18th street reimagined - fall semester 2014

18th Street Reimagined

D R A F T

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Table Of ContentsAbstract..........................................................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................................2

Kansas City Summary...................................................................................................................................................................3 Kansas City Highways......................................................................................................................................................................................................4 North Kansas City............................................................................................................................................................................................................5 River Market......................................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Downtown Loop...............................................................................................................................................................................................................7 West Bottoms...................................................................................................................................................................................................................8 Crossroads.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................9 Vine District.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................10 Union Station/Crown Center......................................................................................................................................................................................11 Westport..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................12 Country Club Plaza........................................................................................................................................................................................................13

Existing Conditions.....................................................................................................................................................................15 Existing Buildings............................................................................................................................................................................................................16 Existing Vacant Buildings................................................................................................................................................................................................20 Existing Surface Lots......................................................................................................................................................................................................24 Existing Sidewalks...........................................................................................................................................................................................................28 Existing Greenspace.......................................................................................................................................................................................................32 ExistingVehicularTrafficCounts..................................................................................................................................................................................36

Public Transit................................................................................................................................................................................39 Ride KC Streetcar..........................................................................................................................................................................................................40 Ride KC The Metro........................................................................................................................................................................................................41 Ride KC B-cycle..............................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Circulation Plans.............................................................................................................................................................................................................43

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Development Plans......................................................................................................................................................................45 Previous Proposals.........................................................................................................................................................................................................46

Design Frameworks.....................................................................................................................................................................49 Recommended Frameworks........................................................................................................................................................................................50 Central Park.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................51 Removal of Surface Parking..........................................................................................................................................................................................52 Street Diets......................................................................................................................................................................................................................53 Vegetation.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................54 Free Circulator................................................................................................................................................................................................................55 Emphasize History & Culture......................................................................................................................................................................................56

The Next Phase...........................................................................................................................................................................57 Streetscape Design.........................................................................................................................................................................................................58 Signage/Identification.....................................................................................................................................................................................................59 Public Space Design.......................................................................................................................................................................................................60 Retail Design....................................................................................................................................................................................................................61 Social Media.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................62

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Abstract

PREPARED FOR:The City of Kansas City, Missouri

The 18th & Vine DistrictThe Crossroads District

PREPARED BY:Michael Schmidt & Andrew Smith

5th Year Landscape Architecture Students at Iowa State University12/17/2014

The Crossroads Arts District and the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District have an immense amount of history which are primarily centered on the arts. There is a 1.5 mile stretch of land that separates the two districts which has the opportunity for connectivity and improvement. The analysis that has been done includes the number of acres of existing building footprints, vacant buildingfootprints,surfacelots,sidewalks,greenspace,andtrafficcounts. This analysis highlights problem areas as well as areas with a great amount of potential for economic growth.

There are development plans and streetscape plans that have encouraged the progress of this project. We have learned from these plans, and there has been useful information that has been implemented within the analysis and conceptual design, such as the importance of walkability and consistency of the streetscape.

The conceptual plan comprises of a walkable streetscape with a consistentidentity,fivepublicspaceswithuniquethemes,andawayfindingsystemwhichwillinformtheuserofwheretheyareandthe attractions in the area.

This work was all done during the 2014 Fall Semester in the Landscape Architecture Program at Iowa State University. This project will move past the conceptual design phase, and will move into the schematic design phase and the detail design phase during the 2015 Spring Semester.

Section | Page 118th Stret Reimagined | Fall Semester 2014 D R A F T

Introduction

VisionKansas City has many different districts, history, and character. Two of the districts are the Crossroads Arts District and the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District. There is opportunity to enhance and highlight the history and character of these districts through the existing 1.5 mile stretch of sparse industrial buildings, dilapidated parking lots, and tight sidewalks. The vision is to create a green corridor along 18th Street where the residents of Kansas City can live, work, and play.

Goals & ObjectivesCreating a place for the residents of Kansas City to live, work, and play creates another popular destination of the city which could enhance the character of art which is very strong in both districts.

LiveCreating a place to live will encourage more people to move to the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District, the Crossroads Arts District, and the space in between. This will provide the residents with more space for recreation, a beautiful neighborhood in which they can take pride, and an area to live a healthier lifestyle.

