urban design projects for south lyon, mi
DESCRIPTION
UP 518 Fall 2010 Group ProjectTRANSCRIPT
up 518 fall 2010
designing for interconnectivity between people and placesouth lyon, michigan
angela fortinogretchen miller
scott parkerdinghao zhou
an enhanced south lyon [table of contents]
[introduction] p1[vision] p2[observations] p3[pattern language] p15[projects] p20 trafficcalming+crossings alternative one p28 alternative two p32 alleyways+connections p36 housing+buildinginfill p45[going forward] p52
an enhanced south lyon [introduction]
observations
downtown vision
pattern language
project categories
individual urban design projects
[project summary]
In Fall of 2010, UP 518 completed a series of design projects for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of South Lyon, Michigan. The design board of the DDA had several ideas for development in downtown including: improving streetscapes, creating a centerpiece or gathering area, increasing mixed-use, developing a greater mixofretailandservices,andaddressingconflictsbetweentrafficandpedestrians.
Following the meeting the class completed a series of observations. We analyzed the built environment and human interaction through wind shield and walking surveys; GIS data analysis; cognitive mapping (which was compiled into image maps); feeling maps; a downtown health map; and stationary and roaming observations.
One session was held with the public to gain a better understanding of South Lyon. Residents were asked to firstcreatecognitivemaps.Theywerethenaskedtocreatefeelingmaps.Theresidentsselectedaroutetowalkthrough the downtown area and rate areas that made them feel excellent, good, bad, and awful. These maps further helped formulate the vision for South Lyon.
The vision for South Lyon is to create an environment that is bikable, walkable, vibrant, safe, sociable and festive.
Once the vision was created, we developed a pattern language for South Lyon consisting of nine patterns: walkable+bikabledowntown;connected+clearpathways;trafficcalming+crossings;maingateways;shoppingmix+fronts;housing+buildinginfill;reasonable+shieldedparking;publicspaces;andoutdooreatingareas.
The patterns helped formulate a series of project categories that were then addressed within individual projects.
TwoprojectsfellunderthecategoryforTrafficCalming+Crossings.Thefirstproject,sharedspace,isamorealternativeconceptthatcreates“risks”andusesdesigntointegratepeopleandtrafficwiththeintentionofslowing cars and improving the walkability of the downtown. A second project, complete streets, is a more traditional alternative the utilizes raised crosswalks, bike lanes, and other amenities to ensure that all modes of transportation are represented in the space.
UndertheprojectcategoryClear+ConnectedPaths,felltheprojectAlleyways+Connections.Thefourmajoralleys within downtown South Lyon were improved through a series of enhancements including: pervious pavers, tree plantings, street furniture, and improved landscaping. Acknowledgement that pedestrians use the alleyway to enter businesses is important for the overall health of the downtown.
Thefinalproject,WhippleStreet,consistedofdevelopmentforhousing+buildinginfill.Inthedesign,parkingwas minimized and pedestrian was maximized. A series of townhouses and connected commercial buildings were proposed to continue the traditional shopfront characteristics found on Lafayette. A public space was also developed to furhter increase pedestrian use of the now lifeless area.
Theseprojectsarethefirststepforcreatingawalkable,bikeableandvibrantdowntown.Ahousingandretailassessment is integral before development should proceed. It is also suggested a series of workshops and visioning sessions are completed to gain a better understanding of what the wants and needs are of the entire South Lyon community.
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an enhanced south lyon [vision]
safe sociable festive
bikeable walkable vibrant
through urban design south lyon will be...
2
observations+analysis[section1]3
[section introduction]
The following is a series of maps visualizing our observations of South Lyon. These were key in developing the vision, patterns, and ultimately the projects for the downtown.
analyzing+observingsouthlyon[contextmap]4
contextSouth Lyon is a quaint bedroom community in southwest Oakland Countywithgoodconnectionstoparks,otherrecreationalareas,and the Huron Valley Rail Trail, which stretches for 10 miles northeast through existing greenway corridors. It is also well connected to regional highways, and Pontiac Trail, a major north-south thoroughfare running throughWashtenawandOaklandCounties,isthemainstreetrunningthrough town. There is also a rail line running just north of the downtown, which still carries freight to and from Lansing and Detroit. A relatively stable economic base exists with minimal industrial uses and an active Downtown Development Authority. South Lyon is also well known for its great school system.
Accordingtothe2005AmericanCommunitySurvey,SouthLyonhasabout 10,000 residents. With over a quarter of these residents aged 19 or underandalmost64%ofhouseholdswithfamilies,itisclearlyapopularplaceforfamiliestoraisechildren.Around75%ofhousingisoccupiedbyits owner, which demonstrates that much of the community is invested in thetownandcaresaboutitswell-being.Thetotallandareaisabout3.4square miles.
Characteristics Number Percent TOTALPOPULATION 10,036 100.0 SEXANDAGEMale 4,786 47.7Female 5,250 52.3 Under 5 years 883 8.85 to 19 years 1,789 17.820to34years 2,301 22.935to64years 3,556 35.465to84years 1,332 13.285 years and over 175 1.7 Median age (years) 35.2 - TotalHouseholds 4,335 100.0FamilyHouseholds(families) 2,765 63.8Householdsw/oneormorepeopleunder18years 1,765 40.7Householdsw/oneormorepeople65years&over 1,153 26.6 HOUSING Totalhousingunits 4,461 100.0Occupiedhousingunits 4,246 95.2Vacanthousingunits 215 4.8For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use 37 0.8 Homeowner vacancy rate (percent) 1.3 -Rental vacancy rate (percent) 5.7 - Occupiedhousingunits 4,246 100.0Owner-occupiedhousingunits 3,178 74.8Renter-occupiedhousingunits 1,068 2 5.2
Source:2005-2009AmericanCommunitySurvey5-YearEstimates
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analyzing+observingsouthlyon[studyarea]
study area
Our group primarily focused on the one-mile stretch of Lafayette that goes through the core of downtown, beginning at the rail tracks north of town and Reynoldsweet Parkway south of town. This stretch encompasses the area managed by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). When we met with representatives from the DDA, we found that they were looking to create a public space for town gatherings, create a destination, spur economic development, and grow their customer base. They felt that people do not stay or visit downtown for long, often going elsewhere for shopping and eating opportunities. Surrounding communities, such as Brighton,Novi,Northville,Plymouth,andMilford,areconsideredmajorcompetitors for shopping and retail opportunities but are also looked to as examples for what South Lyon would like to offer its residents. Therefore, they would like to increase the mix of retail and service opportunities, while still maintaining its charm and character to create a place that is distinct and recognizable.
