creation of a pedestrian bridge and construction of a cultural trail that passes through the community center would effectively and safely connect the community center with other parts and neighborhoods of Pleasant Ridge. The development of a more teenager friendly environment at the community park would also help reduce crime in the community. A well lit, well designed, and

extensively outline policy plan for the community center will ensure and further the success of the community center for generations to come. Bike Path Making use of the land that is currently under used, a bike path is plausible along the railway. Bicycles are becoming more in use and it creates a great activity for the community and the communities around Pleasant Ridge. For Pleasant Ridge, possible staring/ending points can be located at Woodford Park. Presently the area along the railroad is vegetated area, but the vegetation doesn’t go right against the tracks leaving room for a small path along the railroad. The path can be used by neighboring communities and Pleasant Ridge for personal exercise or it could also provide a community based activity such as a community walk or bike ride. The plan would require a small paved path shared by walkers/ runners and bikers. Lanes would separate the pedestrians from the bicycles. This would require one small bridge that would cross over the railroad or a regular pedestrian intersection at the railroad and three small crosswalks located at road intersections. An example of this is the Blackstone River Bikeway that extends mostly along a railroad and extends from Massachusetts to Rhode Island’s bays. The trail is a small paved area surrounded by trees, parks, rivers, behind commercial buildings and goes along some commercially used railroads. Burger King Relocation & Facade Change At the present, the location of the Burger King and surrounding areas are causing problems both in terms of aesthetics and utilization. Aesthetically, the Burger King stands out due to it’s not matching the architectural themes of other businesses on Montgomery Road. This creates a lack if cohesion when speaking of the business’s facades along Montgomery. Also, the Burger King is set far away from the curb taking up more space than is needed. This space could otherwise be used as parking for current and future businesses alike. In terms of aesthetics, the Burger King could be redesigned to architecturally fit in with the community. There are now deigns that incorporate more rustic elements such as stone

and brick that would better suit an older community such as Pleasant Ridge. Also, by moving Burger King further towards the curb, this would not only create a more cohesive look with other businesses on Montgomery (such as Everybody’s) but it would also allow for there to be discrete parking in the back. This provides the residents the parking they want, while also avoiding cumbersome parking lots that could potentially become eyesores. Using Oakley as a template, the photos below exemplify how a business district can look good, while also provide necessary aspects such as gathering space and public parking. Traiangle Update The area

within Ridge, Montgomery, and Woodford, could become a focal center point for the neighborhood of Pleasant Ridge with an upgrade in landscape, design, and aesthetics. Letting people know where they are. The problem with having a place that is not pedestrian friendly and visually unappealing leaves the area obsolete because people do not want to go there. Right now the triangle has great businesses on it, including Mullaney’s Pharmacy, UDF, and Larosa’s’. Unfortunately people drive to the business, go in the store, complete their transaction, get back in their car, and drive away. If the area was more aesthetically pleasing people would want to stay there and possibly spend their money in the other businesses in the area. Our project will not include tearing down the buildings and redesigning the area, but instead using landscaping, benches, statues, and even some fountains in order to draw attention and create a space people will want to spend time.

impediment to its revitalization is a lack of parking spots to support customers with cars. Thus, this project seeks to create sufficient parking to support the current and future business and of the neighborhood business district. Due to the land locked nature of the NBD, creative and innovative parking solutions will be used to create the necessary parking requirements. Possible parking solutions may include using land of vacant buildings as parking lots and incorporating parking around the “triangle.” One specific location that could be a converted into public parking is the Burger King lot. This Burger King is a very outof-place, eye sore in the community. Being surrounded by local, street-front businesses we could relocate BK and move the building to the street. We could then convert the lot behind the building to public parking. This lot is ideal for parking because it is right in the heart of the business district, less than a minute walk to the restaurants and shops of the Ridge Ave and Montgomery Rd intersection. This is just one example of a creative parking solution.

Creative Parking Solutions Residents of Pleasant Ridge would like to see the revitalization of the neighborhood business district. However, one major

Precedents: T r a n s p o r t a t i o n Solutions Walkability

activities falls by 10%.

How to be walkable?

Signage

A center: Walkable neighborhoods have a center, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a main street or a public space. People: Enough people for businesses to flourish and for public transit to run frequently. Mixed income, mixed use: Affordable housing located near businesses. Parks and public space: Plenty of public places to gather and play. Pedestrian design: Buildings are close to the street, parking lots are relegated to the back. Schools and workplaces: Close enough that most residents can walk from their homes. Complete streets: Streets designed for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit.

Adjustments: intersection signs, turn signals, parking signals, time limited signals

Walkable Communities Walkability offers surprising benefits to our health, the environment, our finances, and our communities. Health: The average resident of a walkable neighborhood weighs 6-10 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood. Cities with good public transit and access to amenities promote happiness. Environment: 82% of CO2 emissions are from burning fossil fuels.Your feet are zero-pollution transportation machines.Finances: Cars are the second largest household expense in the U.S. One point of Walk Score is worth up to $3,000 of value for your property. Communities: Studies show that for every 10 minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, time spent in community

Accessability The Need for Speed “Especially in the logistics world, having to deal with congestion means that trucks are sitting on the road or going slow on the road instead of going down the road at 55 miles per hour,” says Tim Feemster, senior vice president and director of Global Logistics at Grubb & Ellis in Dallas. For many firms, extra time on the roads is a direct hit to the bottom line. Trucks use fuel more efficiently when they are traveling at 60 miles an hour, compared to sitting at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic congestion. In addition, because of limits on the hours of service for drivers, the slower the traffic, the fewer miles a driver can go in any given day. “Obviously, that costs dollars if you extend transit time beyond a single day into two days or two hours into four hours. It limits the amount of work a driver can do after that particular load gets delivered,” adds Feemster.

show that wellmanaged arterials are often 40 to 50 percent safer than poorly managed routes.

Triangle

Adjustments: 1. One-way traffic around the triangle 2. Use triangle as roundabout, but also facilitating lane changes 3. Controlled entry traingle during rush hours

Adjustments: 1. Two-way traffic going aroung triangle 2. Reduce size of triangle 3. Add new turning lanes

Access Management Managing access on your road can result in better traffic flow, fewer crashes, and a better shopping experience for you and your neighboring businesses. Consider the effects of adding more access points to a highway. A national study in the late 1990s looked at nearly 40,000 crashes and data from previous studies to determine the crash rate associated with adding access points to major roads. It found that an increase from 10 to 20 access points per mile on major arterial roads increases the crash rate by about 30%. The crash rate continues to rise as more access is permitted. This is why studies consistently

Precedents: C o n n e c t i v i t y Solutions Introduction When you speak of “connectivity” in a neighborhood you have to understand the two aspects that are derived out of connectivity. These two aspects are the physical and social aspects. After our S.W.O.T analysis and the communityengaged charette, we understood that these aspects are essential to coalesce. In order to provide Pleasant Ridge and its surrounding communities with it’s most concerned needs and wants, we deemed it necessary to separate the area into five zones that identified the connectivity issues in each zone. We understood that capitalizing on the existing areas of connectivity were essential to our success. This allowed us to see more clearly, thus allowing us to establish projects in all five areas. Zone A It is necessary to improve visual connectivity, reduce brownfields, and improve curb appeal.

Zone B It is pertinent to improve Losantiville Country Club’s involvement in the community and curb appeal. Zone C The central business district is the largest concern of the team and community of Pleasant Ridge. It is important to improve the connection between the north and south business districts, improve shopping areas (i.e. office supplies, art supplies, ice cream shops, etc,) and improve nightlife and streetscaping. The schools of Pleasant Ridge and the area know as the “triangle” are also of concern to the resdents of Pleasant Ridge. The Pleasant Ridge Community Center will play a tremendous part in imporving the physical and social connectivity in Pleasant Ridge. Zone D Improving the curb appeal, the physical connection between walkability and other modes of transportation between Zone C

& E. It is important for Pleasant Ridge to capitalize on the open space in the areas surrounding the train tracks. Zone E Pleasant Ridge must imporve the awareness of parks and incorporate social and physical activity between nodes and areas of pedestrian traffic. Pleasant Ridge must also make the new Cincinnati Art Museum easily accessible and create a ‘focus center’ between Zone C.

