Gainesville: Existing Design Elements Catalog | July 2013

Gainesville, GA

existing

DESIGN ELEMENTS catalog

JULY 2013 Produced for the City of Gainesville, GA by the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellows

Special Acknowledgements Georgia Municipal Association Created in 1933, GMA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization that provides leadership, tools and services to assist local governments become more innovative, effective and responsive.

Georgia Cities Foundation Established in 1999, GCF is a non-profit organization that assists cities in their efforts to revitalize and enhance downtown areas by serving as a partner and facilitator in funding capital projects through a revolving loan fund.

Carl Vinson Institute of Government Danny Bivins, Renaissance Fellows Supervisor The Institute works with public officials throughout Georgia and around the world to improve governance and people’s lives. The Institute has helped government leaders navigate change and forge strong directions for a better Georgia.

The College of Environment + Design Elizabeth Lawandales, Renaissance Fellow The college hosts various degree programs, including Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, and Environmental Planning and Design as well as a specialized Certificate Program in Environmental Ethics.

Special Thanks to the City of Gainesville, GA Rusty Ligon, Community Development Director Regina Mansfield, Main Street Manager Catiel Felts, Communications and Tourism Director

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Contents

DESIGN ELEMENTS catalog

CONTENTS

Page

Landscape Elements

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Site Furniture

15

Paving Materials

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Planters, Retaining Walls, & Stairs

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Streetscape Accessories

31

Utilities

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Signage

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LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS

TREES

Trees are an essential part of the urban landscape. In addition to their positive aesthetic impact, trees can offer relief from the sun, provide wind control, and help with stormwater management. Trees in downtown Gainesville are found within The Square and lining a few of the surrounding streetscapes. Many of the existing trees listed in this section perform well under urban conditions. Also included at the end of this section is a list titled Additional Trees for the Urban Environment (page 10). This list is intended to show the variety of suitable street trees and provide options to the user. However, there are many more suitable options that could not all be listed. It is advised that the user consult a professional to evaluate specific site conditions before choosing and installing trees. *Note that the tree heights may be less in urban conditions.

OAK

Quercus spp.

There are a couple of oak trees in downtown Gainesville. They serve as specimen shade trees and are located on the Southern corners of The Square.

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Large tree, can grow to be around 60-80' in height Deciduous, leaves change color and drop in the fall Prefers full sunlight but will tolerate moderate shade In most cases, prefers welldrained soil

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CRAPE MYRTLE Lagerstroemia indica • •

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6-30' in height Deciduous, with white, pink, lavender or red flowers Prefers full sunlight but can tolerate moderate shade Prefers welldrained soil

DOGWOOD Cornus florida • • • •

Small tree, 15'-25' in height Deciduous tree that is beautiful in all four seasons, great red fall color, blooms in May Prefers partial shade Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil

CHERRY

Prunus spp.

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20'-30' in height Deciduous, early spring flowers Prefers full sunlight Prefers fertile, well-drained soil

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LACEBARK ELM Ulmus parvifolia • • • • •

30'-45' in height Deciduous Prefers full sunlight Prefers moist to well-drained soil, drought tolerant Fast growth rate

CHASTE TREE Vitex agnus-castus • • • •

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Small tree or large shrub, 10'-15' in height Deciduous, flowers in May and June Prefers full sunlight but tolerant of partial shade Prefers well-drained soil

ZELKOVA

Zelkova serrata • • • •

30'-45' in height Deciduous, purplish fall color Prefers full sunlight Prefers moist, fertile soil

TRIDENT MAPLE Acer buergerianum

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Small tree, 20'-35' in height Deciduous, fall color Prefers full sunlight Prefers acidic, welldrained soils

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ADDITIONAL TREES FOR THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT SMALL MATURING TREES (UNDER 25' MATURE HEIGHT) Flowering Cherry- Prunus padus Crabapple- Malus spp.