One of the most beloved areas of South Lyon is McHattie Park and The Witch’s Hat Depot Museum and Historic Village. These are located on the southwest edge of town. They host outdoor events that are very popular and are frequently used for leisure activities. In addition, there is a summer farmer’s market that is gaining in popularity and the Pumpkinfest, which is the largest annual festival in South Lyon. This event is very popular throughout the community and fosters the connectedness of its residents.
square mile
The square mile map shows how South Lyon’s street grid is more connected with smaller street blocks near the center of town at the intersection of Lake and Lafayette Streets. Wider blocks with fewer connections are more prevalent away from the center. The smaller, more-connected blocks near the center are more conducive to walking.
quarter mile
The quarter mile map is centered on the main intersection of Lake and Lafayette, and covers a quarter-mile by quarter-mile area. Streets and alleys are represented as white, buildings as gray, and the spaces in between as black.
The north and east sides of the main intersection have a higher degree of building coverage than the west and south sides. The buildings north and east of the intersection feature frequent shop fronts that contribute to higher walkability than the less covered areas.
analyzing+observingsouthlyon[mile/quartermilemaps]6
land use
The land use map shows the various land uses contributing to activitiesdowntown.Commercialandresidentialarethetwomostcommonlandusesinthearea.Commercialactivitiesareprimarilyfound within one block of Lafayette. The primary housing option around downtown is single-family detached, while some multi-family housing is available, mostly to the south of Liberty Street.
land coverage
Buildings cover approximately one-quarter of the land parcels within two blocks of Lafayette between the rail tracks to the north and Reynoldsweet to the south. Building coverage decreases substantially one block out from the main intersection of Lake and Lafayette.
analyzing+observingsouthlyon[developmentmaps]
Downtown South Lyon Land Use
E Lake St
W Lake StS
Laf
ayet
te S
tN
Laf
ayet
te S
t
E Liberty St
W Liberty St
Whipple St
Detroit St
Pet
tibon
e S
t
Abel St
N W
ells
St
S W
ells
St
N R
eese
St
S R
eese
St
Elm PlS
cott
W McHattie StE McHattie St
Reynoldsweet
Was
hing
ton
St
S W
arre
n S
tN
War
ren
St
totalbuildingsfootprintarea:743,761s.f.totalsitearea:2,916,559s.f.landcoverage:26%
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car oriented space
building mass
private yards
pedestrian oriented space
analyzing+observingsouthlyon[downtownhealthmap]
downtown health
Majority of the built area around downtown is disproportionately oriented toward cars, shown in red. Much less space, consisting primarily of sidewalks, is pedestrian-oriented. Most green open space near downtown is in the form of private yards, providing littlepublicbenefit.Increasingpedestrianspacewhiledecreasingcarspacewillimprovethedowntown’shealth.
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analyzing+observingsouthlyon[baseobservations+routepatterns]
200 ft
1 2
3 4
eyes
ores
hous
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busi
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es
routesAbove are the routes used for observations throughout our analysis process.Totheleftarephotosthatexhibitourmajorfindingswhilewalking the city. Again, South Lyon is found to be dominated by parking; however, a mix of housing types and interesting shop fronts prove strong assets from which the down town can build upon.
The stationary observations, roaming observations, and pedestrian and bicycle counts were each taken on a weekday and weekend. The weekdayobservationswereintheeveningaroundpeakhourtraffictime. The weather was sunny with no precipitation and a temperature in the high 50s (degrees Fahrenheit). The weekend observations were aroundmid-day.Itwasovercast,cold(inthe40s),andwindy,butthere was no precipitation.
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analyzing+observingsouthlyon[stationaryobservations]
Lake St.
Lafa
yette
St.
Liberty St.
Elm Pl.
McHattie St.
Scott
Reynoldsweet
Whipple St.
Washington St.
Warren St.
Lake St.
Lafa
yette
St.
Liberty St.
Elm Pl.
McHattie St.
Scott
Reynoldsweet
Whipple St.
Washington St.
Warren St.
weekday weekend
Walkers
Bicyclists
Active
Car
Leisure
Each group member spent 15 minutes observing one location in South Lyon, which are shown on the maps by the black dotted lines. We then broke our observationsintofivecategories:walkers,leisure,active,bicyclists,andcar.Walkers were those who were walking with a clear destination in mind, while leisure were those who were strolling or casually riding bikes around downtown, which we saw numerous children doing. Those categorized as active were those who were walking or running with their dog, biking for exercise, or doing some otherexercise.Bicyclistswerethosewhowereclearlycommutingand,finally,those categorized as car where those who were observed getting into or out of their car.
The results show that downtown has a lot of walkers and car users. The park south of the rail trail is also heavily used. South Lyon already has a lot of walkers andfoottrafficsothereisgreatopportunitytoincreasethisactivityandbringmore people downtown. Even though the number of bicyclists is spread over many categories, we observed many people riding and think that South Lyon can also capitalize on this to create a walkable-bikeable downtown that brings all types of users to the core.
stationary
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weekendweekday
Walkers
Bicyclists
Active
Car
Leisure
analyzing+observingsouthlyon[roamingobservations]
We divided the town into four quadrants and each took a section to do roaming observations. Each group member followed a pre-determined route while observing any activity that happened along this route. There was no time limit, but we tried to not stop too much. The same categories we used for the stationary observations were used to analyze the roaming observations. Again, it is clear that walkers dominate downtown, with
active people being the next largest group. This supports our focus on creating a more vibrant downtown partially through adding pedestrian amenities and making the buildings more oriented toward the street.
roaming
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analyzing+observingsouthlyon[ped/bikecounts]
Weekday Weekend Weekday Weekend
The pedestrian and biker counts data were collected separately at both weekday and weekend times in order to take both situations into consideration. The weekend counts were conducted on Saturday, October 30th, and the weekday count on Monday, November1st.