Connectivity Map

E C

Areas of Focus 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Arts District Triangle Pleasant Ridge Golf Course Hilton-Davis Pleasant Ridge Community Center Open Space The Parkview Complex Pleasant Ridge Schools Infill

1. A r t s D i s t r i c t: Pleasant Ridge Arts District

Our main focus was to create a socially connected arts

district that exemplifies the creativity of the Pleasant Ridge arts community. Our design team turned this parking lot dominated triangle into a mixed-use plaza full of residential and commercial opportunities. In phase two we replace the current parking out in front of the community mural into an outdoor plaza. This outdoor plaza would serve as an eating area for a new restaurant and show off the current mural.

Our design includes a fresh market extension of the

current UDF, a historical staple in the community. Our design proposes a mixed-use apartment complex at the western corner of the triangle. This project redefines the arts district into a green urban oasis by adding a median, centralized park, and the planting of several trees along the sidewalk. The new medium serves as a tree canopy and slows down traffic as visitors enter the arts corridor.

Our design includes a new arts center for Pleasant

Ridge that welcomes visitors as they enter the business corridor of the community. The Pleasant Ridge Arts Center exemplifies creativity and innovation with two-story, curved glass windows and a green plaza open to the street. The first floor would be completely accessible from the street and serve as a green plaza for the creative community. The two top floors would be have an innovative look with a fully glass facade but maintain a level of cohesiveness with brick accents to blend in with the existing urban fabric.

The new proposed urban layout of the triangle encloses

a well-lit green space that will serve as a centralized area of connectivity and social interraction.

Master Plan

Phase 1

Phase 1 shows the exisiting design of the Pleasant Ridge business triangle and surrouding area. Currently the triangle has a United Dairy Farmers, a local pharmacy, and PNC bank.

Phase 2

Phase 2 shows our propsed revitalization of the Pleasant Ridge business triangle and surrounding area. We propose to knock down the current PNC bank and relocate it to make way for a new mixed use apartment complex. We also propose to knock down the dilapidated building across the street to make room for a new Pleasant Ridge Arts Center and parking lot

Phase 3

Phase 3 shows our final rennovations of the Pleasant Ridge business triangle. We propose a new mixed use complex with commercial on the botton floor and residential on the second/ third floor. We also propsed a new curved arts center that opens up into a green plaza across the street from the triangle. The UDF, a centralized hub of activity in Pleasant Ridge remains, but with a new fresh market addition.

1. A r t s D i s t r i c t: Kennedy Heights Arts District Master Plan Our main focus was to create a socially connected arts district for the community of Kennedy Heights that exemplifies the creativity of the art community. Our plan is centralized around two water features that add to the theme of a welldefined arts district. Phase 2 highlights the buildings that will be demolished that include: a beverage drive-through, dollar store, and a vacant building. Phase 3 shows the sustainable design and development that our design focuses on. We want to create a walkable, family-friendly area. Two mixed-use buildings are designed with retail, restaurants, studio, and gallery space on the bottom floor. The second and third floors contain apartments for residence and artists. The parking is concealed from street view behind the mixed-use buildings. Our plan proposes more parking options for the Kennedy Heights Art Center and a new addition to the mixed-use retail/studio complex on the east side of our plan. The new medium serves as a tree canopy for aesthetic purposes. It also slows down traffic as visitors enter the arts corridor. The median will be 6 feet wide with two lanes of moving traffic on each side, removing all on street parking. This will prevent cars from side swiping one another and will prevent traffic and street congestion. Each lane will be 11 feet wide, which will be ample enough size for cars, and the sidewalk will be 6 feet wide to allow plenty of pedestrian traffic to move around the Kennedy Heights Arts District. Behind the current Kennedy Heights Arts building, is a proposed park with a pond, community garden, various flowers and trees, and fountains. This will be a spot for both community gathering and activities to take place.

Phase 1

Phase 1 shows the exisiting design of the Kennedy Heights arts district and the surrouding area. Currently located in the arts district is a drive-through, vacant building, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, dollar store, and studio space.

Phase 2

Phase 2 shows our plans to the exisiting design of the Kennedy Heights arts district and the surrouding area. Currently located in the arts district is a drive-through, vacant building, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, dollar store, and studio space.

Phase 3

Phase 3 shows the sustainable design and development that our design focuses on. We want to create a walkable, familyfriendly area. Two mixed-use buildings are designed with retail, restaurants, studio, and gallery space on the bottom floor. Our plan proposes more parking options for the Kennedy Heights Art Center and a new addition to the mixed-use retail/studio complex on the east side of our plan.

1. A r t s D i s t r i c t: Design

Our task was to create an arts district for the neighbor-

Street Section

hood of Pleasant Ridge. When we took more time to explore the area, we realized that there are two arts district-type hubs: the Pleasant Ridge Community Center and the newly renovated Kennedy Heights Arts Center. These two major arts hubs are connected by the longer stretch of Montgomery Road.

The road has six total lanes, two for moving traffic along

both sides and one lane for nonmoving traffic on both sides. The parking lanes along this segment of Montgomery Road are very narrow (less than 10 feet), and during our neighborhood walkabouts we heard several reports of cars parked in those lanes being sideswiped. Not just that, but not very many citizens utilize the parking lanes along Montgomery.

Our idea in a nutshell is to eliminate both parking lanes

along Montgomery Road and to widen the lanes for moving traffic a bit. Currently, the lanes are about 10 feet wide, with our plan the moving lanes would be increased to 11 feet wide making travel at moderate speeds more comfortable. The space leftover from the old parking lanes (about six feet after you take away 2 feet for widening the moving lanes) would be turned into a solid median.

The median would have trees planted every five to ten

feet and would add to the overall aesthetic value of the area. The median would also be designed in such a way that any side street approaching Montgomery would still have the opportunity to turn left or right. The landscaping in the two hubs (pleasant Ridge Arts and Kennedy Heights Arts) would be very similar to the landscaping throughout the median, creating a more solid flow between the two communities and joining the two arts districts as one through aesthetic similarities.

Concept Map

2. T h e T r i a n g l e The Pleasant Ridge Triangle Site Plan 2012 is developed to adjust the connectivity, land use and transportation issues in the buisiness triangle area. The plan is aiming at improving the image of the business triangle to make it a more appealing destination in the area. First of all, in order to solve the left turn issue from Ridge Road to Montgomery Road, a right turn lane wil added on Ridge Road starting from half block away from the intersection allowing cars to turn right. Then the left existing lane will be used as left turn lanes onto Montgomey Road. Also, another right turn land will be added on Montgomery Road cutting through the triangle onto Ridge Road. Therefore, the traffic cogestion on Woodford Road will be released. Second of all, the plan is proposing mixed-use development in the triangle area including commercial, parking, office and housing uses. Almost all the existing opened businesses will be kept and addition retail spaces will be built in the area. Last but not the least, the plan developed four strategies: have more parking spaces by adding a mixed-use parking garage replacing a parking lot, increase the walkability of the triangle area by inserting walking paths and reduce the parking space in the triangle by adding more green open spaces for outdoor public event uses.

Master Plan

1.Demolished building with green roof 2.Mixed-use building 3.Mixed-use building with green roof 4.water feature 5.Sitting area 6.Wooden ground cover for people to sit during winter time 7.Big shopping mall 8.Rise-uped building 9.New right-turn lane 10.Parking garage with green roof 11.Vegetation 12.Green Space 13.New right-turn lane

Phase 1 This phase is supposed to done within 10 years, which intended to create pedestrian-walking pathways and greenery pavement in the triangle. We also redesigned and recreate a more convenient drive-through for PNC Bank to reduce the parking space and insert pedestrian pathway in the triangle. In order to make the central park more sustainable, we also increase the amount of trees and create more wooden pavement for pedestrian to use in winter.

Phase 2

Mixed-use Parking Garage

- Create more greenery pavement in the triangle to be more inviting. - Increase sitting areas and main attraction within the triangle. - Improve the building shape to be more environmentalfriendly. - Create driveway entrance into the triangle from Ridge to Woodford. - Create mixed-use buildings to increase the density of the triangle. - Energy saving through the roof windows. - Right-turn lane.

-Mixed-use parking garage structure with first floor commercial uses and upper three floors garage use. - Replace the existing parking lot. - Provide more visible parking spaces for visitors. - Create a new landmark building structure in Pleasant Ridge.

