From Brownfield to Park A Proposal for the former Filling Station Site in East Lakeview
Hobart & William Smith Colleges ARCH/ENV 351 Spring 2014 Professors Cari Varner & Robin Lewis Acknowledgements Support for this project was provided by Hobart & William Smith Colleges, the Isabel Foundation, and the Finger Lakes Institute. Authors/Editors Hannah Brunelle – Teaching Colleague, ARCH/ENV 351: Sustainable Community Development Methods and Tools Cari Varner –Program Manager, Instructor, Finger Lakes Institute – Community Design Center (FLI-CDC) and Sustainable Community Development Program Robin Lewis – Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Hobart & William Smith Colleges Student Authors Nicholas Baca, Caroline Demeter, Joseph Gleason, Tim Griffin, Marshall Keeton, Laura Kenny, Jordan Mueller, Rousseau Nutter, Zach Reed, Shani Saul, Katie Sipple, Lars Sunnell, Emily Vollo, and Laina Zissu (with assistance from Teaching Colleagues Joellen Mauch and Hannah Brunelle) © 2014
About the Sustainable Community Development Program
The Sustainable Community Development (SCD) Program was established in 2011 with support from the Isabel Foundation. In response to both growing student interest and public recognition of the need for communities to address a myriad of social, economic and ecological challenges, HWS developed the SCD Program to better prepare students for careers in economic development, social justice, and stewardship of the natural environment. The SCD Program is administered by Program Manager Cari Varner based at the Finger Lakes Institute, and overseen by the SCD Steering Committee comprised of Assistant Professor of Architecture Jeffrey Blankenship, Assistant Professor of Art and Architecture Kirin Makker, Associate Professor of Art and Architecture Stan Matthews, Professor of Environmental Studies John Halfman, Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Joel Helfrich, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Beth Kinne, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Robin Lewis, Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies Tom Drennen, Director of Introductory Biology Laboratories Susan Cushman, Finger Lakes Institute Director Lisa Cleckner and Hobart & William Smith Colleges Sustainability Manager Adam Maurer. A major accomplishment of the SCD program in 2014 was the establishment and approval of a Minor in Sustainable Community Development. Four graduating students completed the minor in 2014, and . presently there are ten additional students that plan to complete SCD minorswith majors ranging from economics to environmental studies and psychology to architectural studies. The SCD minor is currently chaired by Professor Tom Drennen (Economics) with Assistant Professor Robin Lewis (Environmental Studies) scheduled to become SCD Chair in July 2014. Beyond the academic program, the Sustainable Community Development Program includes internships for students, community lectures, and the Finger Lakes Institute – Community Design Center (FLI-CDC) which provides students with an advanced internship experience working with community partners throughout the Finger Lakes region on a variety of community design and development projects. The FLI-CDC strives to provide Finger Lakes communities with innovative, creative, and sustainable design solutions that improve the built environment and quality of life while protecting the natural environment. About the FLI-Community Design Center Communities throughout the Finger Lakes region share similar economic, environmental, and social characteristics mainly as a result of the natural assets and history of the region. The current and future state of communities relies on improving quality of life for all citizens, being good stewards of natural resources, and fostering the responsible growth of the built environment. To support these efforts, the FLI-CDC offers comprehensive sustainable community development planning and design services to communities throughout the Finger Lakes region. It is our mission to:
• Raise awareness of the benefits and potential of sustainable community development and design for small towns, villages, cities, and other entities; • Encourage conservation and protection of natural resources and the built environment; • Facilitate regional planning and collaboration among communities, businesses, non- profits, higher education institutions, and other entities; and, • Foster community resilience by providing an active resource center for holistic community planning and design and disseminating our expertise nationally.
Since its creation in 2013, the FLI-CDC has worked with community partners including municipalities such as the City of Geneva, neighborhood groups, community organizations, and local not-for-profits. Ten students have been awarded summer internships; many these students have also consulted on other projects at the FLI-CDC beyond their initial engagement and have graduated and been accepted at top universities for continued study of design and/or sustainability.
Our Community Partners We would especially like to thank our community partners, who have provided hours of consultation, information and feedback. Without their dedication to and participation in the project, this work would not be possible. Edith Wormley – President, East Lakeview Neighborhood Association Marty Davis – Neighborhood Coordinator, GNRC Greg Bendzlowicz – Ontario County Supervisor Lillian Collins – Neighbor Chuck Damick – Property Owner Deborah DeRosa – Neighbor Henry Farro – Neighbor Councilor John Greco – City Councilor, Geneva Jamie Kaim – Owner, Jamie’s Auto Jamie Kaim, Sr. - Owner, Jamie’s Auto William Lamb – Catholic Charities Lucille Mallard – Neighbor Deb Nepa – Realtor, Century 21 Davoli James Richmond – Neighbor Stephen White – Neighbor Wanda White – Neighbor
Introduction This report is the work of students enrolled in Hobart and William Smith College’s ARCH/ENV 351: Sustainable Community Development Methods & Tools course taught by Professors Cari Varner and Robin Lewis in spring 2014. Students enrolled in this interdisciplinary studio-based course engaged in the process of community design in order to complete a sustainable development project. Community design is an approach that aims to intervene in the built environment in a way that seeks to empower an entire community rather than just a group of powerful stakeholders. As such, in comparison with traditional design practices, community design responds to the needs of a larger constituency. Working with our community partners—the East Lakeview Neighborhood Association (ELNA) and the Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center (GNRC)—students in this course developed site-specific design solutions to meet the needs of the broader community and to minimize the impact on the natural environment through creative solutions and honest evaluation of any possible impacts. In the spring of 2014, a group of fourteen students spanning across the environmental studies and architectural studies disciplines worked on a collaborative project to assess and revitalize a former brownfield site in the East Lakeview neighborhood of Geneva, New York. The brownfield property is a former filling station site on East North Street. The property has remained unoccupied for some time though the New York State Department of Environmental Consideration has already remediated (at least in part) the contamination that led to the area’s brownfield classification. Presently, the site has two vacant buildings, a former service station, and a woodshop. Marsh Creek runs north-south through the property, entering from the north through a historic stone archway passing underneath a former raised railway. The East Lakeview Neighborhood Association and the Brownfield Opportunity Area report, completed by the City of Geneva, suggested that this site might be revitalized as a park. The community already had such a vision, and the students in class were able to devote additional time and skills to help bring that vision to fruition through detailed design and plans. Working with a group of involved community members from the East Lakeview neighborhood, the class spent the semester researching the area, listening to neighbors, and developing a sustainable design proposal for the re-use of the properties as a community park. Over the course of the semester, students worked together in interdisciplinary teams, each focusing on different aspects of the site and the neighborhood context. Working alongside a steering committee comprised of neighborhood residents, the students first assessed the existing conditions of the site and the general context of the neighborhood. From attending steering committee meetings during the early weeks of the semester, students gained the first-hand knowledge from the committee members about the conditions of the site and the neighborhood. This information aided the students as they developed existing conditions site plans. The steering committee continued to inform the students’ work and decisions throughout the semester, culminating in the production of detailed design proposals for turning the brownfield into an active park and recreation center with many sustainable features. This Report This report details not only the process of the class, but the deliverables, maps and reports created for use by the East Lakeview Neighborhood Association. 1. Introduction 2. Overview of ARCH/ENV351 Class Process 3. Brief Background on the City of Geneva, GNRC, and the Project Site 4. Existing Conditions Site Plans 5. Neighborhood Strength, Weakness, Opportunity & Threat Reports 6. Final Design Proposal 7. Materials Inventory 8. Conclusion/Next Steps
Overview of the Class Process
