MEMORANDUM. South Bayfront Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge: Status Report

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1 MEMORANDUM DATE: July, 008 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Patrick D. O Keeffe, Executive Director Economic Development & Housing South Bayfront Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge: Status Report RECOMMENDATION Staff requests that the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Emeryville Agency consider the recommendations of the Project Committee regarding the design of Horton Landing Park and the approach from Ohlone Way. Staff also requests comments on several design elements. BACKGROUND The South Bayfront Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge (the Project ) involves a bridge spanning the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks, connecting the Bay Street development on the west, to the Emeryville Greenway/ area on the east. Planning for the project began in August 007. Community participation is obtained through the Project Committee, which meets monthly, through presentations at Agency meetings, and through community meetings. Three community meetings have been held to date. The first two community meetings (December 8, 007 and March 8, 008) were focused on the design of the bridge structure, and connections (ramps and access to Bay Street). The third meeting, held on Saturday, June, focused on alternative schematic designs to Horton Landing Park and the Ohlone Way connection. Approximately 0 persons, including staff and consultants, attended the June st meeting. Notes from the meeting are found in Attachment. The Project Committee met on July th to discuss comments received at the June st public meeting. The action recap for the Project Committee was not available as of the preparation of this staff report, and will be distributed and verbally reported at the July 7 Agency meeting. All relevant documents tracking the history of the Project, including meeting agendas and recaps, and pertinent drawings are found on the project website at DISCUSSION Staff requests that the Agency consider the recommendations of the Project Committee on the design of Horton Landing Park and Ohlone Way connection

2 Agency Agenda South Bayfront Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge: Status Report 07//08 Page Horton Landing Park Schematics For Horton Landing Park, the consultants proposed two main concepts, found in Attachment. One concept had two variations. Concept incorporates a meandering ramp extending north from the bridge landing approximately 80 feet. This ramp lands on a six foot mound in a narrow section (approximately 0 feet wide) of the park. Concept incorporates a ramp that loops to the south over the Temescal Creek and drainage channel before extending north. The ramp s loop shortens the northern extension of the ramp allowing it to land closer to the base of the bridge, south of the landing in Concept. This ramp also lands on a mounded area. However the landing is located at a wider section of the park. The variations to this concept involve the inclusion and exclusion of stairs. The concepts are similar in the treatment of the entrances at Stanford and Horton Streets, and the Phase II connection to the south on the existing trestle bridge connecting to the Sherwin Williams property. Both concepts also incorporate circular plazas or landings as focal points, places to gather, and speed control for bikes. Lastly, both concepts bring fill into the park to raise the ground level at the ramp landing, which reduces the length of the ramps and maximizes usable area. Redevelopment Agency Comments. At the Redevelopment Agency s meeting on June 7 th, staff and consultants previewed the concepts that were going to be presented at the Community Meeting. The Redevelopment Agency directed staff to add stairs to Concept as well as reduce the amount of hardscape in the plan. The stairs were added to Concept prior to the Community Meeting and the hardscape was adjusted prior to the Project Committee meeting. Community Workshop Comments. There was a preference for Concept because it provides more usable space than the second option. The community also preferred this concept because it provides a better visual connection to future development on the Sherwin Williams site. The only concern about this concept is that it lands on the narrowest section of the park. Other comments focused on landscaping, possible location of public art, safety and lighting, solar power for lighting, and treatment of the drainage channel. Project Committee Comments. The Project Committee had not met as of the time of writing this report. Minor revisions to the plans were presented to the Project Committee. Their comments and recommendations will be reported at the July 7 Agency meeting.

