Seth McWhorter - Athens Pedestrian District

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT SETH MCWHORTER A Senior Design Project Presented to the College of Environment and Design University of Georgia Under the Direction of: Brian LaHaie In Partial Fulfillment of the requirement’s for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Athens, GA Spring 2011

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT Athens Pedestrian District - 3

Athens Pedestrian District - 4

table of contents

project introduction site location site inventory/analysis site photos conceptual design master plan site plans sections character sketches construction details planting plan materials furnishings signage special thanks

4 8 9 16 18 21 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 35

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT +STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/VISION

As cities and towns all across the United States fight to augment and maintain a viable local economy, many politicians and city officials grasp at the most obvious and immediate measures. However, in doing so, those in charge often overlook solutions that hold tremendous potential to spurn growth for their communities for years—even decades—to come. This is where landscape architects enter the fold. Through new developments that build on the existing urban framework, landscape architects can design projects that will not only improve upon what is already there, but also lay the foundation for new growth, simultaneously creating new jobs and attracting new business. No better example of this type of opportunity is evident in Downtown Athens, Georgia.

As a life long Athens resident, I have experienced Downtown Athens from many perspectives. My father worked in an office downtown for over 20 years, and I have seen the various changes that the area has experienced during this time. I have also experienced Downtown Athens from the perspective of a college student, and I have come realize that the area is not only the defining landmark of Athens, but to the students of the University of Georgia—it is a defining landmark of the institution.

An improvement in this area is not only an investment for the area itself and the businesses that reside within it, but it is an investment in the entire city of Athens and the University of Georgia.

Specifically, the improvements that I am proposing to be made are within the area of the most activity—mainly the stretch of Clayton Street from Jackson Street to Lumpkin Street, the portion of College Avenue between Broad Street and Washington Street. Many projects have been proposed for this area in the past, yet few have failed to sway city officials and the public to enact changes in the area. The vision I have created for this area not only satisfies the infrastructural, economic, aesthetic and functional needs of the downtown district, but also takes into account the various environmental issues that often exist within urban areas. +DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

The specific changes I am proposing for this area of downtown deal directly with the streetscape of these two streets (Clayton and College). I propose that the existing vehicular traffic pattern be altered to allow more space for pedestrian and commercial activity. Vehicular traffic within this area should be limited to certain times of the day, and during times of peak pedestrian activity (mainly during special events,

Athens Pedestrian District - 6

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT

football gamedays, etc.), the street should be closed to all but emergency vehicles. Closure of this area to private vehicles would allow ample space for specials events to take place including (but not limited to): concerts, markets, public art, dining space, etc.

In addition to these changes in vehicular activity, streetscape elements within the area should be enhanced. Additional street trees, lighting elements, seating, planters, trash receptacles, bollards, etc should be added to facilitate pedestrian enjoyment of the space.

The entire focus of these changes would be to attract potential visitors and new merchants to the area, thereby boosting the local economy. Within this project, specific evidence from similar projects will be used to demonstrate the level of economic growth that is possible from these proposed changes. While traffic and parking patterns will be altered, I will show how additional parking and traffic needs will be met.

The focus of this project is not to change the defining character of Downtown Athens—it is to identify and expand upon the most successful aspects of that character in an effort to improve the Downtown area both economically and aesthetically.

+DESIGN ELEMENTS

-Clayton Street -10-15’ patio retail space - this space is to be used by bars, restaurants, and retail shops for tables and chairs, as well as space to

to sell items

-20’ service lane - vehicular traffic save for emergencies, deliveries, and maintenance will be prohibited and controlled by

pneumatic bollards located at either end of the pedestrian district

-8-10’ “street accessory” space - this strip is to be used for street trees, plantings, stormwater management, as well as

streetscape elements such as benches, bike racks, street lamps, bollards, and also can be used by temporary vendors sell-

ing food and other items

-10-12’ pedestrian space - t his area is to be used solely by pedestrians, it has been expanded to provide a more comfortable

pedestrian experience

-30-50’ - plaza space(s) - these areas are meant to be used for programmed and unprogrammed events

-programmed events could include markets, concerts, movie screenings, demonstrations, etc.

-entry plazas - these are spaces that announce the entrance to the space, they may be used to accomodate permanant art pieces

such as the obelisk currently located on Broad Street, the Athena sculpture located at the Classic Center, and the Double Athens Pedestrian District - 7

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT

Barrelled Cannon located adjacent to City Hall.