Overview of the ARCH/ENV351 Class and Process This course surveyed practices and processes of sustainable community design, as well as the planning, application, methods and implementation. The class examined the variety of approaches to sustainable development undertaken by different disciplines, using disparate methods with differing degrees of success. Students evaluated the successes and failures of not only the methods but the outcomes of these efforts in achieving social equity and environmental and economic sustainability. Through a service-learning project and partnership with two local organizations, the East Lakeview Neighborhood Association and the Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center (GNRC), students navigated through the process of developing a sustainable community development plan by applying the skills and knowledge developed in the earlier stages of the course. Following the spring course, students from this course had the opportunity to apply for summer internships with the Finger Lakes Institute Community Design Center (FLI-CDC), where the classroom work took place during the semester. The project undertaken as part of the 2014 class was designed from a partnership with the GNRC and an increasing interest in sustainable development in the city of Geneva, NY. Similar to other small urban areas in upstate New York, Geneva has struggled with identifying financial resources to fund re-development projects. With the creation of the FLI-CDC at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the city now has a resource comprised of motivated and concerned students to leverage in pursuing development projects in the city. This iteration of the class focused on the Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) program, one of the City of Geneva’s recently completed phased initiatives. The interdisciplinary nature of this course is unique because it combines the skillsets and knowledge of both environmental studies and architecture students. The multiplicity of perspectives merges environmental and social concerns with the built environment to create a holistic set of knowledge that informs each design phase and the broader process of this class. The importance of different skills and approaches to design and critical analysis is invaluable in the community design process, where a diversity of perspectives and approaches is vital. The outcomes of this class represent the community design process and the intricacies of each phase in this process over the course of the spring 2014 semester. In community design, the process is the true outcome and each phase uncovers something new about the community, the people and the interactions between the built, the natural and the social environments. Through taking this class, students gain the following experiences and skills: Real world experience – This is a service-learning course, which means students work with a community partner throughout the term. That work involves practicing sustainable community development and design. The experiences students gain and the outputs they produce provide them with real-world experience that will prepare them for practice and future employment. As such, students in the course simultaneously experience the common trade-offs, constraints, challenges and difficulties of sustainable community design, while also experiencing the satisfaction, practice, rewards and experience of applying theirs skills and knowledge. Interdisciplinary work – This class emphasizes the importance of working in teams with students of different academic backgrounds and experiences. This opportunity to learn from one another and to gain skills and knowledge from different disciplines is an invaluable tool for college students going into various professional setting. The interdisciplinary nature of community design is highlighted through the collaboration and partnerships that are invaluable to this class. Skillset development – During the class, students have the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams, speak in public forums, and develop professional quality presentations and reports. The skills that accompany these tasks are invaluable to their education, resumes, and future professions. Instead of just learning about how people design or assess environment impacts, students do these things themselves. Potential opportunity for summer and professional employment – Students who participate in this class will be among those best equipped and most eligible for consideration for summer internship positions in community design at the FLI-CDC. The class was organized into two distinct phases, which are described below. Assignments were selected and ordered to mirror the typical professional community design process, and to allow students ample time to learn from and about the community and develop informed design proposals. Phase I: The Listening Phase: In the first phase of the class, students focused on learning about the community from several different aspects to gain a holistic understanding of the East Lakeview neighborhood. The listening phase included individual and group student research, including site visits, and steering committee meetings to hear the different voices of the community and develop a clear vision of the needs and concerns of the community. Our objective was to first listen to the steering committee members as the experts of their own community. As residents of East Lakeview and active citizens within the community, we were able to learn the important aspects of the neighborhood that help to develop a clear picture of the reality of everyday life. The students were able to listen and prompt discussion to learn about the inner workings of the neighborhood, the positive aspects of the community and the problems that are prevalent. Through the “The Questions” assignment, students were able to guide discussion and learn firsthand about the vital aspects of the neighborhood that then guided their work for the semester. The initial phase to extract key elements of the neighborhood through the conversations at committee meetings was essential for students to learn from the residents, but to also establish a working relationship between our class and the steering committee. The importance of establishing a relationship from the onset is vital to the community design process and working with one another to accomplish a shared vision and goals. The students attended the meetings to take notes, observe the dynamics of the committee and to get a general feel for the neighborhood through listening to the personal histories, past and present issues of the neighborhood and the aspirations for future directions. Personal reflection and the student journal: Part of the student’s responsibility throughout the semester was to document personal responses each week in their journals. This exercise was meant to engage and encourage students to reflect on their work, assess their contributions to group work and discuss any issues they may be having as the semester progressed. Journaling as a teaching technique forces students to critically engage with their own work, and develop a critical perspective on their contributions and effort in the class. Although class journaling was relatively new to most students, their engagement with the activity was successful because all students reported a positive experience and learned how to critically assess themselves and others. Students were also encouraged to incorporate drawings into their journals to showcase personal talents and individual strengths. This creative and outside of the box thinking is illustrative of experiential learning and the process of emphasizing personal and individual experiences into the classroom environment. The informality of the journal assignments also helped the teaching team assess students in a more holistic way, and the combination of the formal and informal assignments gives students a chance to showcase different strengths as well as developing new skills and progressing as a writer.
Phase II: The Talking Phase In the second half of the course, students begin what is considered the “talking” part of the course. Now that students have learned about the community, its needs and desires and explored the project site in detail, they are ready to begin developing design proposals for the project site. These proposals are considered the chance for the designer to share their expertise and the design solutions which they feel would best benefit the community. To start, students brainstormed about what kinds of amenities and uses would best be suited for the site, and would best serve community members’ needs. This list, called a program, was culled and reviewed in order to develop adjacency diagrams, which is a pre-cursor to schematic design, and basically lays out different uses in their approximate locations with their approximate sizes. It explores issues of adjacency, or simply, what uses should be located in proximity to each other, as well as circulation between uses. In a community design process, it is imperative to have frequent check-ins with the community partner to ensure that the designers are best meeting their needs and expectations, and at this phase, the students presented multiple proposals for the project site and gathered community member feedback. Following feedback from the steering committee, students began to refine their designs and develop schematic design proposals. Schematic design is the second phase in the traditional design process (following conceptual design, and to be followed by design development and construction drawings). Schematic design considers form, proportion, scale, material, color and other similar details, but does not include exact dimensions or construction. It is recommended that a professional landscape architecture or design firm or city officials work with the community partner to develop the proposals to the later levels, as there is inadequate time and experience in the academic setting to reach this level of detail. Finally, final design proposals were presented to the steering committee, faculty at HWS and city officials and all final products were turned over the community. The FLI-CDC remains committed to providing additional support to the East Lakeview Neighborhood Association as they move forward with plans for the project site, but because this is a project originating with the community, it is the responsibility of the community to continue this endeavor, so that it may remain true to their vision and they may retain ownership of the both the process and the outcome. One of the objectives of the entire process (both listening and talking phases) is to build community cohesion and support. By gathering members of the community together multiple times, to share their ideas, opinions and educating them about the project site and design process, they have the opportunity to become further engaged in their neighborhood and its future, as well as city processes which govern neighborhood decisions. This non-physical deliverable of the class, the community building component is perhaps the most lasting and important to the future of the East Lakeview neighborhood.
A Timeline of the Course I. Steering Committee Meeting #1
On January 27, 2014, the class invited all of the members of the steering committee for an introductory meeting whose primary purpose was listening to and learning from the steering committee about not only the project site but the neighborhood itself. Neighborhood residents were quick to share their experiences and views, and students took detailed notes and also asked questions.