WorkCreating a place to work will improve property values while encouraging adaptive re-use, new development, and could bring new companies to the area. Creating a green corridor will provide more space to purchase food and congregate during the lunch hour. This will also allow the workers to enjoy the street while being proud to work along the corridor.

PlayCreating a place to play will provide new public spaces that will encourage the residents of Kansas City and tourists alike to visit and explore the reimagined 18th Street Corridor. The new public spaces will also enhance the property values in the area, and will encourage new businesses that will enrich the music, arts, and recreation history in the area.

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Kansas City Summary

D R A F T

Kansas City HighwaysKansas City is accessible through many different highways. I-35 from the North and South, I-70 from the East and West, I-49 from the South, and I-29 from the North all enter Kansas City to create what is call the Downtown Loop. These four interstates and other highways, such as I-670, US 24, US 40, US 71, and US 169 help comprise the Downtown Loop. The highways don’t block views of the city because they’re located at a lower elevation than the surface streets. In 2010, several innovative suggestions were made to relieve congestion in the downtown area. One proposal was to make the loop unidirectional, where the loop would essentially become a large roundabout.

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North Kansas City is an independent municipality that is a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, and is located just north of the Missouri River. Industrial and business comprise approximately 3/4ths of the land area which makes the daytime population much larger, but the number of residents in North Kansas City totals around 4,200. North Kansas City has its own hospital, library, and park system. The Recreation Department offers an extensive list of programs and activities year-round. Parks such as Macken Park and Dagg Park offer walking trails, picnic shelters,playgrounds,recreationalfields,and fountains.

North Kansas City

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River MarketThe River Market is a neighborhood in Kansas City located along the Missouri riverfront that is comprised of businesses and a large open farmers’ market. It is located just north of the Downtown Loop and is bordered by the Broadway Bridge on the west and the Heart of America Bridge on the east. This is the area in whichKansasCitywasfirstfounded.Thelarge warehouses have been developed into residential lofts, restaurants, bars, shops, cafes, and ethnic markets. The River Market used to be called the City Market, since its inception in 1857, and it continues to be one of the largest and most enduring public farmers’ markets in the Midwest. The Arabia Steamboat Museum is located in the heart of the River Market, and displays thousands of artifacts from a steamboat and its cargo.


Downtown LoopThe Downtown Loop is the densest section of the city, and is located in the north central section of Downtown Kansas City. The Loop encompasses nearlyonesquaremile,andin2006had nearly 8000 residents. There are many districts within the Downtown Loop which are: the Library District, the Garment District, the Government District, the Financial District, the Power & Light District, and the Convention District. Within these districts include the main skyscrapers, convention spaces, monuments, parking garages, the Jackson County Courthouse, the U.S. Courthouse, other government buildings, parks, and plazas. There is currently a Metro Area Express (MAX) bus system which is a rapid transit line extending from downtown through the Country Club Plaza to Waldo which helps speed up transportation to and from work. Another form of transportation for the downtown area, which is currently under construction along Main Street, is the streetcar which will eventually have multiple extensions added to the two-mile starter line.


West BottomsTheWestBottomsisalow-lying,floodprone, industrial area which is located to the west of the Downtown Loop at the convergence of the Missouri River and Kansas River. This area is one of the oldest areas in Kansas City, and was the hometothecity’sfirstUnionDepot,theKansas City Live Stock Exchange, the Kansas City Stockyards, and Kansas City’s meat packing industry. The Stockyards prompted the annual American Royal livestock show at Kemper Arena. The West Bottoms were important during WWII because Darby Steel Corporation built most of the landing craft tanks (LCTs) which would then be transported to New Orleans via the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Now the West Bottoms serve as an area with art galleries,hauntedhouses,antiqueshops,cafes, and the American Royal livestock show.


CrossroadsThe Crossroads District is a historic neighborhood south of the Downtown Loop centered near 19th Street and Baltimore Avenue. It is a very artistic area which houses dozens of galleries located in renovated warehouses and industrial buildings. Restaurants, houseware shops, architects, designers, and advertising agency, historic buildings, and live music venues also reside in the Crossroads. Just south of the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, is Kansas City’s Film Row District which currently consists of 17 buildings. The Crossroads holds several events throughout the year, two of which include First Fridays and the Crossroads Music Festival. The Crossroads Music Festival is held every year near the end of August. FirstFridaysoccuronthefirstFridayofevery month, where live bands perform, outdoorindiefilmsareplayed,andartgalleries open new shows. Thousands of people gather in the Crossroads for the event’suniqueatmosphere.