3 Agency Agenda South Bayfront Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge: Status Report 07//08 Page Ohlone Way The Ohlone Way right-of-way currently includes sidewalks, travel ways, landscaping and Temescal Creek. The design objectives for the connection of the bridge to the Ohlone Way right-of way are to accommodate the stairs to the bridge, to accommodate and improve safety to the increased vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic anticipated at this location, to minimize work on the landscaping adjacent to Temescal Creek (which is part of the Ohlone memorialization), and to retain as much of the width of the travel way as possible. The proposed plans for the stairs, bridge connection, bicycle ramp landing and Ohlone Way are presented in Attachment. The features of this proposal are summarized as follows: The staircase linking Bay Street to the bridge is designed as a grand staircase, with a gentle slope. The staircase gradually ascends to the bridge, providing a strong visual connection from Bay Street to the bridge. The staircase is highly visible and, as such, emphasizes safety, light, and maximizes exposure for the pedestrian. The concept of a grand staircase also creates a visual focal point allowing the link between Bay Street and the bridge to become a memorable place, adding elegance to the passageway. Grand staircases can also provide a place for people to gather, sit, socialize, and view the location from multiple levels. The stairs would be cantilevered over or supported by columns in Temescal Creek. Ohlone Way may need to be restriped to accommodate additional bicycle traffic and retain the parking of safety vehicles. The existing garage bridge will be modified to accommodate a wide landing, while preserving safe traffic movement, sightlines and structural integrity below. The ramp landings will have features to slow down the speed of descending bicyclists. Design features to discourage skateboarders will be incorporated. Community Workshop Comments. There was some concern that building above the Temescal Creek channel would eliminate the one of the last natural features in the area, and that a less prominent (circular) stairs be incorporated. Others preferred the grand and inviting character of the stairs, and suggested that it might be curved. The other main concern raised at the meeting involved approval of the Alameda County Flood Control District to building above the channel. Staff is scheduling a meeting with the Flood Control District to discuss the staircase design. Project Committee Comments. The Project Committee had not met as of the time of writing this report. Alternatives were being developed for the consideration of the Project Committee. Their comments and recommendations will be reported at the July 7 Agency meeting.

4 Agency Agenda South Bayfront Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge: Status Report 07//08 Page Next Steps. After the Agency provides direction, the project team will proceed with design development drawings. This will include coordination with Bay Street (Madison Marquette) and regarding the planning and implementation of construction. Materials and building technologies will be specified. There will also be coordination with the Public Art Committee and with the Alameda County Bay-Friendly program. Progress on the drawings will be reported to the Project Committee and Redevelopment Agency on a periodic basis. A final public workshop will be scheduled for the Fall of 008 to present and obtain feedback on the construction drawings, which will be about 0 percent complete at that time. SUMMARY Staff requests that the Agency consider the Project Committee s recommendations and provide direction to staff regarding the following design elements:. Conceptual Plan for Horton Landing Park. Conceptual Plan for the approach from Ohlone Way IGNACIO DAYRIT CED Coordinator HELEN BEAN Director of Economic Development and Housing APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO THE EMERYVILLE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PATRICK D. O KEEFFE Executive Director Attachments Community Workshop Summary Horton Landing Park Options Ohlone Way approach schematics R:\Eco Dev & Housing\Staff Reports\07--08\South Bayfront Ped-Bike Bridge\bikeped-update doc

5 Stanford Avenue rd Street Bench, typ. Boardwalk paving, typ. Horton Street PDU Bldg. Bldg. H West Shellmound raised planter Path, 0 concrete with decomposed granite shoulders Garage Lot Native riparian plantings Interpretive sign Accent paving, typ. Bridge City Building Plaza with seat walls Retaining wall B A Sinuous seatwall Equisetum planting Ramp Temescal Creek Phase Phase Permeable pavers Accent tree, typ. Deciduous columnar tree, typ. Stairs Low groundcover, typ. Accent shrubs, typ. Observation landing Elevator Pedestrian bridge Connection to future trail Concept callander associates 070alternatives.indd horton landing May 0, 008

6 Stanford Avenue rd Street Accent paving, typ. Bench, typ. Boardwalk paving, typ. Horton Street PDU Bldg. Bldg. H West Shellmound raised planter Garage Lot Native riparian plantings Path, 0 concrete with decomposed granite shoulders City Shellmound raised planter Building Sinuous seatwall B A Bridge Temescal Creek Equisetum planting Ramp 7 8 Phase Phase Permeable pavers Accent tree, typ. Deciduous columnar tree, typ. Low groundcover, typ. Accent shrubs, typ. Interpretive sign Elevator Observation landing Pedestrian bridge Connection to future trail Concept callander associates 070alternatives.indd horton landing May 0, 008

7 Concept - View Concept - View Concept - View Concept - View Concept - View Concept - View Visual Simulations callander associates 070alternatives.indd horton landing May 0, 008

8 Elevated ramp, wide concrete PL Path, wide, 0 concrete with decomposed granite shoulders Plaza, colored concrete with concrete seatwalls Semi-transparent fence, 8 tall Ornamental metal fence Retaining wall, tall with semitransparent fence, 8 tall Retaining wall tall with ornamental metal fence, 8 tall Phase Phase Concept - Section A Concept - Section B Ramp, on-grade Phase Phase Phase Phase Plaza, colored concrete Semi-transparent fence, 8 tall, on low retaining wall Path, wide, 0 concrete with decomposed granite shoulders Retaining wall tall with ornamental metal fence, 8 tall Semi-transparent fence, 8 tall, on low retaining wall Shellmound raised planter Ornamental metal fence, 8 tall Concept - Section A 0 8 Concept - Section B Elevated ramp, wide concrete Path, wide, 0 concrete with decomposed granite shoulders Plaza, colored concrete with concrete seatwalls Semi-transparent fence, 8 tall Phase Phase Ornamental metal fence Ornamental metal fence, 8 tall Concept - Section A Concept - Section B Sections callander associates 070alternatives.indd horton landing May 0, 008

