SOUTH AREA
ARMOURDALE
182
Primary Connectors Green Space Green Infrastructure
Infill/Development
7th Street
Public Realm
ve as A
s Kan
AREA CONCEPT Armourdale is a very unique neighborhood within the site, both in terms of its physical layout and its cultural identity. Analysis of the site revealed that residents and businesses alike had major concerns about certain elements of the area, including crime rates, air and noise pollution, and flooding. Many residents were pushing for more parks and recreation spaces, while businesses mostly sought infrastructural improvements. This information helped establish the overarching issues
that the design proposal needed to address, and gave the studio a general idea of what an improved Armourdale neighborhood would look like. The main concept for the area sought to densify the primary connecting streets of Kansas Avenue and 7th Street and make them more pedestrian friendly, as well as add more public space and green infrastructure along the river to help improve some of the environmental issues within the site. 183
Over the past few years, there have been a number of new development projects along the east side of the river. Part of the concept for Armourdale centers around capitalizing on this new development in order to bring people into the newly densified core of the neighborhood via the primary connecting streets of Kansas Avenue and 7th Street.
184
Primary Connectors
Public Realm
Secondary Connectors
Infill/Development
Green Space
Areas of Connection
Green Infrastructure
INDUSTRIAL TRIANGLE The area between 7th Street and Kansas Avenue, referred to by the studio as the Industrial Triangle, is dominated by large commercial and manufacturing businesses. An analysis of the Triangle revealed a wide range of building uses in the area, as well as a number of highly valuable parcels exceeding $1,000,000 in total land value. It was also revealed that because the area is largely industrial, there are very little non-paved or pervious surfaces such as grass or gravel, and an abundance of impervious or paved surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt. Supplier
Auto Dealership
Office
Distributary
Manufacturing
Storage Facility
Non-Profit Organization
Contracting
Retail
Trucking Company
Transportation Service
Building Use
Parks
< $25,000
Impervious
$25,000 - $100,000
Pervious
$100,000 - $250,000 $250,000 - $1,000,000 > $1,000,000 No Data
Pervious vs. Impervious Surfaces
Parcel Land Value
185
KANSAS AVENUE
Primary Connectors Green Space Green Infrastructure Public Realm Infill/Development
7th Street
ve as A
s Kan
AREA CONCEPT Kansas Avenue functions primarily as the main eastto-west artery in Armourdale and helps connect the neighborhood to areas like the West Bottoms and the Central Industrial District. This makes the street invaluable for proper traffic flow and presents a unique opportunity to improve the streetscape both for vehicular traffic and pedestrian movement. By using
Kansas Avenue as this main connector, the concept seeks to densify the street and make it more pedestrian friendly, as well as add more usable public space along the riverfront to help create more opportunities for people to access and use the river. The presence of an active brownfield also requires the implementation of green infrastructure elements to improve the area.
187
7th Street
The main concept proposes a new mixed-income and mixed-use residential development along the river that links together the east and west banks into a continuous river loop. The addition of greenery and tree coverage in the area will not only help improve some of the environmental issues but also help make the area feel more cohesive.
ve as A
s Kan
Primary Connectors 7th Street
Nodes Pedestrian Trail
ve sA
sa Kan
Public Realm Infill/Development Redeveloped Building Riverfront Masterplan Brownfield Remediation Increased Tree Coverage Industrial Zone
188
Pedestrian Zone
Impervious Ground Missing Urban Fabric High Flood Hazard Smells Levee Floodwall Outfalls Brownfields Limited connectivity and public right of way No accessibility
Connect to the river and existing developments Opportunity for public realm and mixed-use development
Opportunity to densify and improve urban fabric High flood hazard at proposed development intersection Potential for green infrastructure
Rail interruption along proposed public right of way
Mixed-use development and increased accessibility
Potential for environmental improvements (green infrastructure) Limited connectivity and public right of way No accessibility
EXISTING ISSUES The area along Kansas Avenue currently presents a number of roadblocks to the improvement of the public realm and the local environment. Most notably, the large industrial presence not only prevents people from accessing the river by occupying much of the land
adjacent to the water, but also produces unpleasant smells, air and noise pollution, divisive rail infrastructure, and high amounts of truck traffic. Along the river, the levee infrastructure and the presence of sewage outfalls further divides the public realm from the river. 189
In the early days of the area’s development, many industrial and manufacturing businesses needed to be directly adjacent to the river for things like power production, engine cooling, and even waste disposal. In modern times, however, industrial adjacencies to the river are rarely related to the need for water and more often related to historical usage and zoning.
