WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY DESIGN STUDIO J. Chu, A. Gowda, A. Hosogaki, C. Jeran, and J. Lloreda
n
FAIRMONT BELTLINE
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT Do wn tow
Functional Master Plan CONCEPT
Helmick District Existing
Possibilities
It is an initiative to build a neighborhood embracing “Pride, Joy and Commerce”. Develop a sense of Pride for the people who call the neighborhood home. Bring Joy to the people visiting the stadium, the school, the trail and other amenities. Spark exuberance in Commerce benefitting the entire community.
Possibilities
Beltline Community Garden
Vir gin ia
Ga
Existing
Av e
Streetscape on Virginia & Gaston Ave
The Helmick Property can be an opportunity for residential, commercial, retail, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, and an Arts Center. The mixed-use area not only provides residential and commercial space for visitors and local residents, but also incorporates new transportation options, such as biking and walking. The area will connect to the Beltline Loop in two different places, which brings people to the site to recreate, shop and relax during their trail adventure.
sto nA ve
Fai rm on tA ve
Together let us work to bring “Pride, Joy and Commerce to Fairmont, WV”.
8th St
Existing
Virginia Avenue and Gaston Avenue can be narrow to provide larger sidewalks to enhance walkability. Brick pavements and traditional style lighting can be installed to restore the history on this part of the road white bringing an identity and enhancing the characteristics of Beltline area. Benches along the sidewalk will be gathering places for the neighborhood, and it will enhance communication between people.
Possibilities
Gardening opportunities for the residents of the Beltline and students at West Fairmont Middle School, which enhance the communication between people. It will also encourages ecological education for all ages. The gardens provide fresh produce and plants, alleviating climate change inside the neighborhood.
ne
Industrial Walkway Existing
Possibilities
Be
10t hS t
Lo
Possibilities
ltli
Existing
op
Beltline Loop
A walking pathway extending over a mile is an easy getaway from the everyday routine. The trail is designed to be an extension of the rail trail ending at Rivesville in the north. Also a summer loop extension of the beltline loop, which is self-sufficient encircling 2.5 miles.
A sheltered walkway can facilitate the viewer to disengage from the process of walking and engage in learning the history of Coal and Window-Glass museum of the Beltline area. The simplicity of recurring structures by itself be a landmark feature adding a sparkle to the existing mandane envrionment. The connection on the museum could act as easy getaway from the 2.5 miles loop, connecting the River trail to Minor Avenue.
Alley Existing
Possibilities
River Trail
ne
Beltline Market Place Possibilities
Min
Existing
A central place to gather for the residents of the Beltline, as well as the visitors from all around. The Beltline Market Place offers an indoor and outdoor shopping mall, a wide variety of restaurants and shops, a movie theatre, spaces for kids and grow ups, and of course parking. This design, which is integrated with nature by providing green roofs and great views to the river and surrounding wildlife.
Existing
Possibilities
The single-family housing is strategically placed near the Beltline Loop, the Gateway Park, the East West Stadium and The Beltline Market Place. This location enhances the quality of life for the residents.
Possibilities
The open lot adjacent to the Middle School along Minor Avenue has great potential to enhance the street while linking to the rest of the Beltline Market Place. The space will be bordered with commercial and retail buildings which will appeal to users of the Beltline Loop, neighborhood residents, as well as middle school students. The buildings face three outdoor overhead structures which provide the neighboring community garden with a venue for a farmers market, students with an outdoor space for events and activities, and a place for neighborhood events to be held. The new Beltline Market Place can become a destination for locals and visitors alike.
Monongah Housing
The trail along the river provides beautiful natural views as well as opportunities for water sports such as fishing, kayaking, tubing, jet skiing, etc. Shelters, tiny structures, and visual elements along the trail will provide places of interest and landmarks which can develop into stories and memories of the place, in particular the Beltline neighborhood.
Beltline Market Place
or
Existing
Av e
12t hS t
Riv
Be ltli
Providing pedestrian and bike sharing trails in the alley ways with berry bushes creates interaction between the user and the pathways. Walking through the small alley will bring a sense of the community and enhance communication between neighbors.
Possibilities
er T r ail
Lo o
p
Existing
N
Gateway Park
R la
e h a
g n o
n o M
r e iv
Existing
Scale : 1” = 120’ 0’
120’
240’
480’
720’
Possibilities
The gateway acts as a beginning or an opening, spaces are defined to create a story, the story always has beginning; this definition creates identity for the place. The Beltline Loop, is one such thing, it is envisioned to create an identity and tell a story. The identity for the people who have lived here, worked here, and for the people who are living here now. The trail loop is created to involve each and every member of the community, a place for children to play, to learn, for adults to walk, for pets to be let loose, an entertaining educating and binding loop. The gateway to the loop, is an element to breathe life to the story.