Wepicked8sectionsofstreetsweconsideredtypicalforpedestrianandbikerflow.Fourof the sections are on Lafayette: one between Whipple and Detroit, one between Whipple and Lake, one between Liberty and Elm, and one between Mc Hattie and Reynoldsweet. Theother4areon4differentstreetswheretheyintersectwithLafayette,Whipple,EastLake, West Liberty, and Huron Valley Trail System.
Pedestrians and bikers were counted at each location for 10 minutes. Multiplying the countsby6producedanhourlyflowofpedestriansandbikers.
Both the pedestrian and biker counts indicate that the main intersection and Mc Hattie Park are the two most active spots. Streets between them show relatively little activity.
ped+bikecounts
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analyzing+observingsouthlyon[feelingmap]
CommunityMapClassMap positives: 1.Historic&charmingnatureofbuildings2.Local, committed businesses(Independent businesses/no big box retail)3.Parks, trails, greenspace4.Moderatelybikeable&walkable5. Sense of community
routesOnaSaturdayinNovember,ourgroupconductedanexercisewiththecommunitytogainanidea of how certain places in South Lyon affect residences’ emotions. This helps to understand the places that people do and do not like and where improvement is needed. We gave each person a map and asked them to walk around, paying attention to their feelings. They each had to rate how they felt at as many places as they wanted on a scale from one to four with one being excellent and four being awful. Some people decided to take a long walk around many of the roads while others decide to stay in the core downtown. Overall, about 10 residents completed the exercise including one child.
From the community feeling map, it is clear that the northwest, northeast, and southeast corner of Lake and Lafayette are well liked. This includes the South Lyon Herald newspaper, theTuscanCafé,andDiane’sDollHouse.Manyoftheshopsalongthisintersectionarelocallyowned by committed business leaders, which helps to foster the sense of community felt by many residents. These buildings are also the oldest in town and have a charm to them that is loved within the community. Heading north on Lafayette, residents also felt good until they reached the Lafayette Party Store on the corner of Detroit and Lafayette. Many cited the run-down façade and parking lot as the problem. There are some negative feelings on the
west side of Lafayette near Lake due to some vacant buildings but otherwise this area is a positive place within downtown. One of the locations discussed the most was the southwest cornerofLakeandLafayette.OnthiscornerthereisaparkinglotwithcarsfromNorm’sTotalAutomotive Services. Just south of this parking lot is a vacant restaurant and two large city parkinglots.PeopleloveNormhimselfandhisbusinessbutdonotlikehowhisparkinglotlooks.
Other places with positive feelings are the upscale residential areas and the Huron Valley Rail Trail and McHattie Park. Residents expressed that they love to travel along the rail trail and use the park for leisure or exercising activities. The stretch along Lafayette leading to the park and trail from downtown are not liked, however. This was mainly due to the vacant or blighted buildings and the abundance of parking lots often in poor condition. Finally, the bicycle and pedestrian amenities were mentioned as both a negative and positive aspect of town. Many mentioned that they like how walkable and bikeable the area is in general but that more infrastructure is needed so that residents of all ages and abilities feel safe and welcome downtown when walking or
biking.
negatives: 1.Norm’sparkinglot2. Unsightly and vacant buildings3. Unkempt and ugly parking lots4.Morepedestrianandbicycleinfrastructure needed5. Traffic
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analyzing+observingsouthlyon[imagemaps]
Residential
Residential
Business
Commercial
Vacant
Hotel
Church
Park
Edges
Major Paths
Minor Path
North
Nodes
Districts
Landmark
200 ft
CommunityMapClassMap
We conducted a workshop with residents of South Lyon where each participant drew a cognitive map of the city to produce an overall collective image of South Lyon. The most frequently recurring elements of the cognitive maps were combined to produce an image map showing the districts, edges, paths, nodes, and landmarks that people use to identify and navigate through South Lyon.
The image on the left is a composite of the cognitive maps of the class members who authored this report, and the image on the right is the composite of the cognitive maps of the residents who participated in the workshop. The community mapshowstheareamostidentifiedwithdowntownastheblocksimmediatelyto the north and east of the main intersection of Lake and Lafayette Streets. This area projects a strong image, while the areas west and south of the intersection arelessidentifiablewithdowntown.
image maps
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pattern language [section 2]
[section introduction]
Pattern Language is a method of describing the urban design process. It looks for existing or missing patterns within an urban context and describes key characteristics that bring the vision for a city to fruition.
Through our observations, as a group we formulated patterns of South Lyon.
In order for South Lyon to become a more walkable, bikable, vibrant, safe, sociable, and festive communitythefollowingpatternsweredefined:
-walkable+bikabledowntown-connected+clearpathways-trafficcalming+crossings- main gateways -shoppingmix+fronts-housing+buildinginfill-reasonable+shieldedparking- public spaces - outdoor eating areas
Section2providesconceptualideasofthepatternsdefinedforSouthLyonaswellaskeycharacteristics that are necessary for the patterns to translate into the built environment.
Maps showing how patterns exist or could exist are also included.
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discovering south lyon [pattern language]
[connected+clearpathways]
[trafficcalming+crossings]
[walkable+bikabledowntown]
Alleys, sidewalks and trails should have a cohesive design with various elements carrying over from path to path. A series of wayfinding signs are also integral to encourage pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists to frequent downtown.
While car traffic is vital to downtown, it must not dominate the built environment. Designs for roadways must keep all users in mind, from pedestrians and bicyclists to motorists and public transit riders. This is done by slowing traffic and creating crosswalks which will create awareness, decrease intimidation and increase safety.
Density, accessibility, human scale, pedestrian and bicyclist focused amenities, and compact and diverse uses are key to a walkable-bikable downtown. Through our observations, we witnessed several people biking and walking throughout Downtown South Lyon; however several improvements can be made.
