Downtown Master Plan February 2013 Presentation

Mahan Rykiel AssociatesArnett Muldrow AssociatesGrimm + Parker Architects

Stahl Scheaffer EngineeringKalback Planning and Design

Dan Jones Landscape Architecture

February 14, 2013

Phase I Draft Presentation to PSU Leadership

INTRODUCTIONProject PartnersBorough of State CollegePenn State UniversityDowntown State College, Inc.

Master Plan Leadership

Master Plan Participation (Sample)

AN 1. Realize and market downtown’s unique

identity

2. Establish the framework to create a most memorable, attractive and comfortable downtown

3. Consider public and private sector improvements that can attract a diverse range of users

Why this Master Plan?

Design/Planning Team

AN 1. Project Overview

2. Analysis “High Points”3. Phase I Recommendations

• Branding Marketing

• Public Realm Enhancements

• Catalyst Project

4. Discussion

Today’s Presentation

STUDY AREA

Study Area

AN 1. Design, Placemaking and Branding

2. Utilities3. Multi-modal Transportation/Circulation4. Town-Gown Interface5. Downtown Uses and Development6. Community Sustainability

Purpose and Scope of Work

PHASE I

AN 1. Design, Placemaking and Branding

2. Utilities3. Multi-modal Transportation/Circulation4. Town-Gown Interface5. Downtown Uses and Development6. Community Sustainability

Purpose and Scope of Work

PHASE II

ANALYSIS: DOWNTOWN TODAY

State College, PA

College Avenue

Street

Downtown has most of the things many communities are trying to achieve: •True mix of uses•Mix of transportation•People on the streets•Vibrancy

Downtown Today

Characteristics of Great College Towns and Places1.The "Town/Gown" Experience2.Diversity3.Transportation Choices4.Connectivity5.Human Scale6.Density7.Attractive and Comfortable Public Realm8.Sustainability

Downtown Today

High Quality Public Realm

Downtown Market

Emerging Conclusions1.Downtown can’t compete with suburban development but it can distinguish itself and provide a complement to the suburban experience.2.Downtown functions as it should. There are uses that serve the local community but there is the opportunity for much more. 3.Need to balance benefits of student activities with challenges and protect neighborhood character.4.Allen Street corridor should be the focus for family and resident-based activities and businesses.5.Challenge: Getting regional customers coming in on a regular basis.

Downtown Market

THE VISION: LOOKING FORWARD

Downtown VisionVision ThemesSpecific Recommendations by Theme

Downtown State College will continue to evolve into a world-class “College Town” district that reflects the dynamic “town/gown” relationship between a major university and a vibrant commercial district. Downtown will be a place where local citizens, regional and international visitors, faculty, staff, and students will find appealing, exciting and diverse offerings. Downtown State College will also emerge as a district that embraces sustainability and offers shopping, dining, entertainment, culture and the arts amidst a variety of living options and places to work.

Downtown Vision

Theme 1: Marketing the District

Theme 2: Navigating the District

Theme 3: Connecting the District

Theme 4: Managing the District

Theme 5: Living in the District

Downtown Vision Themes

PHASE I

Downtown Vision Themes

PHASE II

PHASE I

THE VISION: LOOKING FORWARDTheme 1

Marketing the District: Cultivating Downtown’s Identity to Residents, Visitors and Investors

• Downtown is a college town.• Downtown is also a place for all people: local

residents/families, regional residents/families, visitors, students, alumni, faculty/staff, entrepreneurs.

• Downtown adds value for and is an important complement to Penn State University.

• Downtown is a collection of special places.• Downtown is vibrant and full of life. • Downtown is where memories are made.

Downtown Brand Values

28Revised Color Palette

Shape the best times of your life in Downtown State College.

As one of the nation’s iconic college towns, it is here where young adults get their first taste of independence, it is here where lifelong friendships are formed, and it is here where generations of former students come back time and again to experience the energy, the memories, and the spirit of this special place.

Downtown State College

Reconnect with the best times of your life in Downtown State College.

It is home to the Centre Region’s largest

collection of independent, locally owned shops and restaurants. It is here that independent booksellers, unique boutiques, and specialty shops thrive mere blocks from historic neighborhoods. It is here where the region comes to enjoy our international cuisine, fine dining, and casual fare in a dynamic walk-able setting.

Create the best times of your life in Downtown State College.

Creativity and culture thrive in our theatres, library, and public art. It is here where each summer Arts Fest transforms downtown into one of the nation’s most recognized events for art, film, music, and literature. It is here that young professionals share ideas that will evolve into the businesses of the future.

