|
CHAPTER 6 -
<br /> Local property owners have noted that there are maintenance and safety
<br /> [What is most important to a plaza's success concerns associated with such open spaces. Action 0-6 includes
<br /> is]the location of the space and its relation- measures to address these concerns which should diminish as downtown
<br /> ship to the street. The real estate people are
<br /> right about location, location, location. For a intensifies with active uses and a larger residential population. It may be
<br /> space to function truly well it must be central that open space maintenance and management as well as auxiliary
<br /> to the constituency it is to serve—and if not streetscape cleaning would most efficiently be addressed through a BIA
<br /> in physical distance, in visual accessibility. program, in conjunction with City maintenance efforts.
<br /> William Whyte:
<br /> The City 0-3 Create a focal park or plaza near the center of downtown.
<br /> F � �/° r h As noted above, a thriving downtown needs an identifiable space that can
<br /> k ``s''»rg ° �TM W ivtl s'li� be used for a variety of civic functions as well as general day-to day use.
<br /> --- ,� {,.„` { \•4 ) y�, ,I# , y(1: There are at least two ways this need can be accommodated in
<br /> I w "A r Y ,, '1,, ,� 'y • Yil
<br /> t, k,.”... ,�.,�� ,. t#, it I��v i� t' downtown Everett.
<br /> _ a` $CO- i3• � 4 ',. �! .. One waymight be to make the Plaza in front of the County Buildings
<br /> tc ,th , ..',.,-,Ip; 9
<br /> �` ���',*#-% � ir
<br /> 9 � • ,. r�� more accessible. The plaza sits approximately 6-10 feet above the
<br /> ` -,111:44 .4 "° ',::,,,:1,44,4440.4 rElu sidewalk and surrounded on most sides bylandscaped banks and walls.
<br /> wad , iit y «,M. 'ti �,� �t,4:.:,''.:03.711,:',4-,,',.*:”, '.. A "cascading" stairwayand accessible ramp from the sidewalk at
<br /> 1 {�: a , Wetmore Avenue and Wall Street up into the plaza would open up the
<br /> -,7-7,-----.
<br /> - - r aa<iroet 0.t ,..,, plaza visually and make it more accessible from the street and near-by
<br /> buildings. The stairs themselves could be designed to provide alcove
<br /> Figure 80. The County plaza could be greatly seating and locations for art or entry features.
<br /> enhanced to increase access and accommodate There is a second opportunity, identified by the Committee to Establish
<br /> greater use
<br /> Downtown Public Spaces, at the south-east corner of Colby Avenue and
<br /> Ve ,t a •, yds+ �'i '.714 14',+c4 � Wall Street. This City-owned property currently provides below grade
<br /> �y •u , � y � , r s', " tftt �t � •;; parking. A lid could be built over this parking lot that might include
<br /> "� lhf+ . t,t at k< ,gl, 7 ,9 ..� 4
<br /> 6 ?�;• :, � , 1t , �' pedestrian oriented mixed use development with an ample open space
<br /> ,wrf,k ' • t i .. ,r? facing the intersection (see Figure 83 for an example). The pedestrian
<br /> t$" f.119aA�w', f�i1V8'Ih ail I;i ,r p14�" oriented businesses in the new development would keep this space
<br /> f1" ,y.. 1 a i11 1 4k 45 ..• n
<br /> i `;
<br /> " '""` V `A p�° FNS" active and the open space itself would build on and add to Colby
<br /> i^, -g " fit`, tl�t5"gyp ��i Avenue's pedestrian activities. For large events such s a street fair or
<br /> 0") R;��344492 :4%ml14$ "k1'.�°tigl''Jt;,����+.>laha;rl;fir,''tSSf,�1f o�` 0-4,4 i,
<br /> � parade, portions of Colby Avenue could be closed to traffic to
<br /> Figure 81. The City parking lot at Colby and accommodate the activities.
<br /> Wall could be lidded with new development and
<br /> complementary open space.
<br /> Cre
<br /> 92 MAKERS architecture and urban design
<br /> 0509 rpl_draft.doc-6/29/06
<br />
|