To increase biking and walking in Downtown South Lyon, we suggest the following: - designated bike lanes or sharrows - widen sidewalks -streettrees+landscaping- building infill-openfacades+multipleentrances- diverse mix of uses - integrated alleys - gathering spaces
To further encourage connected and clear pathways throughout downtown, we suggest the following: - pedestrian scale lighting- points of entry - wayfinding signage- maintained walking surfaces- visible connections to streets- cohesive landscaping - high quality street furniture
To calm traffic and encourage pedestrianism the following is needed: - visible, lighted signs- fewer, narrow lanes- street trees- visible street paint- raised crosswalks- paving and bricks- pedestrian islands
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Businesses should be local yet provide a wide range of services from daily needs to unique specialty items. Facades of shop fronts should complement existing historic buildings, be close to the street, have open fronts and inviting entry ways to encourage interaction.
Infill of commercial areas should complement existing historic buildings but not support strip style development. While not as important for housing, existing styles should be taken into account. Mixed-use is encouraged; however, as uses are integrated, it is important to ensure methods are inclusive of all people no matter socio-economic standing.
Defined gateways provide identity for downtowns and provide entrance and exit indicators from districts. Gateways can range from physical structures and signage to changes in building character and levels of density.
Two distinguish the downtown the following is needed for main gateways: - street trees - wayfinding signage- welcome signage - buildings of graduated density - cohesive streetscaping- decorative paving
The following is necessary for shops in Downtown South Lyon: - frequent, uncluttered windows - frequent doors- zero setbacks - increased FARs - mixed-use zoning
To encourage infill in and around Downtown South Lyon, the following is needed: - varied housing types - range of housing prices- downtown loft-style housing - mixed-use zoning - increased FARs - varied shop types
discovering south lyon [pattern language]
[shoppingmix+fronts]
[housing+buildinginfill]
[main gateways]
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public spaces
outdoor eating areas
reasonable+shieldedparking
discovering south lyon [pattern language]
A range of public spaces will encourage socialization and create vibrancy within the city. spaces may range from informal areas to formal spaces with a high level of programming. Pocket parks, small public squares and farmer’s markets are all examples of public spaces.Cohesiveandcomplementarydesignand signage is integral.
Restaurants and cafes should have outdoor eating areas along sidewalks to further enhance the vibrancy of downtown. Landscaping creates boundaries and protection for users so they may comfortably use the space.
Parking within downtown should not be over supplied and should not dominate the built environment. Transitioning parking to the back of buildings will improve pedestrian access to businesses. Parking lots must include walls and plantings to continue streetscaping and pathway designs that exist throughout the city.
To create shielded parking the following is needed: - back parking lots - walls - trees - landscaped parking islands- wayfinding signage- ped/bike crossing signs- bollards
Public spaces within south lyon should include: - varied seating - human scale lighting - landscaping - interesting surroundings - varied amenities - wayfinding signage
The following is needed for enahnced outdoor eating spaces: -moveabletables+chairs- table umbrellas - warmers - trees- landscaping- music
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walkable bikable dt
connected+clearpaths
trafficcalming+crosswalks
main gateways
housing+buildinginfill
shoppingmix+fronts
public spaces
outdoor eating areas
reasonable+shieldedparking
[patterns applied to south lyon]
SouthLyon’sexistingtraffic,streetdesign,andnumerousparkinglotscreateanatmospherenotconduciveofwalking.Thefirstpatternofwalkable+bikabledowntownshouldexistalongthemajorcommercialareasofLafayette Street (heading north-south) and Lake Street (heading east-west). Bydefiningthisareaasawalkabledistrictitwillcreateanatmospherethatwill spread throughout the entire downtown as businesses and streets areenlivened.Pairedwithconnected+clearpaths,trafficcalming+crosswalks, the walkability and bikability of South Lyon will further increase. Gateways should exist throughout the downtown core as key indicators that youhaveenteredthespace.Thesearecreatedthroughdensificationandchange in street design and patterns.
Thelastfivepatternsaremorespecificastheyapplytoparticularlotsandfeatureswithinthewalkable+bikeabledowntown.Throughdensificationand integration gaps in the urban fabric will no longer exist. Paired with public spaces and areas that encourage interaction (such as out door eating areas), the vibrance of the downtown will further increase.
Fromthesepatterns,existingandmissingareasweredefinedwhichleadtothe creation of project categories (section 3).
discovering south lyon [pattern language]19
projects [section 3]
[section introduction]
OncethepatternlanguageofSouthLyonwasdefinedwedevelopedaseriesofprojectcategoriesdiscussed on the following pages. From there, our group broke into individual projects. While the designs are independently created, we incorporated the ideas discussed as a group into each of our designs.
Section 3 includes a description of the nine project categories, an explanation of how they interact as well asthespecificdesignscreatedregardingtrafficcalming,connectedpathwaysandinfill.
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creating an enhanced environment [project categories]
trafficcalming bike paths public square
alley wayshousingpostoffice
gateways nw lafayette housing
cros
sing
s
rack
s
gree
n sp
aces
conn
ectio
ns
inte
grat
ion
tran
sfor
mat
ions
dow
ntow
n
lake buidlinginfill
+ + +
++
+ + +
+
[introduction of projects]
DrawingfromthepatternsdefinedforSouthLyon,aseriesofprojects were outlined. Projects fell loosely into nine categories asshowntotheleft.Specificsuggestionsrelatedprimarilytotrafficcalming+crossings,alleyways+connections,andhousing+buildinginfillareincludedinthischapter.Projectsforother categories were not completed due to limited time and resources.
Aswithpatternsandthephysicallybuiltenvironment,itisdifficulttocompletelyseparatespecificprojectelements.Whiletrafficcalming focuses on street design, other categories such as public squares+greenspacesandbikepaths+rackscomeintoplaydue to integration of uses and design. Other examples of project integrationincludealleyways+connectionsandpublicsquare+greenspaces.Connectionsbetweenbuildingsandalleyscanalso serve as green spaces.
Whencreatingdesignsforspecificprojectsitisimportantthatelements cross boundaries to create an enhanced cohesive environment.Carefulselectionofsignage,lighting,refusereceptacles, landscaping, benches, and tables is integral in creating a cohesive urban aesthetic that extends from pathways and public spaces, to alleyways and gateways.
