INLET ISLAND PROMENADE - MASTER PLAN

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1 Project Team: The Rivers Studio Novelli Engineering T.G. Miller P.C. INLET ISLAND PROMENADE - MASTER PLAN Client: City of Ithaca

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Inlet Island Committee Members...1 Introduction...1 Historic Cayuga Harbor...2 Existing Conditions...3 Agency Jurisdiction...4 Existing Property Ownership...5 Master Plan...6 Promenade Concept...7 Proposed Promenade Layout / Detail Plan...8 Lookout Point...9 Brindley Park Enlarged Plan...10 Site Furnishings...11 Note: Additional studies were undertaken as part of this Master Plan process. They are: 1. Siting Study for Parking Garage 2. Parking Study for Old Taughannock Boulevard 3. Hydraulic Analysis of the Flood Control Channel (by T.G. Miller Engineers) These studies are available under separate cover at the City of Ithaca Department of Planning and Development.

3 INLET ISLAND COMMITTEE MEMBERS INTRODUCTION Tracy Farrell, Chairperson John Beach, BPW/Planning Board Susan Blumenthal, Common Council Rick Manning, Coordinator, Cayuga Waterfront Trail Initiative Karen LoParco, Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council Margaret Hobbie, Parks Commission Sue Kittel, Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency JoAnn Cornish, City Planning Department Leslie Chatterton, City Planning Department Hernando Gil, Department of Public Works CONSULTANTS and Planners 1345 Mecklenburg Road The Rivers Studio 6311 Lakewood Hollow - Suite A Austin, Texas Novelli Engineering 203 North Aurora Street T.G. Miller P.C. Engineers and Surveyors 203 North Aurora Street and Planners 2003 The Master Plan for the is the product of ideas and input solicited over the course of many years from a diverse contingent of interest groups including residents, business people, elected officials, city staff and professional consultants. The idea for a promenade originated with the vision for Inlet Island as a densely developed, vibrant waterfront area comprising a mix of restaurants and specialty retail shops on the ground level, and office space and residential units on the upper levels. This vision began with the preparation in 1992 of the Report of the Inlet Island Land Use Committee, a work amplified in the 1998 Inlet Island Urban Design Plan. One of the most exciting aspects of the anticipated development continues to be the promenade. The Committee was appointed by Mayor Alan J. Cohen in the fall of 2001 and charged with addressing the regulatory, technical and design issues necessary to make the promenade a reality. Working with the consultant firm of Trowbridge and Wolf Landscape Architects and Planners, the Committee began with a study of waterfront projects from across the country. The master plan draws on these examples as well as on the creativity and commitment of local community members. It provides specific design guidelines and recommendations to direct both public and private investment in the promenade s eventual construction. Safe and convenient waterfront access for a variety of transportation modes is key to the Island s successful development and long term economic viability. While the design guidelines focus on pedestrian uses, the plan links the promenade to a complex urban network of multi-modal trails such as the New York State Parks Black Diamond Trail and the City s Cayuga Waterfront Trail. Related improvements, including curbing and sidewalks along Old Taughannock Boulevard, increased vehicular parking and the addition of bike racks, will enhance the experience of those arriving to the Island. All of these improvements will make the Island more accessible by foot, bicycle, bus and car. The creation of a destination with a visual identity drawn from Inlet Island s rich history was a tightly held objective of the plan. Intriguing physical remnants on the Island include portions of the original Erie Canal harbor wall at Lookout Point and the fanciful Brindley Park water fountain, referencing both the industrial and recreational value of the 19 th century waterfront. The master plan combines these historical features with contemporary elements that will support the promenade s viability and versatility long into the future. The promenade is the centerpiece of Inlet Island s development. The impending shift from the design phase to construction moves us closer to realizing the vision of an urban community, alive with residents, diners, shoppers and visitors, brought together by the desire and the enhanced ability to enjoy our community s spectacular waterfront. Page 1

