ALTERNATIVE STATION AREA - THE 10 TH STREET GARDEN STATION Two alternative land use scenarios and designs are illustrated here: Scheme A - Transit-Oriented Development High to Mid-Density Residential /Office Complex Development This approach enhances the existing employment base provided by the Smead manufacturing plant with a new commercial office complex attached to the parking ramp, which suggests the potential for reverse commuting. Residential development includes townhouses and apartment housing. Scheme A leaves the Smead surface parking lot as it is. Scheme B - Transit-Oriented Development Mid-Density Residential/Commercial Development This approach shows a larger service retail area, more townhome housing and a reconfiguration strategy for the Smead parking lot that would allow for surface runoff treatment and storage in planted swales and treelined edges. Approach/Design Principles Parking/ Circulation/ Street Design Parking Ramp and 10 th and 8 th Streetscape Multi-modal Improvements The overall design issue was the creation of a comfortable and legible multi-modal circulation to and from the train. This includes the roads one takes to get to the station, the circulation within the ramp and the walk from the ramp to the platform. Both schemes illustrate a configuration in which the approximately 500-vehicle capacity parking ramp is placed parallel to 10 th Street. This placement creates a V-shaped plaza/garden and a drop-off circle accessible from Bailey and 8 th Street near the station platform. See pages 30,34 for details of the plaza/ garden design. In the design of the commuter rail station, consideration was taken to work with the existing topography and to limit the impact on the existing drainage ways. Water diagram of 10 th street ramp: All storm water is collected into circular grit chambers, stored and released into water features in the garden area Preliminary section through the 10 th street parking ramp -26-
The parking structure and adjacent spaces are designed as hanging gardens that also incorporate stormwater treatment systems as decorative and space-defining elements. The adaptation of 10 th Street from a rural highway to an urban, multi-modal street will require the design and construction of a new type of roadway with sidewalks, street trees and other multi-modal elements. Similarly, the difficult connection of Highway 55 commuters to the station will require new designs for 8 th Street. Open Space Connective Open Space for Recreation, Commuters, and Shoreland Protection Greenway connections through the station area are critical to the completion of the pedestrian and bicycle link between the Vermilion River and the Mississippi River. Paths are separated by mode for safety. Again, stormwater runoff concerns are reflected in the planting design and grading for the greenway. See pages 41-42 for detailed sections through several segments of the greenway. Infill Development Housing for a Transit- Oriented District Although commuter rail riders often live miles from a station there are also opportunities for medium- to highdensity infill housing developments located within a 1/3 to 1/2 mile radius of this station. Scheme B illustrates townhouse style housing at 8-12 d.u./acre (gross density) in a pattern typical in Hastings that creates a front door on the street arrangement with an interior circulation. All units face and therefore take advantage of public green space. Most units, except those sited on the west ravine edge, have garages at the rear of the unit. Shown in greater detail in Downtown Neighborhood Urban Block Townhouse Type drawing on page 37. Commercial Service Transit-Oriented District Transit riders services include those located on suburban and urban arterials gasoline, coffee, convenience and fast foods, and those related to appearance and health such as a barber shop/hairdresser and drugstore. The alternative designs shown here reflect two approaches to multi-modal developments that provide these types of services: Scheme A illustrates an approach that places the gasoline station/convenience store complex at the northwest corner of 10 th Street and the entrance to the parking ramp. This entrance drive also provides access to the other service/ retail buildings and to the office complex. This compact service/retail development is adjacent to the office building on the east ravine. Another intersection is placed near the Smead entrance. Scheme A includes the development of an office building adjacent to the parking ramp, which is accessible to pedestrians via a bridge over the east ravine. Its townhouse-style housing frames a court with a large apartment house (25-35 d.u./acre) at the south end of this space. The townhome rows are typical of infill densities at 8-12 d.u./acre (gross density). They are situated with parking access from the street to a modified front door. (Not shown in detail). Pedestrian walks are designed for easy connection to the commercial uses as well as the greenway. Smaller ensembles of townhomes face the west ravine. All units have garages. -27- Scheme B illustrates less compact development service/retail structures accessible from 10 th Street. Pedestrian and vehicular access to the Smead surface parking is enhanced by a new intersection at the entrance to the Smead building. Both schemes illustrate a drop off plaza accessible from 8 th Street and Bailey. The plaza is planted as a mixed grove of lowland trees (Red maple, Swamp white oak, River birch, and Cottonwood) with stormwater treatment features. The platform canopy is adjacent to both the ramp stairs and the drop off.