Goldenrain Tree- Koelreuteria paniculata Serviceberry- Amelanchier spp.

MEDIUM MATURING TREES (30'-45' MATURE HEIGHT)

Hackberry- Celtis occidentalis Thornless Honey Locust 'Skyline'- Gleditsia triacanthos inermis 'Skyline' European Pyramidal Hornbean- Carpinus betulus fastigiata

LARGE MATURING TREES (OVER 45' MATURE HEIGHT)

Green Ash- Fraxinus pennsylvanica Hackberry- Celtus occidentalis Thornless Honey Locust 'Shademaster'- Gleditsia triacanthos inermis 'Shademaster' Red Maple- Acer rubrum Ginkgo- Ginkgo biloba

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LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS

SHRUBS Shrubs are less commonly found in urban settings. When planting shrubs in an urban setting, one should consider the shrubs yearlong appearance. Evergreen shrubs are recommended.

INDIAN HAWTHORN Rhaphiolepis indica • • • •

3'-6' tall, 4'-6' wide Evergreen shrub Grows best in positions that receive direct morning sunlight Prefers fertile, well-drained soil

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GROUNDCOVERS Groundcovers are most often used in the urban setting to block views of unsightly areas and to fill empty areas with something of visual interest.

As with shrubs, one should consider the yearlong appearance when choosing a groundcover. Also, note the groundcovers' hardiness and ability to thrive under urban conditions.

ASIAN JASMINE

Trachelospermum asiaticum • • • •

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Up to 16" in height Evergreen groundcover, white flowers bloom in the late summer Prefers full sunlight to partial shade Thrives in moist soil

LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS

ANNUALS PERENNIALS

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Annuals and perennials are the finishing touch to an urban setting. They bring color and seasonal variety to your downtown. When choosing annuals and perennials it is important to note their ability to adapt and thrive under urban conditions. It is usually wise to choose plants that require little watering and maintenance.

LANTANA

Lantana camara Lananta is planted in the terracotta planters throughout the streets surrounding The Square.

• Grows 2'-3' in height • Blooms July through frost, attracts butterflies • Prefers full sunlight • Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions

BLACK-EYED SUSAN Rudbeckia fulgida • • • •

2'-3' in height Blooms June through October, attracts butterflies Full sunlight Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, dry, welldrained to moist fertile soils

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SITE FURNITURE

BENCHES

It is important to have a standard style of benches in the downtown district. Having a standard style of public furniture helps to bring unity to the streetscape and signifies to the user that these benches are provided for the public.

Gainesville’s existing bench style is a wooden slatted bench with wrought iron sides that are painted dark green. Longer benches have a dividing armrest in the middle. Periodic staining and sealing of the benches is recommended.

STYLE 1- SHORT BENCH

STYLE 2- LONG BENCH

STYLE 3- EXTRA-LONG BENCH

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CAFÉ FURNITURE

Outdoor café furniture is a private investment of the downtown businesses. This is an area where the downtown can allow some variety and the business can choose furniture that represents their unique style. However, the furniture should make a positive contribution to the downtown environment. Café furniture should also be movable.

Below are some of the existing café furnishings:

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PAVING MATERIALS

BRICK

Brick is an abundant paving material in downtown Gainesville, especially in The Square and surrounding areas. There is a wide variation in the color and arrangement of the bricks downtown. Most of the bricks are part of a rigid system, meaning they are set in concrete with grout inbetween. In a few cases, the bricks are part of a flexible system, meaning they are drylaid, usually with a rigid edge. The following are a few of the many examples. With future construction it is recommended that one particular style is chosen to bring unity to the ground plane.

DRY-LAID BRICK AND BRICK WITH MORTAR

PRESERVED BRICK

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ORANGE-HUED BRICK

ORANGE-HUED CONCRETE PAVERS

These concrete pavers are included in this section because they are done in a way to imitate the brick downtown

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HERRINGBONE PATTERN

This arrangement of bricks is frequently used downtown and is found on many of street corners surrounding The Square. The herringbone pattern is the strongest structural layout.

