CORAOPOLIS RIVERFRONT LAURIE BETH DONNACHIE 5TH YEAR PSU LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY DESIGN STUDIO

CORAOPOLIS RIVERFRONT LAURIE BETH DONNACHIE 5TH YEAR PSU LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY DESIGN STUDIO

EXISTING POTENTIAL & DESIGN INSPIRATION

SITE DOCUMENTATION

ANALYSIS: SITE VISIT POPULAR IN SUMMER METAL DEBRIS WATER SOURCE PLAYGROUND POWER LINES STORMWATER SEWER UTILITY FIRETRUCKS

SITE VISIT_VEGETATION BIRCH OAK BIRCH INVASIVE JAPANESE KNOTWEED MAPLE WALNUT MAPLE OAK BIRCH SYCAMORE OAK OAK BIRCH OAK

ANALYSIS: OPPORTUNITIES MAP SCALE N Feet 0 250 500 0 100 500 LEGEND EXAMPLES PARKING REMOVAL VACANCY VIEWS 700 710 720 730 BROADWAY STREET 700 710 720 CHESTNUT STREET FIRST AVENUE MULBERRY STREET SECOND AVENUE THIRD AVENUE FOURTH AVENUE BUS ROUTE MAIN STREET MILL STREET FIFTH AVENUE

SURVEY CORAOPOLIS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT This survey includes ques ons about all 3 revitaliza on projects discussed at this workshop. It will take about 5 minutes to complete and will be used by the design students to understand the needs of the community. 1. The list below contains a variety of community groups; please select any that you personally iden fy with. college student church member resident in walking distance (please specify in box below) of Mill Street parent with young children business owner riverfront resident parent with adult children work in Coraopolis outdoor enthusiast senior ci zen work outside Coraopolis Other (please specify) 2. Development along the riverfront has the advantage of drawing a lot of people and a wide range of ac vi es. What ameni es would you like to see most along the riverfront? (Please select all that apply) restaurants on the river scenic river views tennis court shoreline trails cafes/snack shops recrea onal beach volleyball court shing farmers market natural area/wetland basketball court kayaking/canoeing bathroom facili es playground baseball eld motorized water cra open air theater water playground soccer eld gathering lawn dog park bike trails Other (please specify) 7. Which of the following des na ons would you enjoy kayaking/canoeing to along the river shore (both sides) or Neville Island? (Please select all that apply) restaurants bike paths & hiking trails green space & recrea onal parks scenic views historical & cultural ameni es Other (please specify) 8. Do you live within walking distance from the riverfront or the proposed Mill Street restaurant district? yes no What intersec on do you live near in Coraopolis? (op onal) 9. Assuming that frequent water tests are conducted would you swim in the Ohio River? yes no 10. Please look at the 4 examples of streetscapes at the bo om of the page and choose which one you would like to see most in Coraopolis. A B C D Addi onal Comments (op onal) STREETSCAPE IMAGES 3. I would be interested in buying a full week s groceries at a farmers market. highly disagree disagree not sure agree highly agree What day of the week would you like a market? 4. What type of businesses would you like to see most in the Mill Street restaurant district? (Please select all that apply) bou ques gym/health store art gallery deli, bakery, etc. bookstore movie theater grocery store cra stores 5. On average how o en do you visit downtown? hardly ever 1-2 mes a week 3-4 mes a week everyday Why do you visit the downtown? (ie. work, shopping, church, recrea on, etc.) IMAGE A IMAGE B 6. Integra ng university ac vi es into the development of Coraopolis would improve the quality of life. (ie. student produced art shows & theater events) highly disagree disagree not sure agree highly agree survey con nues on back IMAGE C IMAGE D

SURVEY RESULTS 1. The list below contains a variety of community groups; please select any that you personally identify with. (Please select all that apply) Count college student 1 parent with young children 7 parent with adult children 1 senior citizen 0 church member 7 business owner 4 work in Coraopolis 3 work outside Coraopolis 4 resident in walking distance of Mill St. 9 riverfront resident 0 outdoor enthusiast 3 total responses 15 2. What amenities would you like to see most along the riverfront? (Please select all that apply) Count restaurants on the river 12 cafes/snack shops 11 farmers market 9 bathroom facilities 12 open air theater 6 gathering lawn 10 scenic views of the river 9 recreational beach 3 natural area/wetland 4 playground 9 water playground 1 dog park 4 tennis court 0 volleyball court 1 basketball court 2 baseball field 1 soccer field 1 bike trails 9 shoreline trails 9 fishing 6 kayaking/canoeing 8 motorized water craft 3 total responses 15 3. I would be interested in buying a full week's groceries at a farmers market. Count highly disagree 0 disagree 2 not sure 3 agree 4 highly agree 6 total responses 15 What day of the week would you like a market? Count Monday & Tuesday 1 Friday 3 Saturday 4 Saturday & Sunday 3 Sunday 1 any day 1 total responses 12 4. What type of businesses would you like to see most in the Mill Street restaurant district? (Please check all that apply) Count boutiques 5 bookstore 10 gym/health store 2 art gallery 4 movie theater 4 craft stores 3 deli, bakery, etc. 10 grocery store 5 total responses 15 5. On average how often do you visit downtown? Count hardly ever 1 1 2 times a week 3 3 4 times a week 4 everyday 7 total responses 15 Why do you visit the downtown? (ie. work, shopping, church, recreation, etc.) work, shopping, church church, food, groceries work, lunch hour own the yoga studio business owner work, shopping, walking shopping, church, kids activities church, recreation shopping shopping church, shopping bus, church, groceries total responses 12 6. Integrating university activities into the development of Coraopolis would improve the quality of life. (ie. student produced art shows & theater events) Count highly disagree 1 disagree 0 neutral 0 agree 7 highly agree 7 total responses 15 7. Which of the following destinations would you enjoy kayaking/canoeing to along the river shore (both sides) or Neville Island? (Please select all that apply) Count restaurants 9 scenic views 8 bike paths & hiking trails 11 historical & cultural amenities 5 green space & recreational parks 10 total responses 15 8. Do you live in walking distance from the riverfront or the proposed Mill Street restaurant district? Count yes 12 no 3 total responses 15 9. Assuming that frequent water tests are conducted would you swim in the Ohio River? Count yes 8 no 4 total responses 12 10. Please look at the 4 examples of streetscapes at the bottom of the page and choose which one you would like to see most in Coraopolis. Count A 9 B 1 C 3 D 2 total responses 15

MEETING RESULTS IMPORTANT CONCERNS 1. TRAIN TRACKS DIVIDE CORAOPOLIS 2. INCREASE CONNECTIVITY WITH TRAIL NETWORKS 3. LOW MAINTENANCE COSTS A NECESSITY 4. PROVIDE OPEN USE RECREATIONAL GREEN SPACES 5. DESIGN WITH SAFTEY IN MIND 6. CORAOPOLIS DRINKING WATER DRAWN ON SITE 7. WORK WITH FUTURE LOCAL EXPANSIONS: PRODUCE COMPANY MONTOUR RUN SPORTS FIELDS

LOCAL BRIDGEWATER, PA PLAYGROUND BROOKLYN, NY NATURAL EDGE TANGHE RIVER, CHINA WATERFRONT SHEBOYGAN, MI RESTAURANT PRECEDENTS

LAWN KENNETT SQUARE, PA THEATER/VIEWS PITTSBURGH, PA SUMMER CONCERTS PHOENIXVILLE, PA WATERFRONT SHEBOYGAN, MI RESTAURANT PRECEDENTS

GOALS & OBJECTIVES G1. TO ENCOURAGE THE PEOPLE OF CORAOPOLIS TO SEE THEMSELVES AS PART OF NATURE RATHER THAN AS A SEPARATE ENTITY. OBJ1. OBJ2. OBJ3. Develop a design that requires low maintenance requirements that allows people to experience naturally occuring processes. Focus on temporary program elements that allow for adaptable use & river flooding accommoda on. Frame exis ng views of the river to bring people to the riverfront. G2. TO HELP THE COMMUNITY REALIZE THEIR EXISTING POTENTIAL AS A STRONG COMMUNITY. OBJ4. OBJ5. Increase community es by improving pedestrian & vehicle movement over the train tracks. Bring the community closer together using adap ve reuse to provide public gathering spaces. G3. TO ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE PRIDE IN CORAOPOLIS AND SHARE ITS UNIQUE CHARACTER WITH OTHERS. OBJ6. OBJ7. Use the river to draw boaters & kayakers into Coraopolis with restaurants along the river & extensive trail networks. Use art, music & educa on venues to inspire local talent & encourage visitors. Concept Statement: In an effort to improve the quality of life for the community of Coraopolis this studio will work with the residents of Coraopolis to reunite the community with the natual environment.

PROCESS THE IMAGE BELOW WAS DEVELOPED TO UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VARIOUS PROGRAM ELEMENTS. BY SKETCHING A SERIES OF THESE I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THE BEST LOCATION FOR THE PROGRAM ELEMENTS IN RELATION TO THE EXISTING SURROUNDINGS AND ALSO DEVELOP A SITE SEQUENCE THAT ENCOURAGED THE FLOW OF PEOPLE THROUGH THE SPACE. EVEN IN THIS EARLY STAGE I USED THE SURVEY RESULTS TO FUEL THE DESIGN, OPTING FOR A LARGE PLAYGROUND AREA TO ACCOMMODATE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN CORAOPOLIS.