190
In the areas along the river near Kansas Avenue, the presence of industrial buildings has created large areas of vacant land or “missing teeth” in the urban fabric, creating an environment that feels incomplete and empty. These large swaths of underutilized land present many opportunities for improvement.
Existing River & Urban Edge
West Bank
New River & Urban Edge
East Bank
191
Pedestrian Trails Private Zone Semi-Public Zone Public Zone Mixed-Use Development Riverfront Masterplan Green Space
RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT The overall concept for the area around the river centers on expanding the public realm to both sides of the river, creating a continuous loop of pedestrianaccessible trails that help unify the area. On the east bank of the river, the proposed Riverfront Master Plan Development seeks to implement a complex of mixeduse apartment buildings. This development, although not part of the studio’s design proposal, will help to densify the area on the east bank and work with the studio’s development in creating a large area of accessible 192
riverfront space. The studio’s mixed-use development also incorporates a number of parks and recreational spaces that are placed throughout the complex. These spaces are intended to be used by both the residents of the complex and members of the general public. Along the river, different programmatic elements were incorporated in order to create a variety of usable and flexible public spaces while still seeking to preserve the natural and ecologically significant elements of the riverfront.
In order to organize the site, the area was divided into three zones: public, semi-public, and private. These zones indicate the level of public interaction both along the river and within the development.
The parti diagram notes the three zones and their level of connection across the river, as well as the division of space between the development, the two banks of the river, and the river itself.
Programmed Spaces Pedestrian Trails River Sponge Tree Density
River Edge Expansion
River Programming
Pedestrian Trails
193
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Throughout the design process, an element of research completed by the studio that proved to be very valuable was the information collected on mixed-income housing. It was found that mixed-income housing, meaning housing for people with differing levels of income and economic status, had proven to be a good way of promoting equity and inclusion within a community. It was thus decided to move forward with a mixed194
income housing development for Kansas Avenue. Due to the lack of apartments in Armourdale, a concern which was raised by members of the community, the housing development would be made up entirely of apartment units instead of individual houses or condos. The complex would also seek to be economically accessible with all units rented out at market rates.
195
1. The first step in the process of developing the site began with the existing conditions of the two large distribution warehouses that occupy the riverfront.
2. The studio proposes to relocate the two businesses and demolish the existing buildings in order to make way for the development of the riverfront.
5. To further define the three zones, the massing was then pushed forward towards the riverfront.
6. Next, the levee berm and topography are reshaped to interface with the massings.
196
3. The site is then divided into three zones through the extension of the grid from the development on the east bank.
4. A wall of massing is formed to define the area and separate the development from the existing rail lines directly to the west of the site.
7. After reshaping the topography, a walkable grid is overlaid with the massing. The grid is informed by other city blocks in order to establish walkability and pedestrian accessibility.
8. Using the grid, the center blocks of the development are infilled in order to increase the density of the site.
197
198
9. Finally, the heights of the buildings are influenced by datum lines formed by significant buildings in the area, including the Yards apartment complex and the Livestock Exchange building in the West Bottoms. The final form of the housing development allows for a great deal of variation of form, creating unique spaces within the development that can provide circulation, parking, outdoor spaces, and recreation.
THE LEVEE One of the most significant factors in the disconnection of the site is the levee infrastructure. Along the Kansas Avenue riverfront, the levee fluctuates between a wall and a berm several times. This proved to be an interesting and unique challenge for the studio, as the housing development would need to create a seamless transition between the inner and outer parts of the levee without compromising the levee’s flood mitigation. It was decided early on in the design development phase of the project that the levee would need to
interface directly with the buildings themselves in order to be both functional and architecturally interesting. This led to the editing and shifting of the levee wall and berm to conform to the building massing while still maintaining the integrity of the levee. The levee gate typologies incorporate a large watertight gate system that is only required to close during a flood event, allowing for the gate to remain open for the majority of the time.
199
200
Several typologies were developed in order to examine how the levee infrastructure would integrate with the buildings. Here, the selected levee wall typologies are highlighted along with their placement in the development. The levee berm typologies allow for a more seamless transition from the interior side of the levee within the development to the exterior side of the riverfront.