9 plant palette Tule Scirpus acutus Horsetail Equisetum hyemale Fescue Festuca sp. Willow Salix sp. River Birch Betula nigra Columnar Maple Acer platanoides Columnare Sticky Monkey Flower Mimulus aurantiacus Rockrose Cistus incanus Wild Lilac Ceanothus sp. Redbud Cercis occidentalis character images materials board callander associates 070conceptplans.indd horton landing May 0, 008

10 c i t y o f e m e r y v i l l e s u m m e r south bayfront bridge community meeting # ON JUNE, 008, the City of Emeryville hosted the third of four planned community meetings to discuss improvements related to the proposed South Bayfront Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge. The morning s discussion focused specifically on the designs of Horton Landing Park and the west landing of the bridge near Bay Street, and provided community members the opportunity to review and discuss several park design alternatives. meeting format The third community meeting was held on Saturday, June, 008, from 9:0 am to :00 pm. The meeting was held at the former Emery Middle School at 7 st Street in Emeryville. Approximately people attended the meeting. The City provided breakfast for participants. Presentation The project team gave a brief presentation on the background of the South Bayfront Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge projectand presented two proposed designs for Horton Landing Park, on the east side of the bridge. A single recommended design was presented for the west landing of the bridge near Bay Street. Question & Answer Period Following the presentation, participants had an opportunity to ask specific clarifying questions about the proposed park design alternatives. Exercise on Bridge Alternatives At the end of the question and answer period, workshop participants spent an hour visiting boards that described each park design alternative. Community members could leave comments on each board using provided pens and Post-it notes to pinpoint the location and context of each comment. Consultants and city staff also answered questions and discussed concerns at each station. Comment Card Participants had an opportunity to provide written comments addressing the design concepts for the park. Those who were not able to attend the meeting were given the opportunity to submit comments following the meeting. COmmunity comments Preferred Park Design Concept Overall, meeting attendees expressed a preference for Concept One. While some voiced a personal preference for Concept Two based on the aesthetic quality of the design, they agreed that Concept One better serves the needs community members felt that one park concept fit emeryville s unique needs perfectly. s o u t h b a y f r o n t b r i d g e c o m m u n i t y m e e t i n g # s u m m e r 0 0 8

11 c i t y o f e m e r y v i l l e of the community overall. In the opinion of many participants, Concept One provides a direct pedestrian path and reduces the potential for conflict between bicyclists and pedestrian users. Several community members expressed strong support for the design concepts developed for the West Landing. Attendees were enthusiastic about the proposed grand staircase leading directly to the bridge and the views of the park and the creek corridor that it will provide. At least two participants recommended that the park include a designated area for dogs. Temescal Creek Concerns One community member noted that while the preferred design concept helps to preserve open space, further action should be taken to protect and naturalize Temescal Creek. Specific concerns were raised about preserving the original creek alignment. Some suggested that the park design include more trees and less grass or turf. One participant requested that the design team give additional consideration to how to enhance views of the western-most foot of the bridge. Other Concerns and Suggestions Public security was an issue for some meeting participants, who recommended improving the safety of the park by including sufficient lighting. Other suggestions were more aesthetic in nature, including the suggestion of including a water feature as part of the park landing. COMMUNITY COMMENTS Concept One I like Concept Two the best but feel that Concept One is best for all concerned I like this option best: it s a good mix of ramp and stairs. This option rocks! It provides direct pedestrian path and preserves open space. Concept One provides more gathering [space] under the walk. The beauty of Concept One is not having the loop over that ground park, but what will the view be then? Is it something another catwalk (like the grand stairwell?) would provide? A richer, more natural experience? I prefer Concept One to Concept Two. Concept One provides a very direct pedestrian path. My preference is for Concept One. There is a good separation between cyclists and pedestrians. The bike ramp provides a nice elevated ride along the greenway. Plus, I really like the grand staircase that leads directly to the bridge. I don t mind the smaller plaza at all. Concept Two Experientially seems to be the best combo with city and aesthetics I don t like having a plaza intersect with peds and bikes it forces cyclists to stop/slow on uphill travel. Provide a designated area for dogs. If Concept Two did move forward, I truly oppose the option that has the pedestrian bridge meeting the bike ramp midway it forces cyclists to slow on an uphill and look for pedestrians crossing their path. s o u t h b a y f r o n t b r i d g e c o m m u n i t y m e e t i n g # s u m m e r 0 0 8