PROCESS WHILE DESIGNING THE OUTDOOR THEATER MANY OPTIONS WERE CONSIDERED AND THE DESIGN WENT THROUGH A SERIES OF COMPLEXITY LEVELS. BY CREATING A VARIETY OF DRAWINGS OF THE AREA IN ADDITION TO 3D MODELS I WAS ABLE TO REFINE THE DESIGN TO ONE THAT WAS BOTH SIMPLE AND INTERESTING.

OVERALL RIVERFRONT PLAN BELOW IS THE ENTIRE PROPOSED DESIGN FOR THE CORAOPOLIS WATERFRONT WITH 1ST AVENUE AND THE ADJACENT HOUSES SHOWING UP AS CONTEXT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PLAN. THE NEXT 5 PAGES SHOW THE PLAN IN GREATER DETAIL WITH SECTIONS AND PERSPECTIVES AFTER THAT. THE DESIGN FOCUSES ON CREATING SPACES FOR PEOPLE TO RELAX AND ENJOY NATURE, WITH A MAJORITY OF THE SITE BEING DEVOTED TO A RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM. NATURALLY, RIVERS HAVE A SERIES OF WETLANDS AND FORESTED LAND SURROUNDING THEIR BANKS TO DECREASE SOIL EROSION, CLEAN THE WATER, REDUCE THE IMPACT OF FLOODING AND PROVIDE WILDLIFE HABITAT. THIS SPECIFIC GROUP OF PLANTS CAN TOLERATE THE FLUCTUATING WATER LEVELS AS WELL AS PROVIDE A RICH EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS WALKING THROUGH THE SITE. LEGEND 1 OUTDOOR THEATER 2 MILL STREET ALLEE 3 VISITOR CENTER 4 SLOPED GREEN ROOF 5 RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM 6 BOARDWALK 7 RIVER BENCH 8 BOAT PIER 9 CAFE 10 STONE TERRACE 11 COBBLE BEACH 12 LAWN 13 RIVER DEFLECTOR 14 PLAYGROUND

RIVERFRONT PLAN 1

RIVERFRONT PLAN 2

RIVERFRONT PLAN 3

RIVERFRONT PLAN 4

SECTIONS A SECTION A: OUTDOOR THEATER A THESE 4 SECTIONS SHOW EXISTING AND PROPOSED CONDITIONS, WITH THE BOLD CUT LINE REPRESENTING PROPOSED CONDITIONS. THERE WOULD BE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF SOIL MOVED AROUND DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS WITH THE HOPE THAT ALL THE EXISTING SOIL WOULD BE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE DESIGN. B B SECTION B: STONE TERRACE

SECTIONS C C SECTION C: LAWN & PLAYGROUND D D SECTION D: RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM

OUTDOOR THEATER PERSPECTIVE THIS VIEW IS LOOKING AT THE OUTDOOR THEATER FROM THE RIVER. IN THE BACKGROUND IS THE MILL STREET ALLEE BRINGING PEOPLE DOWN FROM THE RESTAURANT DISTRICT. RIPARIAN FOREST SURROUNDS THE THEATER AND CREATES A SOFTER AND MORE WELCOMING EXPERIENCE. INDIVIDUAL SEATS WITH ADJUSTABLE BACKS ALLOW VISITORS TO PEOPLE WATCH OR RELAX, WHILE THE RIVER BENCH THAT RUNS ADJACENT TO THE BOARDWALK HAS A VARIETY OF SEATING CONFIGURATIONS BUILT INTO THE FORM. THE SCULPTURAL FORM OF THE RIVER BENCH SERVES AS SEATING, SOIL RETENTION AND AESETHETICS.

STONE TERRACE PERSPECTIVE THE OUTDOOR THEATER WILL HOST A VARIETY OF EVENTS THAT WILL DRAW PEOPLE TO CORAOPOLIS FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA. BUT THIS STONE TERRACE PROVIDES AN INFORMAL GATHERING SPACE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF CORAOPOLIS. A SERIES OF STONE SLABS HAS BEEN PUSHED INTO THE SLOPE TO CREATE STEPS AND SEATING OPPORTUNITIES. AT THE TOP OF THE TERRACE TWO CAFES WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO LINGER AND ENJOY WATCHING BOATERS OR PEOPLE WALKING ON THE BOARDWALK. THE RIPARIAN FOREST MERGES SLOWLY WITH THE LAWN AND STONE TERRACE TO CREATE A SOFTER EDGE, WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE FOREST REMAINING FAIRLY OPEN AND WELL LIT TO ENSURE VISITOR SAFETY.

RIVER BENCH DETAILS A SERIES OF BENCHES RUN PARALLEL TO THE RIVER PROVIDING PLENTY OF SEATING CONFIGURATIONS. THE BENCHES TO THE RIGHT ARE SIMPLE AND ARE FOUND IN THE RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM AS IT FADES INTO THE MONTOUR TRAIL. THE BENCH BELOW IS THE MAIN BENCH THAT RUNS BETWEEN THE OUTDOOR THEATER AND THE STONE TERRACE.