North College Hill Transit Center - Executive Summary by DAAP School of Planning

North College Hill Transit Center North College Hill Transit Center

Elements of Urban Design - Spring 2022 Executive summary report

School of Planning

College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning University of Cincinnati

Options study

Elements of Urban Design Spring 2022

Southwest Ohio Regional Transport Authority (SORTA) is the owner and operator of Metro, a Greater Cincinnati mass transit system. With the additional funds allocated to the company by Hamilton County in 2020, SORTA is currently implementing their ‘Reinventing Metro’ plan, aiming to offer “the Greater Cincinnati region bold, new transit innovations that will help grow the regional economy and better connect our community to jobs, education, health care and entertainment.” SORTA / Metro is considering several new transit centers around Cincinnati as part of the plan, including in North College Hill. SORTA works closely with the city of North College Hill to identify the possible location and site for the transit center. The School of Planning at the College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning at the University of

Cincinnati was approached by SORTA to undertake a site assessment study for the proposed North College Hill Transit Center. The city of North College Hill is currently preparing their Comprehensive Plan and were invited by SORTA to actively engage with the School of Planning to share the objectives, needs and considerations in the process. The School of Planning, in agreement with SORTA, prepared the study as a component of “Elements of Urban Design” undergraduate / graduate course offered primarily to the students of two degrees: Bachelor of Urban Planning and Master of Community Planning.

Contents

Elements of Urban Design 4 North College Hill — Context 6 Case Studies 18 Vision for North College Hill Transit Center Proposals 22 Conclusion 38 Appendix - Case Studies i-xxvi

(separate volume)

Elements of Urban Design Spring 2022 Instructor

Teaching Assistant

Team A

Team B

Danilo Palazzo

Szymon Nogalski Team C

Team D

Alexis Spurlock

Anna Mueller

Olivia Hedges

Nicholas Afadzi

Alexus Wimbish

Maddi Nuss

Cody Sheets

Scarlet Andre

Noah Stern

Gauri Patel

Jack Cunningham

Rajashree Ghosh

Darsh Shah

Bachelor in Urban Planning

Master of Community Planning

Jordan Furlong

Master of Landscape Architecture

Shuo Qin PhD in Architecture

Bachelor in Architectural Engineering Bachelor in Architecture

Master of Community Planning Master of Community Planning

Bachelor in Urban Planning

Master of Community Planning Master of Community Planning Master of Community Planning

Loran Sanvido Master in Design

PhD in Architecture

Master of Community Planning Bachelor in Urban Planning Master of Community Planning

Priyanka Raghuwanshi Master of Landscape Architecture

Organisation of work Elements of Urban Design is an elective course in the School of Planning. The course is organised in a seminar format, familiarising students with elements that make up, shape, and improve the urban environment. The course focuses on urban design processes and on urban design as a process in itself, suggesting urban design tools and guidelines for design regulation and implementation. The course syllabus for the 2022 offering has been developed around the book Urban Ecological Design: A Process for Regenerative Places, by Danilo Palazzo (the course instructor) and Frederick Steiner (Island Press, 2011). Alongside the theoretical readings, lectures and presentations, in the Spring 2022 term, the course included a design component, developed as a site assessment study for the North College Hill Transit Center. Students were divided into four multidisciplinary teams (to include different levels of seniority, majors and skillsets). The teams completed three assignments, developed in line with the urban design process, as described in Urban Ecological Design… Outcomes of students’ work have been collated and presented in this report.

Each team selected three Transit Centers, Bus Terminals or similar typologies to be used as case studies for the North College Hill Transit Center (NCHTC). One of the case studies was expected to be local, to familiarise teams with the approach currently taken by SORTA and encourage critical assessment of the approach, indicating opportunities for improvement. Students assessed the design, spatial organization, functions integrated with the primary service, as well as implementation, management, relevant outcomes of the development (positive or negative), and how the public/communities have received it. The second phase of the project commenced with a site visit in North College Hill, where students were accompanied by Chief Strategic Planning, Development & Innovation Officer at SORTA, Khaled Shammout, and City Administrator of the City of North College Hill, Ron Mosby.

The analyses informed the development of Opportunities and Constraints Map. The map supported the definition of Goals and Objectives described by each team as a combination of those emerging from the representatives of the client, the community, and the team members themselves. Opportunities and Constraints, together with a list of Goals and Objectives, guided the preparation of a series of Options/Alternatives related to the siting of the NCHTC and its relationships with existing or proposed public spaces, streets, and other infrastructures. The options / alternatives have been assessed and evaluated by the teams against the goals, to establish a preferred option that was further developed by every team into a concept plan and a list of Suggestions and Recommendations.