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creating an enhanced environment [project interactions]
traffic calming + crossings
public square + green spaces
bike paths + racks
alley ways + connections
housing + business infill
gateways + downtown
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trafficcalming+crossings[3.1]
traffic calming + crossings
public square + green spaces
bike paths + racks
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trafficcalming+crossings[alternativesarea]
S Lafayette
Washington
Wells
Reese
E Lake
W Lake
W Liberty
E Liberty
Elm
E McHattieW McHattie
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trafficcalming+crossings[alternativesarea]site map - existing condition
[existing conditions]
South Lyon is a small close-knit community that has many families and young children. One of the most at-tractive aspects of the town is the fact that the core downtown has been able to keep its historical, quaint feel. From our observations, residents love to come downtown to stroll, window-shop, grab a bite to eat, and experience some of the fun activities. Many of the businesses visited by residents are also locally owned, en-suring that investment by the community is returned and a sustained interest in the health of downtown.
Despitetheattractivenessofdowntown,therewereseveralareasidentifiedbyresidentsthatneedimprove-ment.LookingatthenegativesidentifiedintheFeelingMaponpage13 many of these are related to transpor-tation. First, there is an overabundance of underutilized parking lots in areas that are prime for development. Atthemainintersectionoftown,LakeandLafayette,threeofthecornershaveappealingandtraffic-inducinguses. The southwest corner on the other hand has a small parking lot, a vacant building, and two large park-ing lots that rarely have more than a few cars parked in them. This creates a visual break in the continuity of the core and severely hurts the draw of downtown. Also, as one ventures away from the main intersection in each direction, the development becomes decidedly more auto-oriented and less dense with large visible parking lots, large setbacks, and small strip centers. Many of these lots and buildings are in poor condition andwereidentifiedbyresidentsasneedingattention.
Second, with relatively wide sidewalks (~ 10 feet), a dense core, the bike shop, the Huron Valley Rail Trail, nice streetscaping, and numerous parks, South Lyon has some of the necessary elements to make a walkable and bikeable downtown. However, there is no bicycle infrastructure on the main streets of the town creating an unsafe environment for bicyclists. Many bicyclists were riding along the sidewalk, which is unsafe and not thecorrectplaceforthem.OurgroupalsonoticednumerousplaceswereitwasdifficultandunsafetocrossLafayette due to a lack of pedestrian amenities, especially at Liberty and Lafayette. Even where there are dedicated crosswalk signals, many pedestrians had to walk quickly to cross within the given time.
Finally, Lafayette gives preference to automobiles and mobility in its design. Lafayette has two 12-foot lanes fortrafficineachdirectionanda10-footturnlane.Thereisalsoeightfeetofparkingoneitherside.Thespeed limit is 25 miles per hour, but the design speed and actual speed are around 30-35 miles per hour. There are also very few stop lights/signs. While this is typical for a main thoroughfare in the State of Michigan, thisfacilitatesdrivingquicklyanddoesnotinducewalkingorstopping.Muchofthetraffic,whichisgoodinand of itself, does not stop to patronize the businesses along Lafayette or Lake.
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trafficcalming+crossings[alternativesarea]pa
rkin
g do
min
ated
blan
k fa
cade
s
wid
e st
reet
s
existing conditions -unconducive for walkability
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trafficcalming+crossings[alternativesarea]
Lake
Lafayette
Lake
Lafayette
Whipple
LibertyLiberty
Abel
Pettibone
Detroit
Wells
ReeseW
arren
WashingtonW
arren
Elm
Scott
McHattieMcHattie
Reyno
ldswee
t
Abel
Reese
Lotte
Mill
Donovan
Lenox
McM
unn
Second
New Buildings Fronting the Street: Encourage development of new buildings with shopfronts facing the street, zero setbacks, and parking in the back
Traffic Calming: Use “Complete Streets” approach by widening the sidewalk, adding street trees and bike lanes or with “Shared Space” approach
Main Gateways Defining the Downtown: Use a combination of buildings, trees, lighting, signage, and paving to define the entrances to downtown
Small Public Squares: Convert portions of the parking lots at Lafayette and Lake to public squares to host community events and to provide spaces for day-to-day
Improved Crosswalks: Use paving and raised crosswalks to create a safer walking environment for pedestrians and to better connect both sides of the
Post Office Entrance on Lafayette: Move the main entrance of the post office to Lafayette Street at the corner of Liberty
Bike Paths: Use striping, paving, or sharrows to designate space for bike travel
[lafayette transformation]
Transforming Lafayette into a walkable corridor can be achieved by extending the built form near the main intersection north and south along the street and calmingtraffictocreateasaferandmorepleasantwalkingenvironment.
Plans based on two approaches to achieve this transformation – the less common, more ambitious shared space and the more common complete streets option – are provided in the following section. The plans for each option focus on the two blocks south of Lake Street.
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trafficcalming+crossings[sharedspace]
alternative one
28
larg
e pu
blic
spa
ces
busy
str
eet c
afes
build
ings
fron
ting
stre
ets
trafficcalming+crossings[sharedspace]
pede
stria
n pr
iorit
y
beau
ty th
roug
h si
mpl
icity
seam
less
inte
ract
ions
[inspiration]Before the beginning of the automobile-age in the early 20th century, streets were primarily for people. While these people were often going somewhere, streets were another place for people to interact with neighbors, street vendors, shops, and others. In the 1800s, with the advent of the bicycle and streetcar, streets became a place to ride your bike or jump on the streetcar, thus becoming more oriented towards transport yet still remained a place for people. However, after cars were invented and became popular, streetsexperiencearadicalredesign.Carsrequiredspecialinfrastructuretomaintaincontrol and safety, or so the engineers and planners ascertained.
“Shared Space” is a fundamental rethinking of the design of streets taking them back to their original use while still allowing all types of users. This concept was the original basis for the design of urban streets before cars became the priority. It calls for the self-enforcing use of public spaces by all users, whether they are riding a bike, walking, taking transit, or driving a private vehicle. For smooth operation, shared space requires human interaction. Therefore, this type of philosophy calls for opening up the street, removing over-regulation, and allowing social rules to govern.
When designing a shared space, the traditional segregation of cars, walkers, and bicyclistsisremoved.Curbs,streetpaint,andsignsandsignalsareremovedtocreatea public space where all transportation modes are integrated. This creates a place that is human-centric and has been shown to increase safety despite the removal of the standard safety measures built into the streets.
inspiration from abroad
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trafficcalming+crossings[sharedspace]site map - overview
[site enhancements]
South Lyon expressed a great need for a public space where residents could gather for community activities. We decided that a shared space concept could work to create this kind of public gathering place while also making the street more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. We removed the curbs, street paint, and signs andsignalsandreplacedthemwithbrickslaidoutinapatternthatsignifiesboththestreetandthepublicsquare.TomaintainaminimumamountofcontroloftrafficflowonLakeandLafayette,weaddedcircularpatterned brick and an obstacle, such as a piece of artwork, small fountain, large planter, etc., in the center todirectflowsomewhatlikearoundabout.Thepavingthenturnsintoaradialpatternheadednorth/southon Lafayette and east/west on Lake meant to guide cars through the intersection and around turns, but it does not constrain them to that space. Pedestrian and bicyclists are allowed in the space as well. We added another circular design feature to signify the center of the public square. Here, there would most likely be anotherobstaclefortrafficflowpurposes.
In the parking lot on the northwest corner of Lafayette and Liberty, we have added a multi-purpose building. We thought it could be used as a community hall and also remain somewhat open so that the summer farmer’s market has a dedicated structure. The food stands can be both inside and outside. Across Liberty St. on the other parking lot, we added a building that is on an angle to create a greater sense of a gateway intothepublicspace.Thisbuildingcanbeusedforadditionalshopsorretail.Ideally,thepostofficehasalsobeen redesigned to face the street. All of these changes not only create a gateway and a gathering place, but also work to extend the downtown further south.
Weplacedbollardsoutsideofthenewbuildings,whichservetodirecttrafficandsignifyamorepedestrian-orientedspace.Carsareallowedtoparkinsidetheseareas,buttheyshouldnotbeusedlikeastreet.Likewise, street trees and lampposts add aesthetic to the street, guide one’s eyes along the street and into the public square, and provide shade. All these elements together create a design that guides users, whether they be in their car or on foot, into the public square and onto the streets outside of the shops. Finally, the public square area can be closed down for larger outdoor events and activities. The shared space concept allows for versatility and a human-centric, vibrant downtown bringing in all types of users.
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trafficcalming+crossings[sharedspace]
street sectionnorth of liberty on lafayette
afte
rbe
fore
afte
rbe
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street sectionsouth of liberty on lafayette
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trafficcalming+crossings[completestreets]
alternative two
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larg
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busy
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afes
build
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fron
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trafficcalming+crossings[completestreets]
[inspiration]Liveable city streets are an important part of the health of our communities. Ideally, streets should accommodate everyone – walkers, bikers, motorists, and wheelchair riders,youngandold.Moreandmore;however,streetsaredesignedtomoveautotrafficas fast as possible.
Completestreetsisoneapproachthatemphasizesdesignforallusers,notjustmotorists,tocreateasafe,comfortable,andaccessiblepublicrealm.Completestreetsinclude amenities such as wide, tree-lined sidewalks, bike lanes, frequent and visible crossings, median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, and curb extensions.
inspiration from u.s. + abroad
rais
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wal
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designatedbikelanes+boxes
wid
e si
dew
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Elements that work in conjunction with complete streets to create a walkable, inviting atmosphere include, public squares for hosting day-to-day activities as well as large public gatherings, street cafes that bring dining and conversing from inside out into the streets, and a rich and diverse mix of shops fronting the streets at the sidewalk. These elements and the complete streets approach provide the inspiration for achieving a walkable, bikeable downtown South Lyon.
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trafficcalming+crossings[completestreets]site map - overview
[site enhancements]
The complete streets Lafayette transformation starts with widening the sidewalks, up to 15 feet, along the blocks directly north and south of Lake. To accommodate the extra pedestrian space, underutilized on-street parking is removed on these two blocks. Part of the removed parking space is allocated to the sidewalks and part for designated bike paths. Where bike lanes meet street intersections, bike boxes provide bikers with a placetostopattrafficsignalstomakethemmorevisibletomotorists.Slightly-raisedcrosswalkswithdistinctpaving occur at street intersections to slow down drivers and signal that the street is used by pedestrians as well as motorists.
Tohelpdefinethestreetandprovidecomfortforpedestrians,frequenttreesareplantedalongLafayettewithampleroomforsignificantgrowth.NewbuildingsarebuiltattheROWlineattheintersectionswithLakeandLibertytohousesmallshopsthatfrontanddefinethestreet.Residentialspacecanbeincludedontheupperfloorsofthese,aswellasexistingbuildings,togenerateabroadermixofactivities.TheparkingalongLafayette is moved off of the street frontage to the rear of buildings.
The public parking lot north of Liberty is transformed into a gathering space for daily activities, community gatherings and festivals. A basilica-inspired hall can host indoor gatherings as well as a farmer’s market that spills onto the public square in front of the building. The south-facing space directly north of the square, next tothevacantrestaurant,isidealforanoutdoorseatingarea.Movingtheentrancetothepostofficefromtherear to the front of the building will bring more pedestrian activity to the space, and create a more welcoming anddefinedpublicrealm.
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trafficcalming+crossings[sharedspace]
street sectionnorth of liberty on lafayette
afte
rbe
fore
afte
rbe
fore
street sectionsouth of liberty on lafayette
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alleyways+connections[3.2]
public square + green spaces
bike paths + racks
alley ways + connections
gateways + downtown
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alleyways+connections[overallconditions]
Overall,conditionsofthedowntownalleysshowsignsofneglect.Comparedtothefrontofbuildingsand main sidewalks, the back alleys are in very poor condition. The majority of alleys show signs of poor storm water drainage; buckled and crumbled asphalt; lack of code enforcement; car dominance; and no sense of place.
While the design of South Lyon’s alleys appear to be nonexistent or an afterthought, there are promising attributes that deserve recognition. Located along a long narrow alley connecting Whipple Street to W Lake Street is an old stone wall that serves as a reminder of past elements that may have been throughout the city. More recent developments such as the small pocket public space on
southern end of the Detroit Street to E Lake Street alley (Jaratt’s Alley) provide examples of amenities that can enhance the urban environment.
