City of Evanston Fountain Square Visioning Public Input Outreach Comments Summaries Memorandum January 29 2015 The following memorandum documents input gathered related to the Fountain Square Visioning Outreach activities. Outreach activities took place between 10/16/2014 12/09/2014 and are further described on the following pages and below: Activity Description Participation 1 Website & Social Media 2 Questionnaire / Fountain Square Post 3 Comment Cards / Idea Tip Jars Visioning Project promoted by COE via the following platforms. Comments were gathered and documented: 1. COE Website. 2. COE Next Door Social Media Platform; 3. COE Engage Evanston Website. Questionnaires were distributed via two methods: 1. Handed to participants during the Harvest Events. 2. Placed in Fountain Square Post stations installed by COE Public Works Dept in Fountain Square Plaza. Comments were collected weekly and documented. Comments Cards and Idea Tip Jars were placed in participating businesses businesses surrounding Fountain Square. Comment cards were gathered weekly and documented. Total Participants: 52 Unidentified: 52 participants Total participants: 88 Visitors: 8 participants Residents: 65 participants Unidentified:15 participants Total participants: 52 Visitors: 8 participants Residents: 39 participants Unidentified: 5 participants 4 Questionnaire / Placemat Activity 5 Verbal Interviews A questionnaire was distributed throughout the community. Questionnaires were collected and documented. 1. Handed to participants during the Harvest Events. 2. Distributed to the Downtown Evanston Board during one of their regularly scheduled meetings. Participants were interviewed during Harvest Events activities: 1. Children s Coloring Tent 2. Big Maps Activity: A block building activity in which forms and arrangements were discussed for the plaza area. 3. Sound Stage/Video Booth: Input was recorded via smartphone recording devices. Total participants: 78 Visitors: 1 participant Residents: 44 participants Unidentified: 33 participants Total participants: 41 Unidentified: 41 participants TOTAL PARTICIPATION Total participants: 311 Visitors: 17 participants Residents: 148 participants Unidentified: 146 participants 1 of 32
RECOMMENDED GOALS STATEMENTS Based on the input gathered and further described on the following pages, certain themes became evident as goals that may be explored during concept development. Major themes focused on openness, greening, pedestrian safety, play and community gatherings. The following four goals statements are provided for consideration: By 2018, Evanston s Fountain Square Plaza will be recognized as.. 1) An imaginative family friendly play space; 2) A sustainable and innovative high tech green space; 3) A vibrant pedestrian oriented event space; 4) A programmed all season community fest space. VISIONING INPUT ACTIVITY 1 NAME: Website and Social Media Comments (10/16/2014 12/05/2014) METHODOLOGY: The City of Evanston announced the Fountain Square Visioning Project via the following social media outlets: 1. Micro site within the City of Evanston s website; 2. City of Evanston s Next Door social media platform: 3. City of Evanston s Engage Evanston Website. The following comments were recorded in response to the announcement and prompt below: The City is planning to renovate and improve Fountain Square Plaza. This area includes Sherman Plaza; Sherman Avenue, between Church and Davis Streets; and adjacent landscape areas. While certain plaza functions will remain, such as the Veterans Memorial and a fountain, the City is interested in your thoughts on what additional amenities and activities you would like to see accommodated in the area. RESULTS: A total of 52 comments were returned. Multiple comments were recorded. Comments were evaluated and grouped into recommendation categories. Recommendation categories are identified below, with further descriptions of each category provided. 2 of 32