12 c i t y o f e m e r y v i l l e Horton Landing Park Concept connecting emeryville Stanford Avenue rd Street Boardwalk paving, typ. Horton Street Shellmound raised planter Path, 0 concrete with decomposed granite shoulders Garage West Lot Bldg. H PDU Bldg. Covered drainage channel Decomposed granite path Bench, typ. Turf Accent paving, typ. City Building Plaza with seat walls Retaining wall B A Bridge Sinuous seatwall Equisetum planting Ramp Temescal Creek Phase Phase Permeable pavers Accent tree, typ. Deciduous columnar tree, typ. Stairs Low groundcover, typ. Accent shrubs, typ. Observation landing Elevator Pedestrian bridge Connection to future trail Callander Associates Landscape Architecture, Inc West Landing Love this idea this is it! Love love love the grand staircase over the creek! It invites the community in Once again not perfect but the best. I support this placement of pedestrian bridge over the channel to create a grand and inviting gesture leading to the iconic bridge. This is a good urban design practice! I like the grand staircase providing the opportunity to walk through the trees. Respecting the visual from the west, perhaps more design work could enhance that spot (most western foot). I like the idea of putting the stairs over the creek. This is a very creative idea. I think it provides good visibility to the channel. I like the Grand Staircase on the west landing. This provides an invitation to the bridge. I really like the elevated staircase over the creek on the Bay Street side. It provides great views of the creek and trees. It s a very inviting design. Temescal Creek I like having more trees around the creek instead of open, grassy fields. Investigate the possibility of some water tubes (spouts?) to provide sound and motion in the Temescal Creek section. Save Temescal Creek and the old alignment. Don t cover the old creek. Minimize turf. There is too much pavement naturalize the creek more! Amenities and Materials Love the horsetail but it does tend to migrate and break through walls. Above: Concept One for Horton Landing Park s o u t h b a y f r o n t b r i d g e c o m m u n i t y m e e t i n g # s u m m e r 0 0 8

13 7 8 c i t y o f e m e r y v i l l e Horton Landing Park Concept connecting emeryville Stanford Avenue rd Street Accent paving, typ. Bench, typ. Boardwalk paving, typ. Horton Street Shellmound raised planter Path, 0 concrete with decomposed granite shoulders Garage West Lot Bldg. H PDU Bldg. Covered drainage channel Decomposed granite path Turf Raised planter City Building Sinuous seatwall Shellmound raised planter B A Bridge Temescal Creek Equisetum planting Ramp Phase Phase Permeable pavers Accent tree, typ. Deciduous columnar tree, typ. Low groundcover, typ. Accent shrubs, typ. Interpretive sign Elevator Observation landing Pedestrian bridge Connection to future trail Callander Associates Landscape Architecture, Inc Above: Concept Two for Horton Landing Park Specific places for dogs in park. Seat-walls preferred over benches (vandalism). Variations in street wall design. Just add benches for people to sit/have lunch/etc. Remove kiosk and some paving at Bay Street side. Like up-lighting ramp structure. I prefer more trees (e.g., less grass) and a more natural feel. With the landings 0 feet in diameter, would it be feasible to have a (center) water feature? Please investigate this possibility. Include lots of lighting for security. Possibility add some color lighting feature as an aesthetic feature. I m excited about the current plans. If I m stressed, I love walking into a calming area of trees, stairs and water. There should be a restricted area for dogs. Unfortunately, some dog owners don t respect other people uses of land. I don t want to step in poop. I am concerned about lighting/ safety issue. Will an irrigation system be necessary for minimum watering? I don t want an over cluster of park benches. NEXT STEPS During July 008, the City Council and Project Review Committee will review feedback from the community and select a design for Horton Landing Park and for the west landing of the bridge. The City plans to hold one additional community meeting to review the draft bridge design and chosen park concepts in fall 008. s o u t h b a y f r o n t b r i d g e c o m m u n i t y m e e t i n g # s u m m e r 0 0 8

14 R. PHILLIPS HNTB 0/8/08 N BIKE LANES OHLONE WAY BIKE/PED BRIDGE STAIRS BAY STREET TEMESCAL CHANNEL GRAND STAIRS GARAGE BRIDGE BIKE RAMPS SOUTH BAYFRONT BRIDGE PROPOSED WEST APPROACH OVER CHANNEL OPTION