Vine DistrictThe 18th and Vine District is internationally recognized as one of the foundations of jazz music. A new style of jazz was born here that was distinctive from others. It was also the home of the Kansas City Monarchs who played for Negro League baseball. The Vine District is extends north to south from 9th Street to 29th Street and east to west from Troost Avenue to Prospect Avenue, and is the Kansas City metropolitan area’s historic center of African American culture. The area was once a thriving city within Kansas City which included schools, entertainment events, social clubs, churches, recreational facilities, and many others. The Vine District started to decline after the end of segregation because many successful African Americans were able to move away and expand their businesses which left a community that was unable to support the once thriving district. By the 1970s and 1980s, it was clear to see buildings were becoming vacant and there was less economic performance. 18th and Vine is now home to the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum which honor the history created by the Vine District.


Union Station & Crown CenterUnion Station opened in 1914 and served as a replacement for the original Union Depot. It served a peak annual passenger trafficofover670,000attheendofWWII, then began declining over the next four decades until its closure in 1985. A public/private partnership renovated Union Station and reopened in 1999 as a series of museums and other public attractions. In 2002, Amtrak restored passenger train service to the station making Kansas City the second- busiest train station in Missouri.

Crown Center is a commercial complex and neighborhood which contains numerous residences, retail establishments, entertainment venues, and restaurants. The shopping and entertainment complex has three levels of shops and restaurants, a set of open air fountains, live theaters, an ice skating rink, and skywalks that lead through the complex and to Union Station.Theglobalheadquarterscampusfor Hallmark Cards is located on the eastern side of the Crown Center.


WestportWestport is a historic neighborhood that used to be its own town, but was later annexed to Kansas City in 1897. Prior to beingannexed,Westportwasanoutfittingand starting point for traders, trappers, and emigrants heading west on the Santa Fe Trail and Oregon Trail. There were many disputes among pro- and anti-slavery groups during the Civil War which lead to the Battle of Westport. The town’s greatest prosperity came from 1854 to 1860, and trade fell off sharply during the Civil War and never recovered. An area within Westport, known as Nutterville, has old homes that were repurposed to beusedbybusinessesasoffices.Today,Westport is one of Kansas City’s main entertainment districts.


Country Club PlazaThePlazawasthefirstshoppingcenterin the world designed to accommodate shoppers arriving by automobile, and consists of high-end retail establishments, restaurants, and entertainment venues, aswellasoffices.ThedesignhasEuropeaninfluences,howeverdoesn’thave a traditional open plaza. There are more than thirty statues, murals, and tile mosaics on display, as well as major architectural reproductions. The parking is unlike modern shopping malls with vast parking lots, however it is concealed in multilevel parking garages beneath and behind shops, or hidden on the rooftops ofbuildings.ThePlazahasanofficiallighting ceremony every year that takes place on Thanksgiving night. Tens of thousands of people gather for the local entertainment and to watch the lights initiate the Christmas season. The lights shine twenty-four hours a day into mid-January. The Plaza’s “Season of Lights” is in its 85th year, as of 2014, and is one of the city’s longest and oldest traditions.

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Existing Conditions

D R A F T

OverviewTheVineDistrictandtheCrossroadshaveuniquebuildingswhichaddcharacter and history to the areas. This history should be highlighted; however, at moments along this stretch of 18th Street, there is a strong disconnect between buildings because of the vast parking lots that sit in between them. Buildings, and the businesses inside them, are the economic driver of a city, and this needs to be highlighted in a way that allows pedestrians to explore the site safely. If the buildings seem more connected,thenthemovementofpedestriantrafficmightimprovewhichcould mean increased business sales.

Opportunities• Create a consistent storefront that encourages movement and

explorationoffoottraffic.

• Economic driver of the area.

• Can attract tourists and Kansas City residents to the area.