Example questions asked by the students:
• “How do you feel about the emptiness in the area? Do nearby areas want it to change and become more noisy or do they like it quiet?” (Katie) • “Would you like to see more development and something built here, or would you like it to remain open?” (Katie) • “What are the isolated neighborhood pockets? Why are they a problem?” (Katie) • “What do you consider your neighborhoods biggest strengths and weaknesses?” (Roue) • “How close is your neighborhood to each other? Does everyone know everyone else or is there not much interactions? Is this different in different areas of the neighborhood?” (Roue) • “If there was one thing you could change about the neighborhood, what would you want to see?” (Roue) • “Do you feel that members of the community would participate in programming if it was offered on the site? If so, could you provide some examples of programs you would like to see” (Laura) • “How accessible is this space to homes in your neighborhood? Do you think that anything should/could be added to make it more accessible?” (Laura) Selections of what we learned from the First Steering Committee Meeting:
• The filling station building has been vacant for 10 years • Availability of water, sewage and electricity on site • All of the committee members agree that they want to keep community in the neighborhood, and attract more people into the neighborhood by increasing the aesthetic and curbside appeal of the site and the entrance to the neighborhood from Route 14. • Committee members want to tie in potential development into the existing structure and history of the neighborhood. • Concerns about young people bringing in bad things but they are hoping to get past this concern and looking forward to a positive space that will encourage positive use and care. • “We have an awesome place right here” –Marty Davis • “Geneva has always been a village mentality” – Henry • Members want something that tells the story and elaborates on the history of the neighborhood. • Land use assets: o Proximity to waterfront o Public lands, open space o Stable residential areas o Cultural heritage o Access to downtown, Exchange Street corridor • Many of the members expressed concerns over safety and the issues of open space and the potential for youths to hide. There were also many concerns over the issue of adequate lighting and keeping the entire site lite to ensure the safety of the space at night. The site needs exposure, so that youths don’t destroy something that the community worked hard to put together. The mindset needs to be that • We also learned about what the steering committee envisions for the site, and their main concerns about future development and plans onsite. • Building is an eyesore • They used to have skating at night, it was once a beautiful business. • They would like to see retail space, pathways and the stream preserved. • They see the potential for the space. • Need something different, not just another spot. Community members are energized and excited to fix up the neighborhood. • Want something that could attract commercial buildings. • Encouraging proper disposal of waste, recycling and composting. • Walking, biking, fishing, sitting, flowers, food, community • Simple but useful designs ***The students used this invaluable information to then create existing site plans of the site.***
II. Walking Tour of the Site Following the first steering committee meeting, students took a walking tour of the former filling station on January 29, 2014 in order to gain a better sense of the site and its context. Accompanied by Greg Bendzlowicz, John Greco, Henry Farro, and Wanda and Stephen White, students walked around the perimeter of both vacant buildings located near E. North St. Students, making note of the various materials still present in the buildings while neighborhood residents like John Greco discussed the rich history of the East Lakeview neighborhood. Students also joined Wanda and Stephen White for a walk toward the back of the site from where they could gain a better perspective of the size of the site. Following our walking tour of the site, students were joined by several steering committee members for a short driving tour of the surrounding area. During this tour, students were able to make note of the area’s many churches as well as some of the area’s most notable architectural features like the old railway. Overall, this tour allowed the students to better conceptualize the existing conditions of the site and the surrounding area. Students were now ready to begin working on their first assignment: existing conditions site plans.
III. Existing Conditions Site Plan In their first assignment of the semester, the students’ task was to develop a clear map of the neighborhood, in both a geographical and environmental sense and from a social and cultural perspective. In order to fully develop these visuals of the existing conditions, students explored the site’s existing conditions in order to illustrate different aspects of the site itself as well as the surrounding neighborhood context. The objectives of this assignment therefore included:
− To explore and document the built infrastructure, natural elements and neighborhood context of the project site; and, − To develop base drawings to aid in design proposals
Working in three interdisciplinary teams, the students produced three separate existing conditions site plans: physical infrastructure; natural environment; and, neighborhood context (see Chapter 4 for further information). This assignment not only allowed the students to develop base drawings to aid in future design proposals but also provided them with the opportunity to better familiarize themselves with the old filling station site and the East Lakeview neighborhood more broadly.
IV. SWOT Analysis Next, the students were further divided into pairs to analyze the existing conditions of the project site and East Lakeview neighborhood through what is known as a SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis involves a detailed assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats inherent in and imposed upon a given site/neighborhood. The objectives of our particular SWOT analysis included:
− To develop an understanding of the potentialities and limitations of East Lakeview and our project site; − To understand the needs of East Lakeview and our project site; and, − To further explore and understand the existing conditions of the neighborhood. To complete this assignment, students combined the information they learned from the first steering committee meeting and site visit with their own independent research to develop effective summary of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the proposed project site and its surrounding neighborhood. Like the first assignment, the SWOT analysis provided important insight into the potentialities and limitations of the site and thus served as another important resource for creating design proposals later in the semester.
V. Steering Committee Meeting #2 On February 17, 2014, neighborhood residents and students met again for the second steering committee meeting. The purpose of this meeting was for the students to facilitate a guided discussion amongst the steering committee members using a focus group methodology. Prior to the meeting the students prepared by developing a series of prompts to ask focus group participants and practicing different strategies for eliciting meaningful and informative conversations about the project site and the broader East Lakeview neighborhood. In preparation for the second steering committee meeting, students were divided into three teams that each developed its own moderator’s guide to navigate the focus group and help keep conversation on track during the steering committee meeting. Example discussion prompts included:
• If you could describe your community with one word, what would it be and why? • What are some strengths you believe your community holds? • Are there any local events or activities in the area? Which ones attract the most people? • What aspects set East Lakeview apart from the surrounding neighborhoods? • What in the neighborhood has personal historical significance? Overall, through their careful preparation for the focus groups, the students gained a great deal of insight into the steering committee members’ opinions about the site and its future. These same insights remained important throughout the remainder of the class, as residents’ feedback helped to inform the students’ site design proposals. Moreover, the focus groups allowed for the students to develop a stronger report with the steering committee members and the strengthened level of intrapersonal connection served as further motivation for the students to continue with their work with even greater investment and enthusiasm.
VI. Site Visit & Site Analysis Assignment One of the most important goals of the class is to gain a better understanding of the site and the East Lakeview neighborhood. This can only be achieved through exploring and spending time within the community, and learning through direct experiences with one’s surroundings. The goals of the next assignment were:
− To augment the students’ ongoing SWOT analysis research; − To propel the students’ journaling processes with sustained experience in the community; and, − To begin to develop initial design proposals and ideas. Working in pairs, students spent about an hour exploring and documenting the project site and surrounding neighborhood. They focused not only on gathering additional data for their SWOT analyses but also considered issues of access, adjacency, public/private space, and movement through the area. As a result of the assignment, each student developed a detailed journal entry that showcased their findings from the neighborhood, classroom exercised and visual analysis on their own observations and experiences.
VII. Memory Mapping Activity Building on the previous assignment, the students’ next assignment involved a memory mapping activity. A memory map is a tool that facilitates inward reflection as well critical examination of an area on a geographical, social, and personal level. Following another walk around the neighborhood in mid-March, the class reconvened at the FLI-CDC to draw its own memory maps of the East Lakeview neighborhood. Using their own mental images of the neighborhood as a starting point and adding how different spaces triggered emotional responses, students created several memory maps of East Lakeview from their own perspective. The purpose of the assignment was to understand that people define a place, and the complexity of connections between the way spaces are utilized come together to create a layered meaning of place. Engaging in this activity helped students to gain a better picture of the neighborhood and gain a clearer sense of how they see the community and what factors influence this mental image. The memory mapping assignment concludes phase 1 of the course, or the listening phase of the class. After the midterm presentation of their existing site plans and SWOT analyses, students moved into the design phase.
VIII. Adjacency Diagrams An adjacency diagram is an intermediate step in the schematic design process. By laying out proposed land uses in their proposed locations, these diagrams explore which land uses should be included in a schematic design proposal and where these uses should be placed relative to one another. Thus, the objectives for this particular assignment included:
− To develop initial ideas for the re-use of the former filling station site; − To investigate issues of adjacency, square footage, use, and connectivity; and, − To communicate initial design ideas to and incorporate feedback from the steering committee To create effective adjacency diagrams, students were divided into four teams each of which first brainstormed a list of features and amenities that could be included in their design proposal. In order to generate an accurate adjacency diagram, each team then researched the approximate square footages and size of each of their proposed features and then decided where each feature should be located accordingly. In the process of preparing the adjacency diagrams, students also paid close attention to whether and how the individual features could be grouped together to create more coherence in the site. After these steps were completed, each team created their final product: a colored bubble diagram depicting each proposed land use, its approximate size, and its relative location on the site. Students were careful to also indicate how these uses could be connected through the use of black lines are pathways between features. Moreover, each of the resulting adjacency diagrams was accompanied by a short written explanation of the diagram that provided further detail about the key spaces and the group’s justifications for selecting these amenities and placing these features where it did.