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS Recommendation Description Categories Greening Seating and Gathering Don t Close Sherman Ave Consider context/surroundings Pedestrian Focused Improved Fountain High Tech Improved Memorial Historic References Green space is needed downtown; sustainable plantings, edible plantings, open and inviting, Evanston is Tree City and should be reflected Visually stunning space; outdoor meet up spot for Evanston, all weather outdoor space, atrium roofed arbor, partial green house, flexible space that allows for large and small gatherings Support local businesses, learned lessons from State Street Mall (Chicago) Buildings are too tall surrounding the plaza, consider surroundings that can scale buildings back and make for a larger green space at the plaza area, remove the fountain square building, expand plaza to abut Lyfe Kitchen Plaza, surrounding environment must support activities at the plaza, including food and beverage sales/seating Improved pedestrian access to and within the space, improve signal timing and surrounding traffic, short term free parking Design a civic type fountain (not a pool looking fountain), interactive fountain Wi fi access, LED lighting, changing colors with seasons, smart park Consider relocating the memorial, combine fountain with war memorial, more dignified Restore/refer to historic fountain in the Rose Garden, historic references to temperance from first fountain: clean water and healthy living Number Percentage of Times Suggested 10 15.4% 10 15.4% 9 13.8% 8 12.3% 6 9.2% 5 7.7% 3 4.6% 3 4.6% 3 4.6% Public Art Needs a focal point 2 3.1% Festivals and Activities Food trucks, stage 2 3.1% No Change No need to change the Plaza 2 3.1% Close Sherman Ave for Improve signage and wayfinding 1 1.5% festivals and events Interactive Children s Borrow interactive ideas from Millenium Park 1 1.5% Space TOTAL COMMENTS 65 100%(+/ ) 3 of 32
VISIONING INPUT ACTIVITY 2 NAME: Questionnaire / Fountain Square Post METHODOLOGY: Comments sheets distributed during passive and active events asked participants to identify themselves as a resident or visitor and to respond to the following questions: 1. Describe a desirable scene for the Plaza. 2. List 3 desirable activities for the Plaza. Comments sheets were distributed via two methods: 1. At the Fountain Square Post (10/20/2014 11/07/2014) 2. During the Harvest Activities (10/25/2014 10/27/2014) RESULTS: A total of 88 comments sheets were returned from the following participants: 1. Visitors: 8 participants 2. Residents: 65 participants 3. Unidentified: 15 participants Within each comments sheet, multiple comments were recorded. Some comments sheets were partially completed and some comments sheets yielded additional information. All comments were evaluated and grouped into recommendation categories. Recommendation categories are identified below, with further descriptions of each category provided. RESPONSES TO QUESTION #1: Describe a desirable scene for the plaza Recommendation Description Number of Times Percentage Categories Suggested Enhanced landscape / Flowers, color, sustainable plantings, increased 17 21.5% greening maintenance, improved holiday decorations Outdoor seating / Outdoor Dining, Group and Single seating options, Picnicking 10 12.7% gathering Play Space / Splash Pad Millenium Park; Navy Pier Childrens Play Area; interactive 9 11.4% fountain; recall historic fountain in Rose Garden Festivals and Activities Farm Market, Music Events, Pop Up Retail/Carts, 8 10.1% Performances, dancing, open mic, music, events stage Improved Pedestrian Consider surrounding street pattern, widen sidewalks, 6 7.6% Area improve the pedestrian experience Close Sherman Ave for Full or partial closure towards a more pedestrian oriented 6 7.6% Events/Festivals street, roundabout Consolidate Multiple Simplify, Consider returning historic fountain to the space 5 6.3% Fountains into One Feature Memorial Improvements Respectful to Veterans 5 6.3% Expanded Plaza Spaces Enlarge to compete with surroundings, widen sidewalks 3 3.8% Sound and Lighting Support events, Music (live and recorded) 3 3.8% Enhancements Don t Close Sherman Ave Support businesses and traffic flow 3 3.8% Bike Systems Bike Racks 2 2.5% Art Art, tiles made by kids (Lincoln School reference) 2 2 TOTAL COMMENTS 79 100%(+/ ) 4 of 32
RESPONSES TO QUESTION #2: List 3 desirable activities for the plaza Recommendation Description Categories Playing Celebrating Playground, splash pad, climbing for kids, sensory, textures, educational, accessible, float boats. Millenium Park, dog park, multi generational Farm Market, Music and Literature Events (Printers Row), Bands, Dancing, Santa Village at Christmas, film fest, poetry slam Number Percentage of Times Suggested 18 22.0% 18 22.0% Performing Live music performances, artist displays 12 14.6% Greening More decorative, more color Sustainable features, wind 12 14.6% turbine, resurfacing (recirculating?) fountain, improved holiday decor Eating/Drinking Ice cream, book store, drinking fountain, restroom 6 7.3%% Sitting Open and accessible 6 7.3%% Shopping Support for businesses, Short term parking 3 3.7%% Honoring Integrate memorial with fountain, Boston Memorial 2 2.4%% Ice Skating Winter skating activities 2 2.4% Announcing Electronic message board 1 1.2% Biking Bike sharing, parking 1 1.2% Walking Improve Pedestrian Flow 1 1.2% TOTAL COMMENTS 82 100%(+/ ) 5 of 32
