HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 23, 2015 council info pkt
DATE: March 12, 2015
TO: Tom Markus, City Manager
FROM: Ron Knoche, Public Works Director
RE: Iowa City Gateway Project
March 23, 2015 Work Session Presentation
At the March 23, 2015 City Council work session, city staff and our project consultant, HNTB,
will be present to facilitate discussion of the Gateway Project and its current design status . The
last persentation to the City Council was July 15, 2014. We have since received Field
Exam plans, showing project design as 35% complete. Our design team has held
numerous coordination meetings with both public and private utilities, the University of
Iowa, adjacent property owners and our Technical Advisory Committee as the final
design continues to advance.
At the upcoming Work Session, we plan to introduce the landscaping and corridor
aesthetic concepts. The following list is a summary of aesthetic items that will be
discussed:
• Landscape Design: We have maintained our original direction to preserve and
enhance the natural character of the existing corridor. We have been working
with the Parks and Recreation Department as well as Project GREEN to specify
low-maintenance plantings and landscaping while promoting views of the river
and the University.
• Retaining Wall Aesthetics: A chiseled limestone form liner panel has been
represented throughout the concept design. We are now discussing how
different colors and relief options will provide character to the wall and how it
appears from City Park and the Park Road Bridge. Additional form liner panel
options with additional character continue to be discussed.
• Barrier and Pedestrian Railings: Consideration has been given for Barrier and
Pedestrian railings that meet design specifications, provide a see-through rail for
views of the river, downtown and City Park and are low maintenance.
• Bridge Aesthetics: The design team has been exploring the need for an
additional pedestrian or rub rail on the interior side of the multi-use path crossing
on both sides of the bridge. Bridges have been constructed with and without this
additional railing. There is additional concern about what manner is used to
protect the arch and prevent people from attempting to climb on it.
• Overlook Opportunities: It has already been determined that there will be 4
overlook opportunities located on the new Park Road Bridge. In addition, thought
has been given to a gathering/viewing area at the south end of Terrell Mill Park, a
150’-200’ long pedestrian overlook along Dubuque Street and incorporated into
the retaining wall at Kimball Road and a seating area at the base of the retaining
wall, south of Park Road Bridge at the Future Trail Extension location.
March 16, 2015
Page 2
• Site Furnishings: Those currently shown are the typical site furnishings used by
the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department. The design team will evaluate
other alternatives as the bridge design and overlooks progress.
• Lighting Considerations:
o The design team is currently recommending the use of an LED light fixture
that provides options for size and style for street lighting and pedestrian
uses. This fixture is energy efficient and is recognized as a nighttime
friendly product, employing Dark Sky Technology. We are currently
comparing these fixtures to fixtures being installed with the new Hancher
Auditorium with the hope of providing an aesthetic tie between it and the
new Park Road Bridge. We will continue to coordinate with the University
of Iowa as design progresses.
o During concept design, clearing the bluff south of Mayflower and
highlighting it with appropriate landscaping and up lighting, similar to the
University lighting of the bluff along Riverside Drive was discussed. We
continue to evaluate this feature and will coordinate with adjacent property
owners if this continues as part of the project.
o It has been agreed that the bridge lighting shall not be overdone and shall
highlight the curves designed in the bridge, highlighting the architecture.
The Hancher design team and the University of Iowa have agreed that
subtle lighting changes on event nights and weekends would be
agreeable. Pedestrian lighting on the bridge may be a tie in to the
Hancher Auditorium site.
• Existing Corridor Amenities:
o The Four Module Piece, 1968 by Kenneth Snelson: At this time, this piece
of public art will remain where it is and be protected during construction.
The design team is evaluating the addition of lighting to highlight the piece
in Terrell Mill Park after construction is complete.
o The Iowa City sign will need to be removed and replaced. The design
team will look into other design options for the sign. We are
recommending that the new location be on the west side of Dubuque
Street, south of Foster Road.
• Tree Survey: The tree survey was completed in the fall of 2014 / winter of 2015.
The ribbons on the trees throughout the corridor simply represent that those
trees have been inventoried. The pink stakes indicate the NEPA boundary. The
surveyed trees were logged based on species, size, health & quality. They are
represented on an exhibit as red (can be removed, poor species or quality),
yellow (average) and green (can remain if possible, good species and quality).
As always, we look forward to sharing the new developments associated with the
project. We are currently scheduled for an Iowa DOT letting on January 16, 2016 with
construction beginning in the spring of 2016.
Cc: Jason Havel, City Engineer
Melissa Clow, Special Projects Manager
City Council Worksession
March 23, 2015
Landscape design
Retaining wall aesthetics
Barrier and pedestrian railings
Overlook opportunities
Site furnishings (benches)
Lighting considerations
Existing corridor amenities
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•Emphasize traffic calming
•Preserve significant existing trees
•Buffer undesirable views
•Low-maintenance median plantings
with color, texture, purpose
•Promote views of river corridor and
university
varies
Earthwork berm
Drainage flow line
Low-maintenance landscape
Low-maintenance turf
Curb inlet
Area inlet
20’
Low-maintenance turf
Area inlet
Curb inlet
Chiseled Limestone Finish
Scott System or similar
Scott System or similar
Burlington St. McCollister Blvd.
Caltrans ST-10 (TL-4)
SUDAS, 2013 Edition - Section 12B-2 - Shared
Use Path Design - Safety Rail: Safety rail
should be a minimum of 42 inches in height.
Steel top rail
Steel mesh panel
Steel post
Tube steel rail
42”
Steel top rail
Steel mesh panel
Steel post
42”
Pedestrian Railing Barrier Railing
Overlook
Landscape buffer
Retaining wall
Seat wall
Trail
Barrier railing
Parkway
Landscape buffer
Pedestrian railing
Retaining wall
Rip-rap protection
Varies,
6’-10’
Varies,
4’-10’ 10’ 8’
Seat wall
Newark (NJ) Riverfront Park
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Overlook area
Ramp down to grade
Future trail extension
Retaining wall
Barco Cassidy Series or similar
Proposed Locations:
•Bridge overlooks
•Adjacent to trail
•Terrell Mill Park
KIM Warp 9 LED or similar
Color/Finish
Lighting Intent:
•Uplight from ground
•Source hidden
Lighting Intent:
•Feature bridge
architecture
•Provide street / trail
illumination
Entry Monument
Four Module Piece, 1968 Kenneth Snelson
Purpose:
•Identification of
trees to be surveyed
and evaluated
•Determination of
species, health, and
quality by arborist