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Existing Buildings

49.5 acresTotal Building Area:

*Total building area is taken from the total surface area within the dashed boundary

Total Dashed Boundary Area:

186.6 acres27.5%

6.9%

29.9%

35.7%

*Percentofgroundfloorcommerciallanduseoutoftotalbuildingarea

*Percentofgroundfloorofficelanduseoutoftotalbuildingarea

*Percentofgroundfloorindustriallanduseoutoftotalbuildingarea

*Percentofgroundfloorotherlanduseoutoftotalbuildingarea

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Existing Buildings


Existing Buildings

OverviewVacant buildings aren’t good in any area of a city, and they also deter pedestrians from exploring other businesses and attractions near them. If a building is falling apart, it might force other businesses in the area to relocate due to diminishing sales. Many of the vacant buildings along 18th Street stand alone and have boarded-up windows, but there are a few that have been vacant so long there is vegetation that has taken over the building. This is a major hindrance to pedestrians and discourages movement and exploration.

Opportunities• The vacant buildings have the opportunity for adaptive re-use.

• Enhancetheexistingfaçadestocreateuniqueandinterestingattractions.

• The vacant storefronts can help bring back the character and history of the area.


Existing Vacant Buildings

12.1% 6 acresTotal Vacant Building Area:

*Total vacant building area is taken from the total surface area within the dashed boundary


186.6 acres

*Percent of vacant buildings out of the existing buildings



OverviewSurface parking lots can act as a deterrent for pedestrians, and can make a certain area not as popular to walk which is especially true for 18th Street. Each business has to provide enough parking for its staff which is the reason there is more surface area of parking lots than building footprints on this site. If most of these lots were consolidated into a parking garage, there would be more space for new businesses to enter the site.

Opportunities• Condensing surface parking into a parking garage allows more space

for adaptive re-use or new development.

• Existing surface lots could be repurposed for an art show or for an artist to sell works of art.

• Surface lots have the opportunity to treat their own stormwater runoff.


Existing Surface Lots

Arrowhead Stadium & Kaufman Stadium Parking Lots

52.3 acres 52.5 acresTotal Surface Lot Area:

*Total surface lot area is taken from the total surface area within the dashed boundary


186.6 acres



OverviewSidewalks are the arteries of the street because they allow pedestrians to move around freely and enter businesses. The sidewalks along 18th Street are a fairly consistent width–6ft to 10ft–but there are moments where it’s cluttered with signs and power poles which only allows about 4 to 6 feet of walkable space. If the sidewalk isn’t very wide, then there is no hope forhighfoottraffic.Anincreaseinthepopularityoffoottrafficmeanspedestrians could discover a new business.

Opportunities• A cohesive design using paving, lighting, and vegetation can make the

sidewalk more walkable.

• Widening of the sidewalks can allow for outdoor dining, or for a large crowd to pass through more easily.

• More people walking means more opportunity for businesses to gain new customers.


Existing Sidewalks

13.8 acresTotal Sidewalk Area:

*Total sidewalk area is taken from the total surface area within the dashed boundary


186.6 acres

11.8 miles*Total amount of linear miles of sidewalk within the dashed boundary


Existing Sidewalks


Existing Sidewalks

OverviewGreen space can have a calming effect, and can also break up the monotony of impermeable surface in a downtown setting. The little green space that does exist along 18th Street is generally a vacant lot that has just grown lawn. There is economic opportunity in public green spaces becausethesurroundingbusinesseswouldhavemorefoottrafficandwould get noticed more than if they were next to a parking lot or vacant building. Public spaces can attract people for the business day lunch hour, night time musical event, or just for leisure.

Opportunities• Can soften, add color, and make a space more appealing.

• Vertical elements can create shade for longer visits and can help slow downtrafficalongthestreet.

• Bioswales along the street can begin to treat stormwater runoff.


Existing Greenspace

17.5 acresTotal Greenspace Area:

*Total greenspace area is taken from the total surface area within the dashed boundary


186.6 acres34.3%

30.3%

35.4%

*Percent of designed greenspace out of total greenspace area

*Percent of vacant lot greenspace out of total greenspace area

*Percent of highway right-of-way out of total greenspace area


Existing Greenspace


Existing Greenspace

OverviewTrafficisakeycomponentinthepopularityofasite.Themoretrafficastreet gets, the more attention a particular venue will get. Currently, the majorityoftraffictravelsNorth/SouthalongGrandBlvd,MainStreet,andOak Street because they lead to the Downtown Loop. There currently aren’tmanydestinationsalong18thStreetwhichmeansthetrafficcount is a marginal size compared to the north/south counts. Creating destinations along 18th Street will increase the popularity and will bring more business and economic growth to the area.