3. P l e a s a n t R i d g e G o l f C o u r s e Pleasant Ridge Golf Course Located at the city boundary of Pleasant Ridge, surrounding the Losantaville Country Club at the corner of Montgomery Rd. and Langdon Farm Rd. lies a suffering edge that is overran with wild trees, garbage, and other miscellaneous eye sores. As a result of the charrettes with the community and the input from the community representatives, this area was seen as a major concern for the neighborhood. The location is home to a seemingly out of date firehouse that still holds a lot of nostalgia and is a historical asset. The site also borders the newly built and sustainable Pleasant Ridge Montessori. The case studies (E. Gay St. Columbus, OH, Main St. Cincinnati, OH, and numerous sustainable ideas) that we studied were examples that incorporated such ideas as Photovoltaic systems, Geo-thermal systems, aluminum-grated sidewalks, and white-roofs. For the design we came to the decision that we wanted to incorporate a commercial/residential mixeduse development with a park and stores centered around

3D sketchup model: perspective views of the proposed park and mixed-use development

improving the golfing experience and unique food places and small shops, while making sure to not intrude on the property of the Losantaville Country Club. We proposed a plan that retained the deteriorating firehouse, incorporated 14 mixeduse commercial/residential lofts, 10 townhomes, a 40,000 plus Sq. ft Park with fountain and 36 parking spaces.

Case Study: Geo-thermal Systems, preparing our development for the future through sustainable solutions such as geothermal systems will improve the quality of life for future years.

3D sketchup model: perspective views of the proposed park and mixed-use development

Section View: proposed detailed rendering of Montgomery and Langdon Farm Rd. street section

Case Study: Grated Sidewalks, grated sidewalks tremendously reduce the effects of run-off

Site plan drawing: detailed aerial rendering of the proposed mixed-use residential and park development Case Study: E. Gay St. Columbus. We wanted our mixed-use development to resemble the structure that E. Gay St. does; smaller setbacks, decorative streetscape, and alternating building materials.

3. P l e a s a n t R i d g e G o l f C o u r s e

3D sketchup model: perspective views of the proposed park and mixed-use development

4. H i l t o n - D a v i s Hilton-Davis Redevelopment Project Before we started to do the development of our site, HiltonDavis, we wanted to make sure that our audience knew the location of the site. The top left image is where Pleasant Ridge is located within the city of Cincinnati. The top right image shows where Hilton-Davis is located within Pleasant Ridge. The redevelopment of Hilton-Davis has three main components or phases to the projects. In the top is an image of what the site looked like before the reconstruction. Although some of these buildings are vacant most of them are in industrial use. We wanted to make sure that we didn’t interfere with the industrials buildings that were still in use for a few reasons. One of those reasons was that we didn’t want to take industry away from Pleasant Ridge. Another reason is the complexity to shut down a running company so we wanted to stray away from that. In the bottom image is the master plan for the redevelopment. The three stages of the redevelopment included the top left section which would be developed into commercial buildings; the top center would be reformed into a gateway park, and lastly the bottom section for a mixed-use community. Hilton-Davis Business Park: Infill Project These are our plans for phase one of the redevelopment. Using the existing building stock, we envisioned the refurbishing of the abandoned buildings, with them being converted into a more practical use. With the growing need of office space within the Pleasant Ridge community, we decided it would be more suited to be office space. We wanted to give businesses an opportunity to prosper within the area, while maintaining the older fabric of the community. Along with refurbishing of the industrial buildings into commercial offices, we also created a road off of Langdon Farm Road leading to a new parking lot behind the buildings and continuing down the site for future development. We also created a wrap-around for the commercial buildings. The top image represents the plans for the business park while the second image is a threedimensional plan. For the inspiration of the Hilton-Davis Business Park we looked to other examples. The American Locomotive Company

Works, ALCO for short, was once the largest producer of trains within the United States. Once that era ended, they then envisioned a better use of all the space. They planned major investment within in their building stock to bring over five hundred condos and rental space to the area. Hilton-Davis Park: Gateway Park The second phase of our Hilton-Davis Redevelopment Project was this community gateway park located in the top center of the site. We wanted to create a park where residents can find generous outdoor space for passive recreational use and respite from the everyday grind, as well as more intimate areas to relax and converse. This new development will create a new destination as a social meeting place for the entire community offering a large field for recreation, playground, and Dog Park. This space is meant for all the citizens of Pleasant Ridge and surrounding neighborhoods. We used the University of Cincinnati Master Plan of 1995 as a reference for the design of the park. We studied their design of landscaping which had the trees follow a wave like pattern

which when passing either by car or walking, made the person feel as they are flowing with the surrounding environment. The Green: Mixed-use Development The third and last phase included a mixed-use community we dubbed “The Green” due to it large amount of green space and walkability. The Green is a sustainable mix-use community offering a large variety of retail and residential space while maintaining plenty of green space. We wanted to create and all-inclusive walking community, by which not allowing any cars within the area. With all the walkability, we wanted it to have an attraction that would draw attention to the area; so we added an amphitheater to offer a free way to spend the evening with family and friends. There is also ample parking for any incoming visitors wishing to enjoy The Green. For our inspiration for The Green we used this book showing different types of urban building design, giving examples of environmentally sustainable housing and retail buildings. The main design we followed from this book is the housing that is self-sustaining.

5. P l e a s a n t R i d g e C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r Introduction To start off our project on the Community Center and Central Business District, we as a group travelled to Pleasant Ridge in order to take stock of the conditions of the buildings throughout our project scope. While we were there we decided on 4 different areas where the buildings could be taken down without much problem and replaced with more up to date buildings that would attract better businesses and more people. The first area was the lot where Burger King is, we decided while having a fast food restaurant in the area was good for some people, it is not aesthetically pleasing and does not keep with the on street building design the community already has. The second area was we noticed having a problem was an area on Montgomery Rd. directly next to the Pleasant Ridge Montessori School. These area had 3 buildings 2 of them were vacant and one was in major disrepair. While walking around the area our group deemed it necessary to extend the business district down towards the school. Putting a small street front shopping area next to the building with kid friendly and parent friendly stores would give the area a friendlier feel and allow the kids and parents to go somewhere close during school hours or right after school had released.

businesses would benefit better by being in a commercially designed building in order to attract more business.

Land Use Existing and Proposed In order to make the changes required to fulfill our projected plan it is necessary for us to change the land use from its existing state to a new plan benefitting the community and businesses in the area and proposed. The original land use of this area consisted of mainly commercial and office spaces. With the proposed land use plan it creates commercial areas along with mixed use and green space within the triangle.

Phasing

o Existing • The community center has two baseball fields, five tennis courts, a pool, and a playground. The CBD has a

o o

bank, local pharmacy, LaRosa’s, and UDF gas station each with surface parking lots. PHASE 1 (0-5 yrs) • Buildings between Woodford Rd and Ridge Ave. • Vacant buildings next to school • Remove Burger King and make public parking • Recreation center: garden, paths and football field PHASE 2 (6-10 yrs) • Building in triangle along Woodford Rd • Replace buildings along Ridge Ave. across from triangle • Replace buildings along Ridge Ave. north of recreation center • Place building in BK lot • Rec center: tennis courts, basketball

The third area we identified as a problem area was the triangle of land between Montgomery Rd., Ridge Ave., and Woodford Rd. This area is directly in the center of the business district and the corner of two major roads that intersected in Pleasant Ridge. The area currently housed three buildings, a bank, pharmacy, and building with United Dairy Farmers, and LaRosa’s. The area is underestimated in the opportunities that could come of it. Redesigning it could create this area becoming a come to attraction for the PleaIntroductionsant Ridge area as well as creating a space for families and the rest of the community to gather on a daily basis.

The fourth area we identified as a problem area was a strip of 3 buildings adjacent to the triangle on Ridge Ave., between Woodford Rd. and Orion Ave. These three buildings are houses that were changed into a commercial land use. These

Existing Land Use in Pleasant Ridge.

Proposed Changes to the Land Use in Pleasant Ridge.

courts and pavilion

Case Study Our case study findings pulled from community park Master Plans from several neighborhoods in California and Texas. Several neighborhoods held community forums to gather citizen input. Also, one case study heavily emphasized New Urbanism and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;preferred park characterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; principles in their Master Plan design. The park master plan to the left is the Rancho Cucamonga neighborhood park plan. The initial design incorporates the most popular ideas of nearby residents. The top five features based on surveys were: playground, picnic areas, restrooms, basketball courts and barbeque areas. Other features include: spray play, trail, exercise areas.