Teams also collected and analysed relevant demographic, economic, environmental, spatial and social data. This included an invited presentation by John Yung from Urban Fast Forward, who have been appointed by the city of North College Hill to conduct the update of the Comprehensive Plan for the city.

North College Hill — Context

Location North College Hill is located just north of the city of Cincinnati and directly in the center of Hamilton County. It lies approximately 10 miles north of downtown Cincinnati. Character The topography is characterized by a gentle southward slope dissected by a valley of North Creek – a small channelled watercourse flowing through the central portion of the city from the northeast to the southwest. The city is a predominantly residential community, with few amenities along North College Hill’s main thoroughfares: Galbraith Road and Hamilton Avenue. The traditional retail district

(the business district) of the city is located along Galbraith Road west of the junction with Hamilton Avenue, and it is a dense main street lined with small businesses, independent eateries, places of worship and a local school. To the east of the junction, around Goodman Avenue, there is a clearly defined commercial district, characterized by large building footprints, low density, and large car parks. The city’s two commercial zones are surrounded by traditional residential urban fabric: dense grid of streets with detached homes on small plots. Apartment buildings can be found within this fabric, predominantly close to the main throughfares. The form of the city blends with surrounding municipalities, creating a continuous fabric of residential-dominated development. North College Hill’s northern boundary is clearly defined by Ronald Reagan Cross County Parkway (126), while Legend

Source: https://nathanrooy.github.io/posts/2017-02-15/the-age-of-cincinnati/full-screen.html

to the west Clovernook Country Club and Golf Course forms a clearly defined boundary of the settlement. The city has a limited number of public open spaces, in particular suitable for organization of community events or gatherings. It should be noted these spaces are not prominent in the urban form either, preventing them from becoming citywide destinations or landmarks. Marshal Peter Dumele Memorial Park, Paul J. Pies Park, Stapleton Park, Schaeper Park and Veterans Park serve primarily as playgrounds and / or outdoor gyms, while Northcreek Field is mainly used as playing fields.

Local landmarks in North College Hill are located along the city’s main thoroughfares: Cary Cottage (home to Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired), St Paul’s Church and North College Hill High School along Hamilton Avenue; Calvary Hilltop United Methodist Church, the Police Station and Greater Cincinnati Credit Union building could be considered local landmarks along Galbraith Road. It is worth noting a unique attraction located in the western part of the city on Galbraith Road: Zapf’s Christmas Display, an annual tradition of abundant seasonal display of lights and decorations on a private residence.

Source: City of North College Hill website

Demographics North College Hill has a total area of 1.83 square miles, according to the United States Census Bureau. The city accounts for approximately 1.16% of Hamilton County, Ohio’s total population. The community’s current population of 9,663 has seen a modest increase from the 2010 census figure of 9397. The African American population is about 55.3% of the total compared to 26.6% for Hamilton County, with Whites totalling 36.3% for the neighborhood and 67.6% for the county. Others of Hispanic, Asian and Native Americans account for 8.4% of the overall population for North College Hill and 5.8% for Hamilton County. 40% of the population is male compared to 48.3% for Hamilton County. 60% of the population is female compared to 51.7% for Hamilton County, 3.7% are under five years compared to 6.5% for Hamilton County. Children 18 and below make up 22.7% of North College Hill’s total population while Hamilton County’s youth population is just 0.2% larger. In North College Hill, 12.6% of the population is over 65

Population

Median age Race

Greater Cincinnati

2,214,265

38.0

Hamilton County

815,790

36.8

North College Hill

9,310

35.1

78% White 12% Black 3% Asian 65% White 25% Black 3% Asian 32% White 60% Black 1% Asian

years, and the elderly population for the whole of Hamilton County is slightly greater at 15.7%. The median household income for North College Hill is $45,769, and $59,109 in Hamilton County. The mean travel time to work is 28.4 minutes for commuters in North College Hill, while individuals in Hamilton County spend 4.9 minutes fewer on average commuting to work. Compared to Hamilton County, North College Hill has more African Americans and women living in the community with a slightly greater working age population. The average wage earner in North College Hill makes 7.7% less money than the average wage earner in Hamilton County (US Census Bureau, 2021). These statistics highlight improvements that must be made to increase quality of life and connectivity for residents of North College Hill. The community of North College Hill is primarily residential with some commercial activity.

Number of households

Median household income

Below poverty Means of commute line

870,103

$66,435

11.7%

344,588

$59,190

14.8%

3,553

$49,564

24.8%

81% drove alone 2% public transit 8% carpool 78% drove alone 3% public transit 8% carpool 78% drove alone 8% public transit 9% carpool 13

Transit Connectivity North College Hill and the site of the transit center proposal are relatively central to the area and Cincinnati, hence their slogan “the center of it all.” North College Hill is currently served by three Metro bus lines of which provide nearly 200 boardings per day, with 250 buses driving through the community each day and few transfers. There are a total of 15 bus stops along these routes within the city boundary.

Heat Island Map The surface temperature map, or Heat Island Map from OKI Regional 2,000 3,000 Feet Council of Governments shows that the existing conditions produce the MOUNT HErange AL T H Y most surface heat within North College Hill and ranks in the higher of Hamilton County municipalities for heat island effect. This is mainly due to the lack of vegetation and substantial amounts of impervious surface inside the commercial area. JOSEPH CT

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Legend Buildings

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Land Use

Mixed Use

Park and Recreation

Commercial

Public Service / Public Utility

Mixed Use Two Family Residential

Park and Recreation Institutional

Vacant

Single Family Residential

Commercial

Streams

Two Family Residential

Institutional

Multi-Family Residential

Office

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Zoning

North College Hill is predominantly zoned single family residential. Educational, commercial and institutional uses, together with multi-family residential, have been primarily zoned along the city’s main thoroughfares, defining a recognizeable center. The area Existing Land Use earmarked for the transit center has commercial zoning, Figure 3 DEVONWOO D DR

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Single Family Residential

Buildings

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Source: OKI Regional Council of Governments, Urban Heat Island Map Tool

COLUMBINE

Existing Land Use

North College Hill Boundary Land Use

ce: CAGIS

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North College Hill Boundary Streams

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March 1, 2007

Constraints and opportunities map

Opportunities

Students have assessed the potential opportunities and constraints to siting the transit center in the Goodman Avenue commercial area. Every team developed their own analysis; the following pages present a combined account of the constraints and opportunities identified by all teams.

•

central location within the city, and Hamilton County;

•

visibility of the area;

•

proximity to the business and commercial centers of North College Hill;

•

availability of land for transit center;

•

number of bus lines crossing the area;

•

presence of ecological assets to be utilized for ecologica benefits.

Legend

Constraints •

busy intersection - considerations of transit center ingress and egress;

•

landform (steep slopes);

•

residential neighborhood edges (noise, traffic, light);

•

strain on infrastructure;

•

cost of purchase, demolition and infrastructure works;

•

difficult to relocate power sub-station on Galbraith Rd;

•

poor pedestrian infrastructure (distances, lack of encolsure and shade) in the area and between the area and the rest of the city;

•

opposition to new development by surrounding businesses.

Case Studies Northside

Oakley

Greater Cincinnati

Detailed analyses of case studies can be found in ‘Appendices’.

Riverfront

Glenway Crossing

Indianapolis, IN Julia M. Carson

Denver, CO

RTD Civic Center Plaza

Midwest

Norfolk, VA

Further afield Tahoe City, CA

Detroit, MI Rosa Parks

Dayton, OH Wright Plaza

Seattle, WA Federal Way

Freiburg am Briesgau,19 Germany Europaplatz

Vision for North College Hill Transit Center 20

The transit center will be a focal place in North College Hill, stimulating the economic regeneration and spatial transformation of the city’s commercial and business district, as well as delivering a civic space for residents to gather as a community.

Benefits that the transit center development could deliver •

consolidation of bus lines passing through North College Hill in one convenient interchange location;

•

transformation of the Goodman Avenue commercial area, including denser, coordinated development;

•

catalyst for economic regeneration of the central commercial area along Galbraith Road;

•

ecological enhancement of the area through creating a green corridor along the possible location of the channelized stream;

•

heat island effect mitigation - through repurposing of hardstanding areas for other uses and introduction of green spaces;

•

pedestrian permeability and safety of the Goodman Avenue commercial area.

Proposals

Goodman Avenue Street Section - Proposed

Team A

Team C

Team B

Team D

TEAM A The goals are grouped in the following categories: FUNCTIONALITY, relating to the operation of the transit center, and accessibility. Metro prefers their buses to use large intersections and not to make left turns at non-signaled junctions. Galbraith Rd experiences high traffic volumes at peak times, so there is an opportunity to mitigate traffic pressures by delivering a convenient transit center that is accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists. COMMUNITY: The development of a gathering space that is located near City Hall would encourage civic engagement. A space that is also near the central business district would establish a connection between the transit center and Galbraith Rd businesses. This, in conjunction with proximity to the residential areas, will give the transit center more functions than only transportation. The incorporation of ecological enhacements could create a welcoming space for events. SAFETY: promoting pedestrian visibility from all directions, improving the streetscape elements, such as crosswalks, signage, traffic lights, and paths that are an appropriate distance from major roads, would foster a safe environment for all users. ECONOMY: North College Hill administration notes that currently the city lacks small and medium-sized chain retailers (e.g. TJ Maxx, Home Goods). Spatial reorganization of the area would provide appropriate sites for this type of retailers. 24

1964

1968 Boosting ecological opportunities using the site’s history A stream once ran directly through the center of this area but between the years 1964 and 1968 it was buried, and development occurred on top of it. There currently is an MSD-operated storm sewer underground located next to where the stream used to be. There is an opportunity to bring awareness to this natural aspect of the city. This could include daylighting the stream, creating a humanmade landscape to mimic the historical ecology, or at least designing a shared use path to highlight where the stream once ran. This is an opportunity to create a landmark in North College Hill.

Concept The concept comprises two phases. The first phase places the transit center in site 3, with buses entering from the east and west sides. This way the buses never have to make any tight left turns, while utilizing Goodman Ave. to reduce traffic on Galbraith Rd. This would also be the safest of the sites for the transit center because of how far it is set back from the road and pedestrian visibility can be easily achieved based on the orientation of the building. Phase two creates an attractive layout for economic development, featuring an ecologically-enhanced public space. This requires the existing businesses at site 2 to be relocated.

Variation 1

Variation 2

This transit center is located south of Chase Bank, using available parking lot and maintaining the operation of the bank. Across the street, buildings are constructed along Goodman Ave, with a series of green spaces and shared use paths behind them. This is an example of daylighting a portion of the stream to enhance the area’s ecology. Daylighting the stream creates opportunities for green infrastructure, including e.g. a bioswale that could also serve educational purposes.

The transit center is south of Chase Bank, but is closer to Goodman Avenue and is broken up into two buildings. The large L-shaped building could serve as a hub with a greater number of amenities to serve the community. The shape creates a courtyard space to the north of the center. The smaller building could be a waiting facility or a bus shelter.

TEAM A 26

Variation 3 The transit center is placed just south of Chase Bank on a median strip, and the buses run parallel on either side of the building. The space next to Chase is converted into a green space with shared use paths and landscaping, continuing across Goodman Avenue and featuring a walking path marking the former location of the stream.

TEAM B GOALS The main three elements of focus were • transportation access; • economic growth; • community development; • reduction of heat island effect. This would be delivered through the provision of: • in the transit center: 24hr accessible waiting lobby with seating and internet access, charging outlets, convenience kiosk, restrooms, bicycle racks, trash cans; • economic development opportunities, e.g: commercial, residential, mixed use, upskilling center, education, makerspace; • community amenities: gathering place / open event space and recreational facilities with increased vegetation & pervious surfaces to reduce heat island effect, community gardens, a landmark space / object for North College Hill.

Developing the proposal The proposed site is centrally located within North College Hill. The site is adjacent to the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Galbraith Road, in the area benefiting from good visibility from any direction. At present, the area is characterized by chaotic arrangement of plots and buildings, preventing efficient use of available land. Redesigning this area would involve enabling orderly placement of buildings and structures, reduction of hard surface (access or parking) and circulation within this area, to include the needs of cyclists and pedestrians, as well as vehicular traffic. The overprovision of parking requires rationalization. The rearrangement of the spatial definition of the area would free space needed for community open space.

Concept Plan The concept plan includes the transit center and a community space, coupled with space for retail and other economic activities. This combination would create a recognizable destination within North College Hill. A proposed park will provide green space to residents and reduce impervious surface coverage. With the help of a high quality and striking design, it will become a landmark and a welcoming arrival space into the commercial district and the center of North College Hill.

another opportunity for a landmark structure or design to serve as an entrance into the area. Finally, the area south of Goodman Avenue, would come forward as a redevelopment opportunity as the final phase of the redevelopment of the commercial area. This phase could include a mix of commercial and residential development typical for transit-oriented developments.

The remainder of the area north of Goodman Avenue, adjacent to the proposed development would form a potential second phase of development to complement the initial changes. This area could be redeveloped on a larger scale, and the partially completed pedestrian walkway could serve as a spine for the redevelopment. This footpath would give direct pedestrian access between North College Hill’s main intersection and the new transit center located at the east end of Goodman Avenue area. This intersection of Galbraith Road and Hamilton Avenue presents

TEAM C Site Options

GOALS METRO PROJECT OBJECTIVES

NORTH SELECTED SITE DESIGN COLLEGE TEAM HILL Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Visibility

Efficient (Footprint, Financial, Maneuverability)

Expansion Opportunity

METRO:

VISIBILITY

Multi-modal

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2

ACCESSIBLE

Community: Economic development

Community gathering place

Central location

Design Team: EXPANSION OPPORTUNITY Sustainable

CENTRAL LOCATION

Community activation

Totals

1 = Low 3 = HighMULTI-MODAL

EFFICIENT

SITE 3

SITE 1

SUSTAINABLE

Accessible

2 = Medium

SITE 4

COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE

COMMUNITY ACTIVATION

SITE 2

Site selection Despite having considered three alternate sites, site option 1, favored by SORTA and North College Hill, is best suited for transformation. The site is along Galbraith Road, located near ample parking, businesses, and sidewalks; it also benefits from three traffic signals. This site has the greatest potential for expansion and future surrounding buildout. Additionally, it could absorb runoff from the surrounding impervious areas. The site is more distant from the walkable business district, creating an opportunity for extending walkability of the North College Hill center past the intersection of Galbraith Road and Hamilton Avenue. The site presents a topographical challenge: an approximately six-foot drop from street level to the current parking lot at the corner of Galbraith Road and Goodman Road, requiring costruction of a retaining wall.

GALBRAIT

H RD.

Concept plan - phase 1 The initial phase of transit hub development would be focused on the transit stop and community gathering point. The current site should be distinct in its landscaping and design, with a large, sheltered area for gathering and pop-up retail opportunities, ample opportunities to sit and relax or socialize. The sheltered area should be surrounded by an open plaza, to accommodate pop-up retail and tactical or pop-up urbanism. Metro branding should help with visibility for the one way, pull-up access for buses. Entering on the access point for Chase Bank reduces the need for buses to make left turns without lights and increases safety of pedestrians who would have fewer lanes to cross to get to the bus or to access the community gathering space. It requires minimal detour from main thoroughfares.

GALBRAIT

H RD.

N AVE. HAMILTO

Concept plan - phase 2 Following phases would use the interest generated by the transit center's experimental economic development. The new developments would improve and densify commercial spaces in the surrounding blocks, creating a lively and walkable district. This would also improve the cohesiveness of the area by eliminating the currently perceived “sea of parking lots”. The strip mall block of Roses, the daycare, and one of the dialysis centers is older and could be renovated or replaced with better quality and more

TEAM C 32

walkable commercial spaces. To the south of the consideration area, there is an empty lot remaining after demolition of an institutional building. This site could be redeveloped for accessible senior housing and housing of a different type to current stock, as expressed by the local community. This could include different forms: single level housing, row housing, and multifamily. The location provides a potential sustainable location with multimodal access to transit center.

TEAM D The client’s goals • Transit center (construction cost - up to $4mil.): location at Hamilton Ave / Galbraith Rd, at least 3 (40 foot) busses at one time, up to at least 4 in the future, easy and safe ingress and egress for buses, restroom for drivers, park-and-ride facility for 8-10 cars (with electric charging stations, taxi, uber vehicle drop off and pick up, a civic space, other uses e.g. concession space, and offices; • Improve overall character of the area; • Contribute to economic development of North College Hill. Community needs: • Multi-modal transportation options, additional bus lines and accommodation of needs of different types of transit users;

Scenarios These selected options for these sites include: Transit center in a park; aimed at attracting families, Magnet transit center; seeks to attract development to the area Iconic transit center: emphasis on incorporating the identity of the community in the design.