10 TH STREET GARDEN STATION AREA Scheme A - Transit-Oriented Development Highto Mid-Density Residential/Office Complex Development Key Points: GREENWAY: CONNECTS TO EXISTING TRAIL SYSTEM AT SCHOOL YARD Comfortable and legible circulation to and within the station Work with and accentuate the existing topography Preserve natural drainage ways High to medium density infill housing Compact retail service area Office building attached to ramp Mitigation and reuse of stormwater runoff Entry drive to ramp aligned with existing Smead entry Ramp is aligned off-center to the platform Smead surface parking lot remains unchanged NEW RAIL ROAD SPUR SERVICING SMEAD SMEAD EMPLOYEE SURFACE PARKING LOT 10 TH STREET INTERSECTION AT STATION RAMP / COMMERCIAL 0/ SMEAD ENTRANCES: STOP LIGHT / WIDEN ROAD W/TURNING LANES COMMERCIAL/RETAIL/ SERVICE AREA PARKING RAMP (500 CAR CAPACITY) OFFICE BUILDING: UPPER AND LOWER LEVEL ACCESS INCREASES STATION AREA SECURITY GARDEN AREA/STORMWATER TREATMENT TRAIL LINKING TO INTEK BIKEWAY LOOP -28- COMMUTER RAIL LOADING PLATFORM
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 10 TH ST EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING TYLER ST BAILEY ST NEW HOUSING: DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD URBAN BLOCK TOWNHOUSES 8 TH ST SMEAD PRAIRIE GRASS & FLOWER/ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT GARDEN GREENWAY: TO DOWNTOWN PUBLIC GREEN SPACE HIGH DENSITY APARTMENT BUILDING LAKE ISABEL BRIDGE LINKING HOUSING TO STATION & COMMERCIAL -29- KISS-N-RIDE DROP OFF LOOP & SERVICE ROAD
10 TH STREET GARDEN STATION Scheme A - Transit-Oriented Development High- to Mid-Density Residential/Office Complex Development PARKING RAMP In this scheme, the parking ramp is connected to the office building, sharing a terraced garden space at the 2nd level. The parking ramp s main lower access is off-center of the loading platform, allowing the commuter a more intimate garden experience. Water features in the form of runnels atop 3 walls provide seating, accent lighting and a stimulating path to and from the platform. The garden area is covered by a canopy of Swamp White Oak, Sugar Maple,Riverbirch and Cottonwood trees, planted in a formal bosque pattern. OFFICE BUILDING RED ROCK COMMUTER TRAIN BOUND FOR ST. PAUL ENCLOSED PLATFORM BUILDING PROVIDES SHELTER FROM THE ELEMENTS, VENDING MACHINES, AND RESTROOMS -30- AMPLE LIGHTING FILLS THE UNDERSTORY DURING DARK HOURS SEATING WALL
Perspective of the 10 th Street Garden Station, looking at the parking ramp from the loading platform PARKING RAMP BIKE PATH DEMARKED BY CHANGE IN PAVING MATERIAL AND PATTERN PARKING RAMP STAIRS AND ELEVATORS SURROUND STORM-WATER GRIT CHAMBERS AND RETENTION VESSELS, ALL ENCLOSED BY STEEL AND GLASS -31- TERRACED GARDEN SPACE
10 TH STREET GARDEN STATION AREA Scheme B - Transit-Oriented Development Mid-Density Residential/Commercial Development Key Points: Comfortable and legible circulation to and within the station Work with and accentuate the existing topography Preserve natural drainage ways Medium density infill housing Large retail service area Trail/garden adjacent (west) of the station area Mitigation and reuse of stormwater runoff Entry drive to ramp aligned with existing Smead entry Ramp is aligned centrally to the platform Smead surface parking lot is reconfigured to allow additional retail space on 10 th street, and to provide another north-south connection road between 10 th and 8 th Streets Planted swales in the Smead parking lot allow for mitigation and storage of stormwater runoff A system of small storage ponds mitigate and store runoff before emptying into existing ponds and wetlands GREENWAY: CONNECTS TO EXISTING TRAIL SYSTEM AT SCHOOL YARD NEW RAIL ROAD SPUR SERVICING SMEAD RECONFIGURED SMEAD EMPLOYEE SURFACE PARKING LOT 10 th STREET INTERSECTION AT STATION RAMP / COMMERCIAL / SMEAD ENTRANCES: STOP LIGHT / WIDEN ROAD W/TURNING LANES COMMERCIAL/RETAIL/ SERVICE AREA PARKING RAMP (500 CAR CAPACITY) TERRACED GARDEN / STAIRS AND RAMPS IN HILL SIDE GARDEN AREA / STORMWATER TREATMENT TRAIL LINKING TO INTEK BIKEWAY LOOP -32- COMMUTER RAIL LOADING PLATFORM
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 10 TH ST EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING TYLER ST NEW HOUSING: DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD URBAN BLOCK TOWNHOUSES BAILEY ST 8 TH ST SMEAD PRAIRIE GRASS & FLOWER/ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT GARDEN GREENWAY: TO DOWNTOWN PUBLIC GREEN SPACE ALL NEW HOUSING FACES OPEN SPACE/GARAGE ACCESS ON MINOR ROADS ONLY LAKE ISABEL BRIDGE LINKING HOUSING TO STATION & COMMERCIAL -33- KISS-N-RIDE DROP OFF LOOP & SERVICE ROAD
10 TH STREET GARDEN STATION Scheme B - Transit-Oriented Development Mid-Density Residential/Commercial Development In this scheme, the parking ramp is centrally aligned with the platform. Vine covered trellises and raised stainless steel water rills lead the commuter from the parking ramp to the station and platform. The tree plantings and paving pattern radiates from the center of the station shelter. An arc of planters helps to define a zone for waiting and lingering and provides a definition to the regional trail. The trail connection enters the site as it meanders through a naturally planted garden down the slope along the west side of the ramp. It then continues through the station area and up the slope to the east of the ramp. RED ROCK COMMUTER TRAIN BOUND FOR ST. PAUL STATION SHELTER ON AXIS WITH RAMP MAIN ENTRANCE -34- VINE COVERED PERGOLA EXTENDS FROM RAMP ENTRANCES STAINLESS STEEL WATER RILLS FLANK CENTRAL PERGOLA
Perspective of the 10 th Street Garden Station, looking at the station shelter from the plaza/garden area PARKING RAMP WATER FROM RETENTION VESSELS FALLS INTO GRANITE BASIN & RILLS RAMP STAIRS AND ELEVATORS SURROUND STORM- WATER GRIT CHAMBERS AND RETENTION VESSELS, ALL ENCLOSED BY STEEL AND GLASS -35- TERRACED GARDEN SPACE