Envision Courthouse Square Cultural Resources, Circulation, Open Space, & Buildings May 21, 2014
Envision Courthouse Square Cultural Resources Existing Conditions Historic Preservation Program May 21, 2014
FORT WOODBURY MARTIN BIRTEA COLLECTION LENAWEE HISTORICAL MUSEUM 3 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
EVOLUTION OF COURT HOUSE HABS CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ARLINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 4
EVOLUTION OF COURT HOUSE CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ARLINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY HABS 5
EVOLUTION OF COURT HOUSE CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ARLINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY HABS 6
EVOLUTION OF COURT HOUSE HABS CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ARLINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 7
EVOLUTION OF COURT HOUSE HABS CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ARLINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 8
LAWYERS ROW CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ACPL HABS, 1990. 9
LAWYERS ROW CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ACPL CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ARLINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 10
LAWYERS ROW CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ACPL HABS, 1990. CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ARLINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 11
LAWYERS ROW CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ACPL HABS, 1990. 12
LAWYERS ROW CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ACPL HABS, 1990. 13
LAWYERS ROW CENTER FOR LOCAL HISTORY, ACPL 14
LANDMARK BLOCK 15
LANDMARK BLOCK First Federal Savings & Loan WASHINGTON POST, 1954 Address: 2050 Wilson Boulevard HRI Classification: Important Built: 1953/1954 HP STAFF, 2014 16
LANDMARK BLOCK First Federal Savings & Loan The yellow shaded areas are additions to the original two-story building. HP STAFF, 2014 17
LANDMARK BLOCK Conklyn Building GOOGLE, 2012 HP STAFF, 2014 Address: 2046 Wilson Boulevard HRI Classification: Not Ranked Architect: Earl B. Bailey and Victor B. Spector Built: 1950 18
LANDMARK BLOCK 2042-2044 Wilson Boulevard GOOGLE, 2012 HRI Classification: Not Ranked Built: 1950 HP STAFF, 2014 19
LANDMARK BLOCK Simmonds Building HABS, 1990 Address: 2041 15 th Street North HRI Classification: Not Ranked Architect: Frank Upman and Percy Adams Built: 1941 GOOGLE, 2012 20
LANDMARK BLOCK Commonwealth Building HABS, 1990 Address: 2045 15 th Street North HRI Classification: Not Ranked Built: 1956 HP STAFF 2014 21
LANDMARK BLOCK Investment Building HABS, 1990 Address: 2049 15 th Street North HRI Classification: Important Architect: John M. Walton & Assoc. Built: 1948 HP STAFF, 2014 22
2039-2057 WILSON BLVD. CPHD COLLECTION, CA. 1955 GOOGLE, 2012 23
WAKEFIELD MANOR SHOPPING CENTER HABS, 1990 HABS, 1990 HABS, 1990 24
County Plans & Policies Historic Preservation Master Plan: Adopted by County Board in 2006 3 Main Goals Promote Arlington s history & historic character Integrate preservation into planning & land use policies Protect historic neighborhoods & buildings Historic Resources Inventory (HRI): Top recommendation of Master Plan Ranks and prioritizes buildings by historical & architectural significance Phase 1 (garden apts., commercial buildings, & shopping centers) List of nearly 400 properties approved by County Board (July 2011) HRI Goals & Policies adopted by County Board (October 2011) 25
Potential Sites for Archaeology 26
Clarendon Blvd. and 15 th St. N. Sidewalk Improvements csimpson@arlingtonva.us
Clarendon Blvd. and 15 th St. N.
Clarendon Blvd. and 15 th St. N. New street trees and benches Lawn with shrubs and grasses Extended driveway Existing trees to remain
Uhle Street Today
(1940s 1980s) Uhle Street Historically
Planning and Policy Guidance: Arlington County Master Transportation Plan (December 2007, et. seq.) Master Transportation Plan policy guidance: Arlington County s Master Transportation Plan (MTP) streets element (2011): Objectives of the MTP include a well-connected network of streets, complete streets that accommodate all users and encourage alternatives to driving, and enhance the human environment. Policies which support those objectives include:
Planning and Policy Guidance: Master Transportation Plan policy guidance: Policy 2: Maintain and enhance a grid-style street network ; Policy 4: Include appropriate facilities and operate streets to meet and balance the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, and freight movement ; and Policy 12: Design and operate streets to be vibrant public spaces. Actions: a. Identify and implement opportunities for new streets through sector plan efforts. b. Develop a list of street connections that could be developed to create new linkages that enhance existing street network. k. Require privately owned streets that are open for public use to be built to the same designed standards as publicly owned streets.