KEY FINDINGS

- Sense of Community - Unique & Active - Separation of Uses - Noisy & Quiet Areas - Shady & Sunny Areas - Fosters Social Interaction

proposed to eliminate one of the baseball diamonds and add a field that could be used for football and soccer. In order to provide more opportunity for outdoor activities for people in the park we redesigned the tennis court area. We redesigned it keeping one tennis court and adding two basketball courts. Also in the area near the tennis and basketball courts we proposed adding a community garden where community members could come and grow crops for their households or to sell at the farmers market. Along with the proposed pool upgrades we suggested that Pleasant Ridge add a splash pad near the garden and fountain for the children to play in. We also proposed adding a pavilion where people could rent it out for parties or other gatherings and it could be there for day to day use by anyone. The park would be expanded and there would be walking paths throughout to the whole are. The last addition we made to the community center park was many benches and seating areas for people to come and spend time at the park with friends and family. The next area we focused on in our design was the triangle. The redevelopment of the triangle adds a mixed use element, aesthetics, and a new feel to the Pleasant Ridge community.

It will include restaurants, outdoor cafes, bars, and shopping. The center courtyard gives pedestrians a place to go to get away from the busy street traffic and enjoy a quiet family friendly environment. There is access to the central courtyard from all three streets creating a widely accessible, new and inviting, area for the Pleasant Ridge community members as well as people from other places. The last aspect of our plan for the Pleasant Ridge community is the infill throughout the central business district. Our major focus is here creating street lined beautiful buildings with public parking in the rear. The lot where Burger King currently exists is a sight for sore eyes not just for people passing through but also for the community members. We proposed replacing that with a commercial building with its front on the street with outdoor eating areas and public parking around the back. The next area was the 3 vacant or misused buildings next to the school, we proposed a street front building there that is commercial with public parking in the rear. The last infill area was the 3 buildings adjacent to the triangle on Ridge Ave. that would as well become a street front building designed to fit the businesses that are currently running in the homes that would be demolished, and it would also include parking in the rear.

KEY FEATURES

- Picnic Areas & BBQ Grills - Seating Areas & Walkways - Community Garden - Water Play Area - Soccer Field - Basketball Court

Proposed Plans When redesigning the park outside of the community center we wanted to make it a place where people from other communities besides Pleasant Ridge would come and use the facilities. Currently the park encompasses two baseball diamonds, 4 tennis courts, a playground and a pool. We

Proposed Triangle

5. P l e a s a n t R i d g e C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r

Existing

Proposed

Section of Ridge Avenue Looking West

Aerial Perspective of Proposed Changes to Pleasant Ridge Community Center

6. O p e n S p a c e: Parks Overview

Well developed parkland and open space that is usable by all age groups is an integral part of a well designed community. Currently, Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights contain several areas of open space and parkland, but many of these spaces are poorly connected and underutilized. The main goal of the open space portion of this plan is to improve on what the community already has.

Proposal

Existing Conditions ery m o ntg o M

Kennedy

By improving on what the community already has through the addition of new amenities to the existing parks while also connecting them in a more cohesive way, the whole community will benefit through the creation of a new â&#x20AC;&#x153;third placeâ&#x20AC;? for the community. Projects linked to open space are divided into two categories: parkland, and bike trails, lanes and sharrows. The first two pages focus on parkland while the next two focus on biking developments, including the rail-to-trail plan that runs from Ridge Avenue near the border of Norwood up to the newly developed piece of parkland that is located on the border of Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights.

Woodford Paideia Elementary School

The redevelopment of open space is divided into three phases, all of which are illustrated and explained, in detail, on the next page.

Phase III Woodford

Photographs of the existing conditions along part of the rail line and the baseball diamond at the corner of Woodford and Robinson Roads. Improving these two areas are large parts of this plan.

I e s a Ph

I I e s a Ph

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Currently, the existing park at the corner of Woodford and Robinson roads includes a baseball diamond, benches, and a swing-set. The park seems disorganized and this area could be better leveraged if more compatible uses were to be installed.

This phase involves the relocation of the existing businesses between the two park areas. This new developable land will then become more park land that will serve as a connection between the two newly redeveloped park areas from the first two phases. In addition to the parkland, two mixed-use buildings will be constructed on the eastern border of the area that can be used for a variety of uses (art studios, business incubators, housing, etcâ&#x20AC;Ś). Finally, a parking lot will be constructed across the street next to the basketball court in Woodford Park.

Due to the coming closure of the existing Woodford Paideia Elementary School, the existing Kennedy Park can be improved upon significantly.

This phase focuses on making the park at the corner of Woodford and Robinson Roads more usable for all age groups. Walking trails and fountains will make the park more usable and attractive for a variety of individuals. The baseball diamond will be relocated to the newly refurbished Kennedy Heights Park and more amenities (walking labyrinth, fountains, and seating areas) for older individuals will be installed. While this piece of new parkland would serve as an excellent visitor park, it would also double as an attractive corner green space that will be visible to the many drivers who

Rending illustrating how the common areas of phase I may appear. The common areas will include attractive vegetation, seating areas, a fountain, and a walking labyrinth.

If relocating the businesses is not an option, or doing so cannot be done quickly, the rail line that runs through this area is owned by the Southern Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) and it includes a large easement that varies between 30 and 70 feet. This area can be converted into a greenway along with a pedestrian rail-to-trail and can serve as a buffer between the parkland and the existing businesses.

Rendering showing the location of the existing tennis courts along with the new parking lot. The new parkland and proposed structures for art galleries are shown across the street.

This phase focuses on redesigning Kennedy Park by demolishing the existing soon-to-be-vacant school and adding more sporting facilities and walking trails. Two baseball diamonds, one of which will be handicapped accessible, one soccer field/ football field, and a skate park are to be added to Kennedy Park. This phase also improves on the existing walking trails that run through the creek area on the southern end of Kennedy Park by replacing the crumbling bridges and trails with newer ones. Finally, this phase also utilizes an area on the southwest corner of the area for a community garden along with a structure that can serve as a vendor market.

Rending illustrating how the various sporting facilities of phase II will appear, along with some of the walking trails and vegetation.

6. O p e n S p a c e: Bike Lanes & Sharrows Complete Streets Complete Streets are an important component of any vibrant community. They create inviting, attractive, and user-friendly urban environments that accommodate a variety of uses (biking, walking, mass transit, etc...). In the case of Pleasant Ridge, the neighborhood has been approached by the city about installing bike lanes along Ridge Road from near the border of Norwood up to the recreation center. By using this first proposal as the seed for further biking developments; the neighborhood can turn itself into a bike-friendly neighborhood just north of the highly dense city of Norwood, which will allow the Montgomery business corridor to capitalize by drawing bikers from Norwood into the neighborhood. There are three main components of this plan: designated bike lanes, sharrows, and a rail-to-trail project. If eliminating parking or moving lanes would be too difficult, sharrows can serve a similar purpose as designated bike lanes without businesses and residents losing any street parking.

Designated bike lane along a busy road in Burbank, CA. Bike lanes located on Montgomery could have similar placements.

Proposed Bike Lane and Sharrow Locations

Designated Bike Lane in Dayton, Ohio

Sharrows on Clifton Avenue

Hudson Valley Rail-to-Trail

Above: Workers in Dayton (OH) install bike lanes on a city street during the repaving process. Notice the moving lanes to the right and the parking lane to the left. Similar strategies can be employed along Montgomery Avenue in Pleasent Ridge and Kennedy Heights, where possible.

Above: A demonstration of how sharrows are meant to keep bikers from riding too close to parking lanes where automobile doors may be within range of hitting them. This is located on Clifton Avenue across the street from Good Samaritan Hospital.

Above: The rail-to-trail project in the Hudson Valley of New York State. Lightly used and vacant rail lines present excellent opportunities for proliferating bike friendliness by turning these rail lines into trails for bikers and walkers.

Designated Bike lanes can be an addition to most arterial and collector roads and can easily be installed during the road resurfacing process, but at least one parking or moving lane will have to be removed from Ridge and Montgomery to guarantee the necessary 5 feet width for each lane in both directions.

Sharrows are less ambitions than designated bike lanes, but they still serve as excellent reminders to drivers that bicyclists can legally share the road. In San Francisco, they have been proven to serve as traffic calmers by alerting drivers of potential riders, making them an asset if they are installed on the traffic-heavy streets.

Abandoned or lightly-used rail lines present excellent opportunities for the proliferation of bike friendliness throughout a community. These projects can also link up to form much longer biking trails. For example, the Little Miami River Scenic Trail runs for 78 miles from Milford, Ohio up to Springfield, Ohio.

Bike lanes serve as an excellent way to connect the community while also leading cyclists into the Pleasant Ridge business district from the densely populated city of Norwood.

These can also point out the direction of pedestrian locations throughout the community to visiting bicyclists, so installing these along Kennedy and Woodford would be benefitcial.

In New York City, designated bike lanes have been utilized to help calm traffic on heavily trafficked roads where speeding and other poor driving behaviors are common.

Coupled with signage to direct riders and others toward the Montgomery business district and other community assets, sharrows would work to encourage biking throughout the community while also reminding riders where to ride on the road.

Currently, a rail line exists in Pleasant Ridge that runs from a small rail yard in Norwood up to the I-275 loop, so a rail-totrail project in Pleasant Ridge has the potential to eventually connect to a much larger rail-trail network, similarly to the Little Miami River Scenic Trail.

Roads with the most potential for designated bike lanes: Montgomery Road (through the removal of either both parking lanes or one moving lane) and Ridge Avenue (through the removal of the northbound moving/parking lane)

Roads with the most potential for sharrows: Woodford (from Ridge to Kennedy) and Kennedy (from the intersection of Woodford and Kennedy up to Montgomery)

The rail-to-trail proposal for Pleasant Ridge would connect the Ridge road bike lanes to the newly revamped parkland between Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights. Further sharrows installed on Woodford and Kennedy would lead bikers to the Montgomery Corridor.

7. T h e P a r k v i e w C o m p l e x Preface

Parkview Master Plan

Parkview Circulation Map

The difference between the southern part and northern part of Pleasant Ridge is significantly different. A majority of the crime occurs towards the southern part of Montgomery, which relates back to the current development structure. Our proposal consist of three phases to address these problems, and create a more attractive location. Our overall goal is create a more walkable, active southern Pleasant Ridge. By adding lighting, more active centers, and denser residential sites crime will find its way out of Pleasant Ridge. When all three phases are complete the southern part of Pleasant Ridge will consist of more green space, mixed-use development, more walkable streets, and an overall better place to call home to Pleasant Ridge residents.

The circulation that currently exist will remain largely unchanged as far as the automobile is concerned except within the proposed mixeduse development off of Montgomery Rd. Pedestrian walkways will be added near Parkview in order to give greater acces to the community center and the bussiness district, and to create a more walkable, safe enviorenment near the new development which has been proposed in phase two of the parkview project. Parkview Land Use Map

Existing Conditions

Current retail facalitie off of Montgomery Rd.

Colonail Ridge apartment complex.

Future gateway location near rec center.

The current land use structure within the parkview area is mostly single and multi family housing, the proposed changes would be to add mixed-use and more multi family houseing in order to increase denstity and increase activity along Montgomery Rd. and Parkview.

Phases Phase One

Phase Two

The first phase of development includes two key aspects. The first aspect is to create a more pedistrian friendly, walkable Montgomery Road by pushing back the property setbacks, and expanding the sidewalk, with a tree lined divider between the road and walkways. The second aspect to phase one is to bring more lighting to the streets that run perpendicular to Montgomery in order to make them more appealing to walk in, as well as safer to deture any unwanted activity and prevent any future crime.

The second phase of the proposed Parkview development is to create a green space, mixed-use development connecting both the residential areas and the main bussiness district with the community center. The goal is to create a third place for the community to live, work, and play and interact with one another. Creating a place for people to gather is key to making a lively community, and a safe place for people to gather and live on a daily basis.

Phase Three

The third and final phase of the Parkview development consist of redeveloping the Colonial Ridge apartment complex into a mixeduse, multi-family development in an area of pleasant ridge that is under utilized near the southern edge off Montgomery. The current structure of development near this apartment complex is very unappealing, and creates an area that in turn creates a place for crime and unwanted behavior to continue to go on. The new development will create a more walkable, green place, that will prevent future crime from happening based off good design.

8. P l e a s a n t R i d g e S c h o o l s Introduction The purpose of the Schools and Central Business District project is to physically connect the schools to each other and to the businesses of Pleasant Ridge. The purpose is also to transform Pleasant Ridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outdated zoning ordinance to incorporate innovative practices that better prepare the community for the future. Zoning Pleasant Ridge is currently zoned which is: Community Center Pedestrian. This district designation is intended for areas with a traditional urban character, where buildings are required to be built to the street or sidewalk line, to provide a close relationship between pedestrians and shops. Design

standards will reinforce this character and require treatments that provide an interesting pedestrian environment. This designation may apply to some areas where a few auto-oriented uses exist, but where restoring the pedestrian character is specified in a community plan or other documentation approved by the Planning Commission. There is a desire for Pleasant Ridge to emulate surrounding communities like Hyde Park Square and the community of Ludlow based on the feedback from public meetings. Both of Hyde Park and Ludlow neighborhood districts are zoned: CN Commercial Neighborhood.Â To identify, create, maintain and enhance mixed-use neighborhood commercial centers that reflect smaller-scale, pedestrian-oriented development with continuous

street frontage and a mix of commercial and residential uses. Typical uses include retail, services, housing, office, open space, eating and drinking establishments and smaller-scale public and recreation and entertainment uses. Future development must be of a pedestrian-oriented commercial or mixed-use nature, serving the immediate neighborhood. Policy It is essential to the success of the project that policy is the number one factor in a successful implementation of the proposed sites. Without sophisticated policy and an aggressive implementation strategy, projects will fail. The objective for this project is to create a development and policy that ensures the long-term success of the

Regional Context Ri

Proposed Land Use

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. ve

Rea

ry me

No rw

Woodford

Rd.

Lateral

. Rd

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Pleasant Ridge Amberly Village Silverton Deer Park Norwood Golf Manor Downtown Cincinnati

Green Space Schools & Institutions Residential Commercial Mixed Use Proposed Changes

Streetscape Improvements

Montogomery Road Looking East

Section of Woodford Road Looking Southwest

proposed projects for generations to come. Program Furthermore, the change of zoning code will allow for: 40 new commercial units, 40 new residential units, 88 new parking spaces, 7 new buildings, 4 new public spaces, 2 gateways, 1 adaptive reuse project, and a ¾ mile cultural trail that connects many of the Pleasant Ridge’s neighborhoods. The proposed projects include: Pleasant Park, relocation of T.C.P. World Academy, The Ridge Plaza, The Shoppes, a pedestrian bridge, and an adaptive reuse of a movie theater into a fire station.

Pedesterian Bridge venue Looking North

Proposed Projects Pleasant Perk Pleasant Perk is a proposed park next to the Pleasant Ridge Montessori and across the street from the proposed T.C.P. World Academy. The park includes a coffee shop, fountain, farmer’s market, cultural trail, and decorative features that enhance the overall pedestrian experience. The existing site includes three dilapidated buildings in which two are vacant. The site of Pleasant Perk is an ideal location because of its position at the gateway of the community on Montgomery Rd. It is designed to serve as a place for the community to gather in a scenic setting that compliments the new Pleasant Ridge Montessori. T.C.P. World Academy T.C.P. World Academy is a nationally recognized educational institution that serves as an attraction to the Pleasant Ridge community. The new facility that is being proposed for T.C.P. is located at the intersection of Montgomery and Lestler Rd. Currently the corner of Montgomery and Lester houses an unappealing convenience store with multiple

The Shoppes

Ridge Avenue Looking South

Fire Station

Montgomery Rd. Looking Southwest

billboards and various signs that presently welcome people into Pleasant Ridge. The new facility creates an educational hub with Pleasant Ridge Montessori across the street. T.C.P. is currently being housed in a church that it has since outgrown. The new facility will provide students with an appropriate setting for learning and safe access into the neighborhoods with the completion of the cultural trail. Pedestrian Bridge The proposed pedestrian bridge allows for safe access for students and pedestrians across Ridge Ave. to the Shoppes and the community center. The bridge is located just south Woodford and serves as a gateway into the community. This multi-purpose project is truly a key to the safety of the cultural trail

users because it allows for safe passage across a busy street. Woodford and Ridge Infill Three existing buildings will be demolished to create one, cohesive, street front structure on the corner of Woodford and Ridge Road. Seven new retail spaces will boost economic development in Pleasant Ridge, while providing a range of office space or residential units above the retail space. Following Woodford North, towards Pleasant Ridge Montessori, the barbershop and salon will become a proposed café with an outdoor eating area. This will provide more pedestrian friendly atmosphere, versus this current parking lot lined section of Woodford Road. Next to the new café, the current apartment building will be

