Reconnecting to a Forgotten River St. Cloud MN Aaron Hanson Design Design Thesis LA 572, Thesis, Spring 2012
site context 2.5 Miles Sartell St. Cloud to Fargo 170 Miles (2 hrs 45 mins) Hwy 10 infrastructure & contours Railroad 1st St N Hester Park Wilson Park St. Cloud Park open space systems Fargo Lake Itasca 2 Miles Proposed Extension of Lake Wobegon Regional Trail Sauk Rapids Amtrak Station Division St City Proposed Building Removal Hope Park Railroad 1st St N Division St Mississippi River Hwy 2 Project Focus Area St. Cloud Northstar Link Bus Sation Minneapolis St. cloud Hwy 15 Historic Ravine Mississippi River Eastman Park Mississippi River I-94 Mississippi River Empire Builder - Passenger Train Future Northstar Commuter Rail St. Cloud to Minneapolis 67 Miles (1 hr 15 mins) Downtown District St. Cloud State University District University Dr Historic District Beaver Island Trail Westwood Trail No Trail Trail Distance = 2.65 Miles Barden Park St. Cloud Parks = 1,272 Acres Parks Shown = 119 Acres University Dr Munsinger Park Riverside Park
historically developed main issues 1st St N upper town poor ecological conditions little green space habitat fragmentation little habitat diversity urban runoff poor stormwater management erosion Division St Mississippi River middle town lower town Historically St. Cloud was developed around small villages disconnected from the river built away from the river corridor poor access to river one boat landing no river destinations lack of river amenities lacking social & cultural identity disconnection from downtown to St. Cloud State University lack of riverfront trails & connection to existing trails underutilized historic districts lack of cultural heritage
turning issues into opportunities 1st St N upper town ecological renewal This river corridor will look to provide river access for watercrafts, interaction with the water, green open space, increase habitat diversity, and public trails to create an unified eco-sytem. Division St Mississippi River middle town reconnecting to the riverfront This river corridor will look to provide a strong connection to downtown and the Mississippi River, with overlooks, event areas, small plazas, and public destinations for pedestrians and riverboats. lower town linking social & cultural facilities This river corridor will look to provide a vital social and cultural identity while protecting sensitive habitats. It is essential to create a strong connection between St. Cloud State University and downtown.
typical lower town section 2 1 lower town linking social & cultural facilities Lower town is home to one of St. Cloud's neighborhood historic districts. It is important to create a public path that doesn't interfere with the local residents. 4 historic neighborhood elements 1 South Side Neighborhood District 2 Bike Path Structure 4 Bank Stabilization Access to Rivers Edge 0 100' 200'
typical middle town section Civic Center middle town 1 2 reconnecting to the riverfront Middle town is St. Cloud's commercial district with the steepest riverbanks which creates the need of retaining wall structures. 4 Civic Center elements 1 Mix-use Infrastructure 2 Plaza Space Retaining Wall 4 5 Bike Path Existing Seawall 0 100' 200' 5
typical upper town section upper town ecological renewal 1 2 Majority of upper town has the lowest incline of slope and the greatest setback of buildings which will make this area effective for revitalization, slope stabilization, and stormwater filtration. Open Area elements 1 2 Bike Path Filtration Swale Root Wad 0 100' 200'
master plan turning opportunities into programs mississippi river corridor flythrough upper town ecological renewal 1st St N eco beach Interaction with Water (Swim) Improve Boat Landing Canoe Access Wetland Filtration Green Stormwater Management Increase Habitat Diversity Green Space Mix-use Infrastructure Key middle town reconnecting to the riverfront Terraced Retaining Structure Overlook Proposed Mix-use Infrastructure Boardwalk Existing Trail Proposed Trail Civic Center 2 lower town linking social & cultural facilities 0 00' 0' 600' Division St Mississippi River 1 urban riverfront hub Plaza Amphitheater Terraced Lawn Seating Public Events Informational Kiosks Interpretive Stormwater Management Water Feature Exhibit Display Mix-use Infrastructure educational conservation Eco-friendly pedestrian bridge Protecting sensitive habitats Informational Kiosks Mix-use Infrastructure video