Court House Station Second Elevator Feasibility Study Project Update May 21, 2014
Existing Condition Station Access
Initial Location Options
Final Location Alternatives
Alternative 2A 2 New Hoistways & Elevators Abandon Existing Hoistway New Elevator Machine Room Below Sidewalk New Entrance Corridor Shared Vestibule, Call Buttons Modify Mechanical Room & Relocate Equipment New Track Level Hatch Reroute Cabling & Ductwork
Cost Estimates Alternative #1A #1B #2A (in millions) Planned Construction Cost $ 11.2 $ 9.9 $ 7.8 Contingency & Escalation 4.7 4.2 3.3 Soft Costs 7.9 7.1 5.5 Estimated Total Cost* $ 23.8 $ 21.2 $ 16.6 * Excluded are cost for equipment, security, land/lease, legal costs, fixtures, insurances, market conditions, etc.
Summary 5 locations identified initially Compared based on decision criteria 3 alternatives developed, analyzed & costs estimated, exclusive of WMATA fixtures RECOMMENDATION: Proceed with alternative 2A, construction of 2 new elevators estimated at $16.6 million for design and construction
Envision Courthouse Square Bus Transit Existing Conditions DES Transportation May 21, 2014
Bus Transit
Total on: 1,089 Total off: 1,096
Bus Shelter Project Three new sets of bus shelters are to be installed this autumn: 1. Veitch St and Wilson Blvd (in front of Corner Bakery): replace the existing shelter, add a second shelter, and remove parking to allow multiple buses to queue. (Stop serves Metrobus routes 4B, 38B, ART bus routes 41, 45, 61A, 62, and 77.) 2. Courthouse Plaza (at the flagpole): install one new shelter near the elevator and one new shelter near the small bus stop east of the Uhle Street crosswalk. (Stop serves ART routes 77, 41, and 62.) 3. 2200 Clarendon Blvd (at Wayne St): replace the existing shelter with a larger, ADA compliant shelter. (Stop serves Metrobus routes 4B, 38B, ART routes 41, 45, 62, 77, and Omnibus.) The new shelters will be lighted, and will be capable of providing real-time bus arrival information.
Envision Courthouse Square Open Space Existing Conditions DPR May 21, 2014
The Memorial and Mother's Trees Memorial Tree Mother s Tree Memorial Tree (This tree replaced with Willow Oak in mid-1970 s) Mother s Tree War Memorial 1952 Survey of Courthouse Plaza Google Earth October 2012 Department of Parks and Recreation
The Memorial and Mother's Trees Memorial Tree or Soldier Tree is not the original tree from 1923, appears to be 40 years old. Good condition may live 50+ years. Mother s Tree is the original tree and about 90 years old. 15-20 year lifespan. The trees are registered as Notable Trees How to preserve and protect: Leave root zones intact Preserve 18 to 24 of topsoil Topdressing and irrigation Root pruning and fencing during construction Department of Parks and Recreation
Trees Important large Willow Oak and Ginko trees along Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards Provide shade, quality aesthetic, and urban canopy to the study area. 58
Farmer s and Antiquities Markets Urban Village Market (Antiquities Market) is managed by Clarendon Alliance. Arlington Farmers Market is managed by DPR. Operating for 30 years at this location. About 3,000 customers during prime season 59
Public Art in Courthouse Area One permanent public art work exists within the study area; five additional artworks can be found in the larger Courthouse area. Source: CultureNow.org; Museum Without Walls 60
Public Art in Courthouse Area Seven temporary public art works have appeared in the Courthouse Area since 1995. http://arlingtonva.tv/sustainability-dance/ 61
Public Art Master Plan Guidance on Courthouse Area Courthouse is the County s civic center and also attracts visitors because of its restaurants and movie theatres. Art projects here should highlight Arlington s civic traditions, particularly as they relate to its history and its emerging global context. Public art should be incorporated into the eventual completion of the Courthouse area plan, including the proposed village green, underground parking, 15th Street Festival Street, and cultural center. Arlington Public Art / Arlington Economic Development May 2014