4 Flood Control Channel (constructed ca. 1960s) Portion of historic seawall remaining at north tip of Inlet Island Inlet Island (created when Flood Control Channel was constructed) Cayuga Inlet Historic Cayuga Harbor To Cayuga Lake Aerial view of Cayuga Harbor ca.1930 (Photo courtesy of DeWitt Historical Society) The remnant stone seawall at the northern tip of Inlet Island marks a portion of what historically was the Cayuga Harbor and the southern terminus of the New York State Barge Canal. Portion of New York State drawings of the Barge Canal (ca. 1916) The historic map on the left shows a portion of the original plan used for the construction of the Cayuga Harbor, ca The Flood Control Channel was constructed later and is sketched on the historic plan for reference. The above photograph clearly shows an aerial view of the Cayuga Harbor ca. 1930s. It is recommended that the remnant wall of the Cayuga Harbor at the northern end of Inlet Island be maintained and interpreted as Ithaca s link to the Barge Canal system. HISTORIC CAYUGA HARBOR Page 2

5 N.Y.S. Route 96 Flood Control Channel Brindley Park N.Y.S. Route 89 Flood Control Channel Taughannock Boulevard Old Taughannock Boulevard West Buffalo Street Cayuga Inlet LEGEND Project Boundary Not to scale EXISTING CONDITIONS Page 3

6 N.Y.S. Route 96 Flood Control Channel Brindley Park N.Y.S. Route 89 Flood Control Channel Taughannock Boulevard Old Taughannock Boulevard West Buffalo Street Cayuga Inlet LEGEND Existing Flood Control Channel easement line New Flood Control Channel easement line north of Route 89 bridge after seawall construction U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Not to scale U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and N.Y.S. Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) N.Y.S. Canal Corporation and N.Y.S. Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) N.Y.S. Department of Transportation AGENCY JURISDICTION Page 4

7 N. Y.S.R ou te 96 Flood Contr ol Ch annel Brindley Park West Buffalo Street. Y.S N. Flood Contro l Chan nel 89 te u Ro Old Taughannock Boulevard Taughannock Boulevard Cayuga Inlet Not to scale LEGEND City of Ithaca Private New York State EXISTING PROPERTY OWNERSHIP Page 5

8 MASTER PLAN CONCEPT: Construct a seawall 15' +/- west of the existing shore between the Rt. 89 bridge and Lookout Point. Extend land out to the new seawall. Construct the promenade on the land extension. Move the DEC permanent easement 15' +/- west of the existing top of bank, north of the Rt. 89 bridge. Construct a terraced stone edge along the shore south of the Rt. 89 bridge. N.Y.S. Ro ute 96 Construct a new pier north of Lookout Point. Rowing marker 1000 m Perspective view under Rt. 89 bridge Grasses & perennials Plazas with heritage markers Te r ra Restore historic fountain ced s tone wall Grasses & perennials N o.r S..Y ute 89 Plazas with heritage markers Entry plaza & Cayuga Waterfront Trail marker New co ncret CURB CUT CURB CUT Floo d Co ntro l Ch anne l Pedestrian linkage to Promenade Pedestrian linkage to Promenade Ta u ard New Crosswalk gh Rowing marker 1500 m ann ock Boulevard Pedestrian linkages to Promenade (exact locations to be determined) Plaza with vertical landmark, chess tables & benches Sculptural bench Pedestrian linkage to Promenade d oulev ock B Ta u g h a n n CURB CUT Plaza with heritage markers e seaw a ll Ol West Buffalo Street Install six (6) brick-paved plazas along the public promenade. (Locations to be determined.) Use of State Street brick is encouraged. Observation tower Floating dock for kayaks & canoes Lookout Point Pier Potential bridge Cayuga Inlet Cayuga Inlet Canal Barge/ or Historic Display Boat New Transient Boat Slips N LEGEND Grasses and Perennials Building Sites The Rivers Studio Not to Scale MASTER PLAN Page 6

9 F l o o d C o n t r o l C h a n n e l N PROMENADE CONCEPT: Public Promenade (25') 15' - 8" 1'-4" Clear for maintenance access 15' +/- Proposed Shoreline Edge defined with lights and scoring Concrete slab on fill Existing Shoreline Maintain a 15'-8" clear zone for DEC and other maintenance access. Establish an 8' amenity zone for trees, benches, trash receptacles, etc. Construct the 15' building setback to be visually and physically linked to the public promenade. 25' DEC Easement 8' Amenity zone Private/Building Setback 15' Brick paving 15' Extension from Ex. Top of Bank Land Use Diagram year High Water Surface Elevation= Top of Wall Elev " Curb Building Elev year High Water Surface Elevation= Normal High Water Surface Elevation= '+/- Ex. Top of Bank Proposed DEC Easement Ex. DEC Easement Bottom of Channel Elev. = 372 1'4" Edge Edge of Wall 15'8" Clear Zone 8' Amenity Zone 15' Building Setback 25' Public 15' Private Section / Elevation PROMENADE CONCEPT Page 7

10 DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR PROMENADE: Pave the public promenade between plazas with scored concrete. Pave the 15' private building setback and the tree planting strip between tree grates continuously with Pine Hall brick. Pave the plazas with brick. Use of State Street brick is encouraged. Install brick in a herringbone pattern for maximum interlocking stability. Install tree grates in the tree planting strip. Place lights on the public promenade approximately 80' on-center. Ensure that adequate, compatible lighting is provided under Rt. 89 bridge Install benches in pairs, approximately 40' apart along the public promenade. Place interactive heritage markers at the back edges of the plazas. F l o o d C o n t r o l DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR 15' BUILDING SETBACK/ PRIVATE ZONE: Use Pine Hall brick set in a herringbone pattern for all paved areas. Use pole and building-mounted lights that are compatible with those selected by the City for the public promenade. Do not use pressure treated lumber to construct furnishings. Outdoor cafes, eating areas and seating are encouraged. Public access between promenade and the 15' setback zone is encouraged. Landscape areas are allowed along the front of buildings for a width of up to 8'. Canopies and awnings are permissible. No porches or decks are allowed. C h a n n e l Perspective view looking down Promenade Lights at inside edge of Promenade 25' Public Promenade Scored concrete between plazas on Promenade Scored concrete between plazas on Promenade Brick paver plaza (Pattern to be determined) Benches 15' Private Building Setback Tree planting Benches Tree planting Heritage markers at back edge of plaza Brick continuous on private 15' building setback and tree planting strip The Rivers Studio PROPOSED PROMENADE LAYOUT / DETAIL PLAN Page 8

11 DESIGN GUIDELINES: LOOKOUT POINT Construct a plaza paved with specialty pavers on the west side of Lookout Point, between the promenade and the lawn. Install a vertical element in the plaza as a focal point for the promenade, and install amenities, such as chess tables and benches. Install a sculptural bench at the end of Lookout Point. Establish lawn on Lookout Point to preserve the view toward the water. Consider establishing a boat display, such as a Canal Barge or an historic boat display at the east edge of Lookout Point. Construct a pier approx. 20' wide and 230' long perpendicular to the northeast edge of Lookout Point. Install boat docks along the east side of the pier. Install a floating dock for kayaks and canoes to access the tip of Lookout Point. Install a lookout tower at the end of the pier as a terminus for the promenade and for pedestrian viewing. Sculptural bench at end of Lookout Point (example only, design to be determined) Rowing marker 1500 m Plaza with vertical landmark, chess tables & benches Sculptural bench Vertical landmark at Lookout Point Plaza (example only, design to be determined) Floating dock for kayaks & canoes Lookout Point Observation tower at end of pier (example only, design to be determined) Observation tower Lawn Pier Canal Barge or Historic DisplayBoat Lookout Point: Enlarged Plan The Rivers Studio New Transient Boat Slips N Wooden pier extending from tip of Lookout Point (example is of Watkins Glen, NY pier, which is more than 200' long) Not to Scale LOOKOUT POINT Page 9