VISIONING INPUT ACTIVITY 3 NAME: Comment Cards / Tip Jar Comments METHODOLOGY: Comment cards and glass jars were distributed to participating downtown businesses (10/16/2014 11/07/2014). Posters were placed in storefront windows. Comment cards asked participants to identify themselves as a resident or visitor and to provide their input regarding the Fountain Square Project. RESULTS: A total of 52 comment cards were returned from the following participants: 1. Visitors: 8 participants 2. Residents: 39 participants 3. Unidentified: 5 participants Within each individual comment card, multiple comments were recorded. Comments were evaluated and grouped into recommendation categories. Recommendation categories are identified below, with further descriptions of each category provided. COMMENT CARDS / TIP JAR COMMENTS Recommendation Description Categories Enhanced landscape / greening Outdoor seating / gathering Don t Close Sherman Ave Plantings, better pathways, more traditional fountain, clean and maintain, improved fountain, unique experience, grass(lawn), perennials, trees, fruiting trees Traditional benches, pergola structure, tables, picnic tables, wide benches Support businesses, provide on street parking, don t repeat State Street Mall Reduce impact of cars, Batavia downtown (shared street concept) Number Percentage of Times Suggested 22 27.8% 20 25.3% 6 7.6% Close Sherman Ave for Events/Festivals 5 6.3% Memorial Improvements Attractive sculpture memorial 5 6.3% Improved Pedestrian Improved crosswalks, bike friendly 4 5.1% Area Festivals and Activities Music 4 5.1% Art Improvements Community based tile art produced by children 4 5.1% Fountain Improvements Historic fountain restorations, a smaller fountain, 4 5.1% incorporate a small waterfall Play Area Interactive for kids 2 2.5% Announcements Kiosk for community events 1 1.3% Orrington Ave Improve streetscape, kid focused playscape 1 1.3% Improvements Bike amenities Racks 1 1.3% TOTAL COMMENTS 79 100%(+/ ) 6 of 32
VISIONING INPUT ACTIVITY 4 NAME: Questionnaire / Placemat Activity METHODOLOGY: Participants were asked to identify themselves as a resident or visitor and to respond to the following: 1. List (3) Appealing Activities for the plaza and the surrounding area 2. Use (3) words to describe an engaging new space 3. Describe a desirable scene for the plaza Comments sheets were distributed during the following dates: 1. Harvest Events, 10/25/2014 10/27/2014. 2. Downtown Evanston Board Meeting, 12/09/2014. RESULTS: A total of 78 comments sheets were returned from the following participants: 1. Residents: 44 participants 2. Visitors: 1 participant 3. Unidentified: 33 participants Within each individual comments sheet, multiple comments were recorded. Comments were evaluated and grouped into recommendation categories. Recommendation categories are identified below, with further descriptions of each category provided. QUESTION #1: List (3) Appealing Activities for the plaza and the surrounding area Recommendation Description Categories 7 of 32 Number of Percentage Times Suggested 38 24.8% The Arts Music performances, dramatic arts, sketching, magicians, concerts, rotating art, sculpture/mural, theater, dance, karaoke, street performers, bells/wind chimes Festivals/Events Entertainment activities, Halloween and Harvest event, 5K & 10K runs, Farm 24 15.7% Market, Craft Market, book fair, NU student activities, chess, art fair, food fair, dancing Playing Hay maze, climbing structure, dog friendly uses, mini playground 18 11.8% Eating Food/drink vendors for tea, ice cream, espresso, picnic, food carts, food trucks 18 11.8% Seating Tables with umbrellas, café, gazebo, benches 9 5.9% Gathering People watching 9 5.9% Greening Flowers, trees, garden area, fruit/nut bearing trees, butterfly garden/native 8 5.2% plants, freshwater feature with fish Swimming/Splash Play in water fountain 8 5.2% Pad Ice Skating Ice Skating 7 4.6% Conversing Fire pit 5 3.3% Honoring Keep pillars, interpretive history walk, monument to each service 3 2.0% Walking Strolling 2 1.3% Shopping Support downtown businesses 1 0.6% Driving Car friendly 1 0.6% Viewing Viewing tower 1 0.6% No Change Leave the square as is 1 0.6% TOTAL 153 100%(+/ ) COMMENTS
QUESTION #2: Use (3) words to describe an engaging new space. The following words are copied directly from the responses provided and are articulated in the following graphic. The largest words have been repeated the most times. The smallest words have been repeated the fewest times. Words that have the highest frequency of repetition include the following: Green Open Community Safe Clean Interactive Wordle: Use (3) words to describe an engaging new space 8 of 32