201
“By developing along the riverfront, new amenities will be attracted and built in order to properly serve both Kansas City, Kansas and the adjoining city of Kansas City, Missouri as a whole. New residential buildings as well as commercial developments would draw not only the locals but also tourists to the area. Bringing life to the river valley region, begins to stitch together the various neighborhoods and communities that are currently separated by industrial uses. Shifting the type of developments in the area will begin to make the riverfront more desirable and connect the river back to the heart of each city.”
202
203
7 AM
8 AM
9 AM
10 AM
12 PM
2 PM
4 PM
5 PM
6 PM
PUBLIC PLAZAS After the establishment of the housing development, the studio then focused attention on the development of the interior plazas that were formed by the building massing. First, a series of sun studies were conducted in order to establish which plaza spaces would be best suited for recreational activities, gardening, event spaces, and other uses. Within each of the three 204
zones: public, semi-public, and private, one plaza was selected to be the central hub for that zone. As noted in the adjacent plaza axons, each plaza was developed to adhere to its zone’s needs. For example, the public plaza has the largest amount of gathering and event space, while the private plaza has a small playground and green space for residents.
Private Plaza
New Typography Wide Narrow Open Enclosed
Plaza Parti
Semi-Public Plaza
Public Plaza
205
206
“The main priorities of the new housing initiatives at both of the proposed housing locations can focus on the characteristics of the new communities that they will be producing and reshaping. Eventually, the new mixed-use, mixed-income developments will attract various forms of development to the area, and finally establish the Kansas City, Kansas riverfront with its own identity.”
207
1 Bedroom
3 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
4 Bedroom
HOUSING UNITS As stated previously, a general concern of the community centered around the development of affordable apartment units that could accommodate a wide variety of family types and sizes. In response to this concern, four different unit sizes were created for the housing development, ranging from one bedroom up to four bedrooms. To further allow for the mixing of different families and household sizes, each floor consists of a mix of unit sizes, with each unit size represented on every floor of the building. 208
4 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 1 Bedroom
w
ndo
o
dro
Be
rs
uve
Lo tal
i mW
m oo g R ow n i Liv ind W
n rizo
ers
Ho
ouv
Ver
lL tica
lid
So nt
o refr
Sto in
urta ss C all a l G W
In order to accommodate the different unit sizes, the facades of the buildings were developed using a modular system of panels. This allowed each facade to be customized to fit every unit configuration. and maintain proper sun shading and uniformity. 209
210
Circulation throughout the housing development was curtailed to keep pedestrian use separate from vehicular use. Vehicular parking is relegated to the western edge of the development, while pedestrian circulation occupies the eastern edge, connecting to the riverfront trail system and offering an increased level of walkability.
Vehicular Circulation Pedestrian Circulation
211
212
The public plaza, located at the southern end of the development, is divided into a sequence of transition spaces and main gathering spaces, all leading to the riverfront and pedestrian trails.
213
214
215
KANSAS AVENUE ANALYSIS The studio’s analysis of Kansas Avenue found that the street itself possessed a great deal of potential in terms of improving the public realm and overall walkability of the area. In densifying the street edge and adding green infrastructural elements, Kansas Avenue could become a much more lively and pleasant street. In the analysis of the street corridor, it was discovered that there are a number of different commercial uses along the street itself, with many restaurants and green 216
spaces occupying lots directly adjacent to the street. The analysis of the area’s potential also revealed many places where increased density and green infrastructural elements could greatly improve the space and overall image of the area. Lastly, the land value analysis gave an idea of the parcel values along the corridor, further informing where added infrastructure and density could help some of the major issues in the area.
Land Use Restaurants
Open Green Space
Bars
Parks
Fast Food
Single-Family Residential
Convenience Store Winery/Brewery
ve as A
s Kan
Area Potential Established 2005 - 2020
Developable Land
Established 1990 - 2005
Missing Teeth
Established 1975 - 1990
Street Edge
Established 1960 - 1975
Not Based in Kansas
Abandoned Buildings
Land Value < $25,000
$100,000 - $250,000 $250,000 - $1,000,000
State Line
$25,000 - $100,000
> $1,000,000 No Data
217
ve as A
s Kan
7th Street
Widened Truck Route
Street Parking
Truck Route
One-Way Street
Pedestrian Oriented Street
Alleyway
VEHICULAR CIRCULATION PLAN One of the biggest issues in this area is the amount of heavy industrial truck traffic traveling down the main streets of Kansas Avenue, 7th Street, and Osage Avenue. In order to mitigate the high amounts of air and noise pollution that this traffic creates, a new street plan was developed in order to encourage truck traffic to use the secondary, more industrial streets instead of the main commercial corridors. While it is important to note that 218
as long as there is an industrial presence in Armourdale there will be heavy truck traffic, the new street plan may help alleviate some of the issues surrounding vehicular movement. The inconsistencies with both sidewalk width and placement is also an issue in the area, with some places not even having sidewalks altogether. The simple solution to this problem is to increase the amount of sidewalks and improve their overall consistency.