8. P l e a s a n t R i d g e S c h o o l s Central Business District

Program

88 New Parking Spaces

80 New Commercial & Residential Units 7 New Buildings 4 Public Spaces 2 Gateways

1 Adaptive Reuse Project

3/4 Mile Cultural Trail

Ridge A

kept, although the parking lot behind will be updated with landscaping. All three businesses on the corner of Montgomery t and Woodford will be kept as retail businesses, while two new storefronts will be built between CPT Training and the old movie theater to the West following Montgomery. Through adaptive reuse, the old movie theater will become the Pleasant Ridge Fire Station. This serves as a central location in Pleasant Ridge and will allow for a drive-through aspect for the trucks. By allowing the trucks to drive-through via Woodford Road, rather than back into the station, less chaos will ensue on Montgomery Road. Behind the street front structures on Montgomery, there will be new parking spaces surrounded by landscaping. A trail will connect Parkview Avenue and the Woodford Road; the trail will go from a vacant, open lot on Parkview, along the edge of the Woodford apartments parking lot, to a meeting with the sidewalk along Woodford. The idea behind the proposed infill is to create a safer, more cohesive space for the residents of Pleasant Ridge. New landscaping provides hidden necessities, like parking, while keeping a high visual aesthetic the community desires. The proposed pathways will connect the residential spaces with the main business district. Phasing Phase 1: Establishes a pedestrian friendly destination

complete with cultural amenities, while improving the overall atmosphere of Pleasant Ridge. Phase one accomplishes this objective in multiple ways. The first way phase one accomplishes this objective is with the creation of Pleasant Perk. Pleasant Perk also houses a farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market that can transform as an awning for act shows and other activities. Secondly, phase one proposes sidewalk upgrades that will serve the cultural trail in upcoming phases. The final way phase one accomplishes this objective is with the changing of the zoning codes that will promote stricter guidelines for new developments. Phase 2: Creates a connection between the central business district and the neighborhood schools with the completion of the cultural trail and start of new development in the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core. Phase two accomplishes this objective with the actual construction of the cultural trail. The cultural trail will connect all of the schools with each other and the central business district. It will also connect multiple neighborhoods to one another in a safe manner. Additionally, in phase two an adaptive reuse project of an old movie theater that will serve as a drive-thru fire station is proposed. This project will allow for safe access for fire engines into and out of the fire station without disrupting traffic on Montgomery Rd. Finally, the Shoppes (part 1) continues the development trend towards the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core. This is a big project and is being split up into two parts that ensure financial stability. Phase 3: Revitalizes a key corner in Pleasant Ridge

while providing safe access into the community center. The corner of Woodford and Ridge Ave. is a key gateway into the community. It is the purpose of this phase to redevelop that corner into the Shoppes (part 2) to attract pedestrians that are looking to shop. Ridge Ave. is a well-traveled road with heavy traffic at certain times throughout the day. These times also coincide with school dismissal times of Nativity Elementary and T.C.P World Academy. Multiple parents at community meetings voiced their concern for this and it is because of them that a pedestrian bridge is being proposed. The pedestrian bridge allows for a safe connection and gateway into the community. Phase 4: Links key developments while providing more aesthetically pleasing characteristics to the central business district. The construction of the new T.C.P. World Academy at the corner of Montgomery and Lester is the final puzzle piece to that part of Pleasant Ridge redevelopment. The relocation of the school also allows for another adaptive reuse project at the old facility. The final key development to Pleasant Ridge is Ridge Plaza. This site creates a cohesive urban fabric by extending the existing buildings that have minor setbacks down Montgomery Rd. This project also allows for more specialty boutiques to be housed in Pleasant Ridge.

2015

8. P l e a s a n t R i d g e S c h o o l s Phase 1 Establishes a pedestrian

friendly destination complete with cultural amenities, while improving the overall atmosphere of Pleasant Ridge.

2018

-Farmers Market -Pleasant Park -Cultural Trail (Sidewalk Upgrades) -Signage and Zoning Changes

Pleasant Perk

-Cultural Trail (Construction) -Fire Station -The Shoppes (Part 1)

Pleasant Perk

Montgomery Rd. Looking North

2021

Montgomery Rd. Looking North

T.C.P. World Academy

Phase 3 Revitalizes a key corner in

Pleasant Ridge while providing safe access to the community center. -The Shoppes (Part 2) -Gateway -Pedestrian Bridge

The Ridge Plaza

Montgomery Rd. Looking Southwest

2026

Montgomery Rd. Looking Southeast

Phase 2

Creates a connection between the central business district and the neighborhood schools with the completion of the cultural trail and start of new development in the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core.

Phase 4

Links key developments while providing more aesthetically pleasing characteristics to the central business district. -The Ridge Plaza -New T.C.P. World Academy -Sreetscape Improvements

d dfor o o W

Master Plan

ry Ridge

me ntgo

9. I n f i l l Infill Revitalization Projects Implemented in planning design numerous times, infill development pertains to areas where rehabilitation or new development is necessary. Such projects can range from street-scape improvements to new construction in place of a blighted structure. The fundamental ideas for infill revitalization projects for Pleasant Ridge were created after the first community forum in early January 2012. The key areas that needed to be addressed included the Central Business District and the area around Pleasant Ridge Elementary. The consensus was that problems revolved around street-scape and building faรงade decline as well as vacancy versus tenure for commercial and retail shops. Montgomery Road was the focus street for the revitalization projects as it functions as a main throughway for the community. Faรงade improvements along Montgomery were proposed to create a cohesive aesthetic look and improve current conditions. Where current structures were past the point of improvement and needed to be demolished, mixed use buildings for

retail space and residential space would be built in place of the dilapidated buildings. Beginning with the Burger King located in the central business district, we looked to improve both form and function. Speaking purely aesthetically, the Burger Kings stands out in comparison to the older businesses running along Montgomery. It does not match the architectural style of the other buildings, and is set back far from the curb. This creates a lack of streetscape cohesion. Other than being aesthetically displeasing, this design is inefficient in that it takes up so much space that could otherwise be used more effectively. Be it the Burger King or new development, moving this parcel closer to the curb would alleviate the aforementioned lack of cohesion, while also creating abundant parking in the rear. This solves two issues that were brought up in our meeting with the community, that being lack of parking and streetscape aesthetics. Just East of Molly Malones exists a vacant building that once served as an education center for neighboring Kennedy Heights. We propose to rehab this building and implement a mixed use design. By doing this, we can promote more local business to move into an already

diverse business district. Living arrangements could be designed for the upstairs portion of the rehab encouraging new residence in Pleasant Ridge to take part in a live/work opportunity. Just South on Ridge Rd before the intersection with Montgomery lies a shoe repair shop that we feel has run itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s course in the community. The building appears to be in poor condition and creates a disturbance in streetscape cohesion much like the Burger King mentioned earlier. By developing a new building in itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s place we can improve upon the cohesion of Ridge Rd. while giving a local business a chance at operating in Pleasant Ridge. One of requests from the community was more variety in local businesses, and with this new building that opportunity arises. Our second focal point for infill development in Pleasant Ridge was further West on Montgomery around Pleasant Ridge Elementary. This school serves as a major staple for the community that makes people stay in, and move to the area alike. While the school itself is thriving and serves the community well, the surrounding area does not. Directly across the school exists a blighted liquor store that sits upon a large amount of unkempt asphalt. Not only is this aesthetically displeasing, it serves as an inappropriate use of land in relation to the school. To the East of the school are a number of vacant buildings that could otherwise be put to better use. All of these negatives represent great opportunity to build for the children and families of Pleasant Ridge Elementary. A major complaint we heard at the community meetings was the fact that there is nowhere for children and their families to go after school. Thus, we propose to develop family friendly business and open spaces around the school. By building a park in place of the vacant buildings, and exchanging the liquor store for more family friendly development, we are finally providing families with safe and fun spaces to go after school. With Pleasant Ridge Elementary being such a valuable asset to the community, there is no reason for the surrounding area to remain depleted as it stands today.

