Woods County Courthouse Square

Woods County Courthouse Square Environmental Design Capstone - Spring 2014

OU College of Architecture OU Institute for Quality Communities Oklahoma Arts Council Graceful Arts Gallery

The University of Oklahoma College of Architecture Institute for Quality Communities 830 Van Vleet Oval, Gould Hall 165 Norman, Oklahoma 73019 iqc.ou.edu

Graceful Arts Gallery 523 Barnes Street Alva, Oklahoma www.gracefulartscenter.org

Oklahoma Arts Council Cultural District Initiative PO Box 52001-2001 Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2001 www.arts.ok.gov

Contents Introduction Project Site Recommendations

Stage Cover

Circulation and Views

Lighting Landscaping

Public Art

Bicycle Connections

Food Events

Special Uses and Festivals

Historic Walk

Collaborators

Introduction Alva, Oklahoma, is a town of 5,000 people in northwest Oklahoma.

Recently, the Oklahoma Arts Council, through the Cultural District Program, assisted Alva in the creation of a cultural district plan.

The Environmental Design Capstone course at the OU College of Architecture provided design assistance for the Woods County Courthouse Square, an important public space at the heart of Alva.

The Woods County Courthouse Square is an important public space at the heart of Alva’s plans for the future.

Project Overview The goal for this project is to improve Alva’s Woods County Courthouse grounds in order to provide a space that will be fun and safe to use. A variety of events will be held throughout the year.

Following an assessment of the existing conditions, the group brainstormed new uses for the grounds. The initial request from the Graceful Arts members was for a new canopy to cover the existing concrete stage. The group realized that other small improvements will make the entire west end of the courthouse square function better.

Several small improvements presented in this report could improve the west end of the courthouse square.

Project Site The existing site of the Woods County Courthouse Square comprises of green space with foliage, a concrete stage, and the courthouse, all located on the west section of the block. This is where the additions and modifications will take place, to better display art in the community and better use of the performance space.

The redesigned performance space will better connect the performers with the audience.

Aerial view of the Woods County Courthouse Square.

Existing performance stage west of the courthouse.

Stage Cover The existing concrete stage will have an addition of a canopy to eliminate solar heat gain during the mid and evening hours. The new structure will consist of a post and beam construction with a slatted canopy to allow air circulation and create coverage for the performers on stage. During performances the structure can be used for hung lighting and musical equipment which will create a formal performance area for the community.

Circulation and Views The team recommended the removal of the tree directly west of the stage and the small brick building in order to make the best use of space for public seating.

This will improve the flow and circulation in the square from the north to the south. This also will add approximately one-third more space to the viewing area for performances. Removing the small brick building also will create a more inviting entrance and create a vista from College Avenue to the stage.

A truck path for performance and equipment delivery is part of the required features of the design.

Two multifunctional paths are proposed to balance the site and create pedestrian and vehicular traffic along the north and south sides of the courthouse. For improved aesthetics, the paths are constructed with decorative pavers.

Lighting The addition of several lighting components will achieve several goals.

The primary goal is to increase safety and the secondary, beautification. The recommendation is to retain the use of fixtures that fit the style of Alva for the perimeter of the site.

1. At the street corners, the recommendation is to use oldfashioned lamps.

2. Square bollards, with lamps incorporated and evenly spaced along the north, west, and south sidewalks, will complement the streetlights.

3. Due to the breadth of the courthouse square, the recommendation is to place wall-mounted fixtures on the courthouse as a way to illuminate the north and south portions of the site.

4. For the new pavilion, up-lighting will showcase this new structure and create an outdoor space while making it functional for special occasions occurring during the evenings.

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A view of the proposed canopy over the existing concrete stage, illuminated at night.

Landscaping Existing landscaping will be maintained. Additional landscaping will be added along the truck paths/ sidewalks for site beautification. These additions will consist of native wild flower plants, as well as Oklahoma annuals that grow in most conditions and require little maintenance. These will provide a diversity of colors and flowers.

Public Art The inclusion of commemorative columns directly west along the sidewalk will create a formal entrance with an architectural connection to the POW camp outside of town. Placing a fountain near will create white noise from the street to the stage and create a serene seating area for everyday use. This type of fountain would ideally be sponsored by community companies that have deep roots in Alva.

The pre-proposed scheme for the addition of public art to the corners of the site will be kept in order to promote art within the community and add beautification to the overall site.

Bicycle Connections For the northwest corner of the Woods County Courthouse Square, the recommendation is to add bike racks and create a bike share program to link downtown Alva with the university to the south. Also, the addition of bike racks placed at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) will encourage bicyclists to travel between the two nodes, fostering a connection between the downtown and the university.

Food Events The recommendation for the southwest corner of the square is to create a space for food-related events. Food trucks can park around the perimeter of the square in the current parking spaces.

Special Uses and Festivals The space should be flexible and designed to accommodate festivals and events like an arts festival or car show.

Historic Walk The recommendation for a “Historic Walk� is to address two issues:

inform tourists and locals about the history of Alva and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

1. Encourage pedestrian traffic along College Avenue between downtown Alva and Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and 2. Improve directional signage from the intersection of Highway 281 (Oklahoma Avenue) and College Avenue to the Woods County Courthouse Square.

This signage will provide another connection between downtown and campus.

Going from the courthouse square south to the university campus, the markers and monuments (some relocated from existing places on the square), will explain the history of Northwestern Oklahoma State University as it pertains to the community.

These will be on the east side of College Avenue.

The addition of information placecards (or historic markers) along the sidewalks of College Avenue will

From the campus heading north to the courthouse square, the history of Alva will be displayed to better inform students and other pedestrians. These will be on the west side of College Avenue.

Many examples of markers and plaques exist. The design of these elements should complement the existing landscape and spaces along College Avenue.

Collaborators

OU COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE INSTITUTE FOR QUALITY COMMUNITIES Ron Frantz Umit Hope Mander OU COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS Environmental Design

Virginia Addleman, Aurora/Centennial, Colo.

Justin Phillips, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Gabe Sevigny, Tulsa, Okla.

Architecture

Grant Bankson, Elk City, Okla.

Aaron Lout, Yukon, Okla.

Michelle Oliphant, Edmond, Okla.

Caty Townsend, Carrolton, Texas/Oklahoma City, Okla.

GUEST SPEAKERS & TOUR GUIDES OU Western History Collection, Norman Jackie Reese Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman Joyce Cummins Karen McWilliams Jessica Farling Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma City Josh Lunsford Arts District Consultant, Oklahoma City Georgia Williams Norman Arts Council, Norman Erinn Gavaghan Tim Stark Downtown Arts Association, Shawnee Ada Hunter Susie Clinard Graceful Arts Gallery and Arts Studio, Alva Kay Decker Mary Cline Jo Decker Kathy Earnest Paul Kinzie

The University of Oklahoma College of Architecture Institute for Quality Communities 830 Van Vleet Oval, Gould Hall Norman, Oklahoma 73019 iqc.ou.edu