ve as A
s Kan
7th Street
Primary Nodes Secondary Nodes
Proposed Street Plan
50 ft - 59 ft 60 ft - 69 ft
ve as A
s Kan
Street Widths
5 ft - 9 ft 10 ft - 14 ft
Sidewalk Widths
ve as A
s Kan
219
1
2 6
5
4
3
2
1 3
4
5
6
220
In looking at the urban fabric of Kansas Avenue in section, most of the buildings appeared to be about the same height. This meant that any new buildings would also need to conform to the established height datum in order to maintain consistency in the urban fabric.
In examining the street edge of Kansas Avenue, it was noted that the level of density in the urban fabric is strongest at the western most edge and decreases in density as the street moves east towards the river. This information dictated that the largest amount of densification was needed most along the eastern edges of the street. 221
e
s Av
sa Kan
KANSAS AVENUE DEVELOPMENT The design proposal for Kansas Avenue centers around strengthening the urban fabric and the street edge by adding infill buildings to the vacant lots. The proposal also included the creation of a large central plaza to function as a main gathering and event space for the 222
community. Furthermore, added tree coverage and green infrastructure elements to help with stormwater management would help improve the environmental issues along the street.
State Line
ve as A
s Kan
223
KANSAS AVENUE PLAZA Functioning as the central hub of the Kansas Avenue corridor, the plaza space was designed to be both flexible and functional, allowing for a variety of uses including events and large gatherings. The plaza creates a break in the street edge of Kansas Avenue that carves out a portion of this largely industrial area for pedestrian use. The studio imagined that a grocery store, medical clinic, gym, or other much needed function could occupy the building surrounding the plaza, further promoting this space as a centralized “town square” for the neighborhood. 224
225
In order to promote pedestrian use, the intersections along Kansas Avenue were redesigned to improve pedestrian safety, add street parking, tree coverage, as well as new bus and bike lanes.
Another added pedestrian safety element included the separation of the different traffic types. For example, a three foot wide buffer zone separates the bike lane from the traffic lane, and green medians help separate the bus lane from the moving traffic.
226
STREET EXPERIENCE The main element of the design proposal for Kansas Avenue involves creating a stronger, more defined street edge that promotes pedestrian use and accessibility, while also promoting the identity of the neighborhood of Armourdale. Kansas Avenue is imagined in this project as being a centralized hub of activity for the neighborhood; a lively place that can accommodate
both the day-to-day use of both commercial and industrial traffic and the specialized use of bikes, buses, and pedestrians. By redesigning the street, adding tree coverage, infill development, and improving pedestrian use, the studio imagines Kansas Avenue as having a bright future as a destination spot for both the residents of Armourdale and the general public.
227
7,205
10,800
I-670 52,500
77,700 41,000 76,600 38,900
6,175
I-70
10th Street
13,400
22,700 ve as A
s Kan
7th Street
69 Highway
1,920
Existing Bus Stop Existing Bus Route 12th Street
Mobility Hub New Bus Route
20,800
30,900
87,400 4,770
MOBILITY HUB With the lack of public transportation being an issue for Armourdale, the studio proposed new east and westbound bus routes that connect residents back to Kansas City, Missouri and the West Bottoms. These new routes congregate in the central Mobility Hub, which functions as a bus terminal, bike rental and 228
storage, public restroom, and a convenience store. The transportation-oriented mobility hub becomes a point of linkage between Kansas Avenue, the proposed housing development, and the industrial triangle, serving to unify the entire development of Kansas Avenue as a cohesive whole.
229
230
231
7TH STREET & ARMOURDALE
232
Primary Connectors Green Space Green Infrastructure Public Realm Infill/Development 7th Street
ve as A
s Kan
AREA CONCEPT Adjoining Kansas Avenue is the main north-to-south corridor of 7th Street. Connecting the neighborhood of Armourdale to Strawberry Hill and downtown Kansas City, Kansas, 7th Street presents a similar opportunity to Kansas Avenue. The main concept centers around densifying the street corridor and adding in green infrastructure to help mitigate flooding
issues in the area and add much needed park space for the neighborhood. The concept for the riverfront is to expand both the public realm and natural green space in order to improve the overall environmental health of the area. By establishing the riverfront as a public space, the 7th Street corridor can become another focal point for the neighborhood.
