REINTEGRATING: Independence Avenue Urban Vision Study | Part 3

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commercial corridor

203

chestnut avenue

209

cleveland avenue

215

spruce avenue

221

junior high school

227

productive infill

245

kit of parts

249

edible Streetscape

253

lykins walkthrough

265

east gateway

293

sheffield plaza

301

transit hub

focus areas

commercial corridor “One of the most important aspects of urban design is consideration of contextual relationships between local sites, their confines, areas they inhabit, and the city as a whole. Due to the diversity of the avenue, both culturally and physically, an informed design approach not only acknowledges and celebrates this diversity, but embraces and adheres to it while creating a cohesive framework which formalizes its experience spatially. That cohesive framework allows the avenue to establish an identity from the collective of its parts. This is where the concept of avenue assemblage and the ideology of macro to micro design become operable.� 5

The Commercial Corridor design study looks at Independence Avenue proper from the Paseo to Hardesty Avenue- an area characterized by unique cultural, architectural, and historical heritage. Unfortunately, this unique character of the Avenue is undermined by the discontinuous disposition of the street space.

The urban fabric of Independence Avenue is fragmented, riddled with voids of parking lots, vacancies, and empty parcels, creating a physical challenge that overwhelms any possibility of complete and consistent urban identity. This ad hoc, disrupted condition becomes the foundation for developing an urban design concept, which embraces voids along the street as an attribute, allowing

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the creation of meaningful urban space. The reality of incompleteness forces strategies of urbanization to consider inherited conditions and provide hierarchy capable of establishing a new urban order.

The Commercial Corridor recognizes three generative orders along the avenue.

The first order of prominence along the avenue is topography, the most elemental inherited condition of the urban landscape. A secondary order is assigned to the concentration and distribution of colloquial culture and functional space.

Clusters of architectural artifacts preserved in fragments assign a tertiary order. New hierarchical definitions of Independence Avenue emerge from these orders. This definition allows development of design strategies for the physical environment. The order of topography informs an urban strategy of creating landmark destinations at high points in visual reference to each other, with low areas designed for mobility between.

Acceptance of the inconsistency of physical and spatial morphology on the avenue as an opportunistic condition informs an urban strategy of two basic street design typologies – compression and expansion. Infill is used to add density to the street walls, containing distinct space of the avenue in the compression typology. Parking lots and empty parcels become urban rooms, public gathering spaces filling voids in the expansion typology. An urban strategy of districts and nodes is informed by the order found in the cultural and functional concentrations and clusters of preserved architecture. Three districts are identified based on commercial activity, building stock, and potential for future development. Four nodes are identified based on significant building or vacancy clusters, each generating unique combinations of local design strategies.

174

Focus Areas

The urban strategies of compression and expansion, destination and mobility, along with the districts and nodes, provide a framework for a cohesive Independence Avenue, unifying a porous urban fabric conscious of its role as medium for experience of cultural, historical, functional, and architectural diversity.

commercial corridor

Commercial District Building Footprints KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

Commercial District Implied Space

12.11.2012

KCDC 2012 - 2013

Implied Space with Sidewalks Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

Implied Space with Parking Lots

12.11.2012

KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

Street Front Compression-Release Sequence PLAZA

KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

WALGREENS

Green Spaces in Relation to Hydrology Independence Avenue Inventory Mapping

12.11.2012

SPACE BANK MINI STORAGE

SPALITTO’S PHARMACY

N.E. LAW & PUBLIC SERVICE MAGNET

NORTHEAST JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

KCDC 2012 - 2013 COSENTINO’S APPLE MARKET

Business Districts & Street Front Buildings KCDC 2012 - 2013

THACHER COMMUNITY CENTER

12.11.2012

INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Independence Avenue Commercial District MAYFAIR CLEANERS & LAUNDRY

KCDC 2012 - 2013

BIENVENIDO

GRACE CHRUCH OF THE NAZARENE

RIOS DE AGUA VIVA

SNYDER’S SUPER,ARKET

GROCERIES & MORE

Watersheds in relation to Implied Space CVS PHARMACY

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

KANSAS CITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

DON BOSCO COMMUNITY CENTER

HIGH SCHOOL

KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

PLAZA

Structureless Parcels in relation to Implied Space KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

Compression-Release alignment to Green Space KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

GENERATIVE PROCESS DRAWINGS

176

Compression & Release KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Inventory Mapping

Implied Space as Existing Site Framework 12.11.2012

Focus Areas

KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Inventory Mapping

12.11.2012

KESSLER PARK

MAPLE PARK BUDD PARK

INDEPENDENCE PLAZA PARK

Implied Space - Abstracted

Implied Space with Streets KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

N.E. LAW & PUBLIC SERVICE MAGNET

HIGH SCHOOL

LYKINS SQUARE

BIENVENIDO

FREEWAY PARK

ELMWOOD CEMETARY

12.11.2012

SPACE BANK MINI STORAGE

SPALITTO’S PHARMACY

Independence Avenue Commercial District

GRACE CHRUCH OF THE NAZARENE

RIOS DE AGUA VIVA

SNYDER’S SUPER,ARKET

GROCERIES & MORE

DON BOSCO COMMUNITY CENTER

HIGH POINTS

HIGH POINTS

KCDC 2012 - 2013

COSENTINO’S APPLE MARKET

.9 MILE BETWEEN ELEVATIONAL

.9 MILE BETWEEN ELEVATIONAL

Green Space in relation to Implied Space CHRISTIAN CHURCH

HIGH POINTS

SOCCER FIELDS

INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD

.9 MILE BETWEEN ELEVATIONAL

MAYFAIR CLEANERS & LAUNDRY

12.11.2012

CVS PHARMACY

Independence Avenue Commercial District

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

KCDC 2012 - 2013

KANSAS CITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Implied Space as Existing Site Framework

