City of Crescent City Visions of Crescent City Crescent City, Florida Spring 2012
A Joint Collaboration with:
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION personal introductions and statements FIELDWORK // PHOTOGRAPHS PRECEDENT STUDIES overheads // markers // outdoor theaters PROCESSION ALONG CENTRAL AVENUE THE MILLER BUILDING proposals THE MARKET SQUARE proposals THE LANDING proposals CONCESSIONS INDEX PARKING DIAGRAM
Professor Martha Kohen
Experiential Learning Partnership
UF I SoA students
A group of four Senior Students, at the School of Architecture, University of Florida, under the guidance of professors Martha Kohen and Martin Gold, developed in the Spring Semester 2012, an Independent Study for Visioning alternatives to enhance the Identity and Development possibilities for the Down Town area of the City of Crescent City, Putnam County, in the State of Florida. It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to develop a Service Learning Experience, allowing our students to work with real Florida issues and interact with Local Authorities, members of the CRA, Community Redevelopment Agency, and the Community at large.
Stefan Oliver
Stacy Witschen
Professor School of Architecture College of Design, Construction, and Planning University of Florida
We hope , as a State University, to have contributed creatively to the development of appropriate visioning options. We would like to recognize our students for their engagement, creativity and inspiring results. We also would like to warmly thank the City of Crescent City, represented by the City Manager Patrick Kennedy, for the possibility of this fruitful exchange that for us represents an opportunity of irreplaceable experiential learning.
Director Martin Gold Crescent City Manager
Gainesville, April 27, 2012
Portfolio Created and Edited by Stacy Witschen
Trent McGugin
Patrick Kennedy
The study has built on the findings of the Crescent City Workshop held on June 3-4, 2011, that identified the main ideas for the city, enhancing the “Sense of Place�, acknowleding Art as a Catalytic Draw, recognizing Architecture and Heritage as important assets, and engaging Aquatic Activities on Crescent Lake and Stella Lake.
Martha Kohen, Professor
Robert Connor
Director and Professor School of Architecture College of Design, Construction, and Planning University of Florida
FIELDWORK // PHOTOGRAPHS
the landing landing dock + fishing spot + boat ramp
market square farmer’s market + miller building
photos by Stacy Witschen
THE 4 A’S
ARTS
studios + galleries in the Miller Building art shows and art fair in the market space wall murals + banners indicating entrance to the city
PRECEDENT STUDIES MARKERS visual attractions that draw attention to the city
ANTIQUES
ARCHITECTURE
AQUATICS
OVERHEAD CONDITIONS ability to provide shade and shelter
OUTDOOR MOVIE THEATER allows community to gather and enjoy communal activities
galleries in the Miller Building antique fair in the market space
repurposing of the Miller Building design for viewing platform at old boat ramp new components along US 17 to enhance city image
ATLANTA FISH MARKET ATLANTA, GA RANDY BLAIN
COVINGTON FARMER’S MARKET COVINGTON, LA
SILVERLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL FERNLEY, NV TATE SNYDER
rentals at waterfront intervention concessions to service boaters and fishermen mooring additions for water taxi and visitors
the 4 A’s is a summary of the visioning workshop o the City of Crescent City CRA workshop held on June 3-4, 2011
THE BEAN CHICAGO, IL ANISH KAPOOR
OUTDOOR MOVIE THEATER YAKIMA, WA
lake stella
lake stella walk
mural markers
PROCESSION ALONG CENTRAL AVENUE
market square
miller building
observation tower
the landing
crescent lake
THE MILLER BUILDING Proposals for the Miller Building would allow the community to engage in the Arts + Antiques aspect of the 4 A’s. Spaces in the Miller Building would be used for art studios and art exhibits, and other things of that nature. Some examples of use in the building would be workshops on art, crafting, antiques, and many more. Also proposed for the Miller Building would be an indoor/outdoor cafe to allow for a transient space that people can move in and out of. Space is created to allow people to meander throughout the square, to get their food and eat where they choose. The Miller Building proposal would incorporate a roof extension that provides shade and cover to the cafe area.
the miller building will open its’ west and south facades towards the market square while retaining and maintaining its’ original brick facade. the external stair and lobby provide an additional entrance as well as a fire escape option
The materials of the Miller Building are currently clad in an Exterior and Insulation Finish (EIFS), but the proposal suggests stripping the exterior finish to expose the original brick underneath.
conceptual spatial organization
interior photographs by Stacy Witschen
repurposed miller building with new canopy
returning the miller building’s facades back to the original brick would restore its historical value and help create a cohesive intinerary along central avenue. the majority of the buildings historical facades would be unaltered; however, the southwest corner opens up towards the market square with a more modern style. This showcases that Crescent City respects its past while also looking towards the future.