233
Industrial Residential
Raised Boardwalk Infill/Development Natural Public Realm Public Realm Green Infrastructure Retention Pond Tree Preservation Proposed Levee Wall Proposed Levee Berm Infrastructure Park
234
Along with the densification of 7th Street in order to improve walkability, the studio proposed the addition of an infrastructural park that spans the length of the street that addresses infill needs, pedestrian safety, and flood mitigation. The presence of retention ponds helps
collect rain water and reduce strain on the municipal storm drain system. At the riverfront, the public destination point functions as a terminus to 7th Street and brings both residents and the general public to the water’s edge.
235
AREA ANALYSIS In the analysis of 7th Street and Armourdale, three major issues emerged. First, there is a large amount of heavy traffic in the area, which has negatively impacted the pedestrian realm and overall safety. Secondly, the floodplain in Armourdale has resulted in concentrated areas of high flood hazard. Lastly, the many vacant lots and large setbacks along the street has created inconsistencies in the urban fabric of 7th Street.
Central Ave
ve as A
s Kan
6-9 ft Sidewalk 10-13 ft Sidewalk 14-17 ft Sidewalk 50-59 ft Street 60-69 ft Street
High Flood Hazard
70-79 ft Street
Floodplain
Flooding
Minnesota Ave
Minnesota Ave
10,800 Cars Per Day at 35 MPH Central Ave
Central Ave
ve as A
22,700 Cars Per Day at 35 MPH
Traffic
236
ve as A
s Kan
s Kan
Missing Teeth
Minnesota Ave
Minnesota Ave
Minnesota Ave
Minnesota Ave
Central Ave
Central Ave
Central Ave
Central Ave
Kansas Ave
Kansas Ave
Kansas Ave
Kansas Ave
Street Edge
Missing Teeth
Green Spaces and Parks
Bus Stops
Minnesota Ave
Grain silos have a negative image amongst residents and do not create a desirable identity Shawnee park is divided by 7th street, making it dangerous to cross Heavy and fast traffic along 7th street decreases pedestrian and bike safety Extensive rail infrastructure separates pedestrian traffic along 7th street from riverfront
Urban Issues
Green street with infill and increased pedestrian right-of-way from Minnesota Avenue to I-70
Two heavily trafficked streets intersect without pedestrian safety infrastructure
Central Ave
Streets are wide while sidewalks are narrow, and sidewalks often jog back and forth across 7th street
Bus stops do not have shelter and are often located where there is no sidewalk
No pedestrian or vehicular access to riverfront at 7th street
Increased pedestrian rightof-way at I-70 interchange and above rail infrastructure
Infrastructural park with increased pedestrian and bike safety, and flood mitigation strategies from Kansas Avenue to Cheyenne Avenue
Parti
ve as A
s Kan
237
7th Street
Active brownfield requires remediation before development can occur Significant lack of tree coverage in Shawnee Park
ve as A
s Kan High flood hazard at intersection of 7th Street and Kansas Avenue Most of Armourdale resides in a flood plain due to low land and river flooding Significant lack of tree coverage along 7th Street leads to heat island effect
High Heat Active Brownfield Tree Canopy High Flood Hazard
238
Flood Plain
6-9 ft Sidewalk 60-69 ft Street 70-79 ft Street
Kansas Ave
Missing Fabric Street Edge Depth
Cheyenne Ave
Existing Street Edge
Existing Missing Teeth
Existing Rights-of-Way
Proposed Urban Edge
Proposed Rights-of-Way
Retention Pond Rain Garden Pedestrian Scramble
Kansas Ave
10+ ft Sidewalk 6 ft Bike Lane 50-59 ft Street Infill Fabric Park Fabric
Cheyenne Ave
Proposed Green Infrastructure
239
7TH STREET DEVELOPMENT The overarching goal for 7th street is to increase connectivity from downtown Kansas City, Kansas, to the riverfront. By adding infill development to complete the urban fabric, increasing pedestrian safety, and mitigating environmental impacts, 7th Street could become a major public thoroughfare for connection in the area. 240
Several strategies have been employed in order to improve pedestrian safety and overall walkability along 7th Street, including adding shade, improving and adding areas of right-of-way, and separating pedestrians from vehicular traffic via green barriers.