Herringbone is the most durable and able to bear the most weight comparatively to other patterns.

Laying bricks on a street corner is an effective way to denote the entrance to a block, it also adds visual interest by breaking up a concrete sidewalk.

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CONCRETE

Concrete is the most common sidewalk material.

The sidewalks in downtown vary in condition and some areas could use maintenance.

PAINTED CONCRETE

SCORED COCRETE WITH A BRICK EDGE

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PAVING MATERIALS

POURED CONCRETE

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CURBS

Curbs are a raised edging on a street or a path. Gainesville has primarily granite curbs surrounding The Square. Curbs transition to concrete on the blocks off The square.

BRICK CURB

Brick curbs are used downtown to outline raised planting beds.

GRANITE CURB

Granite curbs are primarily found on the streets directly surrounding The Square.

CONCRETE CURB

In this example the granite curb meets the concrete curb.

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PAVING MATERIALS

TEXTURED SIDEWALKS TEXTURED CONCRETE

The texture adds visual interest to the concrete and helps to prevent people from slipping on ramps.

ADA (AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT) RAMP

Bumpy surface notifies user that they are at a crosswalk.

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PLANTERS, RETAINING WALLS, & STAIRS

BRICK PLANTERS Downtown's raised planting beds are all constructed with bricks.

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BRICK COLUMNS

These brick columns with a concrete capstones are a signature of Downtown. They mark gateways for the pedestrian and anchor the brick walls.

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PLANTERS, RETAINING WALLS, & STAIRS

BRICK RETAINING WALLS

Once again, brick is the main material used for retaining walls downtown. The retaining wall in the image below helps to deal with the sidewalk's change in elevation. It also is designed to act as a seating wall. The concrete and brick band add visual interest to the wall.

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STAIRS Below are a few examples of the stairs surrounding The Square. Brick is the consistent material used. Handrails are wrought iron and black.

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STREETSCAPE ACCESSORIES

BOLLARDS

These bollards are dark green and contain a light.

They are about three feet in height.

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TREE GRATES

Tree grates are iron and some have a French drain to help with stormwater management.

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STREETSCAPE ACCESSORIES

BIKE RACKS

Bike racks are circular with one lock. They are made out of metal.

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TRASH CANS

Trash cans are metal and painted dark green.

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STREETSCAPE ACCESSORIES

DOGGIE BAGS There is one dog waste station located in the center of The Square that provides trash bags.

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DRINKING FOUNTAIN

There is one metal drinking fountain found in the center of The Square. Consider adding a dogfriendly drinking bowl.

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STREETSCAPE ACCESSORIES

PEDESTRIAN LAMPPOSTS

Pedestrian light poles are metal and painted green with an acorn lantern. They have struts that stick out for the attachment of banners.

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STREETLIGHT POLES

Streetlight poles are higher than pedestrian light poles to illuminate the road way.

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STREETSCAPE ACCESSORIES

ASHTRAY OUTPOSTS

Below are two of the ashtray outposts found downtown. Both are made of plastic.

PLANTERS

There are large terra-cotta planters throughout the streetscape.

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UTILITIES

TRAFFIC LIGHTS Traffic signals are metal and extend on one arm from a pole in the corner.

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ELECTRIC BOXES

Electric boxes are painted dark green.

FIRE HYDRANTS Fire hydrants are painted silver.

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SIGNAGE

INFORMATION KIOSK

There is one information kiosk downtown on the corner of Bradford Street and Spring Street. It is a four-sided brick structure.

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HISTORIC MARKER

Historic markers are made of metal (usually aluminum or brass) that have raised lettering.

This one is found in the center of The Square.

LAMP POST BANNER

Pedestrian lightposts have poles that extend out the side for the attachment of banners. Below is an example of what this could look like.

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