SPRUCE AVENUE SPRUCE AVENUE SPRUCE AVENUE

CHESTNUT AVENUE CHESTNUT

CHESTNUT AVENUE AVENUE

HARMONY PARK PROSPECT PLAZA PARK

WALGREENS

12.11.2012

NORTHEAST JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Independence Avenue Commercial District

THACHER COMMUNITY CENTER

KCDC 2012 - 2013

High Points in relation to Implied Space KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

High Points in relation to Implied Space KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

Significant Buildings in relation to Implied Space

12.11.2012

KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

High Points in relation to Implied Space KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

. 5 M I L E R A D IU S . 5 M I L E R A D IU S

I L E R AD IU S . 25 M

.25 MIL RADIUS

Independence Avenue Commercial District

KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

MONROE AVENUE

HARDESTY AVENUE

12.11.2012

High Density Traffic Points

12.11.2012

Proposed Site Development

Independence Avenue Commercial District

DENVER AVENUE

KCDC 2012 - 2013

Walking Distance - Pedestrian Scale KCDC 2012 - 2013

BENTON BOULEVARD

Structureless Parcels, Street Front Buildings & Business Districts

12.11.2012

CHELSEA AVENUE

Independence Avenue Commercial District

.25 MILE RADIUS

CYPRESS AVENUE

KCDC 2012 - 2013

WABASH AVENUE

INDEPENDENCE PLAZA PARK

Structureless Parcels & Street Front Buildings

JACKSON AVENUE

.25 MILE RADIUS

I L E R AD IU S . 25 M

BROOKLYN AVENUE

I L E R AD IU S . 25 M

CHESTNUT AVENUE

. 5 M I L E R A D IU S

KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

Building Footprint

Infill

Street Wall

Urban Room

Proposed Site Development

Expansion

Overfill

KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

Residential Infill 12.11.2012

commercial corridor Building Footprint

Commercial Infill

Existing Buildings

Proposed Building Additions KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

Proposed Buildings 12.11.2012

Expansion

Implied Space and Building Removal - Context KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

Implied Space & Building Removal - Abstracted KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

Commercial Commercial District District Implied Implied Spac Sp

Independence AvenueAvenue Commercial Commercial DistrictDis KCDC KCDC 2012 - 2012 2013 - 2013 Independence

Proposed Implied Space KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

Superimposition - Proposed & Existing Implied Space KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

178

Focus Areas

Proposed Implied Space & Significant Buildings KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

12.11.2012

Implied Space as Existing Site Fra KCDC 2012 - 2013

Independence Avenue Inventory Mapping

IMPLIED SPACE

pace

strict

12.11.2012

INTERSTIITIIAL SPACE INTERST PACE The fragmentation of urban fabric is omnipresent along Independence Avenue. To make feasible propositions for improvement, this fragmentation must be accepted as a new reality and opportunity must be found in the voids. Independence Avenue exists beyond the boundary of the curb, the space of the Avenue is perceived to extend across parking lots and empty parcels to the furthest built or natural edge providing vertical spatial definition. Implied space is the combination of the Avenue proper and the adjacent space that seems to leak out. To identify pockets of potential in the implied space; sidewalks, curbs, roads, building footprints, and parking lots are overlaid; resulting in what can be called interstitial space. The interstitial space, the space remaining between existing elements in the environment, are spaces eligible for interim uses, temporary program that activates the void.

e Framework

ping

12.11.2012

commercial corridor

0’

Scale 1”= 350’

800’

Independence Avenue Independence Commercial Avenue District Commercial District 02.27.2013 KCDC 2012 - 2013 KCDC 2012 - 2013

02.27.2013

02.27.2013

Chestnut Avenue

Spruce Avenue

400’

Chestnut Avenue

Spruce Avenue

Chestnut Avenue

Independence Avenue Commercial District

100’ 200’

High Point Node Parti

HIGH POINTS

High Points in Section KCDC 2012-2013

Analytical Analytical Comparisons Comparisons

IMPLIED SPACE

02.27.2013

Spruce Avenue

Independence Avenue Commercial District

Chestnut Avenue

KCDC 2012 - 2013

0’

100’ 200’

Spruce Avenue

Analytical Comparisons

KCDC 2012-2013

400’

Independence Avenue Commercial District

SECTIO

02.27.2013

Scale 1”= 350’

800’

West DistrictWest District

West District

Central District

DISTRICT DERIVATION

Districts in Section KCDC 2012-2013

180

Independence Avenue Commercial District

Focus Areas

Central District Central District

East District

02.27.2013

0’

100’ 200’

D

DistrictsDistricts Parti Parti 400’

800’

Scale 1”= 350’

KCDC 2012-2013 KCDC 2012-2013 Independence Avenue Independence Commercial Avenue District Commercial02.27.2013 District

02.27.2013

VISUAL SPACE 100’ 200’

400’

800’

Scale 1”= 350’

MAJOR CONNECTIONS

Implied Space Node Parti KCDC 2012-2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

02.27.2013

0’

100’ 200’

400’

800’

Scale 1”= 350’

Middle School

Middle School

0’

Developing the framework for Independence Avenue begins by reading the Avenue as implied and interstitial space. The second layer of consideration is topography, understanding that high points have a visual connectivity which makes them strong destinations and low points lend themselves to be areas of mobility between destinations.

The third layer of consideration is concentrations of cultural, historical and functional diversity which identifies districts along the Avenue, and nodes within districts.

ONAL RELATIONSHIPS 0’

100’ 200’

400’

Topo Gradient Revealing Secondary High Point 800’

Scale 1”= 350’

KCDC 2012-2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

HIGH POINTS

02.27.2013

0’

100’ 200’

400’

800’

Scale 1”= 350’

East DistrictEast District

DISTRICT DERIVATION

West District

Central District

Cumulative Node Development Parti KCDC 2012-2013

Independence Avenue Commercial District

02.27.2013

East District

DISTRICTS AND NODES 0’

100’ 200’

400’

800’

Scale 1”= 350’

commercial corridor

Corner Parcel Condition Corner Parcel Condition Corner Parcel Condition Corner Parcel Condition

Misalignment Condition Misalignment Condition

CORNER PARCEL CONDITION

Misalignment Condition Misalignment Condition

Pedestrian Network Interaction Pedestrian Network Interaction Pedestrian Network Interaction

MISALIGNMENT CONDITION

Pedestrian Network Interaction

Vacant Parcels and Parking Lot Conditions Vacant Parcels and Parking Lot Conditions Vacant Parcels and Parking Lot Conditions

VACANT PARCEL PARKING LOT VACANT PARCEL PARKING LOT

PEDESTRIAN NETWORK INTERACTION VACANT PARCEL

Vacant Parcels and Parking Lot Conditions

PARKING LOT

VACANT PARCEL PARKING LOT

A breakdown of sites reveals the multiple layers that contribute to the comprehensive site selection. Sites were chosen if they met more than one of theoflisted Each category development of A breakdown sites conditions. reveals the multiple layersled thattocontribute to the guiding principles design. Sites were chosen if they met more comprehensive siteforselection.

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than one of the listed conditions. Each category led to development of A breakdown of sites reveals the multiple layers that contribute to the guiding principles for design. comprehensive site selection. Sites were chosen if they met more than one of the listed conditions. Each category led to development of guiding principles for design.

A breakdown of sites reveals the multiple layers that contribute to the comprehensive site selection. Sites were chosen if they met more than one of the listed conditions. Each category led to development of guiding principles for design.

Site Selection Analysis Site Selection Analysis FocusSite Areas Selection Analysis Site Selection Analysis

0’

100’ 200’

400’

800’

0’

100’ 200’

400’

800’

0’

100’ 200’

400’

800’

Scale 1”= 175’

Scale 1”= 175’

Scale 1”= 175’

VACANCIES AND PARKING LOTS 0’

100’ 200’

400’

800’

Scale 1”= 175’

Before Before

After After

ESTABLISHARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTUREALONG ALONGCORNER CORNERPARCELS PARCELS ESTABLISH

Before Before

After

After GUIDING DESIGN PRINCIPLES

PROMOTE PROMOTE EASE EASE OF OF WALKABILITY WALKABILITY Before Before

After After

IMPROVE IMPROVE ARCHITECTURAL ARCHITECTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE Before Before

After After

EMBRACE EMBRACE SPACIAL SPACIAL INTERLOCK INTERLOCKESTABLISH CONDITIONS CONDITIONS

Before Before

Recreational RecreationalFacilities Facilities LANDMARKS AT CORNER PARCELS Private PrivatePractice PracticeRooms Rooms

After After

CURRENT CURRENT USE: USE:

SHIFTEXPOSED EXPOSED PARKINGLOTS LOTSOFF OFFAVENUE AVENUE SHIFT PARKING VACANT VACANT Before Before

After After

SUGGESTED SUGGESTED USE: USE:

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CENTER CENTER HUB HUB

A breakdown of sites reveals the multiple layers that contribute to the site selection. Sites were chosen based on the frequency of coincidence of conditions mapped: corner parcel, misalignment, pedestrian network interaction, vacancies, and parking lots. Unique combination of coincidence led to development of guiding principles for design.

Fine FineArts ArtsStudios Studios Flexible FlexibleEvent EventSpace Space Performing PerformingArts ArtsClassrooms Classrooms Athletic AthleticPractice PracticeFacilities Facilities

GUIDING DESIGN GUIDINGPRINCIPLES DESIGN PRINCIPLES ESTABLISH ESTABLISH ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE ALONG ALONG CORNER CORNER PARCELS PARCELS

Before Before

After After

PROMOTE EASEPROMOTE OF WALKABILITY EASE OF WALKABILITY Before

EMBRACE SPATIAL INTERLOCK CONDITION After After

Before

IMPROVE IMPROVE ARCHITECTURAL ARCHITECTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE Before Before

After After

Recreational Recreational Facilities Facilities Private Private Practice Practice Rooms Rooms

SUGGESTED SUGGESTED USE: USE:

CURRENT CURRENT USE: USE:

COMMUNITY CENTER HUB

VACANT SHIFT SHIFT EXPOSED EXPOSED PARKING PARKING LOTS LOTS OFF OFF AVENUE AVENUE

Fine Fine Arts Arts Studios Studios Flexible Flexible Event Event Space Space Performing Performing Arts Arts Classrooms Classrooms Athletic Athletic Practice Practice Facilities Facilities

STRATEGIC PERMEABILITY

Before Before After After EMBRACE SPACIAL INTERLOCK CONDITIONS EMBRACE SPACIAL INTERLOCK CONDITIONS

Before

Before

After

After

ESTABLISH ESTABLISH ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE ALONG ALONG CORNER CORNER PARCELS PARCELS

Before Before

After After

MOVE SURFACE PARKING OFF STREET

commercial corridor

Along Independence Avenue, many significant sites are identified by the strategic selection process, but only those with the most overlap of selection conditions are considered as design intervention sites. The Chestnut Avenue, Cleveland Avenue, Spruce Avenue intersections and the Northeast Junior High School are selected as design intervention sites for their topographical, cultural, functional, and historic characteristics. High points Chestnut and Spruce are intersections with Kessler Park and the Productive Infill focus area, respectively, and though Cleveland is a low point on Independence, it is the location of apple market, an active social hub, and an intersection with the hydrology path of the area’s major watershed. Northeast Junior High School is some of the most socially valuable building stock on the avenue, and its presence in the culture of the avenue positions its restoration as a major catalyst for future development and a force of change on the impression of the Northeast.

BENTON INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PLAN

WELL DEVELOPED HIGH DENSITY HOUSING

INDEPENDENCE PLAZA PARK HIGH DENSITY HOUSING

SIGNIFICANT EXISTING URBAN ROOM

GLADSTONE INTERSECTION HISTORIC AREA CHESTNUT INTERSECTION PROSPECT INTERSECTION KESSLER PARK HIGH POINT COMMERCIAL CENTER

SIGNIFICANT EXISTING URBAN ROOM MOBILITY: REDESIGN NEIGHBORHOOD’S AVENUE PRESENCE

MOBILITY: POTENTIAL MIDPOINT TRANSIT STATION BEFORE WEST GATEWAY

DESIGNED AVENUE CROSSING FROM KESSLER PARK AT CHESTNUT

184

Focus Areas

DESTINATION: PARKS AND BOULEVARDS PUBLIC ENTRANCE, HIGH POINT, MONUMENT

MOBILITY: POTENTIAL MIDPOINT TRANSIT STATION

MOBILIT RESTAU

APPLE MARKET LOW POINT COMMERCIAL CHARACTER WITHOUT STREETSCAPE

URBAN AGRICULTURE PUBLIC ENTRANCE AT AVENUE HIGH POINT

NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL RESIDENTIAL IMPACT ON AVENUE

RESIDENTIAL IMPACT ON AVENUE

CUMULATIVE INTERVENTION SITES

GN

E

MOBILITY: REPURPOSE TO RESTAURANT ROW

HYBRIDIZED USE OF SETBACK FOR COMMERCIALIZATION DESTINATION: FOOD JUNCTURE, MARKET, COMMON GATHERING POINT

DESIGNED AVENUE CROSSING FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE AND LOCAL PATH SYSTEM MOBILITY: REDESIGN NEIGHBORHOOD’S AVENUE PRESENCE DESTINATION: PUBLIC ENTRANCE TO URBAN AGRICULTURE PATHS, HIGH POINT, MONUMENT MOBILITY: REDESIGN NEIGHBORHOOD’S AVENUE PRESENCE

MOBILITY: POTENTIAL MIDPOINT TRANSIT STATION

USE OF FACADE TO FRAME PUBLIC SPACE AND CONNECT NEW COMMERCIAL ACROSS AVENUE DESTINATION: COMMUNITY CENTER, PUBLIC QUAD SPACE

MOBILITY: POTENTIAL MIDPOINT TRANSIT STATION BEFORE EAST GATEWAY

IMPROVING NORTHTO-TO SOUTH DIALOGUE MOBILITY: REPURPOSE RESTAURANT ROW

DESTINATION: PARKS AND BOULEVARDS PUBLIC ENTRANCE, HIGH POINT, MONUMENT

Voids in the fragmented fabric of Independence Avenue overwhelm the object in such a way that it becomes a new reality of urban design. A non-porous street wall is no longer a feasible aspiration, nor would it properly acknowledge the origins of the place, so spaces among buildings must be made meaningful by strategies other than infill. At points of destination, conventional infill is used to make a dense street wall and at areas of mobility, a porous street wall is accepted, while larger voids on the avenue are maintained as ur urban rooms. Meaningful expansion occurs at the Chestnut connection to Kessler Park, the setback of the Apple Market parking lot, the Productive Infill intersection at Spruce, and the setback of the Northeast Junior High School.

SIGNIFICANT EXISTING URBAN ROOM

GLADSTONE INTERSECTION HISTORIC AREA

INDEPENDENCE PLAZA PARK HIGH DENSITY HOUSING

CHESTNUT INTERSECTION PROSPECT INTERSECTION KESSLER PARK HIGH POINT COMMERCIAL CENTER

EXPANSION: VISUAL ENTRY TO KESSLER PARK FACILITIES

MOBILITY: REDESIGN NEIGHBORHOOD’S AVENUE PRESENCE

REDEVELOP ON-STREET PARKING AREA TO DENSIFY KEY DISTRICT

Focus Areas

MOBILIT RESTA

BENTON INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PLAN

WELL DEVELOPED HIGH DENSITY HOUSING

MOBILITY: POTENTIAL MIDPOINT TRANSIT STATION BEFORE WEST GATEWAY

186

MOBILITY: POTENTIAL MIDPOINT TRANSIT STATION

TRANSIT STATION BRIDGING GAP BETWEEN CHESTNUT AND WEST GATEWAY

GIVE PROGRAM TO SIGNIFICANT URBAN ROOM SPACE

DESTINATION: PARKS AND MOBILITY: POTENTIAL BOULEVARDS PUBLIC ENTRANCE, MIDPOINT TRANSIT HIGH POINT, MONUMENT STATION ACTIVITY HUB WITH REVITALIZE PROSPECT MONUMENT, PUBLIC ADVERTISE HISTORIC DISTRICT AND INDEPENDENCE ENTRANCE TO KESSLER THROUGH CREATIVE STRATEGY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT PARK

MOBILIT RESTA

REPUR RESTA

MOBILITY: REPURPOSE TO RESTAURANT ROW

MOBILITY: REPURPOSE TORESTAURANT ROW

MOBILITY: POTENTIAL MIDPOINT TRANSIT STATION

APPLE MARKET APPLE MARKET LOW POINT LOW POINT COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL CHARACTER CHARACTER WITHOUTWITHOUT STREETSCAPE STREETSCAPE

URBAN AGRICULTURE URBAN AGRICULTURE PUBLIC ENTRANCE PUBLIC ENTRANCE AT AT AVENUE AVENUE HIGH POINT HIGH POINT

NORTHEAST NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL IMPACT IMPACT ON AVENUE ON AVENUE

RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL IMPACT IMPACT ON AVENUE ON AVENUE

EXPANSION: HYBRIDIZED USE OF SETBACK

EXPANSION: EXISTING VACANT GREEN SPACE EXPANSION: PUBLIC ENTRANCE TO URBAN AGRICULTURE

COMPRESSION-RELEASE STRATEGY

S

IGN

CE

BRING FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD TO APPLE MARKET MOBILITY: REDESIGN REDESIGN WITH TEMPORARY ACTIVITY NODEMOBILITY: URBAN AGRICULTURE NEIGHBORHOOD’S NEIGHBORHOOD’S PUBLIC ENTRANCE AT AVENUE AVENUE PRESENCE PRESENCE DESTINATION: DESTINATION: FOOD JUNCTURE, FOOD JUNCTURE, DESTINATION: DESTINATION: PUBLIC ENTRANCE PUBLIC ENTRANCE TO TO AVENUE HIGH POINT MARKET,MARKET, COMMONCOMMON GATHERING GATHERING URBAN AGRICULTURE URBAN AGRICULTURE PATHS, PATHS, WITH MONUMENT HIGH POINT, HIGH MONUMENT POINT, MONUMENT MOBILITY: POINT POINT MOBILITY: REDESIGN REDESIGN DENSIFY APPLE NEIGHBORHOOD’S NEIGHBORHOOD’S MARKET NEIGHBORS AVENUE AVENUE PRESENCE PRESENCE

DESTINATION: COMMUNITY DESTINATION: COMMUNITY CENTER, CENTER, PUBLICSPACE QUAD SPACE PUBLIC QUAD MOBILITY: POTENTIAL MOBILITY: POTENTIAL MIDPOINTMIDPOINT TRANSITTRANSIT STATION BEFORE STATION BEFORE REDEVELOP ICONIC SCHOOL BUILDING INTO TRANSIT STATION EAST GATEWAY EAST GATEWAY NEIGHBORHOOD CATALYST WITH ENVIABLE BRIDGING GAP BETWEEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNCTIONS VAN BRUNT AND EAST GATEWAY

ANT

TY: REPURPOSE TO MOBILITY: REPURPOSE TO AURANT ROW ROW RESTAURANT REPURPOSE SITES TO RESTAURANT ROW

MOBILITY: POTENTIAL MID- MIDMOBILITY: POTENTIAL POINT TRANSIT STATIONSTATION POINT TRANSIT

MOBILITY: REPURPOSE TOMOBILITY: REPURPOSE TORESTAURANT RESTAURANT ROW ROW

DESTINATION & MOBILITY

REPURPOSE SITES TO RESTAURANT ROW

EXPANSION: VISUAL ENTRY TO KESSLER PARK FACILITIES

Accumulation of these urban design strategies and site selection criteria allow a hierarchy of inter intervention to be established. Primary sites – nodes at Chestnut Avenue, Cleveland Avenue, Spruce Avenue, and Northeast Junior High – will be the first points of impact, driving development of secondary sites including transit stations, parking lot re-purposing, developing restaurant rows and programming of major urban rooms. Intervention at the primary sites and supporting development of the secondary sites are catalysts for improvement of the remainder of buildings and voids along Independence Avenue, unified by streetscape and transit implemented along the full length of the avenue.

188

Focus Areas

REDEVELOP ON-STREET PARKING AREA TO DENSIFY KEY DISTRICT REDEVELOP ON-STREET PARKING AREA TO DENSIFY KEY DISTRICT

TRANSIT STATION BRIDGING GAP BETWEEN CHESTNUT AND WEST GATEWAY TRANSIT STATION BRIDGING GAP BETWEEN CHESTNUT AND WEST GATEWAY

ACTIVITY HUB WITH REVITALIZE PROSPECT MONUMENT, PUBLIC AND INDEPENDENCE ENTRANCE TO KESSLER COMMERCIAL DISTRICT PARK ACTIVITY HUB WITH REVITALIZE PROSPECT MONUMENT, PUBLIC AND INDEPENDENCE ENTRANCE TO KESSLER COMMERCIAL DISTRICT PARK

GIVE PROGRAM TO SIGNIFICANT URBAN ROOM SPACE GIVE PROGRAM TO SIGNIFICANT URBAN ROOM SPACE

ADVERTISE HISTORIC DISTRICT THROUGH CREATIVE STRATEGY ADVERTISE HISTORIC DISTRICT THROUGH CREATIVE STRATEGY

REPUR RESTA

REPUR RESTA

ANT

BRING FRESH, BRING HEALTHY FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD TOFOOD APPLE TO MARKET APPLE MARKET WITH TEMPORARY WITH TEMPORARY ACTIVITYACTIVITY NODE NODE URBAN AGRICULTURE URBAN AGRICULTURE PUBLIC ENTRANCE PUBLIC ENTRANCE AT AT HIGH POINT HIGH POINT BRING HEALTHY FRESH, HEALTHY TO MARKET APPLE MARKETAVENUE AVENUE BRING FRESH, FOOD TOFOOD APPLE WITH MONUMENT WITH MONUMENT WITH TEMPORARY WITH TEMPORARY ACTIVITYACTIVITY NODE NODE URBAN AGRICULTURE URBAN AGRICULTURE DENSIFYDENSIFY APPLE APPLE PUBLIC ENTRANCE AT PUBLIC ENTRANCE AT MARKETMARKET NEIGHBORS NEIGHBORS HIGH POINT AVENUE AVENUE HIGH POINT WITH MONUMENT WITH MONUMENT DENSIFYDENSIFY APPLE APPLE NEIGHBORS MARKETMARKET NEIGHBORS

S

S

S

S

REDEVELOP REDEVELOP ICONIC SCHOOL ICONIC SCHOOL BUILDINGBUILDING INTO TRANSIT INTO TRANSIT STATIONSTATION NEIGHBORHOOD NEIGHBORHOOD CATALYST CATALYST WITH ENVIABLE WITH ENVIABLE BRIDGINGBRIDGING GAP BETWEEN GAP BETWEEN COMMUNITY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT FUNCTIONS FUNCTIONS VAN BRUNT VAN AND BRUNT EAST AND EAST GATEWAY GATEWAY REDEVELOP REDEVELOP ICONIC SCHOOL ICONIC SCHOOL BUILDINGBUILDING INTO TRANSIT INTO TRANSIT STATIONSTATION NEIGHBORHOOD NEIGHBORHOOD CATALYST CATALYST WITH ENVIABLE WITH ENVIABLE GAP BETWEEN BRIDGINGBRIDGING GAP BETWEEN COMMUNITY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT FUNCTIONS FUNCTIONS VAN AND BRUNT AND EAST VAN BRUNT EAST GATEWAY GATEWAY

ANT

RPOSE REPURPOSE SITES TOSITES TO AURANT RESTAURANT ROW ROW

REPURPOSE REPURPOSE SITES TOSITES TO RESTAURANT RESTAURANT ROW ROW

REPURPOSE RPOSE SITES TOSITES TO RESTAURANT AURANT ROW ROW

REPURPOSE REPURPOSE SITES TOSITES TO RESTAURANT RESTAURANT ROW ROW

HIERARCHY OF INTERVENTION SITES

SYNTHESIS OF SITE DEVELOPMENT 0’

100’ 200’ 0’

100’ 400’ 200’

400’

800’

Scale 1”= 175’ Scale 1”= 175’ 800’

HISTORIC DISTRICT

Building uses mapped along the commercial corridor of Independence Avenue reveal a distinct pattern. Breakdown of the primary commercial region transitions to a block with residential buildings. This was utilized as the initial basis for developing distinct districts. The three districts were then named based on character, building use, and future development complementary to character and use.

A study of the building character, size, style, and orientation led to further distinction between the districts. The Historic District features larger, more ornate buildings clad in red brick. In contrast, the Exchange District is warmer and richer in color with small one story buildings that lie perpendicular to the Avenue. Lastly, the Link District begins to incorporate warm sand brick with forest green details in addition to roll-out retail structures.

District Divisions

190

Focus Areas

EXCHANGE EXCHANGE DISTRICT DISTRICT

LINKLINK DISTRICT DISTRICT

RESIDENTIAL VS. BUSINESS

IDENTIFYING DISTRICTS

EXISTING CONDITIONS 15.8%

9.1%

9.4%

20.4%

12.7%

15.7%

10.4%

0%

7.7%

WINDOWS AVERAGE 10.8% 9.6%

3.1%

5.6%

5.1%

9.2%

1.6%

4.2%

0%

0%

DOORS AVERAGE: 3.3% 7.2%

9.3%

7.1%

5.5%

14.2%

16.0%

12.0%

0%

5.2%

SIGNAGE AVERAGE: 8.0%

PROPOSED NORTH TRANSFORMATION: WINDOWS: 59.8% DOORS: 9.1% SIGNAGE: 3.4%

192

Focus Areas

EXISTING CONDITIONS -

14.7%

12.6%

0%

7.6%

11.9%

WINDOWS AVERAGE 10.5%

6.3%

5.4%

2.5%

4.2%

An important component of the overall fabric of the Commercial Corridor is the relation of buildings to public space on Independence Avenue. A study of facade porosity quantified the current conditions that exist within the street wall. The primary study region was selected because while a shift in building use is suggested, the cur current contribution to the street wall is notable and desired.

Analyzing the percentage of existing facade dedicated to transparent windows, doors, and signage; allowed for tangible percentages to influence the design. As it currently exists, the facades have great opportunity for transformation in improving visually permeable windows, easily accessible doors, and consistent signage.

13.4%

DOORS AVERAGE: 5.4%

6.5%

13.2%

22.3%

9.1%

1.8%

SIGNAGE AVERAGE: 11.3%

PROPOSED SOUTH TRANSFORMATION: WINDOWS: 59.8% DOORS: 9.1% SIGNAGE: 3.4%

PROPOSED SOUTH TRANSFORMATION commercial corridor

85’

11

9

100’

56

9

7

9

14

85’ ROW 9

7

16

6

13

80’

80’

9

8

10

56

4

8

4

7

80’

56

13

5

6

9

7

9

14

100’

56

7

16

80’

56

6

5

4

4

56

9

80’ ROW

100’

56

56

100’ ROW

85’

11

100’

56

6

13

56

80’

80’

9

8

10

56

4

8

4

7

56

80’

13

5

6

56

80’

6

5

4

4

56

9

RIGHT OF WAY STUDY

85’ ROW

100’ ROW

80’ ROW

PEDESTRIAN ELEMENTS Ter

PROMOTE EASE OF WALKABILITY

EMBRACE SPATIAL INTERLOCK CONDITIONS

IMPROVE ARCHITECTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE SHIFT PARKING LOTS AWAY FROM AVENUE

ESTABLISH ARCHITECTURE ON CORNER PARCELS

BEFORE

BEFORE

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

Rec reational Facilities Private Practice

SUGGESTED USE: CURRENT USE:

VACANT

COMMUNITY CENTER HUB

Rooms

Fine A rts Studios Flexible Event Space Performing A rts Class rooms Athletic Practice Facilities

MODIFICATION TerHIERARCHY PRIMARY SECONDARY TERTIARY

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

194

Focus Areas

BROOKLYN PROSPECT BENTON

MYRTLE ELMWOOD QUINCY

MOBILITY 1

DESTINATION

MOBILITY 2

Understanding the existing conditions of the pedestrian realm of Independence Avenue is necessary to make well-informed and well-prioritized improvements to street scape. The immediate right of way of the avenue is examined in plan and section to locate all greenery, lighting, street furniture, transit stops, and traffic lanes – elements comprising the pedestrian realm. Extracting more positive elements – trees, shrubs, street lighting and pedestrian lighting – allows the avenue to be seen for what it is, and more importantly what it is not. From Cherry Street to Benton Boulevard, Independence Avenue is designated a boulevard, and the resulting trees, signage and lighting associated with that designation are quite visible in the extraction. The boulevard street scape is particularly evident in contrast to the street scape between Benton Boulevard and Norton Avenue, where trees and shrubs are sparse, and lighting occurs minimally as necessary. This stretch is identified as the top priority street scape intervention zone, and is studied in depth for specific needs. From this in depth study, and application of the overall avenue framework, three local typologies of street scape are developed, two accommodating mobility, and one accommodating destination. Mobility street scape serves vehicular and transit traffic, with more lane width dedicated to transportation. Destination street scape serves pedestrian occupation, with reduced transportation lane width and increased bike lane width, lighting and greenery.

commercial corridor

DETAIL: BENTON TO BATES

196

Focus Areas

TRANSPORTATION LAYER

PEDESTRIAN LAYER

COMPILATION While the top priority street scape intervention zone study results in three typical street types enabling either mobility or destination at a local scale, study of the avenue as a whole results in typical street typologies performing similar function at a larger scale. All of Independence Avenue is developed as a complete street – a thoroughfare for multiple modes of transit while also providing ample room and consideration for the safety of pedestrians. To do this, the street scape of Independence Avenue is designed in two distinct but complimentary layers: transportation and pedestrian. The transportation layer of the street scape includes streetcar routes and stops, bus routes and stops, vehicle traffic lanes and on-street parking, and bike lanes. The pedestrian layer of the street scape includes sidewalks, crosswalks, urban furniture, planters and bio swales. Streetscape of Independence Avenue which allows coexistence of pedestrians, vehicle traffic, and public transit ultimately enables commercial development by increasing accessibility to businesses in the Commercial Corridor.

commercial corridor

11'-10"

Sidewalk

-8"5'-0"

Westbound Bike Lane

walk

9'-0"

und Parallel ane Parking

11'-3 1/2"

9'-0"

5'-0"

Sidewalk

11'-0"

19'-11"

Sidewalk

Parallel Parking

Eastbound Eastbound Lane Bike Lane

5'-0"

11'-0"

Eastbound Eastbound Lane Bike Lane

9'-0"

12'-0" 5'-0"

Parallel Parking

13'-8"

9'-0"

Sidewalk

Sidewalk

Parallel Parking

Focus Areas

11'-0"

Eastbound Eastbound Lane Bike Lane

Variable Turn Lane

15'-0 3/8"

198

11'-0"

Eastbound Lane

5'-0"

11'-0"

Eastbound Eastbound Lane Bike Lane

11'-0"

11'-0"

5'-0"

11'-3 1/2"

Westbound Lane Westbound Lane Westbound Bike Lane

11'-0"

11'-0" 5'-0"

5'-0" 15'-0 3/8"

9'-0"

Westbound Lane Westbound Parallel Bike Lane Parking

12'-0"

11'-0"

5'-0"

Westbound Lane Westbound Bike Lane

12'-3"

Sidewalk

9'-0"

12'-3"

13'-8"

9'-0"

Sidewalk

Parallel Parking

Sidewalk

11'-10"

Sidewalk

5'-0"

Eastbound Bike Lane

5'-0"

Parallel Parking

Sidewalk

Sidewalk

Westbound Lane Westbound Bike Lane

Variable Turn Lane

19'-11"

Sidewalk

5'-0"

11'-0"

Eastbound Eastbound Lane Bike Lane

11'-0"

Eastbound Eastbound Lane Bike Lane

W

12'-0"

Variable Turn

11'-0"

11'-0"

11'-0"

Eastbound Lane

Eastbound Lane

Westbound Lane

11'-10"

Sidewalk

5'-0"

Eastbound Bike Lane

11'-0"

11'-0"

Eastbound Lane

Eastbound Lane

11'-0"

11'-0"

5'-0"

Westbound Lane Westbound Lane Westbound Bike Lane

11'-3 1/2"

Sidewalk

Street Scape of the entire avenue can be reduced to four typologies, each applicable to the regions identified in the existing street scape analysis – west of Benton Boulevard, Benton Boulevard to Norton Avenue, Norton Avenue to Spruce Avenue, and east of Spruce Avenue. The four typologies make street scape transformations based on needs derived from existing pedestrian realm elements, characteristics of the identified avenue district, and transportation promoted in that area. All transformation areas are combinations of lighting, greenery, signage, urban furniture, bike lanes, traffic lanes and transit stops. As the avenue is the unifying element of the Northeast, the urban furniture is the unifying element of the avenue, providing identity and orientation throughout.

commercial corridor

MODULAR STREET FURNITURE The linear form expresses the primary function of this piece, to provide seating directly off of the Avenue. This simple form also provided opportunities to rotate and merge separate components to establish larger units in social gathering spaces. To establish a consistent and low maintenance aesthetic, modular dimensions and construction techniques were used. This modular unit was based on an 18� x 18� cube and is doubled where appropriate. Recognizing the importance of skateboard deterrents in place, this unit employs a mass vs. void strategy to create an uneven riding surface. Each segment of the module, combines consistently scaled elements with consistent voids for visual balance. In order to address all of the needs of a popular Avenue environment, trash receptacles, a cubic planter, and a bike rack were all designed into the same unit.

200

Focus Areas

FURNITURE BRANDING AND IDENTITY

commercial corridor

commercial corridor: chestnut avenue The intersection of Chestnut with Independence Avenue is a critical site; currently devoid of any urban or architectural articulation that would capitalize on its geographic and contextual prominence. The proposed node will establish a landmark at the highest point of Independence Avenue and celebrate its connection with Kessler Park. High points along Independence Avenue serve as powerful elements of artifact. From these enhanced high points, the topography of the full Avenue can be read and appreciated. Views of downtown provide order and orientation to space otherwise convoluted by disjointed fabric. This same fabric challenges the landmark to formally operate within the grid arrangement of the neighborhood and increase density in a low density area.

Design of the Chestnut Avenue landmark turns the block inward on itself to create a pedestrian safe interior plaza between mixed programming of residential, retail, office, parking, and public event space. By having an inward facing block, the destination point is emphasized through pedestrian safety. Chestnut Avenue node block typology recognizes the neighborhood’s origins as a low-density residential area, the current needs to strengthen the street wall at a destination point, and responds with a form of dense street edge facing Independence Avenue with a low density block interior removed from the avenue to the north.

202

Focus Areas

203

SITE EXTENTS

LANDMARK

REINFORCE BLOCK EDGE

INTERIOR FACING BLOCK

DEFINE SPACE

MIXED PROGRAM

chestnut avenue

CHESTNUT NODE INTERIOR

commercial corridor: cleveland avenue As it exists today, Apple Market is a social and commercial hub for the Northeast where people from various ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds converge. As an emphasized node of the Avenue, its colloquial use is expanded upon, transforming the store and its parking lot into a hybrid use public space.

Rethinking parking lots as public space and capitalizing on inherent gathering habits creates an original urban space prototype that can serve the reintegration of Independence Avenue as an urban element of Kansas City.

To transform the grocery store into a more open and public space, the faรงade facing Independence Avenue is made transparent and an overhang extends over outdoor dining space. The grocery store function is expanded as an outdoor market at the perimeter of the existing parking lot. A place for the sale of harvest from Productive Infill gardens, the outdoor market is an ideological intersection of commerce on Independence Avenue and nearby urban agriculture.

Use of the parking lot as an outdoor market is seasonally flexible, and informs the interim use of neighboring parking lots. Parking lots are activated periodically as public event space, making them purposeful and meaningful while the development of the area increases to a point at which the space is better used for new construction.

208

Focus Areas

209

SITE EXTENTS

EXISTING BUILDING

SPATIAL CHARACTER

PEDESTRIAN NETWORK ENTRY

VOLUMETRIC ADJUSTMENT

PROPOSED PROGRAM

cleveland avenue

OUTDOOR FARMERS MARKET

commercial corridor: spruce avenue The intersection of Spruce and Independence Avenue marks the secondary high point. As with Chestnut, the Spruce Avenue node establishes a landmark, formally develops the block, increases density in a low density area and creates a destination on the avenue. Intersection with the Productive Infill pathway and a direct integration of architecture and topography distinguish the Spruce Avenue node from others. These additional conceptual parameters produce a unique urban form and program.

Urban space of the avenue penetrates the street wall creating a pedestrian flow into the public space of the landmark building. Flow of space is translated physically to a flow of topography, land flowing up and over the parking garage.

Architecture of the landmark also responds physically to the site, embodying the topographical significance in exaggerated character of form. Commercial storefront encloses activity of the street reinforcing the notion of this node as a pedestrian oriented destination. Opposite the storefronts, multifamily residential buildings line the avenue, increasing population density of the node.

A convergence of diverse program, public and private space, topography and architecture, and urban and pedestrian realms, the Spruce Avenue node is an environment born of hybrid urban concepts. The combinative strategy is necessary in establishing active nodes reflective of the diversity of the Northeast.

214

Focus Areas

215

SITE EXTENTS

LANDMARK

PEDESTRIAN NETWORK ENTRY

SPATIAL CHARACTER

SEQUENTIAL PUBLIC SPACE

PROPOSED PROGRAM

spruce avenue

LANDMARK ARCHITECTURE ACTIVATES THE AVENUE

commercial corridor: northeast junior high Selection of the Northeast Junior High School as an area of detailed study and intervention is based on potential for cultural significance. Prominence of the school comes inherently from its original purpose, its scale among the residential neighborhood, and the quality of its architecture. The Northeast Junior High School is one of the many vacant schools in Kansas City and its restoration of cultural significance is exemplary of the catalytic changes possible for other schools. Additionally, the junior high school site is the largest and most defined moment of expansion within the compression and expansion strategy of the Independence Avenue design so the function of the space must capitalize on this role in the urban scheme.

Northeast Junior High School is reintegrated into Independence Avenue as a fine arts center, for visual and performing arts. As an arts center, the junior high school is once again a place for learning and cultural exchange, enhanced by and enhancing the diversity of the neighborhoods. Adjacent to the school, the front faรงade of the former multi-cultural center is preserved as the proscenium for an amphitheater hosting performances in conjunction with the arts center. This open air theater and the extension of its function to the schoolyard creates a signficant hybrid public space along the Avenue.

220

Focus Areas

221

SITE EXTENTS

REVITALIZE SCHOOLS

STREET EDGE AND RECREATION LOOP

SPATIAL CHARACTER

VOLUMETRIC ADJUSTMENT

PROPOSED PROGRAM

northeast junior high

PERFORMANCE AT THE NORTHEAST ARTS CENTER