1st St N Civic Center Division St Mississippi River educational conservation linking social & cultural facilities 1
educational conservation linking social & cultural facilities pedestrian bat bridge master plan elements 1 Bike Trail 6 1 historic ravine 2 4 Pedestrian Bat Bridge Native Plantings Mix-use Infrastructure 5 Re-use Infrastructure 4 2 5 6 Existing Infrastructure Key Kiosk 0 50' 100' protecting the bats The city of St. Cloud has declared this historical ravine to be undeveloped because of a native silver-haired bat that is currently under MN DNR species of special concern list. Natural bat habitats are diminishing such as caves and old growth forest. As a result, bridges are becoming bat havens of last resort. original idea 1 2 4 elements Wire Mesh Exit Cones 1" by 12" Deep Vertical Crevices Night Rest Timbers 1 2 4 Plywood Entry Panel 0 100' 200'
1st St N Civic Center 2 Division St Mississippi River urban riverfront hub reconnecting to the riverfront
urban riverfront hub reconnecting to the riverfront elements urban riverfront hub section master plan 2 1 Bus Shelter Civic Center Underground Parking 6 5 4 2 4 5 6 7 8 Amphitheater Bike Trail Terraced Lawn Seating Plaza Water Feature Interpretive Stormwater Management Mix-use Infrastructure elevation 1020 A 7 birds-eye 6 8 5 4 elevation 982 2 A 7 8 characteristics 1 0 Restaurant Living 100' 200' Key Kiosk Light Post Public Events Civic Center Events Informational Kiosks Exhibit Display
urban riverfront hub reconnecting to the riverfront elements B balcony view private vs public spaces Civic Center Underground Parking Public educational stormwater management Mix-use Infrastructure natural water feature Private Private Public B Private Private Mix-use Infrastructure Restaurant Living
urban riverfront hub reconnecting to the riverfront elements C overlooking the mississippi river stormwater grates informational kiosks aesthetically pleasing views C
urban riverfront hub reconnecting to the riverfront D urban riverfront hub walkthrough D Civic Center Underground Parking video Restaurant Living
1st St N Civic Center Division St eco beach ecological renewal Mississippi River
eco beach ecological renewal Bike Rack Station Canoe Kayak Landing 5th 5th Ave Ave N Boat Landing Pervious Asphalt ADA Pedestrian Bridge master plan site furniture seed mix mixed height/mesic grass mix tall wet grass mix shoreline grass mix northern upland meadow grass mix Staffed Kiosk Rental Stormwater Retention Pervious Asphalt ADA Parking Grass Pavers Plaza Underground Parking Boardwalk Mix-Use (25% Affordable Living) Wetland Exposed Stormwater Eco Beach 6th Ave N 5th St N 1007 1005 100 986 985 977 979 985 985 Mississippi River Bike Path Recreational Waters ADA Pedestrian Bridge Pergola 5 7-9 10 2-4 kiosk 1-6 - 6 1 2 2 garbage bin 6 trees red maple sugar maple paper birch bur oak honey locust common hackberry quaking aspen chokecherry basswood cotton wood willow ADA Underwater Ramp ADA Sand Area Sandy Beach Stormwater Retention Catharses High School 1004 1014 1010 1002 1006 998 990 986 978 982 Public Restroom Steamboat Ferry Pier ADA Parking Pervious Asphalt Boat Trailer Parking 1-6 1-6 6 2 2-6 2 materials local granite epay wood 0 100' 00' 994 5th Ave N light post path light bench
eco beach ecological renewal D steamboat ferry pier eco beach A bike rack station grass pavers boat trailer parking pervious asphalt south entrance to eco beach
eco beach ecological renewal E canoe kayak landing pervious asphalt boat landing bike rack station canoe kayak landing ADA pedestrian bridge staffed kiosk rental B pervious asphalt
eco beach ecological renewal C stand up paddle boarding through recreational waters 985 C 982 water trails boardwalk 977 wetland 985 979 985 exposed stormwater stormwater retention
eco beach ecological renewal D pergola boardwalk D ADA underwater ramp ADA sand area public restroom sandy beach ADA parking mix-use (25% affordable living) boardwalk view of eco beach
eco beach ecological renewal balcony view of eco beach eco beach flythrough video