IX. Steering Committee Meeting #3 On March 31, 2014, the class hosted its third steering committee meeting of the semester. The purpose of this two-hour third meeting was for the students to present the results of the work they completed during the listening phase and for them to incorporate the steering committee’s feedback into the subsequent design process. Moreover, due to the weather-related delay in this particular meeting date, oral presentations were followed by an informal Q&A session in which the students presented their adjacency diagrams. After the third steering committee meeting and the constructive feedback from the members on their adjacency diagrams, the teams were ready to begin more formal design proposals. The purpose of the adjacency diagrams was to conceptualize plans and ideas for utilization of the space and to sketch out plans in reference to one another. Students were then further divided into sub committees in order to make sure to incorporate multiple perspectives into the design proposals.
X. Schematic Design Proposals and Supplemental Drawings As the students finished their adjacency diagrams and are divided into zone teams and sub- committee group, the schematic design phase is ready to take off. This assignment is designed to begin developing proposals for improvement of zone areas, visually represent design proposals, develop proposals to the level of schematic design, address the issues and opportunities developed and consider the wider needs, issues and desires from the East Lakeview neighborhood. Schematic design is the second phase in the traditional design process (following conceptual design, and to be followed by design development and construction drawings). Schematic design considers form, proportion, scale, material, color and other similar details, but does not include exact dimensions or construction. The purpose of the schematic design proposal was to get the teams thinking about how to intervene into the project site, and specifically about the zone area. All of the proposals featured sustainability, and consideration of the natural environment, social equity and the financial feasibility.
XI. Justification Reports Finally, students developed a short descriptive write-up of each area of the design proposal, including justifications based on the SWOT Analysis, feedback from the steering committee, community needs etc. The objectives of this assignment are to provide the East Lakeview Neighborhood Association with detailed descriptions of the proposal elements, as well as an understanding of why these elements were selected. This write-up included proposals for programming. This information will be key to the East Lakeview Steering Committee, so that they may one day move forward with the plans and have all the necessary information after class has concluded.
XII. Materials Inventory A materials inventory is a compilation of the supplies that are needed to complete a project. Because the class is focused on sustainable community development, it is important for to design with sustainable materials in mind, and to communicate that information to the community partner and decision makers who will one day select the building materials and products to populate the proposed park. The materials inventories included a list of materials, including planting and grading materials required to implement your programming elements that includes possible sources, estimated costs, and details on the sustainability of the materials.
XIII. Steering Committee Meeting #4 (Final Presentations & Reception; 05/05/14) The students had the opportunity to showcase their final products at the last steering committee meeting on May 5th, held in downtown Geneva at the newly renovated Farmers and Merchants Bank, called “The Left Bank”. Each group presented their sustainable development proposals to the steering committee, as well as members of the Hobart and William Smith Colleges faculty from environmental studies, architecture and other departments. Each site proposal, completed using Adobe Illustrator, was showcased at the presentation while the students stood with their supplementary drawings and explained their proposals. Students also addressed the steering committee members and navigated through questions and issues presented after the main presentations. In total, about fifty community members, faculty and staff from HWS, and city officials attended the presentations. Refreshments from Opus were served, and on the whole both students and community members were very pleased with the outcome. News of the event was reported by the Finger Lakes Times and the Seneca Daily News, as well as GNRC and HWS.
A Brief Background
Geneva, A Short History A small urban center at the heart of the Finger Lakes region of New York state, Geneva is a unique and vibrant city full of diverse cultures, arts, foods, and recreational opportunities. Situated along the northern shores of Seneca Lake, the town and city of Geneva has a long and rich history as an industrial and agricultural center. Initially home to the Seneca Native American village of Kanadaseaga, the area was originally sited for its proximity to fertile soils and water resources. By 1793, the Geneva had been settled by Europeans with the village of Geneva officially being established in 1806. Geneva was now primed to become the most important settlement in the area due to the importance of the village as a trading center.
In 1871, the village officially became the city of Geneva, which as a result of its abundant natural resources and proximity to the lake and canal systems, soon emerged as an important industrial hub in the region. Throughout the 1800s, the development of the canal system, including the Erie Canal, allowed shipping to reach anywhere in the world from Geneva. The canal system indubitably influenced the development of the community and the lasting industrial character of Geneva. The commercial area moved to the lake when the Seneca- Cayuga Canal system opened in the early 1800s. Between the 1850s and early 1900s the region was recognized for the rich glacier soil and western NY was known as “the bread basket” of the nation. Geneva and the surrounding region produced wheat, corn as well as produce, and the vast majority of the northeast population was fed this region. Between 1830s and 1875, Geneva was in its prime, a bustling town filled with lumber mills, brick yards, nurseries, and other manufacturing plants that exported goods through the canal and railroad systems to serve much of New York. The Seneca Army Depot also provided extensive economic support for Geneva by providing a sustained presence of military personal in the area. Unfortunately, by the close of World War II, the U.S. Army’s need for the Depot decreased, resulting in a subsequent reduction of personnel that would eventually result in its closure in 1995. By the turn of the 20th century much of the country’s agricultural activities moved to the Ohio Valley, and Geneva reinvented itself as a center for tree, flower and plant nurseries. In 1880, the New York State Agricultural Experiment station was founded in Geneva with the establishment including over 700 acres of orchards, vineyards, and other productive land uses. Since its inception, the Station has remained an important part of Geneva and a vibrant resource for the Finger Lakes region. Geneva’s reputation as an education hub only continued to grow with the 1822 charter for Geneva College (renamed Hobart College in 1852), the 1834 establishment of Geneva Medical College, the 1906 emergence of William Smith College for Women, and, even more recently, the citing of the Finger Lakes Community College’s Geneva Campus. Though Geneva’s position as an industrial hub diminished as new transportation routes emerged in the early 1900s, Geneva and the broader Finger Lakes region remain an important agricultural center for the country. Today, the region’s many vineyards, orchards, and agricultural lands serve as an important draw for visitors from around the world with Geneva recently emerging as a popular summer destination. Yet the impacts of the region’s mid-1900s industrial decline remain visible throughout the landscapes of Geneva with numerous abandoned industrial facilities having remained vacant for decades. As a result, Geneva’s diverse populations and the area’s overall vitality continue to be challenged. Today, the city of Geneva and surrounding municipalities are actively mediating these issues with organizations like the Business Improvement District (BID) and the Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center (GNRC) providing resources for businesses and residents with resources to improve the community have done work. GNRC The Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center (GNRC) is a program of the City of Geneva’s Office of Neighborhood Initiatives (ONI). Geneva, NY is comprised of eleven distinct neighborhoods that were identified in the December 2008 Charles Buki (czb LLC) Neighborhoods of Geneva study. The GNRC is the hub of technical assistance for all neighborhood needs, and thus serves as a conduit of information exchange between neighborhood associations and City Government. In the past five years, the GNRC has helped develop nine out of the 11 neighborhood associations through a five year organizational development life-cycle assessment process as well as resident-initiated strategic plans. The ultimate goal of the GNRC is to provide a higher quality of life, improve the housing market, and create a more livable and financially sustainable city. After all, the combination of engaged residents and coordinated support of their initiatives are what truly make each neighborhood association successful. The goals of each neighborhood association are to build a network of neighbors to collaborate on projects and events to promote neighborhood pride; organize neighborhood and block events; rally neighbors to participate in beautification programs; facilitate communication of information and resources between ONI and residents; and collaborate with ONI and neighbors to address neighborhood ideas and concerns. The GNRC provides a meeting area, financial assistance through various grants and initiatives, information on home improvements, and other resources to help neighborhoods plan and implement activities and information dissemination.