12 DESIGN GUIDELINES: BRINDLEY PARK Construct a terraced stone edge with pedestrian access to the water along the shore. Construct a walkway between Route 96 and the hard-edge public promenade. Pave the walkway with limestone dust, concrete or asphalt. Construct an entry plaza containing a Cayuga Waterfront Trail marker at the walkway intersection with Route 96. Install low maintenance plantings. Install a 1000 meter rowing marker. Install lights approximately 80' apart. Restore the historic Brindley Fountain. Two of the four original foot-pedal operated drinking fountains remain, but are missing bowls and foot pedals. The company that manufactured the original drinking fountains, Murdock Fountains, Inc., may be able to repair the existing fixtures, or replace them with new fixtures. Make Brindley Fountain ADA accessible by sloping concrete paving around entire perimeter of base. Do not construct a visually intrusive "ramp." Preserve existing large trees near Brindley Fountain. Proposed character for Brindley Park S. R oute 96 Rowing Marker 1000m Floo N. Y. Te r G ra ss es & pe re nn ia ls Te r rac Lawn rac d Co ntro l ed s tone e dge ed st one edge 8'-10' Cha nnel N Grasses & perenn Lawn Grasses &p er ials en ni als Restored historic Brindley Fountain Scored c oncrete Two original, foot-pedal operated fountains remain in Brindley Park (left) but are missing bowls and foot pedals. The original manufacturer Murdock Fountains, Inc. still manufactures the same fountain (right), with brass bowls and foot pedals. Brick Entry plaza with Cayuga Waterfront Trail marker LEGEND Plaza with heritage markers Pedestrian Walkway West Buffalo Street Proposed character of terraced stone edge Historic image of Brindley Park Fountain, ca. 1929, provided by Murdock Fountains, Inc. Murdock still manufactures the same fountains. Building Site Station Restaurant Existing Tree Proposed Tree Brindley Park: Enlarged Plan The Rivers Studio Not to Scale Simulation of Cayuga Waterfront Trail Marker BRINDLEY PARK ENLARGED PLAN Page 10

13 PEDESTRIAN LIGHTS Metal halide luminaire Refractor 16 Pole Color: Black Cost: Approx. $1,750 each Approx. 80 apart (approx. 28 lights) Large techtra luminaire CF7 series Designed to withstand wet conditions (i.e. periodic flooding) Manufacturer: Hadco BENCHES Custom metal benches to match Cayuga Waterfront Trail benches 5 long Color: Black Cost: Approx. $1,500 each Manufacturer: Trystan GAME TABLES Match precast concrete, ground mounted tables found on the Ithaca Commons DESIGN CRITERIA FOR SITE FURNISHINGS: Comfortable and Safe Visually Interesting Durable and Vandal Resistant ROWING MARKERS Stone markers sponsored by local rowing groups: Cascadilla Boat Club Cornell University Ithaca College Ithaca High School Placed at 1000m point in Brindley Park and 1500m at Lookout Point. TRASH RECEPTACLES Color: Black Cost: Approx. $650 each Manufacturer: Victor Stanley Ironsites, Bethesda Series TM TREE GRATES Color: Natural Finish Cost: Approx. $1,100 each Manufacturer: Ironsmith BICYCLE RACKS Tubular steel / inverted U Embedded (ground) mount Color: Black Cost: Approx. $120 ea. powdercoat finish Manufacturers include: BRP, Madrax, Function First, Inc. Start 1000 m PLAN OF ROWING LANES Example of proposed stone rowing markers on promenade 3-0 Upstream 1000 m 1500 m Finish Proposed location for rowing marker SITE FURNISHINGS Page 11