INFRASTRUCTURE + ART+ COMMUNITY: PUTTING THEM IN CONTEXT

Focus on Urban Design Framework (UDF)

for the

CATS LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE)

Rail~Volution

September 22, 2014

Kathy Cornett,

City of Charlotte

Planning Department

CATS LYNX Context & Ridership

LYNX Blue Line

• 9.3 miles• 11 stations• Implementation 2017• +25,000 daily riders• Connects Uptown

Charlotte to UNC Charlotte

• 9.6 miles• 15 stations• Opened 2007• +26,000 daily riders• Connects south side at

Interstate 485 to Uptown Charlotte

LYNX Blue Line

LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE)

Lynx Light Rail line

South Blvd

• 11 Stations (7 walk-up / 4 park-and-ride)

• Accommodates 3-car trains

• Approximately 3,100 parking spaces

• Congestion-free commute

• Connecting bus services

BLE Profile

• Convenient and safe station amenities for customers

o Security featureso Bicycle parkingo Public arto Shelters, garbage cans, bencheso Treeso Lightingo Ticket vending machines (TVMs)o Maps and schedules

BLE Update

Milestone Date

State FFGA Executed March 2012

Request to Enter Final Design March 2012

FTA Approval to Enter Final Design July 2012

Federal FFGA Signed October 2012

Advanced Utility Relocation Begins May 2013

Right-of-Way Acquisition Complete January 2014

Complete Final Design May 2014

Start Construction November 2013

Initiate Revenue Service March 2017

*Schedule subject to change

• What is the UDF?

– Incorporated into LYNX BLE Design Criteria

• Provides broad guidance to mitigate visual impacts

• Recommends design treatments for highly visible areas outside the transit station

Urban Design Framework (UDF)

• Designed to:

– Integrate public art to mitigate visual impacts.

– Leverage public art dollars with infrastructure funding.

Walls and Bridges Fencing and Barriers

Trackway/Pedestrian Crossings Embankments System Elements

UDF Guidelines Include:

VisibilityLand Use

AdjacenciesPedestrian Proximity

Treatment Levels Based On:

APPLICATION OF THE URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK (UDF)

CATS LYNX BLUE LINE EXTENSION

TREATMENT EXAMPLES

Systems: Catenary System

Galvanized

Outside of Uptown, except at Stations

Powder Coated and Galvanized

Station Areas outside of Uptown & in Street

Right of Way

Powder Coated and Galvanized w/ finials

Uptown Only

Systems: Traction Power Substations, Signal Houses & communication cabinets

Standard - No Treatment

Not visible from right of way

Systems: Traction Power Substations, Signal Houses & Communication Cabinets

LYNX Blue Line

Actual mitigation Treatment

Proposed BLE Art Treatment

Visible from Station Areas or Right of Way traffic

© 2012 Joann Sieburg-Baker © 2010 Sharon Dowell

STRUCTURES: FENCING

Chainlink

Orsogrille Vertical Railing

Black Vinyl Chainlink

*Between Freight and LRT tracks

*In Station areas/ on top of high visibility walls *On top of Tryon Street sidewalk

*On top of tall walls (MSE) and outside street ROW

STRUCTURES: FENCING

Proposed BLE Art Treatment

Old Concord Station Area

© 2012 Chandra Cox & Susan Cannon

Structures: Segmental Block Walls

Standard Colored Block and Coping

Vertical Rail

Segmental Block walls are typically used for low walls (less than 5 ft). Mostly supporting the sidewalk along Tryon Street.

Structures: Pile Panel Walls

Secondary

Art Treatment

Standard Class 2 Surface Finish

Chainlink fence

Primary

Art Treatment

Calico

Pile Panel walls are used for many different applications where walls are between 5-16 ft tall.

Orchid

Structures: Cast in Place walls

Secondary Art Treatment

Standard Class 2 Surface Finish

Primary

Art Treatment

Trap PlantCast-in-Place Pattern

20’ X 20’

Cast In Place (CIP) walls are used for many different applications where walls are over 12 ft, such as walls supporting sidewalks and ramp approaches.

CalicoMaster Mold

5’ X 5’

Secondary Art Treatment

Structures: MSE Walls

Standard Class 2 Surface Finish

Standard Precast Finish

Primary

Art TreatmentMechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls are typically used on larger walls supporting the LRT.

Leaf

Trap Plant

Location: Craighead 53’ x 1,120’

Structures: Bridges

PrimaryArt Treatment

Harris Blvd Bridge

Leaf Railing Detail Pitcher PlantBridge Pier

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

CATS

LYNX BLUE LINE EXTENSION

INFRASTRUCTURE + ART+ COMMUNITY: PUTTING THEM IN CONTEXT

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Artist: Tom Thoune

Infrastructure: 360’ Concrete Retaining Wall

Public Art: Hand assembled Mosaics in the Trencadis Method

Engagement: Members of the community were invited to bring broken dishes, marbles, glass and ceramics to the artist as source material for his mosaic “cogs”.

With these materials, they often brought their own stories which the artist recorded.

Thank You!www.charlotteplanning.org