Before
After
Before
After
241
7TH ST & KANSAS AVE INTERSECTION
242
One key area within the 7th Street development is the intersection of Kansas Avenue and 7th Street. In this intersection, the studio is proposing to add a pedestrian scramble, or large pedestrian crosswalk that spans the entire intersection that stops all traffic and allows pedestrians to move in any direction safely. This pedestrian scramble, along with several other scrambles along the corridor, are brightly colored in order to attract the attention of drivers and bring life to the street. Adjoining the intersection is a large retention pond which diverts flood water from the intersection, which is currently the highest flood hazard along 7th Street. Elevated walkways span over the retention pond, allowing people to utilize and engage this green infrastructure element as park space.
243
244
“Although the main function of the infrastructural park is flood mitigation, it is also designed as a series of green spaces that are subdivided by buildings and landscaping… Breaking the space up into smaller, more intimate zones increases neighboring residents’ capacities to take ownership of that area, rather than feeling the need to take responsibility for the entire stretch of the infrastructural park”
245
SHAWNEE PARK
246
As one of the only park spaces in Armourdale, Shawnee Park is a major recreational element in the neighborhood that is currently divided by 7th Street. This not only causes concern for pedestrian safety but also results in the eastern part of the park not being as utilized as the western part. The studio’s proposal is to establish the western portion of Shawnee Park as a major recreational space with a softball field, playground equipment, and other paved sports courts, while the eastern portion caters to the new businesses, events, and gathering spaces in the development. Dense tree coverage acts as a buffer between the two sides of the park and 7th Street. Pedestrian scrambles on both ends of the park help to improve pedestrian walkability and safety.
Recreational park serving residents of Armourdale
7th Street
22,700 cars per day at 35 MPH
Shawnee Ave Urban green space serving businesses and other infill
Play fields and equipment on both sides of the park
Dense tree canopy to serve as buffer from 7th Street
Osage Ave
Existing Conditions
Concept
247
Sidewalks along 7th Street stop at the intersection of Cheyenne Avenue and the presence of three active rail lines create a major division between pedestrians along 7th Street and the riverfront. As a result of this, the pedestrian bridge concept connects pedestrians to the riverfront orients views towards the West, and creates a barrier between pedestrians and traffic.
Pedestrian Connection Acoustic Barrier Rail Highway Views Riverfront
248
7th Street
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE In order to allow easy pedestrian movement from the newly-improved 7th Street to the riverfront space, the studio proposed a new pedestrian bridge that leads from the street to the large public plaza and recreational space. along the river. The pedestrian bridge is completely separate from the 7th Street bridge and helps create a visual and an acoustic barrier between
pedestrians and traffic with a green wall. At 14 ft wide, the bridge allows for a large amount of both pedestrian and bike traffic. Raised 35 ft above the ground, the bridge also does not impede any of the active rail lines underneath. In the center of the bridge, built-in benches allow for pedestrians to sit and take in the view to the west.
249
250
251
252
253
RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
254
One of the most crucial aspects of the 7th Street development was the riverfront space at the terminus of the street corridor. This space needed to be a focal point of public use and provide usable spaces for neighborhood events, gatherings, and other activities. The riverfront development consists of a large park
area and central plaza, all which connect to the river and the pedestrian bridge. There are multiple levels of public realm in this area which allow for a variety of activities to be occurring at the same time without interfering with one another, all while preserving and framing significant views of the river.
The current conditions of the riverfront are dismal at best, with a large amount of vacant land and underutilized industrial space occupying prime real estate that could be given back to the community.
The main public space is situated at the end of the 7th Street corridor between the two large riverfront spaces. This makes the public space significant in terms of its placement and views out towards the river.
Primary Intersection Node Boundary 7th Street Riverfront
255
RIVERFRONT PLAZA
256
The riverfront plaza is the main focal point for the entire riverfront development of 7th Street. With multiple levels of accessible public space, the plaza can accommodate a variety of activities. The infrastructure and large steel trusses of the 7th Street bridge serve as visual anchoring points for the park as well as the
plaza, adding complexity to the spatial characteristics of the area. Due to the massive physical presence of the trusses, a shadow and light study was conducted and found that the bridge further emphasized the division of space towards the east.