• Community gathering place; • Sheltered bays with benches; • High visibility and security; • Connection to residences and the central business district. Team Goals: • Provide safe waiting environment for passengers; • Improve safety of passengers by eliminating crossing streets to transfer;

• Help surrounding community accomplish its broader development goals; • Accommodate non-traditional, non-transit purposes; • Make it a gateway to the community of which people will feel proud. 34

3 Possible sites considered

Transportation connectivity Transit Centre Seating and other facilities Bus driveway Bus waiting and pickupdrop Existing bus stops

Visibility of transit centre Pedestrian friendly green corridor with bike track and seating

Site selection Scenarios and sites were evaluated in a matrix for the client and community goals against the three options and three potential site locations to quantify the possible impact of each potential selection and combinations of options and sites. Information from previous strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analyses for sites were reviewed and also included in the process.

The option that met the most important needs for all stakeholders and has the greatest likelihood of achieving strong economic development and multi-level connectivity was the family-oriented transit center option on site 1.

Residential and Commercial Connection The transit center will connect with existing Galbraith Road and Hamilton Avenue. Pedestrian access will be provided near residential areas to increase ridership among those who live within a walking distance of 10 minutes. A green corridor will grant pedestrians safety from the moving buses and provide opportunities for future park connection and community centered activities. The greenery throughout the transit center and park will help to mitigate the severe urban heat island effect present in North College Hill. Small vendors considering opening a location in North College Hill could test their ideas and products along the green corridor, creating a welcoming arrival experience for visitors and commuters walking from and to the transit center. Transport Connection with existing roads Transit centre site Pedestrian connection with available businesses

10min. walking streets

Green corridor for social connection in the future park site connection

TEAM D 36

Goodman Avenue Street Section - Proposed

Conclusion Over the period of 13 weeks, students have developed four different proposals, with different emphases. Site accessibility comes to the fore as an important consideration to locating the transit hub. Grounded on SORTA’s and North College Hills’ needs, aspirations, and constraints, students’ analyses, point to the conclusion the site west of Chase Bank, close to Galbraith Rd and Goodman Ave junction. The transit center will not only serve as an interchange between lines, but also as a departure/arrival stop for many users who live within a short walking or cycling distance of it.

The importance of the enabling capacity of zoning has to be stressed here. The traditional approach to delivering transit infrastructure places changing of zoning at the end of the process, arguing the need for higher density, more commercial uses, etc. would be generated by the increased ridership. Unfortunately, this is an erroneous logic. Simply put, people switch to transit if they can rely on it, and if it takes them to where they want to go. Travel choices are decided by destinations: accessibility, attractiveness, and walkability of what is available after one disembarks the bus. This could mean retail, workplaces, community uses, dining options--and preferably a mix of all these, to make sure the destination offers

variety and captures different groups of users. North College Hill benefits from a spatial structure that could sustain such walkable destination, centered around Galbraith Rd commercial corridor.

process. The cooperation between the City of North College Hill and SORTA is a good starting point for such joined-up approach, and thus creates an opportunity for the transit center to be a catalyst for meaningful change.

Re-zoning the vicinity of the transit center to encourage more pedestrian-friendly uses would create a walkable node, coupled with relaxing car parking requirements, to further encourage sustainable means of transport. These could include smaller retailers, restaurants, training and upskilling spaces, spaces for small businesses - together with a mix of residential options: from apartments to row houses and semi-detached homes. This mix of activities and uses in the regenerated central area of the city would be a lively backdrop for a community gathering space that North College Hill needs.

The transformation of North College Hill is a timely, ambitious and commendable endeavor; SORTA and the City have demonstrated their foresight and commitment to improving lives of North College Hill’s residents by engaging the community in the process, reaching out across the disciplines, as well as developing and delivering plans in a cooperative manner. The School of Planning is delighted to have been part of this effort, too. We are always keen to contribute to innovative initiatives that positively impact spatial, social and economic well-being of communities and places, in line with the School motto: “Impacting Urban Future.”

Revitalization of the historic commercial center of North College Hill would add a more assorted retail, dining, and work offer to the new Goodman Ave district. The City would improve the public realm (particularly promoting connectivity to the transit center), support activities to the existing business district. It is to emphasize that mixed-use offer activities around the transit center and the regeneration of Galbraith Road business district should be coordinated as part of the implementation

Opposite: a vision sketch of the area, interpreting potential transformation determined by the implementation of the transit center. Rather than an accurate and combined rendering of teams’ design findings and suggestions, the vision sketch is a free interpretation of what the overall area could become.

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North College Hill Transit Center - Executive Summary

Articles inside

Proposals

Conclusion