Opportunities

• Create visual cues at key intersections to bring drivers to the site.

• Create vertical elements along the street to slow down motorists.

• PossibilitytoincreasetrafficflowalongotherNorth/Southstreets.


Existing Vehicular Traffic Counts

40,431TotalVehicularTraffic:

*Totaltrafficcountisbasedoffastudydonebythecitywiththenineintersectionsseenonthemap


Existing Vehicular Traffic Counts

Public Transit

D R A F T

18th Street

Public transit can help the citizens of any city if it is being utilized. Kansas City is currently constructing new infrastructure for the Starter Route for the streetcar system that will run North and South on Main Street from Union Station to the River Market. There are plans to have an East and West streetcar as well, but the city is currently deciding which street that will be located. Main Street runs through 18th Street which could be an asset to the success and popularity of 18th Street.

The streetcar system could allow employeestoquicklyaccessdifferentareas of the city for the lunch hour. If employees from the Downtown Loop have fast access to the new 18th Street Corridor, then they might be inclined to visit more often during their lunch hour, or even visit in the evening with their families. Public transit will be a factor in how pedestrians arrive at 18th Street, andcouldbeawayofmovingquicklythroughout the site.

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18th Street

The Metro is a public transit system that currently exists in Kansas City. Prior to the development of the Downtown Streetcar, the only form of public transportation provided by Kansas City were the city buses. Kansas City has two buses which are the Metro and the Metro Area Express (MAX). The MAX is a bus that compares itself to a rail system as opposed to a local bus line. The MAX connects the River Market, Downtown, Union Station, Crown Center, and the Country Club Plaza. The Metro is a regular bus system that makes more stops than the MAX.

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is located on 18th Street, however most of the bus stops are located on the north/south streets at intersections with 18th Street. There are no bus stops along 18th Street in the Crossroads, but there are stops along 18th Street in the Vine District. One way to utilize the KCATA would be to add another bus system along 18th Street that would act as a free circulator for all pedestrians using the new corridor.

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18th Street

B-cycle was founded in 2010 and is based in Madison, WI. It has 27 local systems operating in 29 cities across the United States. The B-cycle is new to Kansas City, MO, but looks like it has potential to make a big impact on how tourists and residents explore the city. There are currently B-cycle stations located on Oak Street and 18th Street, and Wyandotte Street and 19th Street. These two stations are located on or near the 18th Street Corridor with the North and South connection of the River Market, the Downtown Loop, the Crossroads, and the Crown Center.

Our hope is to create more attractions along the 18th Street Corridor that will encourage the placement of more B-cycle stations East and West which will give more Kansas City citizens the opportunity to move around the city freely.

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18th Street18th Street

< Pedestrian LoopThe Greater Downtown Area Plan (GDAP) is planning to increase the safety of the public realm. One of the ways they are planning on achieving this is by developing a citywalk pedestrian loop. This loop would connect major city attractions while also creating a more walkable downtown. The loop would have a series of maps and markers which would show pedestrians where there are historical points of interest. This loop would tie in with the proposed 18th Street Corridor by emphasizing another city attraction, and encouraging pedestrian movement North and South, as well as East and West.

Bicycle Routes and Trails >This map shows proposed routes andtrailsforbicycletrafficinthedowntown area. Since the B-cycle system is being implemented, it’s important that the city becomes more bikeable. Creating more bikeable streets will help connect with the new bikeable 18th Street Corridor.

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Circulation Plans

Development Plans

D R A F T

Transportation is an important aspect of the Greater Downtown Area Plan (GDAP). Transportation encompasses many categories which include walkability, bicycle, vehicular transit, parking, and the roadways. All of these categories apply to the 18th Street Corridor, and will be looked at thoroughly throughout the schematic design phase and the design development phase. Consolidation of parking lots will need to be addressed on 18th Street, as well as showcasing where vehicular parking is located. The consolidation of parking lots will eliminate many voids along the street which will help create a corridor that is more walkable.