Summer Solstice
9 AM
12 PM
3 PM
12 PM
3 PM
Winter Solstice
9 AM
257
The lower deck of the public space can be configured to accommodate a variety of uses, including community classes, parties, performances, and other gatherings. 258
For day-to-day use, the plaza offers great views out to the east and west, as well as opportunities to get close to the water.
259
260
The visual significance of the trusses of the 7th Street bridge can be experienced nearly everywhere on the riverfront, including from both the main plaza and the riverfront trail.
The general size of the park space allows the riverfront to feel more natural and less developed, presenting many opportunities for visitors to connect back to nature.
261
262
“The variety of spatial configurations and uses the upper and lower plazas offer give Kansas City a place to gather, to hold events, to host festivals. The iconic geometry that grew out of the site conditions and highlights the Kansas River gives an identity to the neighborhood, but also enables the various cultures of Armourdale to express their identities through the plethora of uses the plazas may have.”
263
River Cleaning Sponge
Floodable Wetlands
Natural Riparian Edge Mature Tree Coverage Extreme Flood Outlets Storm Water Detention Zone Lower Density Foliage and Grass
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE As environmental issues such as heat island effects and major flooding negatively impact the southern portion of Armourdale, it became very important to implement green infrastructure strategies to help mitigate these issues. On top of these more localized problems, the safety, cleanliness, and overall quality of the river water also emerged as a major issue that would need to be addressed in this area. Since the river flows north towards the Missouri River, the 7th Street riverfront area 264
became the perfect place to implement river cleaning strategies that would improve the water quality for the entire river stretch. As the rain gardens along 7th Street funnel water down to large retention ponds on the riverfront, river-cleaning “sponges’’ catch debris and bacteria from upstream and help clean the river water before it reaches the rest of the site. The sponges themselves include a variety of plant species that help trap river contaminants.
Proposed Levee Wall Proposed Levee Berm
River Edge Expansion
River Constrictions
Levee Constrictions
Rail Line
Green Infrastructure
Existing Constrictions
265
The hope for the riverfront green infrastructure is that it can both clean the river water and the water from 7trh Street before it reaches the river.
The river-cleaning sponge has a transitional zone that not only cleans the water when flooded but can also become home to many of the native species of animals that live alongside the river.
266
267
Infrastructure Park Trail Riverfront Trail Green Infrastructure
Destination Space Paved Surface Edges
268
269
RIVERFRONT PLAZA PAVILION On the upper portion of the public plaza nearest the pedestrian bridge sits the plaza pavilion and visitor center. Much like the plaza itself, this pavilion was designed to be both flexible and interactive. The pavilion is a covered open-air space that can either be completely separate from the visitor center or opened up to create one large event space. 270
The intention for the visitor center is both to serve as an educational space for the green infrastructure along the riverfront as well as a rotating museum space that can cater to the needs and desires of the community. A cafe located in the center of the building also services the public plaza and riverfront spaces.
271
Normal Use
Food Trucks
272
Large Gatherings
273
274
275
MINNESOTA AVE
ST ES
JAM
7TH ST CENTRAL AVE
276
VE AS A
S KAN
SHAWNEE AVE
OSAGE AVE
CHEYENNE AVE
7TH ST 277
278
279
PROJECT CONCLUSION The title of this project, Reclaiming the Riverfront, focuses on revitalizing the overlooked and underappreciated areas along the Kansas River in order to reclaim the vast areas of riverfront land from their current industrial uses. Areas such as infrastructural spaces, abandoned industrial sites, and leftover vacant land were thought of not as spaces that needed to be demolished or erased, but places of great potential and opportunity to enhance the public realm, replenish the natural ecology, and establish neighborhood identity. One of the biggest dilemmas faced by the studio during this project was how to create a stretch of public space along the river that acted as a cohesive whole rather than as individual parts and pieces, all while promoting the identities of the individual neighborhoods these spaces served. As we grappled with the sometimes overwhelming scale and scope of this dilemma, the students discovered a system of organization that envisioned the Kansas River as four unique but interconnected zones. Through engagements with local community leaders and residents, several common themes began to emerge that would eventually help unify the design for this project. First, there was a vast need for more usable public space, such as parks, outdoor gathering spaces, and places for recreational activities, especially near the river. Second, in each area there were concerns about the amount of air, water, and noise pollution and the resulting negative environmental effects. Lastly, many residents were concerned with gentrification and the potential dissolution of their often tightly-knit communities if large-scale development were to be implemented, as has happened in other areas of the city. 280
These three issues prompted the studio to think about how our design could reinforce community identity while still helping to resolve issues like pollution, environmental decay, and industrial usage. While each of the four main areas of I-70, CID, Kansas Avenue, and 7th Street required their own individual design solutions, the implementation of strategies that benefited residents and communities alike helped us create a series of public spaces along the Kansas River that establish the river as a cohesive, functional, and, above all, meaningful element of the urban fabric of Kansas City.