The East Lakeview Neighborhood The community of East Lakeview is a neighborhood located near the heart of downtown Geneva and along the shores of beautiful Seneca Lake. East Lakeview is considered both an urban and a rural community with multiple forms of diversity, including racial, age group and socio-economic. With its adjacency to downtown, Seneca Lake, and other wooded areas, the urban and rural characters of the neighborhood come together to create the unique appeal of East Lakeview. Many parts of the neighborhood have views of the lake or overlook remnants of the elevated rail line, cemetery or historic canal ways of the Erie Canal. The neighborhood is also adjacent to a large industrial park and has a long history of industrial uses and spaces for commercial and other retail development. The neighborhood has gone through several different stages of industrial uses and the adjacency to the industrial park has created several opportunities for the neighborhood, including employment and other retail opportunities stemming from the employment base at the industrial park. As much of the industry has left the area in recent years, employment opportunities have decreased and a variety of issues have emerged in the community. Many of the streets in the neighborhood are smaller roads or alleyways, with one major street, East North Street, running through the entire neighborhood. Meanwhile, many of the neighborhood’s side streets have no major outlets, thereby lacking connectivity to other parts of the community and Geneva more broadly. Moreover, the majority of the housing stock is aging having been largely constructed over 80 years ago for the purpose of providing residences for industrial workers and employees. Some of these houses have since been converted to accommodate growing families and two or three family units. There is a mix between landlord owned and private ownership of housing within the neighborhood. The neighborhood includes several facilities and services, including several unique small businesses; it is also lacking basic necessities such as a full service grocery store, schools. This causes a need to leave the community to fulfill basic needs. In terms of population, the East Lakeview neighborhood is recognized for its diversity. Many residents have lived in East Lakeview for decades, although newer families are also locating in the area due to the low housing costs. In recent years, the neighborhood community has galvanized and formed the East Lakeview Neighborhood Association, which serves to promote activities, community cohesion and support Gulvin Park. About Brownfields and the Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Program In 2012, the City of Geneva secured funding from the Brownfield Opportunity Area Program (BOA) to complete a pre-nomination study that can help to guide and coordinate future neighborhood revitalization initiatives in the North End neighborhoods, including East Lakeview. Led an advisory committee, a team of consultants from Skeo Solutions, and the GNRC, the BOA process remains on-going with plans for the future of Geneva’s brownfields under development throughout the affected community. The resulting document, The North End Neighborhoods Revitalization Framework, included existing conditions, identified priorities for the physical improvement of the area focusing on area’s potentially impacted by former industrial uses by contamination. The New York State Department provides grants to local governments to help them create revitalization strategies for neighborhoods and areas that are affected by brownfields (properties with real or perceived contamination or economic distress). These sites are often the relics of previous industrial accidents involving the spillage or seepage of potentially hazardous substances, pollutants, or other contaminates into the surrounding landscapes (US EPA.) Viewed as “contaminated” or otherwise “uninhabitable” by residents in the area, these sites often become derelict areas within a community, and can come to represent the sign of lost industry and sometimes emerge as a sore spot for the neighborhood. As part of the Brownfields Opportunity Area (BOA) process, the former filling station site was identified as a priority for further remediation and reuse. Currently, the streetside parcels are privately owned, and total 0.5 acres. In the past, these parcels housed Joe’s Service Station, which experienced several spills and leaks of gasoline from 1992- 2008. In 2001, the NYDEC removed the leaking underground storage tanks associated with the spills. Tanks were removed and 3,800 tons of contaminated soil were excavated and removed to an off- site landfill. The NYDEC has placed a lien on the property for unrecovered response costs. It was out of the BOA process that the East Lakeview Neighborhood Association began to galvanize, and identify the former filling station site and surrounding vacant properties (also referred to as the project site) as a priority for the neighborhood, with hopes of adaptively reusing it as park space.
About the Project Site The specific site identified for the class is located on East North Street, flanked by Crystal Street and North Wadsworth Street, and includes the brownfields mentioned above in addition to several additional properties. East North Street is one of the main streets going through the East Lakeview neighborhood. As previously mentioned, the site is located on an old gasoline station, and is also the site of two large abandoned buildings. This site is also home to Marsh Creek, one of the many outlets to Seneca Lake. The site is approximately East North Street is located off of Route 14, which runs from Interstate 90 into the downtown of Geneva. The site is located in close proximity to Seneca Lake, downtown Geneva and Route 14, creating points of access and visibility from several different nearby areas. Presently, the project site actually consists of six separate properties, two of which are privately owned, the lands abutting Marsh Creek which are owned by the State of New York and the property located in the northwest, which is owned by the City of Geneva. The street frontage along East North Street is approximately 240 feet, and the site is about 650 deep. In total, the site is about 3.5 acres in size. The topography of the site is relatively flat, and besides the two buildings and one former building’s foundation, it is primarily grass, with a few trees. Currently the site is maintained by neighbors, who have taken responsibility for its upkeep including mowing and some trash removal, although in northern areas, near the elevated rail line, there is evidence of substantial dumping of construction material and debris. Because of its central location in the neighborhood, Marsh Creek and nearby residential density, the project site is an ideal location for redevelopment. Its location within a 100-year floodplain limits development, making a park a perfect choice for use. Through the partnership with the FLI-CDC and the Geneva GNRC, the people of East Lakeview now have a voice to start making positive changes within their neighborhood. With the newly formed East Lakeview Neighborhood Association, there is leadership within the community to inspire and implement changes that benefit the people of the neighborhood. One of the goals of this class is to work with the visions, needs and desires of the steering committee, comprised of community members and association leaders, to help implement the changes they want to see in their community and make lasting positive affects in the neighborhood. Through working together, we have the capacity to create meaningful change and a lasting partnership to continue the work within East Lakeview.
MarshCreek
Crystal Street Crystal Virginia Street Virginia
North Exchange Street North Wadsworth Street Wadsworth North
East North Street ARC/ENV 351 S’14 Base Map Existing Conditions Site Plans Existing Conditions The following pages include maps of the project site and the surrounding neighborhood, which document the existing conditions of natural resource and the environment, physical infrastructure and the surrounding neighborhood.
Natural Environment of East North Street Site East Lakeview Neighborhood Geneva, NY Nick Baca, Joe Gleason, Marshall Keeton, Shani Saul, and Katie Sipple ARCH/ENV 351: Sustainable Community Development Tools & Methods Cari Varner and Robin Lewis
Land Cover Data According to USGS
FORESTED UPLAND: “Areas characterized by tree cover (natural or semi-natural woody vegetation, generally greater than 6 meters tall)” (landcover.usgs.gov)
Soils Descriptions from Soil Survey Sta
SHRUBLAND: “Areas characterized by natural or semi-natural woody vegetation with aerial stems, generally less than 6 meters tall, with individuals or ODESSA SILT LOAM: Deep soil layer composed of clumps not touching to interlocking. Both evergreen 50% or more silt and 12-27% clay. It has somewhat and deciduous species of true shrubs, young trees, and poor drainage and permeability decreases with trees or shrubs that are small or stunted because of depth (soil survey sta , 1993). environmental conditions are included” (landcover.usgs.gov) Tree Information HEMLOCK SILT Y CLAY LOAM: A deep soil layer comprised of 27-40% clay and 20% or less sand. This layer has decent drainage characteristics RESIDENTIAL: “Includes areas with a mixture of WEEPING WILLOW: 35’ (soil survey sta , 1993). constructed materials and vegetation. height, 35’ crown spread Constructed materials account for 30-100 percent of the cover. Vegetation may account for up to 70 percent of the cover” (landcover.usgs.gov) RED MAPLE: 70’ height, 30’ crown spread
C
N N
r
C o
y o
r
st rt
y rt
al Str
st
h h
al Str COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL: “Includes Wadsworth
PUSSY WILLOW: 30’ height, Wadsworth
infrastructure (e.g. roads, railroads, etc.) and all 25’ crown spread e
et
e
highly developed areas not classi ed as High et Intensity Residential” (landcover.usgs.gov)
RED PINE: 75’ height,
S
S treet
20’ crown spread treet
KEY Tunnel
KEY Tunnel
Tunnel Topography: 2 foot contour lines
Marsh Creek Marsh Creek
Tree Tree
Tree Shadow Tree Shadow
Residential Residential
Commercial/Industrial Commercial eet reet h Str th St rt t Nor East No Eas Vacant Flood Plain: 100 year
Vacant Brown eld Land cover, Vegetation and Brown elds Soils, Topography and Floodplains
0’’ 1’’ 2’’ 0’’ 1’’ 2’’ 0’ 75’ 150’ 0’ 75’ 150’ East Lakeview Neighborhood Physical Infrastructure Emily Vollo, Jordan Mueller, Laura Kenny, Zach Reed ARCH/ENV 351: Sustainable Community Design Methods and Tools
N. Wadsworth Street
Marsh Creek
Crystal Street
E. North Street
Legend
Commercial Concrete Gravel Grass Water
Residential Asphalt Sidewalks Forest Telephone Poles Trees 1” = 37.5’ East Lake View Neighborhood Site Context Roue Nutter, Tim Griffin, Caroline Demeter, Lars Sunnell & Laina Zissu ARCH/ENV 351: Sustainable Community Design Methods & Tools Cari Varner and Robin Lewis Bu alo St Tracey Lane
Key: Hogarth Ave One Family Residential Commercial 1/2 Mile Walking Radius
Two Family Residential Town Property Lines
Multiple Family Residential Industrial Sidewalks
Multiple Family Residential (Historic District) Apartment Complex Streets
Business One 5+ Family House Vacant Rail Road
Business Two 2-4 Family House Active Rail Road
Industrial One Single Family House Water
Industrial Two Vacant
Lake Front Residential
Lake Front Comamercial Willard Street Dove St
Convenience Store Park Hospital
Gas Station Beauty Salon Police Station
Waste Water Treatment Plant Auto Repair/Rental Ave Burrall
Video Store Church Doran Ave Doran Prospect Ave Street Exchange N
School Liquor Store Kirkwood Ave Kirkwood
Marsh Creek Crystal Street Crystal
N Wadworth N Wadworth Street
Virginia Street Virginia NorthAve
E North Street
Hellenbeck Ave
North Street Center Street Ave Munson
E North Street N Exchange Street Exchange N
North Street Exchange Street
Herbert Street Andes Ave
Wadworth Street
Route 5 & 20
Exchange Street Seneca Lake
0 0.375 Kilometers
0 0.375Miles 0 0.0625 Kilometers
Andes Ave 0 0.0625 Miles Neighborhood Analysis
SWOT Analysis During the first phase of the class described above, students researched the existing conditions of the neighborhood and classified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the community. The purpose of the SWOT analysis is to develop an understanding of the potential and limitations of East Lakeview and our project site, to understand the needs of East Lakeview and our project site, and to further explore and understand the existing conditions of the neighborhood. Definitions of SWOT are:
• Strengths – Positive, assets, strengths, resources, • Weaknesses- Negative, issues, problems, liabilities • Opportunities – Positive things that can be capitalized on for a project that can be leveraged. Opportunities will have a direct impact on our project site proposal. • Threats – Negative things that can jeopardize the project,that might negatively impact the desired outcomes. Threats will have a direct impact on our project site proposal.
As mentioned previously, students worked in pairs to tackle one of the following focus areas below.
• Demographics and Social Issues • Amenities and Basic Services • Physical Infrastructure • Resources & Local Capacity • Aesthetics and Architecture • Natural Resources and Environment
Demographics and Social Issues Strengths: 1. Existing North End Revitalization Plan
The North End Revitalization Plan is a strength and resource for the East Lakeview neighborhood due simply to its existence. The City of Geneva’s Office Of Neighborhood Initiatives launched a plan in 2008 that would reward neighborhood revitalization initiatives citywide. The North End Revitalization Plan was created to suggest changes that could be made in many of the North End neighborhoods that would improve quality of life through housing/accessibility enhancements and stabilizing residential pockets (Skeo Solutions, 2013). The idea that this plan has been developed suggests that there is community interest and city commitment to revitalizing the area. This report will also be a helpful resource as various city projects move forward in understanding the demographics, the current economic environment and quality of life, and social issues of the region. Additionally, studies have shown that participation in community associations alone can encourage neighborly relations and engagement (Donnelly, 1996). "Membership in the association is positively related to informal neighboring and sense of community" (Donnelly, 1996).
2. Brownfield Revitalization grants for the City of Geneva The availability of this funding would make the likelihood of developing the project site greater by serving as a potential source of funding for revitalization projects. “The New York Department of State provides grants to local governments to help them create revitalization strategies for neighborhoods and areas that are affected by brownfields (properties with real or perceived contamination) or economic distress. The City of Geneva is pursuing a BOA designation for the North End neighborhoods that would allow the City to access state implementation funds.” (Skeo Solutions, 2013)
Weaknesses: 1. Higher rates of vacant housing compared to the rest of Geneva This fact could be a weakness for the redevelopment of the project site because of perceived safety concerns. Parents may be hesitant to let children walk to the park due to the perceived danger rate associated with vacant buildings in the area. These concerns could prevent the development of our project. The North End Neighborhood Revitalization Framework found that the North End neighborhoods have higher rates of vacant housing in comparison to the City of Geneva as a whole. In 2010 the neighborhood held 2,112 housing units, however, 25% of those units were vacant (Skeo Solutions, 2013). 2. Community concern that the new space could turn into a hang out for troublemakers. This concern could prevent the development or potential for success of the project site because community members may not want to create such a space, or may be hesitant to utilize a space if it does become a hang out for local troublemakers. At the first Steering Committee meeting on February 17, 2014 several residents expressed this concern regarding a new park. Opportunities: 1. Diversity in age of the neighborhood residents The diversity in age of the East Lakeview neighborhood residents can be capitalized on by creating a park proposal that appeals to a number of age groups. Attempting to please a variety of age groups provides us with many options for uses and programs during the creation of our plans. By creating a plan that appeals to the age variance, we are given the opportunity to unite the neighborhood further by encouraging interactions between all age groups. Additionally, the variety in age groups presents us with an ideal neighboring community. The presence of children and elderly residents has shown to be key components in community building. “In many ways East Lakeview is both an urban and a rural community with a diverse population racially and in terms of age.” (Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center, 2014). Additionally, “informal neighboring is associated with having children. Children’s activities help to bring their parents together. Further, resident who are older and more settled in the community tend to be involved in more neighboring activities than others.” (Donnelly, 1996)
2: Racial and ethnic diversity of the neighborhood residents Research has shown that “…mixing social groups in a single place raised the living standards of lower- income groups, encouraged aesthetic diversity and cultural cross-fertilization, increased equality of opportunity, promoted social harmony, improved the physical functioning of the city, and helped maintain stable neighborhoods by allowing households to alter their housing expenditure while remaining in the same neighborhood.” (Talen, 2006.) By creating a space for all members of the community to share, we will ideally bring all races/ethnicities within the community together and receive the benefits of a racially diverse neighborhood. 3. Many people walk within the neighborhood At the first Steering Committee meeting on February 17, 2014 one of the residents mentioned that many people walk around the neighborhood. Following this, we noticed a number of residents walking around the project site when we visited it as a class on March 3, 2014. At times, we noticed some residents stop to socialize on the corner of E. North Street and Exchange Street. This can also add a level of comfort to our project plans because we know that the local residents will be willing to walk to the place that we hope to create. Further, walking is a sustainable means of transportation.
Threats: 1. Close proximity to Gulvin Park, a neighborhood park that features a playground, benches, and sports fields.
The close proximity of Gulvin Park may make our space seem redundant. It will be important for us to create a place that offers different amenities than Gulvin Park.
(Google Earth, 2014)
2. Perception of higher crime rates in comparison to the City of Geneva as a whole.
The North End Neighborhood Revitalization Plan suggests that there was a perception of higher crime rates within North End neighborhoods in comparison to the City of Geneva as a whole (Skeo Solutions, 2013). This misconception could be a threat to our project because people may be hesitant to walk to the park, spend time there alone, or spend time there at night. To avoid this threat, we should make sure that the park is well lit, is comfortable to access, and monitored by the Geneva Police Department regularly.