Another Meeting with the Community of P l e a s a n t R i d g e After meeting with the community of Pleasant Ridge the first time, the planning process for the DAAP Planning studio became much more specific in its approach. After coming up with a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis for the community itself, given the input of said community, we broke down the studio work in to nine different projects to be analyzed and designed over the course of a month. These nine projects varied in approach, but ultimately led us to develop a master plan for the whole community. Once finalized, we as a studio presented our designs to the community members of Pleasant Ridge in order to receive feedback on what worked, and what didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. The feedback received at the second meeting is what has guided us in creating a master plan, which has the voice of the community backing it. Each individual group received responses on their work, and the groups, and the groups creating the master plan made appropriate edits. The jury was made up of multiple

community members, including three representatives from the Pleasant Ridge Community Council. Below is a summary of each groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feedback from the community:

Arts District

The community felt that the design was overall well done, with strong graphic presentations, but felt that the proposed boulevard may be to narrow and that the design itself may leave opportunity for crime. They liked the idea of keeping the UDF, but wanted to know how practical it was to move the gas station.

Triangle

Overall the community felt that the ideas were good ones and they liked the use of the Miami garage case study. They also felt that the idea to keep the UDF was good, but wanted to hear more on how practical it would be to maintain wooden

walkways in the proposed triangle design.

Golf Course

The majority of the feedback for the golf course project was related mostly to the poster presentation, but the community did show interest in the sustainability components of the project and felt the ideas behind that needed to be expanded on because of the opportunities it presents. They also felt that the golf course offered a great opportunity for development.

Hilton Davis

As a challenging site, the Hilton Davis group had the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s understanding that their project was not an easy one to come up with. Key elements such as the walkability of the site and the dog park stuck with the community members most, but felt that graphically the project could have improved a little more.

February 24 , 2012

Recreational Center & Central Business District

Like many other groups, the issue of where or what is happening to the UDF and gas station came up as a concern once again. The community liked the overall ideas behind the designs, but felt they could have been connected in the presentation better to make the project clearer.

Parks & Bike Path

The community overall had positive things to say about the proposed designs in the Parks & Bike Paths presentation. The potential for connectivity and a landmark district were to key points that arose in discussing the project with the community, but more emphasize needs to be put on the connectivity aspect.

Parkview Complex

As far as the Parkview project went, the community saw it as over ambitious, but overall felt the design to reducing crime

and creating connectivity between several districts was a beneficial idea. The thought of gateways seemed to want to be expanded on for the community as a whole, and they also felt sections of the whole site would have helped.

The Schools & Central Business District

The overview of connecting the schools and what goes into was very well done, especially given the policy and implementation ideas. The community felt that the project focused more on the central business district, but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say if that was a bad or good thing. Overall the project and good connectivity and linkage ideas, but the community felt a little more connection on the poster would have helped.

Montessori was also discussed as a good building to include in the overall concept of the project. After each group had time to consider what the community had to say, appropriate edits were made which has brought us to the point that we are at now. Through meeting with the community and working long hours in the studio, we have come up with a master plan that is community driven with good design principles intact.

Infill

As a presentation, the project was very clear and well thought out, but the community felt that the poster lacked clear ideas without the verbal part of the presentation. Pleasant Ridge

Master Plan Alternative:Vision A Introduction

Vision A is a combination of all of the realistic ideas, opinions, and thoughts about how Pleasant Ridge should look in the next twenty years. There are aspects of every focus area project, as well as consideration towards every strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat discussed with the community. This master plan will help Pleasant Ridge become what the community envisions for the future. Throughout the entire process, the community of Pleasant Ridge has been extremely helpful and enlightening on what needs to be done and what would be nice to have. Vision A strives to be a balance between what is needed and what is desired.

What is Needed

Pleasant Ridge asked the urban planning students at the University of Cincinnati for solutions to their land use, transportation, and connectivity problems. The partnership between the community and the students has led to a developed list of what Pleasant Ridge needs to flourish and sustain well into the future. The main aspects needing attention within Pleasant Ridge include: - revitalized central business district - well-developed, utilized public open space - solution to the high traffic intersections - updated Triangle - ‘destination’ feel - updated policy and signage - accessibility. A revitalized central business district will bring economic prosperity and liveliness back to the heart of Pleasant Ridge. The central business district is a main attraction for the surrounding neighborhoods with it’s specialty shops and restaurants; the central business district can also serve as main stop for residents of Pleasant Ridge with a small grocery, hair salons, and other necessity shops. Additional storefronts, facade improvements, updated streetscaping, and additional local amenities will bring the central business district to its fullest potential. Well-developed and utilized public open space is just what the active Pleasant Ridge community needs. There is no public space, besides the Pleasant Ridge Community Center, for residents to enjoy the outdoors and really maintain an active lifestyle within Pleasant Ridge bounds. There are small public

spaces, like the World War II Memorial and the structure on the corner of Montgomery Road and Ridge Avenue, that could connect larger open spaces, like the Pleasant Ridge Community Center. Multiple residents said Pleasant Ridge is an active community. Vision A would incorporate a cultural trail for the residents of Pleasant Ridge, running through a new park - Pleasant Perk- as well as residential neighborhoods and the central business district. This alternative would include updating the open space on the far East edge of Pleasant Ridge (some in Kennedy Heights,) that would act as a connector between the two communities. Pocket parks are also proposed throughout Pleasant Ridge for the residents to utilize. The triangle (area of land between Ridge, Montgomery, and Woodford,) was also a subject brought up at meetings with the residents. United Dairy Farmer’s, PNC Bank, and Mullaney’s Pharmacy make up the three building in the triangle, and United Dairy Farmer’s just finished major renovations a few years ago. Needless to say, there was no realistic way to demolish the buildings. Instead, Vision A placed a shaded, landscaped walking path through the middle of the triangle. This path connects with another additional walking trail from Parkview Avenue to Woodford Road. This connection from the triangle to Parkview is just another way a connection was formed between the residential areas of Pleasant Ridge to the central business district. Policy updates and new signage are the biggest factors holding Pleasant Ridge back. By simply changing the way the central business district is zoned, Pleasant Ridge could create a more pedestrian-friendly community. Changing zoning in the central business district would make all sidewalks become more accessible for all, as well as make all buildings pulled up to the street front. Complete street front property allow Montgomery Road will create cohesion and connection all throughout the central business district, maybe even stretching further West and East in the future. Signage is a simple fix as well; way-finding signs and gateways incorporating signage

will allow for amenities, such as parking and specialty shops, to be found with ease.

What is Desired

The citizens of Pleasant Ridge agreed on many aspect of improvement, but the community as a whole was mostly satisfied with the community presently. This information led us to believe that although the community is satisfied, there are always aspects or ideas to help improve Pleasant Ridge. Those include: - more children-friendly places - another look at the Parkview complex and the Hilton Davis industrial site - streetscape and facade improvements in southern Pleasant Ridge - connections within the community & surrounding communities - gateways into the community. Pleasant Perk provides a corridor for the cultural trail, buffer between the central business district and Pleasant Ridge Montesori, and a desirable space for residents. Vision A also supports inviting more children-friendly businesses to the central business district (i.e. toy stores, ice cream parlors, more hobby shops, etc.) Two focus areas included the Hilton-Davis site and the Parkview Complex (Colonial Ridge Court.) Hilton-Davis has potential, but only a limited amount as it is a brownfield site. Vision A proposes using the current open space on the site as open space in the future (once the site is officially cleaned up.) Adding new structures would require too much digging; because the site is contaminated, it is best left untouched underneath, even if it is cleaned up. The Parkview Complex is known for its high crime rate, but Vision A supports facade

The maps below show the overall changes in Pleasant Ridge in its entirity, as well as areas of focus- central business district & open space.

improvements, additional lighting, and making the open space more inviting to improve the area. Upon building inspections, the buildings seem in good condition, and there seems to be no reason for complete demolitions Pleasant Ridge is a bustling, vibrant community, and with a little direction, could be pushed to become every residents dream. The community has excellent diversity, potential, and a community willing to work towards a better future. These ingredients in combination with smaller-scale projects will allow the residents to achieve what they want: a safer, welldeveloped, more connected neighborhood.