+DESIGN GOALS

-a stronger greenspace link from North Campus to Downtown Athens

-allow businesses (both retail and food/drink) more sidewalk space for outdoor seating and sales

-preservation of service (deliveries, etc.) access to businesses along Clayton & College

-ample space for predestrian circulation

additional space for vendors and temporary business ocurring on the street

-more amenities (benches, lighting, bike racks, vegetation) for pedestrian use

-more space for trees/vegetation

-additional street trees

-stormwater retention areas

-versatile spaces for markets, concerts, art shows, recreation, etc.

-enhanced paving

-controlled access for vehicles to maintain pedestrian dominance of space

-creation of an environment that reduces the focus/reliance on vehicles

Athens Pedestrian District - 8

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT Athens Pedestrian District - 9

greater ATHENS

downtown ATHENS

e avenu

college ave. + clayton st. ATHENS

Athens Pedestrian District - 10

downtown ATHENS

e colleg

eet clayton str

greater ATHENS

college ave. + clayton st. ATHENS

site location

N OCO

IVER EE R

RTY

DOUGHE

PRINCE

$

K

HANCOC

$

S THOMA

N

E

COLLEG

$

JACKSO

N

GTO WASHIN

$

$

LUMPKIN

HULL

CLAYTON

PULASK

$

I $

BROAD

+composite site analysis PARKING (OWNED BY ACC GOVT.) PARKING UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA $ BANK BAR THEATRE/MUSIC VENUE

CHURCH/CHAPEL GOVERNMENT OFFICE HOTEL/APARTMENT/RESIDENCE SHOPPING/RETAIL RESTAURANT

UNIVERSITY PROPERTY EXISTING SURFACE PARKING LOTS GREENSPACE (PUBLIC OR PRIVATE)

site inventory/analysis DENOTES ONE-WAY TRAFFIC TRAFFIC LIGHT

ACC BUS LINE RAIL LINE LOCAL TRAFFIC LIGHT TRAFFIC MEDIUM TRAFFIC HEAVY TRAFFIC

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university of georgia business/retail entertainment government parking structure hotel church/chapel bank

+structure use map

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site inventory/analysis

UGA civic/government business (office/retail) parking bar bank restaurant hotel/residence church radius = 1/8 mile

PUBLIC PARKING AREA(lots/decks)

+parcel use map Flirt Boutique

Cillies Clothing

Lamar Lewis Shoes Aurum Studios

+walkability map

The Red Zone

Transmetropolitan

Native America

40’-55’

Wuxtry Records

Frontier

Bang-On

28’-35’

Kum’s Sunglasses and Shoes Horton’s Drug Store

par kin

ines

gm

24’ stre et t ree s

dth sidewalk wi 10’-12’

45’

12’

s th

resh olds

20’

g sp ace s

ligh t po sts

cros swa lks

125’

ete rs

30’-40’

par kin

bus

site inventory/analysis 17’

10’-14’

+streetscape axon

dth parking wi

200’

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Zone 1 -55 parking spaces -25 street trees -28 store fronts -2 apartment entries Zone 2 -20 parking spaces -12 street trees -13 store fronts -0 apartment entries Zone 3 -32 parking spaces -19 street trees -18 store fronts -4 apartment entries Zone 4 -16 parking spaces -18 street trees -16 store fronts -5 apartment entries

college

2

3

lc ayton

TOTALS -118 parking spaces -74 street trees -75 store fronts -11 apartment entries Athens Pedestrian District - 14

4

college

1

n o t y a cl

site inventory/analysis

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT Athens Pedestrian District - 15

site inventory/analysis

+courtesy: Batson Cook Development Athens Pedestrian District - 16

+ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS/VERNACULAR

-taking cues from the existing architecture and placing them into the landscape is essential in designing a streetscape that complements the architecture

-these analysis graphics, created by Batson Cook Development, catalog the various architectural details that make each building facade unique and interesting

site inventory/analysis

+courtesy: Batson Cook Development Athens Pedestrian District - 17

Athens Pedestrian District - 18

site photos

site photos

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convert to two way street parking deck access

entry plaza market/ event space

controlled access bollards

market/ event space entry plaza

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conceptual design

convert to two way street

parking deck access

entry plaza 2 lanes - no parking

market/ event space entry plaza

conceptual design

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patio/outdoor seating space pedestrian circulation streetscape “elements” vehicular traffic streetscape “elements” pedestrian circulation patio/outdoor seating space

patio/outdoor seating space pedestrian circulation streetscape “elements” on street parking vehicular vehi icular traffic traaffic on street parking streetscape “elements” pedestrian circulation patio/outdoor seating space

+STREETSCAPE CONFIGURATIONS/”PARTIS”

-using simple, schematic graphics to explore the different possibilities of streescape design, the design for each individual street is explored

-some configurations are used in various areas of the exisiting urban area, while some are designs that could potentially be used to create a more successful pedestrian experience

patio/outdoor seating space pedestrian circulation streetscape “elements” plaza/greenspace streetscape “elements” pedestrian circulation patio/outdoor seating space

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patio/outdoor seating space pedestrian circulation streetscape “elements” on street parking vehicular vehi icular traffic traaffic streetscape “elements” pedestrian circulation patio/outdoor seating space

conceptual design

WASHINGTON STREET

1

Washington Street Entry Plaza

2 Proposed College Ave. Parking Deck Entrance 3 Market/Event Space

2

1

4 2 Lane - One Way - Traffic - Clayton Street 5 College Ave.. Market/Event Space 6 Temporary Event Structure

11

7 Broad Street Entry Plaza 8 Sidewalk 3

9 Patio/Outdoor Seating Space 10 Streetscape “Accessory” Space 11 College Avenue Parking Deck

HEATRE

9

JACKSON STREET

LUMPKIN STREET

3

4 10

8

5

6 7

BROAD STREET Athens Pedestrian District - 23

College Avenue Parkinvg Deck pedestrian entrance

raised entrance plaza (+2’) plaza space

temporary concert/event structure outdoor seating/patio space market/event space

market/vendor tent

entry steps - 6� (x5)

relocated obelisk

pedestrian space trash receptacle

bollard

lamp/signage post

person

legend - site features

site plan - upper college ave.

bicycle rack

brick

tree grate

pervious concrete

cafe table/umbrella

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bench

outdoor seating/patio area pedestrian space streetscape “accessory� space

bioremediation/plating area Clayton Street - one way, two lanes

site plan - clayton st.

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90’

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15’

12’

8’

20’

8’

12’

15’

PATIO OUTDOOR SEATING RETAIL SPACE

PEDESTRIAN SPACE

STREET TREES BENCHES BOLLARDS STREET LAMPS

2 DELIVERY LANES

STREET TREES BENCHES BOLLARDS STREET LAMPS

PEDESTRIAN SPACE

PATIO OUTDOOR SEATING RETAIL SPACE

section - clayton street

110’ 15’

20’

8’

30’

8’

20’

15’

PATIO OUTDOOR SEATING RETAIL SPACE

PEDESTRIAN SPACE

STREET TREES BENCHES BOLLARDS STREET LAMPS

PLAZA SPACE

STREET TREES BENCHES BOLLARDS STREET LAMPS

PEDESTRIAN SPACE

PATIO OUTDOOR SEATING RETAIL SPACE

section - college avenue

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character sketch - clayton

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character sketch - college

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3

1 " 2

3

1/4" X 2" STEEL TAB

CONCRETE ANCHOR BOLT

SLOTTED 7/16" X 3/4"

1 " 2

FOR CONCRETE ANCHOR SHOP WELDED TO FRAME existing concrete sidewalk

(TYP. 8 PLCS. PER FRAME)

COncrete curb (3000 PSI @ 28 days)

6"

1/2" expansion joint

COncrete curb electrical (3000 PSI @ 28 days)

6"

compacted subgrade

1'-6" 1/2" DIA. ST. STL. BOLT WASHER (3 PCS)

1/2" expansion joint

6"

4" concrete slab

existing concrete ANCHOR BOLTS slab

6" aggregate base

6" aggregate base 2'-10"

2'-10"

compacted subgrade #4 rebar (both ways)to Concrete Tree Grate- 12"- O.C. Connection

existing concrete sidewalk

compacted subgrade #4 rebar - 12"Bollard O.C. (both ways) Standard

scale: 2”=1’-0”

scale: 3/4”=1’-0”

7'

+bioremediation cell detail Bioretention Planter

1/2" Radius (typ.)

scale: 1/2”=1’-0”

Stairs to Brick Sidewalk Con

COncrete Stair (3000 PSI @ 28 days) #4 rebar - 12" O.C. (both ways)

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT - CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

1% Slope On Tread (Typ.)