Activating the public realm by creating gateways and connecting one activity center to the next was important in the GDAP. Connectivity and creating gateways will be crucial in the success of the 18th Street Corridor.

Reaching a decision on how to transform the character and spirit of the pedestrianexperienceinDowntownisimportantindefiningthestreetscapestandards for the Downtown Loop. The pedestrian experience is important at any destination in the city, and the 18th Street Corridor should emphasize the character and spirit of the Vine District and the Crossroads District. The consistency of signage, seating, roadway intersections, and bus shelters will enhance the identity of 18th Street, and give pedestrians a better experience. Art installations can be integrated with street elements and street median plantings which could encourage the involvement of local artists.

Lighting, signage, landscape, sidewalks, and furniture is important in the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, and the elements vary for the different districtsstatedfortheDowntownLoop.Thinkingabouthowthesefiveelements will affect the pedestrian experience will be critical for 18th Street.

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Previous Proposals

The Vine Street District Economic Development Plan is a redevelopment blueprint for action for the City and the community to revitalize the health and economy of the Vine Street District for the next 15 years. Through key strategies and tools, economic revitalization, and several catalytic projects the Vine Street District can be evolved into a more self-sustaining community that highlights its character and history.

The new 18th Street Corridor could emphasize the character and history of the Vine Street District and carry the same theme throughout the corridor. Doing thiswouldcreateagreaterunderstandingoftheVineStreetDistrict’suniquehistory, as well as highlight activities and past times that aren’t currently being showcased. The new 18th Street Corridor could have a positive impact on the economic revitalization of the entire Vine District and could bring back a “Main Street” neighborhood feel to 18th and Vine.

The Next Rail KC is a planning process that has established a sound foundation for pursuing a larger, more encompassing streetcar system for Kansas City, Missouri. After a sixty year population decline in Kansas City’s historic core, combined efforts of public and private investment, Downtown Kansas City is experiencing a transformation. The 2.2 mile streetcar starter line that is currently being built on Main Street is one reason for the economic transformation. Nearly 40 development projects have been proposed in the Downtown area and 11 developers have said the streetcar has been a key reason they chose to develop in the area. Currently 81% of jobs in Kansas City are not accessible by public transit, but the Next Rail is planning to change this with the expansion of the streetcar.

The lack of public transportation to 18th Street is a large reason why it isn’t being used to its full potential. With the implementation of the streetcar along Main Street, there will be more opportunities for development and street improvements for the whole 18th Street Corridor. New attractions, development, and adaptive re-use could be implemented along 18th Street to help improve underutilized and vacant property while having access to public transit.

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Design Frameworks

D R A F T

Central Community Space

Removal of Surface Parking

Street Diets

Emphasize History & Culture

Free Circulator

Vegetation

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Recommended Frameworks

Existing Conditions:• Currently no central public space.• There are large vacant lots with great

views of downtown that have the potential to act as gathering spaces.

• Central barrier in the form of the Highway 71 underpass.

Proposal:The idea of a central park along the 18th Street Corridor would mean increased property value for surrounding lots, and would create a space for relaxation as well as large gatherings. Highway 71 can act as a barrier between the Vine District and the Crossroads District, but the implementation of a central park would aid in the connection ofthesetwodistricts,andwouldhelpfillundesirable spaces such as the Highway 71 underpass. The increased property values would encourage new development surrounding the park. This central park could act as a retreat from the busy city life, and could be a main attraction for the new 18th Street Corridor.

Proposed Area for a Central Park

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Central Community Space

Existing Conditions:• Four lane street from Woodland Ave to Baltimore Ave.• One way street going West from Baltimore Ave to Broadway Blvd.• Street parking from Woodland Ave to The Paseo.• Street parking from Main St to Broadway Blvd.• NotmuchEasttoWesttraffic.

Proposal:Currently, 18th Street’s four lanes are not being utilized to their full potential because most of the heavytrafficgoesNorthandSouth.Thetwolanesalongthesidewalkcouldbeusedforstreetparkingwhich could eliminate some of the existing surface parking. 18th Street is currently on a map in the Greater Downtown Area Plan for streets with diet potentials. Since only two lanes are necessary for 18th Street, there is an opportunity to utilize the other two lanes for other purposes, such as meter parking, stormwater management, bus stops, outdoor dining, and small seating areas. The 18th StreetCorridorwillpromotemovementthroughpublictransit,bicycles,andfoottrafficwhichmeanscreatingastreetdietwillbenefitthepedestrianandbusinessowners.Wideningsidewalkswillhelpreducethespeedofvehiculartrafficwhichwillmakethestreetconditionsaferforpedestrians.