Discover the best times of your life in Downtown State College.

Families from across the region come here for a day of exploration. It is here that our Library hosts activities that enrich our community. It is here that the Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania gives children the chance to explore, learn, and imagine. It is here that we gather for events to celebrate the vibrant life that the Centre Region has to offer.

Live the best times of your life in Downtown State College.

Our downtown is a place where people gather and we invite you to be a part of it.

Make time for your family.Make time for your friends.Make time for yourself.

The best times of your life. Downtown State College.

Navigating the District: Building a Pedestrian-Friendly, Multi-Modal Downtown

Multi-Modal Transportation Strategy

Management of people, not cars Enhance experience of pedestrian, bicycle and

transit environments Increase awareness and convenience of

parking resources as part of Borough's parking management plan

Downtown

Pedestrian Level of Service Evening

46Potential Parking Structures and Changes in On-Street Parking

Remove ParkingAdd Parking

Add Parking

47Potential Bike Network

Connecting the District: Creating a Comfortable, Cohesive and Attractive Downtown

Public Realm Strategy

Focus on series of small gathering spaces and great streets

Create a “complete” core by focusing on streets that will connect with recent and current streetscape enhancements

Establish a streetscape hierarchy

Establish palette of cohesive materials

Incorporate sustainable practices

55Recommended Streetscape Typologies

56Streetscape Detail Design Areas

COLLEGE

BEAVER

N CALDER

THE VISION: LOOKING FORWARDCollege Avenue

Four User Group InterestsMotoristsBus RidersBicyclistsPedestrians

College Avenue

The Issues“Ground Zero” for Town/Gown ImagePedestrian/ADA and SafetyBicycle AccommodationsBus Operations and Rider ExperienceTraffic

College Avenue

Existing Conditions to Inform the DesignCurb-to-curb dimension (36’-42’)Elevation change on campus side (2-3’)Vegetation blocks views to campusNo sidewalk adjacent to north side parkingExisting Elms Historic campus elements Campus walks don’t always align with intersectionsLow curbs and flat grades on downtown sideUndersized sidewalk areas PennDOT ownership

College Avenue

ConclusionsWith desire to accommodate motorists, transit, bicyclists and pedestrians within a limited dimension, compromise will be requiredPriority audience – the pedestrianUtilize hierarchical treatment – more design attention to the core between Fraser and Garner StreetsCohesive design is needed along entire length

College Avenue

The ConceptCohesive town/gown imageEnhanced campus visibility Expanded pedestrian zones Enhanced transit stopsBike facilities

College Avenue

Paving Potential

College Avenue - Opportunities

Uniform family of street lights and signal arms (Baltimore, MD)

College Ave

Enlarged Stair and ADA Ramp Connection at Fraser Street

Gathering Space (Seating Opportunities, Tables, Special Planting, Etc.)Ornamental Fence to Allow

Views to Campus While Directing Pedestrians to Intersections

Parking

Brick Sidewalk, Typ. (Expanded Where Road Dimensions Allow)

Parking

4’ Sidewalk

10’-12’ Shared Use Path

Amenity Strip to Accommodate Grading (Exact Locations Determined at Design Phase)

Sidewalk Bulbout, Typ.

69Ramp Connection to Allow Bicycle Access to Pattee Mall

Grand Stair, Planters at Entrance to Campus at Allen Street.

Stamped Concrete “Cobble” Color/Pattern

College Ave

70College Avenue East of Allen Street

College Avenue

Enhanced Bus Stop with Shelters and Grand Stair

Old Main Lawn

Enhanced ADA Stair and Ramp Connection at Pugh Street

College Ave

Parking

Bus Shelters

College Ave

lliste

Parking

Chicane

Ornamental Fence to Allow Views to Campus While Directing Pedestrians to Intersections

18” Brick Edge

75College Avenue East of Pugh Street

College Ave

lliste

Parking

18” Brick Edge

Limestone Retaining Wall

Enhanced Bus Stop with Shelters

77College Avenue at Hiester Street Bus Stop

College Ave

18” Brick Edge

Enhanced Bus Stop with Shelters

College Ave

Gathering Area and Gateway

Expanded Gathering Area

Parking

4’ Sidewalk

18” Brick Edge

College Ave

Expanded Gathering Area

Parking

4’ Sidewalk )