3. Fear of underutilization
At our first steering committee meeting on February 17, 2013 many of the community members expressed concern that unless programming was provided a space without programming might threaten the success of our project. To avoid this threat, we should create a space that is accessible without programming. We may also consider setting up committees to coordinate programming, or suggest programming ourselves. 4. Less than half of the homes in the neighborhood are owner occupied. A total of 39% of the houses in the neighborhood were owner occupied in 2012 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). Studies indicate that "Homeowners and older residents are more likely to have informal and organizational ties to their neighborhood and are more likely to continue living in the same place than renters or younger persons" (Donnelly, 1996) Furthermore, "population turn over can weaken community institutions which limits opportunities for organizational involvement" (Donnelly, 1996). Keeping this in mind, we can attempt to avoid this threat by putting extra effort into including short- term neighborhood residents and renters and attempt to create programming that can be participated in on a short-term basis.
5. Lower median income than the majority of the City of Geneva. The North End Revitalization Plan stated that the average median household income of a North End home was $30,240. The Plan also noted that this income level was lower than average for the City of Geneva (Skeo Solutions, 2013). Research has found that "lower income areas have weaker organizational bases than higher income areas" (Donnelly, 1996). This could be a threat to our project because it suggests that community members may not take on the responsibility of community event planning, or participating in these programs when they are planned for our new space. It will be important to focus on community development throughout the planning process of our space in order to create our desired outcome.
Amenities and Basic Services
Strengths:
1. Pit Stop Convenient Store & Gas Station; and Pick Quick Meat Mart
The Pit Stop Convenient Store & Gas Station and the Quick Pick Meat Mart provide places to buy both gas and some consumable items such as food in the East Lakeview Neighborhood. Although these convenience stores are not comparable to a grocery store, they bridge some of the gap that results from not having a nearby store.
(Source: Google Maps)
2. Family Video
The Family Video store provides the East Lakeview neighborhood with a location where residents can rent and purchase movies and videogames in several different formats. The store provides a low priced activity that people of all ages can enjoy. With the exception of several movie kiosks (i.e. RedBox and Blockbuster Express facilities distributed throughout the city), Family Video provides the only local video rental service that is not automated. The selection is also much larger at the Family Video due to size constraints of rental kiosks, which can only hold around 500 discs (Michael, 2006).
(Source: Google Maps)
3. Gulvin Park
Gulvin Park provides the East Lakeview neighborhood with active recreation spaces such as a baseball field, a basketball court, and a playground. The space is a popular spot for younger people to visit during warmer months to participate in sporting activities or other outdoor events. Gulvin Park also benefits the surrounding area in multiple ways such as raising property values, reducing air and water pollution, and helping to keep the nearby areas cooler during the summer. Another major benefit of the park is that “access to public parks and recreational facilities has been strongly linked to reductions in crime and in particular to reduced juvenile delinquency” (Sherer, 2003).
(Source: Google Maps)
4. Proximity of Urban Green Spaces (Nieder Park, Vegetation, Elevated Trail) East Lakeview has great access to nearby nature that is intertwined into their community. As seen highlighted on the map below they have three parks in the area of their neighbor-hood and in fact, besides Lakefront Park, these are also the three the largest parks and open spaces in Geneva.
0.41 Miles 0.83 Miles
0.21 Miles 0.62 Miles
(Source: Google Maps)
They are also relatively close to the project site, 0.62 miles which is only slightly more than the state defined walking distance, to the Lakefront Park, although they are cut off by the railroad and 5&20. As also seen in the picture there is an abundance of trees spread throughout the neighborhood. The elevated rail, located at the north end of the project site, and continuing throughout the neighborhood is a huge opportunity to incorporate more green space and also tie the existing parks and other green spaces together in the future.
5. Proximity to fire department, police department, hospital and infrastructure (water, sewage, electricity, cable)
The East Lakeview neighborhood has all basic infrastructure a neighborhood needs: water lines, sewage, electricity, cable and garbage removal. East Lakeview is also within close proximity to the police station, fire department and the hospital.
6. Proximity of Industry (Haun Welding Supply, Mcintosh Pallet Co, Casella Waste Systems, Rist Transport)
East Lakeview and much of Geneva’s industry used to be located in the East Lakeview neighborhood. Much of the physical infrastructure, including buildings, roadways and more is still present. Although not every building is currently occupied, many industrial uses are still present such as Pepsi, the Geneva Department of Public Works and more. In the future, there is potential for new businesses and industries to locate in this neighborhood, also bringing new economic development and jobs to the area.
Opportunities:
1. Proximity to Churches and Catholic Charities, Salvation Army Church, Francis deSales Church, St. Paul’s Full Gospel Church
There are multiple churches in the East Lakeview neighborhood that appeal to different groups of people, yet based on steering committee meetings, it is also clear that churches are also places where many community members gather. Several community members have mentioned events which were organized through the churches such as community barbeques. This highlights the ability of local churches and similar groups to arrange community gatherings. The Catholic Charities have also shown their willingness to work with other groups by collaborating with the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva (Boys and Girls Club of Geneva, 2014). Church groups could use the proposed park to provide extracurricular activities and larger gatherings.
( Source: Google Maps, 2014)
2. Sons of Italy
The Sons of Italy are a very active part of the Geneva community and host many events from holiday events like Halloween parties to Italian events like their annual Sons of Italy Italian Festival (Sons of Italy 2014). They could be a great group to work with to plan programs for the proposed park.
3. Existing Warehouse Building
The existing lumber mill building is in good shape and could potentially be adaptively reused for another purpose. The structure also seems to be in decent shape and is in a prime location within the project site. However a proper inspection would be needed to make sure the building is structurally sound.
(Source: Baca, 2014)
4. Sidewalks
Sidewalks extend throughout the East Lakeview neighborhood connecting the neighborhood with the rest of Geneva. Throughout the neighborhood, some sections of the sidewalk could be patched or replaced, but on the whole sidewalks in the East Lakeview neighborhood are in good condition. Although these sidewalks offer a path to places such as downtown or other parts of the city, they may not be being used to their full potential. Community members commented about their feelings of being disconnected from the rest of Geneva. Improvements to the existing sidewalks such as repairs, lighting, the addition of a landscaped buffer could further enhance connectivity. However, the abundance of existing sidewalks that are regularly used as an opportunity to promote the use of the proposed park by residents without cars, youth and the elderly.
(Source: Baca, 2014)
Weaknesses:
1. Lack of lighting
The lack of lighting was highlighted as an important issue when talking with the community members from the East Lakeview neighborhood. Although the light pollution from downtown does provide ambient lighting along Exchange Street, there are very few lampposts in the area. This creates a lot of dark corners for people who are participating in illegal activities to hide in, making the neighborhood feel unsafe to both visitors and residents.
Threats:
1. Saglimbeni’s Discount Liquor
After speaking with the owner, it was determined that Saglimbeni’s Liquor store is a family owned business that has been around for more than half a century. Although the store has no immediate environmental impacts, the presence of a liquor store in the neighborhood can be viewed as a threat to the site. Similar to some of the other businesses in the East Lakeview neighborhood, the Liquor store likely attracts people from within and outside of the neighborhood. Although this does not equate to unlawful activity, alcohol can become a polarizing topic. Several community members have voiced concerns about unlawful activities occurring on or around the site. No direct link has been made to the liquor store, but access to alcohol could have a negative impact on any future development.
(Source: Baca, 2014)
2. Wastewater Treatment Plant
The wastewater treatment plant upstream from the project site provides an important service for the City of Geneva but it is still a threat to the site. Recently there has been much controversy about the ability of water treatment plants to remove some substances such as pharmaceuticals or other chemicals when industrial waste is treated (Jones, 2005). Although these ideas are still being debated, even the thought of these substances going unfiltered into the creek could create negative opinion of Marsh Creek limiting the use of what could otherwise be considered an asset to the site.