Removal of Surface Parking

Existing Conditions:• Four lane street from Woodland Ave to

Baltimore Ave.• One way street going West from Baltimore

Ave to Broadway Blvd.• Street parking from Woodland Ave to The

Paseo.• Street parking from Main St to Broadway

Blvd.• NotmuchEasttoWesttraffic.

Proposal:Currently, 18th Street’s four lanes are not being utilized to their full potential because most of theheavytrafficgoesNorthandSouth.Thetwo lanes along the sidewalk could be used for street parking which could eliminate some of the existing surface parking. 18th Street is currently on a map in the Greater Downtown Area Plan for streets with diet potentials. Since only two lanes are necessary for 18th Street, there is an opportunity to utilize the other two lanes for other purposes, such as meter parking, stormwater management, bus stops, outdoor dining, and small seating areas. The 18th Street Corridor will promote movement through public transit, bicycles, and foot trafficwhichmeanscreatingastreetdietwillbenefitthepedestrianandbusinessowners.Widening sidewalks will help reduce the speed ofvehiculartrafficwhichwillmakethestreetcondition safer for pedestrians.


Street Diets

Existing Conditions:• Little vegetation except for the highway

right-of-way, vacant lots, and a few design public spaces.

• Street trees on the West end of 18th Street.

Proposal:18th Street currently doesn’t have much vegetation, but is instead covered with concrete and asphalt. Introducing vegetation to the street adds another element to the monotony of street, sidewalk, parking lot, and building façade. Canopy street trees add a vertical element between the building façade and the street which also provide shade. Stormwater management can be implemented along the streets using vegetation which will treat the oil and salt runoff from the street. Both types of vegetation act as a barrier from the sidewalk to the street, giving pedestrians a senseofsafetyfromvehiculartraffic,aswellas another environment to rest and have small gatherings. On the West end of the 18th Street Corridor near the Kauffman Center there are some new street trees and stormwater management practices being implemented which means the rest of the corridor can implement these as well. The introduction of street vegetation could encourage the addition of more green spacesalongthecorridorthatfitinwiththeexisting infrastructure.


Vegetation

KC Streetcar

Proposed 18th Street Free Circulator

Existing Public Transit:• Two B-cycle stations on and near 18th Street.• The bus mainly stops on the North and South

streets, but few times on 18th Street.• The Streetcar is being installed on Main Street,

and will have stops near 18th Street.

Proposal:Movement along the 18th Street Corridor is critical for the popularity and economic well-being of the businesses that are currently there, as well as the ones that will move to 18th Street. Having a free circulator that runs from the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District to the Crossroads Arts District would encourage citizens to use the available public transit. The circulator will allow ease of travel from one endofthecorridortotheotherquickly.Thereis an opportunity to make the free circulator an identifyingfeaturethatwillbeseenbythetrafficalong the North and South streets. Creating awareness about the circulator would inform more people that they have a source of transportation, and if they drive to the site, they wouldn’t need to park on the streets, but could park in the Arts District Garage or possibly another proposed parking garage in the Vine District. Giving the citizens of Kansas City more public transportation options means the city’s carbon footprint could be reduced.


Free Circulator

Existing Conditions:• American Jazz Museum and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum showcase some history of the Vine District.• Film Row isn’t emphasized to its full potential.• History of the Crossroads District could be emphasized more.

Proposal:The Vine District and the Crossroads District each have interesting histories, however those histories aren’t currently being showcased. There isn’t a place to go that will immerse the user within the rich histories of the districts. Emphasizing history and culture throughout the new 18th Street Corridor will be an important way of identifying the character of the site. Creating identity through signage will also emphasize history and culture while still integrating wayfindingandmovement.Acohesivedesignwillbeimplementedthroughouttheentirecorridor,andalargepartof this design will be consistency of materiality. The materiality will emphasize events and history such as First Friday, music and art shows, and the opportunity for new monthly events.