6"

COncrete curb (3000 PSI @ 28 days)

1'-6"

6"

1/2" expansion joint 8"

existing concrete slab

1'-6"

6" aggregate base compacted subgrade

1/2" expansion joint 2x4x8" brick pavers 1/2" mortar setting bed 4" COncrete Slab (3000 PSI @ 28 days) 6" aggregate base compacted subgrade

#4 rebar - 12" O.C. (both ways)

1'-6"

+concrete stair detail

scale: 1/2”=1’-0” Athens Pedestrian District - 30

construction details

Stairs to Brick Sidewalk Connection

scale: 3/4”=1’-0”

GRATE 1-3/4"X1-3/4"X1/4" STEEL ANGLE

brick PAVER 1/4" thick x 2" steel tab

1/2" mortar setting bed

slotted 7/16" x 3/4" for concrete anchor

5"

(typ. 8 plcs. per frame) Concrete anchor bolt

2

1 " 2

GRATE

1 1 2" 3

1 " 2 1 " 2

1 " 2

compacted subgrade

LISTED DIMENSION

CONCRETE ANCHOR BOLT

1 " 2

GRATE

+tree grate to brick paver detail

Tree Grate - Connection to Brick Pavers

SHOP WELDED TO FRAME (TYP. 8 PLCS. PER FRAME)

existing concrete sidewalk

LISTED DIMENSION compacted subgrade

SLOTTED 7/16" X 3/4"

1 " 2

1/2" DIA. ST. STL. BOLT WASHER (3 PCS)

LAMP

LOCKING SCREWS

3 CONCRETE ANCHOR BOLT

scale: 2”=1’-0”

REMOVABLE FINIAL electrical

1-3/4"X1-3/4"X1/4" STEEL ANGLE CUT CONCRETE 1" LARGER THAN TREE GRATE

1/4" X 2" STEEL TAB

LAMP

LOCKING SCREWS

3

SLOTTED 7/16" X 3/4" FOR CONCRETE ANCHOR

1 1 2" 3

REMOVABLE FINIAL

1-3/4"X1-3/4"X1/4" STEEL ANGLE CUT CONCRETE 1" LARGER THAN TREE GRATE

1/4" X 2" STEEL TAB

2

existing concrete sidewalk

ANCHOR BOLTS

+tree grate to concrete sidewalk detail

existing concrete sidewalk

FOR CONCRETE ANCHOR

SHOP WELDED TO FRAME

(TYP. 8 PLCS. PER FRAME)

Tree Grate - Connection to Concrete

existing concrete sidewalk

compacted subgrade

scale: 2”=1’-0” COncrete curb (3000 PSI @ 28 days)

Standard electrical Bollard

1/2" expansion joint

6" ANCHOR BOLTS 6"

4" concrete slab

construction details

scale: 3/4”=1’-0”

1/2" DIA. ST. STL. BOLT WASHER (3 PCS)

existing concrete sidewalk

6" aggregate 1/2" baseRadius (typ.)

Tree Grate - Connection to Concrete

compacted subgrade COncrete Stair scale: 2”=1’-0” (3000 PSI @ 28 days)

Standard Bollard

rebar - 12" O.C. (both ways) #4 rebar - 12" O.C.#4 (both ways)

2'-10"

+standard bollard detail scale: 3/4”=1’-0” Athens Pedestrian District - 31

2'-1

Sweet Olive (12) Rhaphiolepis indica INDIAN HAWTHORN

(18) Osmanthus fragrans (12) Rhaphiolepis indica INDIAN HAWTHORN Sweet Olive (12) Rhaphiolepis indica INDIAN HAWTHORN

(12) Rhaphiolepis indica INDIAN HAWTHORN

Planting Plan - Sidewalk Planter - Option 1 Planting Plan - Sidewalk Planter - Option 1

Scale: 1-1/2”=1’-0” Scale: 1-1/2”=1’-0”

(2) Andropogon virginicus BROOMSEDGE (15) Ilex crenata ‘Convexa’ (2) Andropogon virginicus CONVEX LEAF HOLLY BROOMSEDGE (15) Ilexvirginicus crenata ‘Convexa’ (6) Andropogon CONVEX LEAF HOLLY BROOMSEDGE Location of Sidewalk/Biorentention Planters

(2) Andropogon virginicus BROOMSEDGE (2) Andropogon virginicus BROOMSEDGE (5) Andropogon virginicus BROOMSEDGE (5) Andropogon virginicus BROOMSEDGE

Planting Plan - Sidewalk Planter - Option 2

Planting Plan - Sidewalk Planter - Option (44) Juncus effusus 2

Scale: 1-1/2”=1’-0” Scale: 1-1/2”=1’-0”

SOFT RUSH

(6) Andropogon virginicus BROOMSEDGE

(59) Chasmanthium latifolium INLAND SEA OATS

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT - Planting Plan ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT - Planting Plan Planting Plan - Bioretention Planter

(67) Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’ BLACK EYED SUSAN

planting plan - clayton st.

Athens Pedestrian District - 32

Trees

Qty.