Parking

Amenity Zone Conditions

Campus/Downtown Pedestrian Connections

Existing High Street/College Avenue Intersection

Campus/Downtown Pedestrian Connections

Existing High Street/College Avenue Intersection

High/College Intersection

College Avenue

Eastview Terrace

Curb Extension and Crosswalks to Provide Safer Pedestrian Crossing

Proposed High Street/College Avenue Intersection

THE VISION: LOOKING FORWARDBeaver Avenue

The IssuesVarying character Limited sidewalk areaHigh density of students

Beaver Avenue

The ConceptCohesive level of quality throughoutExpanded pedestrian gathering areasPotential lane reduction/parking (east of Garner)

Beaver Avenue

Merge to One Travel Lane

Expanded Sidewalk Area and Special Paving

Beaver Ave

89Beaver Avenue in Vicinity of Hetzel Street

THE VISION: LOOKING FORWARDAllen Street Promenade

The Concept100 Block as a “great place”Maintain vehicular access and parking most of the timePedestrian - only some of the timeHigh design aesthetic

Allen Street

Allen Street - Precedents

Allen Street – The Concept (Typical Day)

Brick Paving Along Sidewalks, Typ.Special Paving in Cartway and Parallel Parking SpacesBollards Between Street and Sidewalk

ay Beav

Allen Street

96Typical Day

97Festival/Event

Allen Street – The Concept (Typical Day)

Brick Paving Along Sidewalks, Typ.Special Paving in Cartway and Parallel Parking SpacesBollards Between Street and Sidewalk

ay Beav

Allen Street

Typical Day

Parking

Allen Street – The Concept (Large Event)

Performance Spaces at Beaver and College Ave.Vendor Spaces and Outdoor Dining Located in Parallel Parking Zone, Typ.

ay Beav

Allen Street

Full Festival

Allen Street – The Concept (Small Event)

Allen St. – Calder Way Intersection Remains Clear to Allow for Vehicular Circulation Between Beaver Ave. and Calder Way

Small Festival/Event

ay Beav

Allen Street

THE VISION: LOOKING FORWARDCalder Way

The ConceptService, pedestrians and bikes Inconvenient for carsTwo-way flow for bikesDifferent experience from College and AllenArts/funkyDivert attention from utilities – don’t invest in undergrounding them

Calder Way

Calder Way - Existing Conditions

Calder Way - Precedents

Calder Way – The ConceptFr

Special Paving

Occasional Tree

Murals/Wall Art

Overhead Lights

Banners

Façade Treatments

Calder Way

Parking/Service Areas

112Calder Way

THE VISION: LOOKING FORWARDGeneral

Cohesive Materials

Incorporate ThroughoutTransit, bike, pedestrian emphasis - “park once”Water qualityGreen roofLED LightingUse of recycled materialsRecycling stationsSolar-powered trash compactors

Sustainability

THE VISION: LOOKING FORWARDCatalyst Project

123Catalyst Project

124Catalyst Project

Completed Streetscape

125Catalyst Project ($2.25- 2.7 Million)

New Streetscape

Improvements

Intersection: $200-$300K

Allen Street Promenade: $1-1.2 Million

Calder Way: $700-$800K

Pugh (Portion): $350-400K

Managing the District: Fostering a Safe and Appealing Downtown

(To Develop in Phase II)

Living in the District: Establishing Downtown as a Place for Professionals to Live and Work

(To Develop in Phase II)

August 20-22: Project Kick-offNovember 5-8: Planning CharretteJanuary 25-Feb 15: Phase I DraftMarch 21-22: Phase I Final/Phase II DraftApril 15/16: Presentation of Final DraftJune 2013: Master Plan Complete

Schedule

More Information

www.statecollegepa.us/engagesc

Mahan Rykiel AssociatesArnett Muldrow AssociatesGrimm + Parker Architects

Stahl Scheaffer EngineeringKalback Planning and Design

Dan Jones Landscape Architecture

February 14, 2013

Phase I Draft Presentation to PSU Leadership

Downtown Master Plan February 2013 Presentation

Documents

Transcript of Downtown Master Plan February 2013 Presentation

Jasper, Indiana Downtown + Riverfront Master Plan

a. why a downtown master plan?

Downtown Streetscape Master Plan; Lexington, Kentucky

Downtown Master Plan Section 01

City of Benicia Downtown Mixed Use Master Plan · Downtown Mixed Use Master Plan. iii Opticos Design, Inc. Downtown Mixed Use Master Plan. City of Benicia September 2007 Lead Consultants

Bridgewater Downtown & Waterfront Master Plan

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Downtown Master Plan Draft Summary

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Toms River Downtown Master Plan

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Downtown Echo, February 21, 2013

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Downtown Master Plan