QUESTION #3: Describe a desirable scene for the plaza Recommendation Description Categories A kid friendly and multigenerational place A well landscaped plaza space An artistic place Family fun, family oriented, people of all ages come together, a place for kids and families to run around, meet other kids and mingle, soccer, activities to get families out and about, interactive Sustainable, porous concrete, plantings, open, green, flowers, plants, nature, planters with seasonal color, open and inviting More color, creativity, sculptures commemorating Evanston contributions (Brillo Pad, Tinker Toys, WCTV), open air cathedral/arch with illumination, live artists performing, movie nights, sculptures that shoot water, interactive childrens fountain Friends meeting, relaxing, interacting, people of all ages, gathering to enjoy the space, people sitting, conversing Shared street, family attraction, Pedestrian oriented street (Lincoln Rd, Miami FL), no cars, Madison, WI, Boulder, CO Concert, dance event, music event, activities bringing the community together, food cart/trucks Summertime water feature, consolidate to one fountain only, recall the historic fountain, Number Percentage of Times Suggested 17 19.8% 14 16.3% 12 14.0% A seating and gathering space 11 12.8% A place that supports 8 9.3% pedestrians first A festivals and events 6 7.0% place A space with an improved 6 7.0% fountain feature A place that welcomes Dog and cat friendly 3 3.5% pets A place to eat and drink Dining 3 3.5% No Change 3 3.5% A space that is flexible for Versatile, exploratory, fun, less concrete and more freedom 2 2.3% various uses of movement A space for bicyclists Bike racks and amenities 1 1.1% TOTAL COMMENTS 86 100%(+/ ) 9 of 32
VISIONING INPUT ACTIVITY 5 NAME: Interviews METHODOLOGY: During the Harvest Events the consultant team interviewed participants during the following activities: 1. Children s Coloring Tent; 2. Big Maps Activity; 3. Sound Stage/Video Booth RESULTS: A total of 41 people were interviewed during these events. Multiple comments were recorded. Comments were evaluated and grouped into recommendation categories. Recommendation categories are identified below, with further descriptions of each category provided in the description column. Recommendation Categories Description Number Percentage of Times Suggested 16 19.3% Close Sherman Ave for Events and Festivals Farmers market/ indoor market, European street model, shared street Foster Pedestrian Wider sidewalks, street performers, wayfinding signage, 13 15.7% Oriented Spaces protection from traffic, improved pedestrian crossings Promote Play Spaces Interactive water feature like Millenium Park, splash pad for 10 12.0% children, programming for kids, giant chess board, playground, skating rink Incorporate Greening Dramatic, eye catching, calming, buffering from traffic, 10 12.0% multi sensory features, edible plantings Improve Seating and Create more flexible open space, picnicking, seating for 8 9.6% Gathering elderly, stone benches similar to Millenium Park Incorporate Public Art Millenium Park examples, colored water in fountains, 7 8.4% sculpture, theater arts, music Expand Plaza to include Incorporate triangular median towards the south, 5 6.0% surrounding spaces incorporate free near term parking Support Festivals and Pavilion structure/stage for concerts, entertainment and 4 4.8% Events food Improve Fountain Dislike the pool appearance, painted blue bottoms, 4 4.8% more/larger fountains Improve War Memorial Needs to be more prominent, expand 2 2.4% Do not Close Sherman Support local businesses 2 2.4% Ave Improve Programming Expand to support winter activities 1 1.2% Support bike uses 1 1.2% TOTAL COMMENTS 83 100% (+/ ) 10 of 32
HARVEST EVENTS PHOTOS October 25, morning: Children s Coloring Tent Sound Stage / Video Booth Dry Erase Boards Poster Board Comments Children s coloring tent, 10/25/2014, 10am 2pm 11 of 32
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October 25, evening: Big Maps Activity Tent Sound Stage / Video Booth Dry Erase Boards Poster Board Comments Big Maps Activity Tent, 10/25/2014, 5.30pm 7.30pm 18 of 32
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October 27, afternoon: Big Maps Activity Tent Sound Stage / Video Booth Dry Erase Boards Poster Board Comments Big Maps Activity, 10/27/2014, 11am 1pm 26 of 32
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