THE MARKET SQUARE A farmer’s market is held in the lot in front of the Miller Building every Saturday. With this in mind, we created zones of spaces that would accommodate flexible uses and programs. We did some analysis of the shading characteristics of the site, and created an overhead for the area that got the least amount of shade. We also created central and secondary paths throughout the square that would lead you from the street and sidewalk to the Miller Building and the various spaces within. Also incorporated in the square was an outdoor movie auditorium with green sloped seating. The movie would be projected onto the side wall of the Miller Building. Another focal point of the square was the Tree. The paths and circulation of the site centered around the tree and its radius. On the perimeter of the site would be City Markers or Icons, which would allow passerbys an opportunity to stop and see the activities going on in the square.
concept sketch by Robert Connor
concept diagrams by Martha Kohen
THE LANDING On the side of Crescent Lake, there used to be a boat dock where boats would come up to the boating ramp to enter and leave the lake. With the placement of the new boat ramp, this opens up this boating area for much more. The proposals for The Landing include an observation tower that would serve as a lighthouse for the boaters on the lake, as well as opportunities for a bird’s-eye view of the city. An additional pier would be created to allow for expanded fishing spaces for the annual fishing tournaments important to the city. Concessions would be held in the lot to supply fishing equipment and food, etc. The lot would be an open plaza to encourage public gathering, especially during times when the fishing tournaments are taking place. The extended pier would allow for more boats to dock and allow the water taxi to park and depart to and from Palatka, FL and potentially many more cities.
CONCESSIONS INDEX One of the key issues with city property is how to generate revenue. To make this particular area of the city profitable, in both terms of revenue and increased attendance and participation, there are zones that can start to support the financial aspect of the project.
the miller building cafe gallery and shop studio rental
- 608 s.f. interior space - 3,672 s.f. - 2,432 s.f.
the market square market stalls event on-site parking
- 9,600 s.f. - 4,500 s.f.
the landing bait/tackle shop // concessions // boat rental - 2,000 s.f.
The repurposed Miller Building would consist of a cafe with both interior and exterior space. Inside would also be rentable studios and gallery spaces, along with gift shops and things of that nature. The Market Square would continue to hold the Farmer’s Market, continuing to bring in revenue. There is also the potential to designate special on-site parking zones so people could pay to park on site. The Landing would house a covered concessions area, where people can purchase fishing supplies, food, and rent boats.
PARKING DIAGRAM Available Parking within a 1/10 mile (580 feet) radius: (red circle)
Street Parking: Central Avenue - 86 Prospect Street - 68 On-Site - 42 Cypress Avenue - 32
Lot Parking: City Hall - 42 Car Shop
Total = 270 Available Parking within a 1/5 mile (1056 feet) radius: (yellow circle)
Street Parking: Central Avenue - 36 Florida Avenue - 93 N. Lake Street - 20 Park Avenue - 20 Prospect Street - 22 Main Street - 42 Cedar Street - 20 Myrtle Avenue - 32
Total = 285
TOTAL = 555 within these potential parking spaces, the city will designate certain spaces reserved for business owners
Potential Parking: New Boat Ramp (for trailors)
6
1 3 4
5 2
lake stella to crescent lake 1 - lake stella walk 2 - city park 3 - the miller building 4 - the market square 5 - new boat ramp 6 - the landing / observation tower
Stacy, Trent, and Bobby hard at work.
With special thanks to the City of Crescent City, Florida, for giving us this opportunity to work closely with a city and to work in a setting dierent than a school studio. We thank our friends who helped support us in our projects past graduation and brought us food to keep us happy. For their direct guidance and assistance to help us design, create, and present our ideas to the city council, we thank Professor Martha Kohen and Director Martin Gold. It has been a unique experience to work closely with the city and each other. The city is itself a unique location, being sandwiched in between two beautiful lakes. We’ve learned the importance of team work, how to successully divide up a project to get it done in completion, and to stay positive and stick with a project through until the very end. We thank the City of Crescent City for their positive response to our proposals and the encouragement to continue. We have also learned how to present ourselves formally to a city council and to clearly explain issues, problems, and solutions.
Stacy Witschen Trent McGugin Robert Connor Stefan Oliver