Improvements for the three secondary down town alleys are shown on the following page. Detailed siteimprovementsfortheprimaryalleycanbefoundonpage41.Theseenhancementsprovideaframework to be applied to the secondary alleys and other public areas as appropriate.
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[existing conditions]
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Shared Alley Space
Improved Private Property
Short Term Parking
N20’
Whipple
W Lake
Lafayette
shops
shops
Lafayette
Lake
Shared Alley Space
post office
shops + restaurants
Ped/Bike Alley Space
Short Term Parking
Café Patio Space
N30’
Shared Alley SpaceCafé Patio Space
restaurant + shop
at&t building
farmer’s market
norm’s shop
W Liberty
W Lake
Lafayette N30’
alleyways+connections[secondaryalleys]
LafayetteLafayette
Whip
ple
W Lake
E Lake
W Lib
ertyE
Liberty
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alleyways+connections[primaryalley]site map - overview
Jaratt’s Prairie Ped/Bike Alley Space Shared Alley Space Main City Parking Lot
N
18.75’
Lafayette
Wells
Lake
Detroit
Medical Center
Private Property
Shops
Shops
Shops
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alleyways+connections3.2[jaratt’salley]
[existing landscape]Jaratt’s Alley connects Lake to Detroit Street and is parallel to the main city parking lot. The alley is currently an underutilized space that if improved would act as a unique pathway. While the parking lot has the highest use of all city lots, the physical environment lacks basic amenities such as shielding from the parking area, pedestrian levellighting,wayfindingsigns,andtrashreceptacles.Themajorityofbuildingbacksalong Lafayette have boarded and/or painted windows creating an environment that lacks physical interaction between those outside walking through the alley and those inside the businesses.
The space is overwhelming hard scaped and is covered by asphalt in fair condition. Puddles of water, built up sediment and water lines provides evidence of poor storm water drainage.
While the majority of the alley is underutilized and lacks design aesthetics, the southern end, which abuts Lake Street, features a popular, well planned, pocket public space. This portion of the alley includes brick paving, pedestrian level lighting, landscaping, shaded seating and a picnic table. The space’s design extends into a private courtyard creating a cohesive connection between Lake Street, the southern end of the alley and the back
[inspiration]Inspired by green alleys, woonerfs, pedestrian walkways, and existing elements within the city and country-side, the redesign of Jarrat’s Alley provides a framework for the transformation of other alleys through out the city. The goal of transforming South Lyon’s alleys is not to take away from pedestrian activity along the fronts of buildings but to enhance spaces that already exist and are used.
Greening of the alleys includes use of pervious pavers and plantings. By breaking up hard-surfaces, storm water is allowed to drain throughout the alley rather than build and flooddrains.
Woonerfs are designated shared spaces that commonly allow for bicyclists, automobile drivers,andpedestrians.Pedestriansaregivenpriorityandvarioustrafficcalmingmethods are commonly implemented to increase safety within the spaces.
Extendingstonewallsandnativewildflowerplantingsprovideelementsthattiethealleystogether and play off existing features of the area.
Acombinationoftheseelementspairedwithwayfindingsignagewillencouragethose parking in the main city lot to walk beyond their immediate destination to other businesses in the downtown.
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alleyways+connections[jaratt’salley]N
10’
Lake
Shops
Picnic Table Planters Bike RacksRefuse Receptacle Lighting Wayfinding Signage Stone Wall Bollards
[site enhancements]Within this particular area of Jaratt’s Alley use is prohibited from cars. The alley is transformed into a public space that serves as a transition from Jaratt’s Prairie to the car accessible portion of the alley and the parking lot. Tables, bike rakes, trash receptacles, andwayfindingprovideusableamenitiesforpedestrianswhileplantersandpedestrianscale lighting helps create a welcoming atmosphere.
Thewayfindingsignageisintegraltoorientingthoseexitingbacksofbuildingsortheparkinglot.Wayfindinginformationincludes:locationsofbusinessesinthedowntown;alley linkages; public spaces; and bike paths and racks.
The portion of the alley not shown below includes planters to continue the inclusion of native plants; stone walls to shield the alley from parked cars and pedestrian scale lighting to also continue the welcoming atmosphere. While this portion is open to cars, in the spirit of the European woonerf, pedestrians and bicyclists have priority.
plan
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light
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swayfindingsign
site map - ped/bike space41
alleyways+connections[jaratt’sprairie]
[existing landscape]Currently,thegreenspacebetweenLayfayetteandJaratt’sAlleyfeaturesasinglebenchat the western edge of the parcel and a well maintained grassy area, free of debris and properly clipped. While it is possible to walk from the alley and the city parking lot to Layfayette through the green space, many people do not pass through it as the area lacks a walkway or inviting amenities.
The eastern edge of the lot (which meets the alley) features several signs prohibiting a variety of uses including: biking, skateboarding, roller blading, and in parts parking. The prohibiting signs create an unwelcoming atmosphere, making the green space appear more as a void in the urban fabric than an actual place.
Further issues arise when seated at the lone bench on the western edge of the lot (which faces Lafayette). Views from the bench are less than optimal as seen in the three view photos to the right. Placement of the bench appears haphazard and is underutlized by those frequenting downtown.
[inspiration]InspiredbythenaturallandscapesofMichigan,fieldstones,Scandinavianvistas,andthe D.I.A inside-out art exhibitions, the existing green space was converted to a public garden.
Many times, native perennials are not considered as landscaping options; however, with over 1,800 Michigan native plants, the palate of colors to chose from are endless. Selecting native plants help reduce the need for general maintenance, chemicals and water as the area is allowed to grow to mimic a natural prairie setting.
Field stones, rivers and lakes serve as inspiration for the sites water feature. A passive trickling pool with ledges for sitting, the water feature reminds one of sitting on the banks oftheHuronriverimmersedinwildflowers.Assomelingeronthepool’sledge,othersmay chose a bench to sit and enjoy the garden space.
