Wasson Way: Corridor Urban Framework Plan

Wasson Way: Corridor Urban Framework Plan Integrated Design I 20 CVE 5002 – 001 Spring Semester 2014 Instructors: Dr. Miller and Dr. Russell Group 3A Josh Cones, Cathleen, Consilio, and Eric Hahn February 14th 2014 Abstract This paper aims to integrally establish the Wasson Way trail with current Withrow facilities, Rookwood Commons and Pavilion, and Hyde Park Square, as well as the proposed transit hub and re-development of Hyde Park Station. This will be done while promoting a sustainable and safe environment for both pedestrians and bicyclists alike, especially at the Madison and Edwards Road crossings. Engineering problems, applicable standards, and case studies were highlighted to isolate areas along the Wasson Way corridor in order to accomplish the framework and overall feel of the proposed design area. Specifically, there were four main problems that need engineering solutions in order for the Wasson Way corridor to successfully integrate into the existing community. Engineering interventions and suggestions were given for these problems. Access into Rookwood Commons and Pavilion, designing and laying out a proposed transit hub, implementing a safe and functional intersection crossing of Madison and Edwards Road, and retrofitting existing conditions to incorporate a proposed Hyde-Park Square- Madison Park-Withrow High School loop were the engineering problems addressed. i Table of Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………………… i List of Figures...……..………………………………………………………. iii Introduction…………………………………………………………………. 1 Withrow Recreational Area Access…………………………………………. 1 Withrow High School Access……………………………………………….. 3 Grovedale Place Railway Bridge…..……..…………..…………………….. 6 Rookwood Commons and Pavilion Access……….……………………….... 8 Transit Hub…………………………………………..……………………… 12 Crossing at Madison and Edwards Road………………………….………… 15 Hyde Park Square-Madison Park-Withrow High School Loop………..……. 21 Hyde Park Station Remodel……………………....…………………………. 26 Summary and Conclusions.…………………………………………………. 29 References…………………………………………………………………… 30 Appendix A………………………………………………………………….. 32 Appendix B………………………………………………………………….. 33 Appendix C………………………………………………………………….. 34 Appendix D………………………………………………………………….. 41 ii List of Figures Figure 1…………………………..……....…………………………………… 1 Figure 2…………………………..……....…………………………………… 2 Figure 3…………………………..……....…………………………………… 4 Figure 4…………………………..……....…………………………………… 5 Figure 5…………………………..……....…………………………………… 7 Figure 6…………………………..……....…………………………………… 9 Figure 7…………………………..……....…………………………………… 10 Figure 8…………………………..……....…………………………………… 11 Figure 9…………………………..……....…………………………………… 11 Figure 10.………………………..……....…………………………………… 13 Figure 11.………………………..……....…………………………………… 13 Figure 12.………………………..……....…………………………………… 13 Figure 13.………………………..……....…………………………………… 14 Figure 14.………………………..……....…………………………………… 15 Figure 15.………………………..……....…………………………………… 16 Figure 16.………………………..……....…………………………………… 17 Figure 17.………………………..……....…………………………………… 18 Figure 18.………………………..……....…………………………………… 19 Figure 19.………………………..……....…………………………………… 20 Figure 20.………………………..……....…………………………………… 20 Figure 21.………………………..……....…………………………………… 22 Figure 22.………………………..……....…………………………………… 23 Figure 23.………………………..……....…………………………………… 23 Figure 24.………………………..……....…………………………………… 24 Figure 25.………………………..……....…………………………………… 25 Figure 26.………………………..……....…………………………………… 25 Figure 27.………………………..……....…………………………………… 27 Figure 28.………………………..……....…………………………………… 27 Figure 29.………………………..……....…………………………………… 28 iii Introduction This paper analyzes the stretch of Wasson Way referred to as Section 3 that begins immediately east of I-71 and ends at Hyde Park Avenue and Wasson Road. Specifically, the paper aims to integrally establish the Wasson Way trail with current Withrow facilities, Rookwood Commons and Pavilion, and Hyde Park Square, as well as the proposed transit hub and re-development of Hyde Park Station. This will be done while promoting a sustainable and safe environment for both pedestrians and bicyclists alike, especially at the Madison and Edwards Road crossings. Engineering problems, applicable standards, and case studies were highlighted for each isolated area along the Wasson Way corridor in order to accomplish the framework and overall feel of the proposed Section 3 area design. Impacts regarding social, user, and economic issues as well as sustainability are also vital aspects to the success of Wasson Way. Eight key focal points were chosen within Section 3 to investigate the aforementioned principles. These elements include access to the Withrow recreational facilities, access toWithrow High School, the Grovdale Place bridge, access to Rookwood Commons and Pavilion, the proposed transit hub, the Madison and Edwards Road