Size

Scale: 1-1/2”=1’-0”

Botanical Name

Common Name

Spacing

Location of Sidewalk/Biorentention Planters

(44) Juncus effusus SOFT RUSH

(10) Ulmus parvifolia LACEBARK ELM

(59) Chasmanthium latifolium INLAND SEA OATS

(10) Quercus phellos WILLOW OAK

Planting Plan - Street Trees

(67) Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’ BLACK EYED SUSAN

Scale: 1”=30’

Planting Plan - Bioretention Planter

Scale: 1-1/2”=1’-0”

(44) Juncus effusus SOFT RUSH

(18) Osmanthus fragrans Sweet Olive

(12) Rhaphiolepis indica INDIAN HAWTHORN

Trees

Planting Plan - Sidewalk Planter - Option 1

Scale: 1-1/2”=1’-0”

Shrubs (2) Andropogon virginicus BROOMSEDGE

(12) Rhaphiolepis indica INDIAN HAWTHORN

Qty.

10 10

4.5” Cal. 4.5” Cal.

Botanical Name

Perennials/Grasses

Scale: 1-1/2”=1’-0”

15 24 18

1 gal. container (2) Andropogon virginicus 1 gal. container BROOMSEDGE 3 gal. container (15) Ilex crenata ‘Convexa’ CONVEX LEAF HOLLY

59 44 67 15

1 1 1 1

gal. container (6) Andropogon virginicus BROOMSEDGE gal. container gal. container gal. container

ScheduleDISTRICT - Planting Plan ATHENSPlant PEDESTRIAN

(59) Chasmanthium latifolium INLAND SEA OATS

Common Name

Spacing (67) Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’ BLACK EYED SUSAN

Quercus phellos Planting Plan - Bioretention Willow PlanterOak Scale: 1-1/2”=1’-0” As Shown on plan Ulmus parvifolia ‘Allee’ Lacebark Elm As Shown on plan Qty.

(5) Andropogon virginicus BROOMSEDGE

Planting Plan - Sidewalk Planter - Option 2

Size

Location of Sidewalk/Biorentention Planters

Ilex crenata ‘Convexa’ Rhaphiolepis Shrubs indica Osmanthus fragrans Trees

Perennials/Grasses

10 10 15 24 18

Size

Botanical Name

Convex Leaf Holly Quercus phellos Ulmus parvifolia ‘Allee’ Indian Hawthorn 1 gal. container Ilex crenata ‘Convexa’ Sweet Olive 1 gal. container Rhaphiolepis indica 4.5” Cal. 4.5” Cal.

3 gal. container

Osmanthus fragrans

1 gal. container Chasmanthium latifolium Chasmanthium latifolium 59 Inland Sea Oats 44 1 gal. container Juncus effusus 67 1 gal. container Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’ Juncus effusus Soft Rush 15 1 gal. container Andropogon virginicus Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’ Black Eyed Susan Plant Schedule Andropogon virginicus Broomsedge

Common Name

3’Willow O.C. Oak Lacebark Elm 3’ O.C. Convex Leaf Holly 4’ O.C. Indian Hawthorn Sweet Olive Inland Sea Oats 12" O.C. Soft Rush Black Eyed Susan 18" O.C. Broomsedge 12" O.C. 24" O.C.

Spacing

As Shown on plan As Shown on plan 3’ O.C. 3’ O.C. 4’ O.C. 12" 18" 12" 24"

O.C. O.C. O.C. O.C.

seth mcwhorter

planting plan - clayton st.

seth mcwhorter

Athens Pedestrian District - 33

+porous concrete paving

+bioretention cell

+porous brick paving

+bike rack

materials/site furnishings +tree grate

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+picnic table +bollard

+bench

+decorative lamp post

materials/site furnishings

+trash receptacle Athens Pedestrian District - 35

Athens Pedestrian District - 36

WELCO

WELCO

WELCO WELCO

+wayfinding signage

GIA EOR

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA CITY HALL CITY HALL RIVER RIVER DISTRICT DISTRICT SHOPPING/FOOD SHOPPING/FOOD MULTIMODAL CENTERCENTER MULTIMODAL

ATHTEONSATHENS O T G ME ME G

GIA EOR

GIA EOR GIA EOR

ATHTOENASTHENS O T G G ME ME

PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT S GS GS GS G W W W W A A A A D D D D GO GO GO GO

+entry signage

signage

ATHENS PEDESTRIAN DISTRICT

+BIBLIOGRAPHY/SPECIAL THANKS

-SENIOR PROJECT PROFESSOR - Brian LaHaie

-PROJECT ADVISORS - Josh Koons, Erik Ladd (Koons Environmental Design), Doug Pardue (Associate Professor, University of Georgia)

-Batson Cook Development (analysis graphics)

Athens Pedestrian District - 37