An existing historic stone wall, located within the downtown, serves as a model for creating stone walls as entrance ways to the space. Building off the popularity of the D.I.A inside-out project, the space will include art installations along building walls to break up the monotonous brick walls that are located along the lateral walls of the space.
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alleyways+connections[jaratt’sprairie]
N10’Picnic Table
Low-Level LightingBench
Bike RackSitting Ledge
Wayfinding Signage Refuse Receptacle
Water FeatureArt Installations
Lafayette
Jaratt’s Alley
[site enhancements]To increase connection between Layfayette, Jarratt’s Alley and the city parking lot the existing green space has been converted to a public garden called Jaratt’s Prairie. Inspired by the natural landscapes surrounding South Lyon and throughout Michigan, thegardenfeaturesnaturalwildflowersthatbloomfromspringtofall.Nativeplantsofsoutheast Michigan were selected and are represented in the garden grid, Seasonal Colors,onthefollowingpage.
A small water feature is also included representing numerous creeks and rivers that run throughout Michigan. Art installations featuring well known pieces, local artists, and/or locally historic photos are mounted on the sides of buildings facing the space. Passersby maylingerawhiletoenjoythesmellofbloomingflowers,art,andthewaterasitslowlytricklesthroughoutthereflectingpoolorcontinuethroughthespacetoconnectwithJaratt’s Alley, back entrances of several businesses or the city parking lot.
Other site elements includes low lighting to gently illuminate the space at night; wood detailed refuse containers; and bike hoops at the Lafayette entrance.
benc
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site map43
alleyways+connections[jaratt’sprairie]
anem
one
quinq
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liaas
clepi
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syria
ca
ascle
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tube
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seasonal colors
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housing+buildinginfill[3.3]
public square + green spaces
housing + business infill
gateways + downtown
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housing+businessinfill[whipplestreet]location
NLafayatte
S Lafayatte
Washington
S W
arrenNW
arren
Wells
W Lake
Whipple
Detroit
E Lake
W Liberty
E Liberty
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housing+businessinfill[whipplestreet]
existing conditions -dominated by parking
parking oriented fronts pedestrian oriented fronts
[existing conditions]
This area is actually in the core of the whole DDA area. But the conditions nowareastonishinglyagainstitslocation.ComparedtotheothersideoftheLafayetteStreet,thisareaisalmostdead.Thewholeareaisfilledwithover-sized parking, too much openness, and lack a pedestrian realm. From feeling maps by local residents, this area is mainly graded by bad or even awful.
In order to look further into this problem, parking oriented and pedestrian oriented fronts are mapped out. As can be seen from the two maps, this area is almost all covered by parking lots. There are about 2 acres of parking areas while the pedestrian oriented space is only a quarter acre. Even these mere pedestrian areas are cut into pieces by those oversized parking monsters.
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housing+businessinfill[whipplestreet]
historicallyinfluencedfacades
pede
stria
n co
ntin
uity
m
inim
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idde
n pa
rkin
g
[site inspirations]
Inspiredbysmallparking,shieldedparking,andexistinghistoricallyinfluencedfacades, the improvement of this site is to break the oversized huge parking into smaller ones, reduce total parking areas, and transform the reduced land into housing or business use.Small parking means no oversized parking. The whole parking space should bereducedhalfitssize,inwhich60percentshouldbebuildings,20percentshould be pedestrian open space, and another 20 percent should be green areas.
Shielded parking includes ideas of block the parking from being seen outside, and create a sense of continuity of sidewalks.
HistoricallyinfluencedfacadesinSouthLyonshouldbepreservedandtheirinfluencespreadtothenewdevelopment.Thenewinfillbuildingsshouldusethe traditional facades as well to create a sense of continuity and well being.
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housing+businessinfill[whipplestreet]
[site enhancements]]
By building a new street between the old city hall and the bank connecting Lake Street and Whipple Street, the oversized setback along north side of Lake will be divided into several interestingsmallerspaces.Thesespacesfillvoidscurrentlyexistingonthelongstreet.Also,morealong-the-street space will be made for more opportunities for businesses and interesting walking experiences.
MakeInfillhousingandcommercialbuildingsinopenspacesalongstreetstocreateasenseofenclosureinsteadofwildopenness.Also,theseinfillbuildings,withthehelpofexistingbuildings,willbeabletoshieldparkingbehindthem,andgetridofthebadinfluencestheparkingusedtohave on pedestrians.
Aftertheinfill,parkingorientedspacewillbereduceddowntooneacre,whilethepedestrianoriented space will be enhanced to 1.7 acres. What’s more, the improved one-acre parking area will be also shielded ones either by buildings or plants along the streets.
plan view - infill overview
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housing+businessinfill[whipplestreet]perspective - infill
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housing+businessinfill[whipplestreet]
commercial space
garden space
residential space
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goingforward[section4]52
an enhanced south lyon [going forward]
walkable
bikeable
vibrant
safe
social
festive
[last thoughts]
Thedesignsdiscussedinsection3arejustthefirststeptowardscreatingamorewalkable,bikableandvibrantSouthLyon.BuildinguponthevisionandpatternsdefinedforSouthLyonthefollowingisneeded to achieve an enhanced city:
1.Pairwithaplanninganddesignfirmthatwilladdressalltheelementsofdowntowndevelopment:housing,businesses,vacancies,traffic,publicspaces,andstreetscaping.
2. Hold a series of visioning and input sessions that will reach a wide audience including residents of South Lyon as well as those that use Lafayette as a thoroughfare.
3.ConductaretailandhousingassessmenttogainbetterunderstandingofwhatSouthLyoncansupport.
4.MeetwithMichiganDepartmentofTransportationtodiscusspossibletrafficcalmingmeasuresthatwillincreasepedestriansafetywhilenotcausingseveretrafficcongestionduringpeakhours.
5.EvaluatetheexistingDDAbudgettoensurethatproperfinancingoccursandprojectplansarefullyimplemented.
SouthLyonhasauniqueopportunitytoturntraffic,whichislocallyconsideredadetrimentintoanasset.The high volume of people passing through South Lyon can be drawn to stop and visit the city if the public sphere and businesses are improved thus turning the city into a vibrant destination.
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