crossings, the proposed Hyde-Park Square-Madison Park-Withrow High School Loop, and the proposed Hyde Park Station remodels. Withrow Recreational Area Access The Withrow recreational facilities are located on the far west side of this study area. They are located just north of Withrow High School, and is bordered by residential neighborhoods on the other three sides. This facility provides the public with four open baseball fields, eight tennis courts, and abundant green space for other activities. The limited access makes it difficult for families and youth to utilize the available facilities. Wasson Way cuts directly through the north face of this property, allowing for a great entrance point to the area. Currently, there is tree line and vegetation between the recreational facilities and Wasson Way, but access points are available. A walking track surrounding the facility has been brought up from several community members as a possible addition to enhance what this facility has to offer. Figure 1 below details the existing geographic layout of the facilities and possible access points from the Wasson Way Trail. 1 Figure 1 Several applicable standards are available to help design and implement the trail project that runs past Withrow recreation facilities. AASHTO offers two guides to help engineer the project. These guides are called the AASHTO: Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, and AASHTO: Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. Other useful standards can be found using the NACTO: Urban Bikeway Design Guide as a reference. There are several engineering problems that face the Withrow recreational facilities. The current trail is raised up from the Withrow grounds approximately 7 feet from field measurements. The transition from the trail to the grounds has to be gradual enough for safe bike and pedestrian access from the trail to the facilities. On each side of the pathway, a graded shoulder area of 3 to 5 feet wide with a maximum cross-slope of 1 vertical to 6 horizontal should be maintained according to AASHTO (2012). The access point would need to be graded to provide a safe transition from the trail to the facility entrance. There currently is a transition from the trail to the northeast corner of the facility created from years of people cutting through off the abandoned tracks. This is a proposed access point to the facility from Wasson Way. This path can be paved to tie into the walking track that goes around the perimeter of the facility. This provides an easy transition from the trail to the events and activities offered by the recreational facility. There is easy access for construction crews to pave the access point, as the contractors can utilize the open space offered by the Withrow grounds. Another engineering problem would be how to light and clearly label where the access point is located. Currently, the built up trees and vegetation between the recreational facilities and Wasson Way would cause great interference for riders on the trail to locate the access point. Signage could be used to clearly indicate the point of entrance. Signs starting 2 miles away can start indicating to riders of the upcoming facility, and as they get closer, the reminders can get more frequent. Lighting the area and the entrance will highlight the area for riders to easily navigate the access point. The 2 proposed access point from Wasson Way is shown in Figure 2 below taken during a reconnaissance visit to the area. Figure 2 The Midtown Greenway Trail in Minneapolis, Minnesota is great case study for a best practice involving tying into a green space. The Hennepin County, the county where the park is located, provided the land and funded the construction of the trail entrance ramp (Current, 2014). The area, called the Cepro Site, offers swing sets, winter sledding, benches, and many more recreational features. Thousands of people each year enjoy the year round activities provided by the Cepro Site. The success of this tie-in to a recreational facility from a bike path gives the Wasson Way reason to consider creating the access point into the Withrow recreational facility. There are numerous impacts involved with tying into the Withrow recreation facility from Wasson Way. By creating easy access for people to meet to play games or activities, the social impact is very positive. Tying into the recreational facility offers the public a way to engage in community activities. The City of Des Moines Bicycle and Trail Master Plan included this in their design, and augmented the bicycle trail network with activities to encourage trail use (City, 2011). People can develop relationships, and create bonds with people in the neighborhood that share common interests. These interests could range

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