Emphasize History & Culture

The Next Phase

D R A F T

The street can bring life to a certain area of a city, or it can make the area unpopular. There are many opportunities with 18th Street to enhance the street life through a cohesive design, lighting, vegetation, and seating. A cohesive design throughout all of 18th Street would create a more beautiful street and would give the North and South trafficaglimpseofthechangeinscenery.Lightingwillenhancethepedestrianfoottrafficatnightwhenpeopleareleavingeventssuchas art and music shows. Vegetation will soften the sight of concrete and rigid edges of the building façades. Seating in certain areas allow pedestrians to travel across the corridor while giving them a chance to rest. The street is the heart of the site and economic development can improve based on the improvement of the street.

Improvements:• Integrate signage, lighting, vegetation, and seating.• Createastreetthatissafeforvehicular,bicycle,andfoottraffic.• Createintersectionsthataresaferforfoottraffic.

Fall Semester 2014 | 18th Stret ReimaginedD R A F TPage 58 | The Next Phase

Streetscape Design

Signage can be the identifying feature of a certain district or city, but italsohasthepurposeofwayfinding.Inorderforpedestrianstofindcertainattractionsthroughoutthecityandonaspecificsite,thesignagehas to be easy to understand and point them in the right direction. 18th Street currently has banners on the light poles showcasing the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. This type of signage is a good thing, but the new 18th Street Corridor could identify theentirecorridor,aswellasspecificattractions.Signagedoesn’tspecificallyhavetobeasign,butcanbeaconsistentdesignthemethroughoutthecorridorthatidentifieswherethepedestrianiswithoutspecificallytellingthem.

Improvements:• Creatingacohesivesystemforwayfinding.• Create a consistent design theme that indicates that the user is on

the 18th Street Corridor.

18th Stret Reimagined | Fall Semester 2014 D R A F T The Next Phase | Page 59

Signage/Identification

A public space can be an extension of the sidewalk and can continue elements of the overall street design while creating an identity of its own. These spaces arise when there is opportunity within the voids surrounding existing infrastructure. Larger public spaces can act as a versatile space for organized or impromptu gatherings such as art and music shows. There should be several public spaces located along the new 18th Street Corridor because they would allow for more activities to happen at the same time, and encourage pedestrian movement along 18th Street which could also give surrounding businesses more customers. Public spaces can also be a place for employees to eat and relax during their lunch hour, or for any citizen to relax at any time of the day.

Improvements:• Create multiple spaces where gatherings

could take place.• Integrate signage, lighting, vegetation, and

seating within the space.• Create an extension of the street.


Public Space Design

Retail design doesn’t just encompass what happens within the interior of a business, but also encompasses the street and how the consumer perceives the business. Certain standards and design qualitiesrangefromalterationstotheperspectiveof the structure of the space, entrance, circulation systems,atmosphericqualities,andmateriality.TheStreetiswheretheconsumerfirstseesthebusinesswhich means the condition and materiality of the sidewalk surrounding the business could entice one to enter the business or stay away. The entrance andfaçadeofthegroundfloorofthebuildingcanbe an eye catcher, as well. 18th Street has many historic buildings, some of which are vacant. These buildings have the opportunity of adaptive re-use for the growth of a new business.

Improvements:• Utilize existing infrastructure through adaptive

re-use.• Create building entrances and a new streetscape

that will entice consumers to enter a business.

18th Stret Reimagined | Fall Semester 2014 D R A F T The Next Phase | Page 61

Retail Design

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How We Will Move Forward Using Social Media

Social media is becoming more widely used, and is becoming a way for people from different parts of a city, country, or even around the world to connect and keep up with current events. The hope for the process of designing the 18th Street Corridor is to keep the citizens of Kansas City informed about our process, and to get feedback throughout our design process. Getting feedback from landscape architect professionals and citizens of different professions will allow us to take in the information and make necessary changes while we are still in a conceptual and schematic phase. Keeping the community involved with the design is very important because they will ultimately be the ones spending time within the site.

Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages are already in use and have been used to get some feedback during the analysis phase and conceptual design phase. They will be used more often during the schematic design phase and the design development phase this upcoming 2015 Spring Semester.


Social Media

18th street reimagined - fall semester 2014

Documents

kansas city highways

north kansas city

city summary

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street reimaginedd r

union stationcrown center

country club plaza

river market