281
TESTIMONIALS UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY & KANSAS CITY, KANSAS The genesis of the contemporary Kansas City region can be traced back to the Lewis and Clark expedition’s fortified campsite at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers in 1804. While its subsequent settlement and establishment of political boundaries has since transformed the modern metropolitan statistical area, at the heart of Kansas City remains this confluence and the two bluffs that overlook it: one from Kansas and the other from Missouri. Over time the much larger Missouri River has taken precedence, as the much smaller, and slower Kansas River is still stuck in the past with much of the riverfront area dedicated to industrial uses. The neighborhoods within the bluffs overlooking the confluence are known as the Historic West Bottoms and Armourdale, which is further south and west upstream. Both the historic West Bottoms and the former company town of the Armour meat-packing plant were very much tied to the livestock trade well into the mid-20th Century. The remnants of this use and their accompanying development patterns are still evident in the built environment today. These intensive, dirty and often noxious factories over time have a physical and psychological barrier to the Kansas River for generations of Kansas Citians. In the Fall of 2020, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, in collaboration with the Armourdale and Historic West Bottoms communities, engaged the Kansas City Design Center (KCDC) in a year-long urban design studio to begin to unlock the possibilities of the region returning to its rivers. Inherent with this new vision for the Kansas River, KCDC focused heavily on developing a restorative 282
relationship with nature as new development could bring new opportunities to connect the neighborhood to the river and the river to the region. Using KCDC’s analysis as a framework for future urban regeneration along the banks of the Kansas River, catalytic sites were identified for new interventions in the built environment that would simultaneously increase access to the river, reduce stormwater runoff, expand multi-modal transportation options, and generally improve the livability for all. This foundational work assisted the UG with its update to the Armourdale Area Master Plan, and in many ways informed the public discussion throughout the planning process. The neighborhoods covered by the Armourdale Area Master Plan have been in a cycle of deterioration for nearly a century. Floods, conflicting land uses, urban renewal, freeway construction, and historically racist and prejudicial mortgage lending practices (i.e. redlining) created a downward trend in the Armourdale community. Transforming this into a positive feedback loop of regeneration is heavily reliant on rethinking how the Kansas River is used. It requires bold thinking and even bolder action. And it starts with this work. Gunnar Hand Director, UG Planning Department
PORT URBANISM The Spring 2021 Kansas City Design Studio focused on innovative urban design strategies for the Armourdale neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas. KCDC’s choice to focus on Armourdale for the semester’s work was very timely as Armourdale approaches a critical juncture between its past, present and future. Armourdale persisted for over a century despite the looming possibility that one day the neighborhood would be erased—either by flood or by government decree. Armourdale endured segregation and disinvestment for decades but survived to our current era—to 2021— a by merely surviving, now demands the investment, equity and stability that has been withheld from it for over 100 years. KCDC carried out their four-month studio effort in parallel with our team’s ongoing planning and community engagement work on the Armourdale Area Master Plan. By working closely with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas in January 2021. This joint project development strategy allowed our respective groups to share research, community engagement efforts and constructive feedback as students developed their studio design proposals. By focusing their efforts in Armourdale, KCDC students were able to develop meaningful, innovative approaches to Armourdale’s central challenges. KCDC students developed strategies to protect the existing residents, strengthen community development, enhance the Kansas River, and strengthen connections between Armourdale and the surrounding communities. The KCDC studio explored design proposals for new
housing, civic venues and recreational amenities that capitalize on planned infrastructural investments to envision a more holistic cultural investment in Armourdale’s future. Armourdale’s history is fully intertwined with Kansas City’s, a preserved urban district showcasing a full catalog of the city’s successes and failures over the last 150 years. When the Armourdale Area Master Plan is issued this year, it will not only represent the first master planning effort for Armourdale since 1979, but formally declare – for the first time – that Armourdale is not going away. By simply continuing to exist, Armourdale has proved that it deserves the same attention as every other neighborhood in Kansas City. Andrew Moddrell, AIA Partner, PORT Urbanism
283
284