Master Plan Alternative:Vision B Overview After meeting with the Pleasant Ridge community for a brainstorming session, it became clear that, while the Pleasant Ridge area contains many important assets (IE, the recreation center, the newly refurbished community library, parkland, the Montgomery business corridor, a well maintained and attractive housing stock, etcâ&#x20AC;Ś), the community has not been entirely successful with regards to leveraging these assets in a way that allows the community to continue to improve. Community members have also mentioned several promising developments that are occurring or about to occur. This master plan is meant to supplement and build on what the community already has. The projects span from improving the industrial Hilton-Davis site, to improving the connectivity between the Montgomery business corridor and other neighborhood amenities.

Connecting the Plans The master plan takes all of the plans that were explained on previous pages and better connects them together to allow for the full utilization of the proposed assets. Not every portion of each plan can be included since numerous plans overlap, but several important ideas and case studies emerged from each group during the initial planning processes.

Business District Potential Finally, due to the importance of business development with regards to maintaining a healthy community and business district, several components of this plan are aimed at improving access to the numerous commercial establishments in the business district, such as more offstreet parking, and bike-friendly initiatives throughout the community, many of which will lead riders into the business district.

Gateways With regards to the outskirts of the community, gateways can be constructed, where possible, along the important arterial road entrances to the community.Another excellent community asset that deserves gateways is the District A area, which spans along Montgomery and runs through Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights. Possible Gateway Locations Along Major Roads

Not only will these plans boost commerce to the existing businesses, they will also boost the potential for some of the vacant storefronts to be re-occupied with new businesses. The importance of small businesses on the improvement of a community cannot be overstated, note the growing gap between jobs provided by small businesses and medium businesses. Job Trends in the United States for Medium and Small Businesses

This master plan centers on how to connect existing and proposed assets to the PR business district. Pleasant Ridge and the Surrounding Communities

Gateway Example Pleasant Ridge has an especially unique opportunity to utilize gateways as a way to draw attention to the District A Art District. For example, gateways have been used in Carmel, Indiana to mark the entrances to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art and design district.

The chart above makes it clear how important small neighborhood business districts will be with regards to future job growth. The gap between small employers (1-49 employees), represented by the blue line, and medium-sized employers (50-499 employees), represented by the red line, has widened significantly in the last decade, and the gap continues to grow.

The Master Plan

Master Plan Alternative:Vision C Phase One

Phase Two

Phase 3

We decided to add large gateways at any main corridor heading into Pleasant Ridge. By adding these gateways we want to create a welcoming feel and to make sure when people arrived they knew they were in Pleasant Ridge. By adding these signs it creates an identity for the area, that separates them from other neighborhoods. Not only does the signage let people know they arrived, it is also used to show where available parking is and to advertisement for the art and business district. With all these signs, there is the option to create a brand out of the signs that can be seen on every sign in Pleasant Ridge.

Phase two consisted of creating more green open space and establishing connections by adding more pedestrian and bikeways. We wanted to make it easy for people to go from one open space to another safely and quickly. A large aspect of phase 2 is to integrate the signage and traffic included in phase one in order to integrate these spaces into the community with effective signage and accessibility.

There are nine individual projects presented in the report for pleasant ridge. Each one of these projects or sites present interesting ideas and designs that can beneficial to the community. All of these designs include effective solutions to problems within pleasant ridge. This master plan embraces all of these designs and offers several options for the community to choose from. Much of this redevelopment is connected through green space represented in phase two. The final phase of this master plan includes all of these projects, and offers pleasant ridge with a diverse number of projects in which the community can pursue to its liking.

The second part to phase one is to expand the pedestrian flow. We are adding more walkways to make it easier for people to just walk to their locations rather than drive. We hope that by adding more walkable build upon the citizens active lifestyles, and encourage visitors to walk as well. This can potential lead to less traffic in Pleasant Ridge, and inherently solve the problem with congestion.

A large part of phase two involves removing buildings in spaces that can be used for something that is more beneficial to the community of Pleasant Ridge. By removing certain buildings, space can be made for valuable redevelopment. While pleasant ridge is a successful and emerging neighborhood, there is some space that if used to full potential, can become a major asset to its residents.

Conclusion Working with the Pleasant Ridge community has been an important learning experience for all of those involved. The project that began through an email sent to the professor followed by a community meeting in early December has cumulated into the development of three master plans that show potential visions for the future of the community.

Through the original Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis and community brainstorming session, numerous existing community assets were discussed by members of the community, along with some key issues within the community. While numerous assets are present in the area, such as parkland, the recreation center, a solid housing stock, numerous schools, an attractive business corridor, and the recently-created District A

Arts area, some issues still persist. Despite these threats and weaknesses, several new developments are occurring in the area, and momentum is on the side of improvement with regards to the future of the community. Many of the plans that emerged during the following step of the project are meant to supplement and build on these important community assets. The next portion of the project focused on nine different focus sites within the community. The focus sites are the HiltonDavis area, parkland and bike lanes, the arts district, the triangle, Parkview, the golf course, connectivity between the recreation center and the Montgomery business district, connectivity between the numerous schools in the community and the business district, and infill development. All of these focus areas will

be highly important for the future of Pleasant Ridge. The preceding pages have described all nine of the focus area plans, in detail, along with three proposed master plans for how to merge these nine plans together into long-term community visions. Moving forward, Pleasant Ridge needs to continue to capitalize on the developments that are already or on the verge of occurring while also working to attract new projects. The Arts District presents an excellent opportunity to brand the area as a thriving and active community where future growth is almost guaranteed. The key goal of many of the projects from this quarter is to better connect all of the assets to help create a more cohesive community that is more of a living and visiting

center rather than a pass-through community. With the progress that has been made in recent years due to the highly proactive nature of the citizens of Pleasant Ridge, coupled with the plans discussed on the preceding pages, there is little doubt that any issues the community currently faces cannot be alleviated.

Sources

Pleasant Ridge community meeting photos and neighborhood photos courtesy of Stefan Molinaro & Bert Perkins IV. All aerial maps courtesy of Google Maps and Google Earth.

Land Use www.insideSoCal.com http://www.cicf.org/files/image/Cultural%20Trail%20-%20plants.jpg http://www.csi-s.org/2009/View%20lookingnorth%20on%20alabama%20St.jpg http://louisvilleloft.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/library-511.jpg http://www.pps.org/graphics/gpp/governors_park_ky_2_large https://blackboard.uc.edu/courses/1/12W_23PLAN212001/groups/_178358_1//_7946814_1/MerionGateway2.jpg http://www.carmelartsanddesign.com/previous_site/Images/Gateway2.jpg http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/oldsigns2.jpg http://nearwestside.org/2011/07/neighborhood-sign-restored/ https://blackboard.uc.edu/courses/1/12W_23PLAN212001/groups/_178358_1//_7946816_1/downtown2.jpg http://www.roadfood.com/photos/17306.jpg http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=171102 http://www.srfconsulting.com/services/Design/ParksOpenSpace/Index.aspx https://blackboard.uc.edu/courses/1/12W_23PLAN212001/groups/_178358_1//_7946818_1/amphitheater31.jpg http://www.onepulseds.com/files/gimgs/8_bk03.jpg http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=boca+oakley&fb=1&gl=us&hq=boca+oakley&` hnear=0x884051b1de3 821f9:0x69fb7e8be4c09317,Cincinnati,+OH&cid=0,0,12910742296489179102&ei=AhYbT-D6DpGnsAK_ tb2gCw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&ved=0CCYQ_BI http://www.flickr.com/photos/becky1949/4123013834/sizes/z/in/photostream/ Ridge Rd Transportation http://www.kkgstudios.com/studios/urban/p_urban/?doc=pleasant_ridge http://policyinmotion.com/2012/01/researchshows-dramatic-health-benefits-of-walking-biking/ http://policyinmotion.com/2012/01/research-showsdramatic-health-benefits-of-walking-biking/ http://www.walkscore.com/walkable-neighborhoods.shtml http://www.stpetersgate.com/images/largemap.png http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/images/fig2b_07.gif http://www.chandigarhtrafficpolice.org/ http://bajan.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/wildey.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BZaPGsbLyHM/TL_E7bYdimI/AAAAAAAAFoQ Connectivity www.neighborhoodlaunch.com