Public Space Guidance 2004 PSMP Chapter 3 Overview of Existing and Planned Public Spaces, E. Urban Public Spaces and Streetscaping Courthouse is the home to the County governmental offices and courts as well as a sizable residential population. The Courthouse area includes significant public spaces at Rocky Run Park and Key Elementary School. The surface parking lot between the county government offices and the county courthouse building is currently used for a weekend farmer s market, and has great potential for redevelopment into a more attractive central plaza. Several economic development studies of a major cultural center in this area have suggested that coupling a center with an outdoor civic gathering space will strengthen the County government complex. 2004 PSMP Chapter 5 Recommendations, A. Objective 1: Recommendation 1.4 - Focus on Planning for the Rosslyn- Ballston Corridor Continue to achieve major open space through fee simple acquisition or public access easements on privately owned land, with a focus on the civic plaza at Courthouse, public plaza at Rosslyn Central Place and expanding the park in the block surrounding Maury Park. 1994 Open Space Master Plan: Objective 5, Strategy B: Use open space to promote a civic/governmental center image for the Courthouse vicinity. 1994 Open Space Master Plan, Urban Open Space: Would establish a new urban open space at the old Court House and Detention facility site. 1993 Court House Sector Plan Addendum Create a civic plaza through the consolidation of open space at the old Court House and Detention Facility site. Consolidate open space at the western end of the Court House Metro Station block and along the promenade linking the government center and office development located east and west of Court House Square. Provide a prominent at-grade pedestrian connection from Colonial Place to Court House Square. Relocate the farmer s market location to North 15th Street, between Clarendon Boulevard and North Court House Road. 63
Implementation Identify funding for design and subsequent construction. Potential sources include bond funds, yearly close out funds, developer contributions Utilize a professional design/engineering firm managed by County staff. 64
Envision Courthouse Square Buildings - Cultural Facilities AED May 21, 2014
Cultural facilities - guidance Courthouse Sector Plan Addendum (1993) Explore the possibility of developing a cultural facility, which may include a performing arts center, at the existing APA Building site [Court Square West]. A cultural facility or other similar public space, (possibly as part of an overall development scheme featuring private and/or future county office space) is recommended at the present site of the APA [Court Square West] building. This type of development should include easily accessible retail and restaurant uses and could serve to help activate the "Square". Public Spaces Master Plan (2005) Courthouse is the home to the County governmental offices and courts as well as a sizable residential population Several economic development studies of a major cultural center in this area have suggested that coupling a center with an outdoor civic gathering space will strengthen the County government complex. (Chapter 3, Section E) Building a multi-use centralized cultural center The current preferred site is in the Courthouse Plaza area, where a center could be designed in concert with a major underground parking facility and outdoor central plaza. (Recommendation 4.1) Courthouse Square Planning & Urban Design Study Working Group Charge (2013) The Working Group will address the following elements as part of this study the treatment of a potential cultural facility.
Cultural facilities - defining What is a cultural facility?
Cultural facilities - scope Courthouse Square Urban Design Elements Small, Medium or Large Facilities Separate Arts Discussion Support of the Arts Wants: Building audience capacity? Supporting arts groups? Needs: Market analysis INFORM How should any such facility relate to the civic space? How do features of cultural facilities align with established design principles? Use, Size & Location Facility Design Implementation Costs capital + programming
Envision Courthouse Square Building Height CPHD Planning Division May 21, 2014
Building Heights MARTIN BIRTEA COLLECTION LENAWEE HISTORICAL MUSEUM 70 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Building Heights MARTIN BIRTEA COLLECTION LENAWEE HISTORICAL MUSEUM 71 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Building Heights Four Courts Block MARTIN BIRTEA COLLECTION LENAWEE HISTORICAL MUSEUM 72 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Building Heights Wendy s Site MARTIN BIRTEA COLLECTION LENAWEE HISTORICAL MUSEUM 73 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Building Heights C-O Zoning MARTIN BIRTEA COLLECTION LENAWEE HISTORICAL MUSEUM * Development allowed by special exception in the C-O district shall comply with the standards of the ZO, except as otherwise approved by the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 74 CB
Building Heights Landmark Block 300 MARTIN BIRTEA COLLECTION LENAWEE HISTORICAL MUSEUM 75 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS