MOBILITY35 AESTHETICS Aesthetics Working Group 5 August 10, 2016
Review of AWG 4 Consensus on three concepts to go to public survey Additional input received: Shading/location of trellises important Vegetation was strongly preferred Cross street naming should be located where best seen by users Additional investigation requested regarding bike lane separation on elevated E/W cross street bridges Minimize obstructions in shared use pathways, including lights, planters, trellises Incorporate trellises into railing where feasible Incorporate lighting into trellises where feasible 2
Aesthetics Working Group schedule and goals Meeting 1 December 1, 2015 Project overview Corridor assets Themes Next steps Fall 2016 Design team develops: Final working group summary report Final aesthetic guideline document First online survey Dec. 3, 2015 to Jan. 15, 2016 Meeting 2 February 2, 2016 Develop up to three potential aesthetic themes We are here Meeting 5 Summer 2016 Refine preferred concept Second online survey Jul 14 to Aug. 9, 2016 Meeting 3 March 29, 2016 Develop up to three draft aesthetic concepts Meeting 4 Summer 2016 Update/develop up to three aesthetic concepts 3
Goals of AWG 5 Assess the findings of the public survey and refine the preferred concept Review aesthetic priorities for implementation for constrained conditions Evaluate application of the preferred concept: St. Johns Ave. (over mainlanes) Woodland Ave. (under mainlanes) Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (over mainlanes) Decks Draft Aesthetic Working Group Executive Summary Discuss next steps and guideline document 4
Getting the word out At least 20 different webpages or email lists AWG respective groups TxDOT, agency and organization partners Mobility35 My35.org/Capital page link e-newsletter, August 2016 edition e-blast re: various Travis County outreach TxDOT Twitter, Facebook, and Media Center website Flyer distribution Public Libraries Recreation Centers University of Texas at Austin (various locations) Coffee Shops/Cafes Media outlets including Austin American Statesman, Time Warner Cable News, and KXAN 5
And the preferred concept winner is. 1A 1D 2A 2D 1B 1E 2B 2E 1C 1F 2C 2F 3A 3D 3B 3E 3C 3F 6
Preferred Concept Winner: Concept 1 with a total of 1,520 votes *The information shown on this slide is for discussion purposes only. Actual project details will be subject to design constraints, funding availability, and maintenance agreements with local partners. 7
Online Survey Results Final Results Rank Concept # of First Place Votes #1 Concept 1 1,520 #2 Concept 3 507 #3 Concept 2 503 8
Concept details Angled trellis posts with integrated lighting Texas classic guardrail with capitol themed trellis Drought tolerant landscape plantings and vines where feasible and space allows Quartex paving with similar color/texture for retaining wall treatments 9
Concept details Pavement treatment similar to Capitol rotunda, potential to vary paver patterns/banding for added interest Street name identifiers integrated into guardrail when viewed from mainlanes Accent lighting (coordinate with high mast locations) Concrete panel retaining walls with formliner texture 10
Corridor aesthetic priorities 11
Considerations to keep in mind for specific projects Final alignments and construction elements including aesthetic opportunities may vary for specific projects. Specifically: Landscaping Constrained urban environment and space provide limited opportunities Maintenance requires partnership with city of Austin Water usage may be a concern for city under water restrictions Art Requires partnership with city of Austin for maintenance May only be installed where not a distraction to drivers Signature Design Elements Installation may require assistance or sponsorship from partnering agencies/organizations Actual project details will be subject to design constraints and funding availability. 12
Funded project: St. Johns Ave. Pavers adjacent to concrete shared use path for additional pedestrian space Native plant palette and boulders with ease of maintenance in mind St. Johns Ave. crossing over I-35 mainlanes Elements that would be affected by the guideline document: Lighting Landscape plantings Concrete wall panels Bridge columns Trellis Signage Guardrail Pavers *The information shown on this slide is for discussion purposes only. Actual project details will be subject to design constraints, funding availability, and maintenance agreements with local partners. 13
Funded project: St. Johns Ave. *The information shown on this slide is for discussion purposes only. Actual project details will be subject to design constraints, funding availability, and maintenance agreements with local partners. 14
Funded project: St. Johns Ave. Texas classic guardrail Street name identifiers on overpasses Raised accents at base of guardrail on elevated east/west crossings Trellis resembling Capitol grounds fence Native plantings where space, clear zones and setbacks allow Unique column and concrete panel design inspired by adjacent influences such as the Capitol building and Waller creek Concrete pavers and concrete panels with finish resembling pink granite Concrete retaining wall with formliner texture *The information shown on this slide is for discussion purposes only. Actual project details will be subject to design constraints, funding availability, and maintenance agreements with local partners. 15
Native plant palette Spineless prickly pear Texas beargrass Queen Victoria agave Texas sage Red yucca Twist-leaf yucca Skeleton leaf goldeneye Prostrate rosemary Gulf muhly grass Creeping purple lantana Damianita Lindheimer muhly grass 16
Native plant palette Mexican sycamore Live oak Palo verde Crape myrtle Texas redbud Sweet acacia 17
Proposed project: Woodland Ave. Native trees where space and sight distance/clear zone allows Stepped planters where space allows at abutment corners Native plant palette and boulders with ease of maintenance in mind I-35 Mainlanes Woodland Ave. Paver colors match concrete wall panel color, texture, and finish Woodland Ave. crossing underneath I-35 mainlanes Elements that would be affected by the guideline document: Lighting Landscape plantings Concrete wall panels Bridge columns Trellis Signage Guardrail Pavers *The information shown on this slide is for discussion purposes only. Actual project details will be subject to design constraints, funding availability, and maintenance agreements with local partners. 18
Proposed project: Woodland Ave. Texas classic imprint on standard guardrail Concrete panels resembling Capitol building and utilizing similar color & texture Potential for art at abutments Stepped planters where space allows at abutment corners *The information shown on this slide is for discussion purposes only. Actual project details will be subject to design constraints, funding availability, and maintenance agreements with local partners. 19
Art at bridge abutments If local partners step forward to commission, fund, and maintain art, they would take lead and work with TxDOT for the art panels Timing is important Constraints will be worked at as part of the process If no local partner steps forward, options include: Default art panel Textured panel Retaining wall without panel 20
Proposed project: Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Trellis resembling Capitol grounds fence Native plantings where space, clear zones and setbacks allow Pavers adjacent to concrete shared use path for additional pedestrian space Elements that would be affected by the guideline document: Lighting Landscape plantings Concrete wall panels Bridge columns Trellis Signage Guardrail Pavers Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. crossing over I-35 mainlanes *The information shown on this slide is for discussion purposes only. Actual project details will be subject to design constraints, funding availability, and maintenance agreements with local partners. 21
Proposed project: Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Texas classic guardrail Trellis with ornamental lighting integrated into the structure and vines Pavers adjacent to concrete shared use path for additional pedestrian space East/west cross street over I-35 mainlanes *The information shown on this slide is for discussion purposes only. Actual project details will be subject to design constraints, funding availability, and maintenance agreements with local partners. 22
Proposed project: Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Texas classic guardrail Street name identifiers on overpasses Raised accents at base of guardrail on elevated east/west crossings Trellis resembling Capitol grounds fence Native plantings where space, clear zones and setbacks allow Unique column and concrete panel design inspired by adjacent influences such as the Capitol building and Waller creek Concrete pavers and concrete panels with finish resembling pink granite *The information shown on this slide is for discussion purposes only. Actual project details will be subject to design constraints, funding availability, and maintenance agreements with local partners. 23
Location: Decks Unique concrete panel design inspired by adjacent influences such as the Capitol building and Waller creek Texas classic guardrail Concrete retaining wall with formliner texture Raised accents at base of guardrail on elevated east/west crossings *The information shown on this slide is for discussion purposes only. Actual project details will be subject to design constraints, funding availability, and maintenance agreements with local partners. 24
AWG Summary Report Documents preferred concept decision process What we heard Format of Executive Summary and Final Report Comments 25
Example aesthetic guidelines Kyle, Texas 26
Guideline Document Example 27
Next steps Finalize Summary Report Prepare Central Austin Aesthetic Technical Guidelines Mobility35 public meetings/outreach opportunities 8/22 North Austin Express Lanes Public Open House; Virtual Open House closes after 10 business days 9/20 Central Austin Express Lanes Public Open House; Virtual Open House closes after 10 business days 9/29 Riverside Public Hearing with 15-day comment period; Virtual Open House closes after 10 business days Feedback on the AWG experience (with comment forms) 28
Stay involved: Web: www.my35.org/capital Facebook: www.facebook.com/txdot Twitter: @TxDOTAustin Email: info@mobility35.org 29