(Source: Google Maps, East Lakeview Neighborhood)
Physical Infrastructure
Strengths: 1. Access to adequate drinking water The East Lakeview neighborhood of Geneva maintains very close proximity to Seneca Lake, offering good access to clean drinking water. According to the Infrastructure sections of the City of Geneva’s Website (“Infrastructure”, n.d.), “Geneva’s primary source of drinking water is Seneca Lake, which contains the highest quality water in New York State… The lake’s Class A rating, combined with Geneva’s excellent treatment facilities, results in the best possible water for City residents”. Maps of Geneva indicate that Gulvin Park, which is located in East Lakeview, is only 0.2 miles from Seneca Lake. While there is no direct walking route to the lake area, its proximity does provide adequate access to clean drinking water. Areas without this water access extract water from existing sources, which is highly problematic in the following way according to Lewis (n.d.): “…pollution of natural water bodies, unintentional use of wastewater in irrigated agriculture, irregular water supply, and environmental concerns for aquatic life due to the high concentration of pollutants flowing into water bodies” all become more prevalent. Thus, it is a strength for the East Lakeview neighborhood that they have easy access to clean water from Seneca Lake. 2. Access to electrical grid Access to electrical grids allows for the development of built environments that include electrical power and telecommunication. Since this is determined by city-planning policies beyond our control, it is a strength that this site is located next to electrical grids along East North Street at the South end of our site. Depicted below are two images of the electrical system already in place by the old filling station on East North Street. Neal Braman of City Hall indicated that if the nearest main roads to the site contain an electrical grid or access to one, any development on the site property can be easily hooked up to this electrical system via either underground wiring or overhead connections (personal communication, February 11, 2014).
3. Flood Control System for Marsh Creek There was a flood damage control project carried out during 1957 that made the banks of Marsh Creek wider while also lowering the level in some parts for consistent bottom depths. According to the NYDEC Marsh Creek flood damage reduction report (n.d., p. 2), We know that “…construction of improvements for flood control on Marsh Creek at Geneva, New York, was authorized by the Chief of Engineers, October 3rd, 1956, under authority of Public Law 685, 84th Congress.” This project was designed to increase the flow of water by dredging the bottom of the creek and reshaping the banks in attempts to mitigate potential hazards if a more serious flood were to occur. The only bottleneck encountered while implementing the flood control system was the small openings of the existing onsite bridge.
Weaknesses: 1. East North Street Traffic During the Steering Committee meeting on January 27, community members agreed that East North Street is busy with traffic most of the day, as it is a main access road into Geneva from 1-90 (personal communication, January 27, 2014). This is a weakness because East North Street is adjacent to our site, and will add significant traffic noise to the site. This traffic will also inhibit privacy levels in the site area and make pedestrian crossings and sidewalk development less more difficult in a congested area. According to the Institution of Transportation Engineers (“The Street Environment and Neighborhood Traffic Management; An Overview,” 1999, p. 10), the presence of traffic may “discourage residential land uses and encourage commercial activity; it can also lead to rapid population turnover and neighborhood instability”. They also discuss that traffic contributions to noise pollution in the area, discouraging people from wanting to socialize in the area. This is directly relevant to site development at the East North Street filling station if it is going to be a communal gathering space for the community of East Lakeview Neighborhood. 2. Lacks center for transportation According to residents of the East Lakeview neighborhood, their neighborhood lacks a central transportation hub (personal communication, February 17, 2014). Since many residents do not own cars, waiting outside on the street for the C.A.T.S. bus— which is unreliable as a fast and efficient method of transportation anyway— is not sufficient and interferes with the traffic flow of East North Street. Travelling to other areas of the neighborhood as well as other areas of Geneva is difficult and time-consuming for residents of East Lakeview neighborhood. The map below illustrates the C.A.T.S. bus route in relation to our site and the greater East Lakeview Neighborhood. The Darker purple line shows that the only place the C.A.T.S. bus route intersects the East Lakeview area in along East North Street. 3. Lack of sufficient lighting In the meeting with the neighborhood participants on Monday, January 27 we learned that East Lakeview is stereotyped as one of the more dangerous places in Geneva and the community feels that adequate lighting for their streets, sidewalks and public spaces is of the utmost importance (personal communication, January 27, 2014). If people do not feel comfortable after dark it is unlikely that they will have the confidence to explore the parts of their neighborhood and surrounding community that they are not familiar with. With the goal of a sustainable neighborhood that is interconnected with the surrounding neighborhoods of Geneva it is essential for community members to feel comfortable and safe when they leave their homes. Clarke (2008) states that crime reductions “are likely to be greater if the existing lighting is poor and if the improvement in lighting is considerable.” From multiple site visits, it is clear that lighting in this area is insufficient. When looking towards the city center, the light that is emitted likely makes a person who is standing in East Lakeview neighborhood feel as if they are in the dark.
4. Poor walkability From multiple site visits and neighborhood explorations of East Lakeview throughout the months of January and February 2014, it is evident that the sidewalks need improvement. In some areas, such as residential streets between the filling station and Gulvin Park, they are nonexistent. In other areas, they are cracked and damaged, or not maintained as accessible walking paths during the winter months. There are not many pedestrian crossings in the neighborhood, particularly around the East North Street filling station site. If potential development at the site takes place, the impaired sidewalks and limited access routes may be of value to invest in. Lindley (2008) reports on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation that sidewalks increase the walkability of a neighborhood, decrease pedestrian crashes by 88%, increase physical activity levels among community residents, and create an environment more conducive to social interaction. Images below were taken on March 9, 2014 during a site visit, which illustrate the sidewalk management issues in the area.
Opportunities: 1. Elevated Rail line The elevated rail tracks are overgrown and abandoned, yet provide a unique opportunity for developing connections with the lakefront area, downtown Geneva, and a widely-used community space. For example, the ‘Highline’ in New York City transformed their inactive elevated railway into a park greenway for the public. In the North End Neighborhood Revitalization Framework (2013), it is stated that “Rail infrastructure changes coupled with safe pedestrian and bicycle access across Route 5/20 could enhance pedestrian and auto access to downtown and the waterfront from the North End neighborhoods”.
This opportunity can be further illustrated in the North End Neighborhoods Revitalization Framework (2013), which depicts a proposed plan (below) of the green walking trail along the existing rail line down to the lakefront. The area highlighted in green represents the area for improvements discussed above. The aerial satellite map below shows the highly forested elevated rail line that runs perpendicular to Marsh Creek.
2. Gulvin Park We learned through meetings with our community partners on Monday, January 27 and Monday, February 17 that Gulvin Park has great opportunity because it is a park space that is becoming more used (personal communication, January 27 & February 17, 2014). The park contains a basketball court, a baseball diamond, and a playground that has seen little use thus far because it was built in late autumn. The community is growing pride in this park in both youth and adults, the youth are spending their time playing in the park and the adults are beginning to take pride in the beauty of the park by caretaking and planting flowers. Gulvin Park is an area that can be linked in with the green-space idea shown in the above map. The park itself is also underdeveloped allowing for a new park system to draw visitors in. At our second Steering Committee meeting on Monday, February 17 Wanda White and James Richmond discussed that the East Lakeview neighborhood already has plans for putting a new playground in at Gulvin’s Park among other revitalizing amenities for the area (personal communication, February 17, 2014). They are projecting these plans will take place by this upcoming summer, which would provide further incentive to incorporate the newly adapted park into plans for a community space along Marsh Creek. This connection of green space was seen during our site visits, projected plans shown above, and further promoted through discussions with community members. 3. Clark Street Park Clark Street Park provides a unique opportunity for development because there is only a baseball diamond there. This park also provides opportunities in that it is at the most removed end of the neighborhood. Because it is so far removed, the development of this park would help bring physical connectivity of the greens spaces and parks of Geneva why promoting social connectivity by improving the park system within Geneva, and what these parks offer the community. Increasing the amount of parks and green spaces has beneficial influences on the youth of the area, “limited exposure to nature and green space may have serious physical and psychological health ramifications” (Strife & Downey, 2009). This implies that the more parks within walking distance available to the community will have positive impacts on the youth and consequently the rest of the community.
4. Jackson Street Foundry Site The “North End Neighborhoods Revitalization Framework” (2013) outlines the foundry site on 23 Jackson Street provides a unique opportunity to implement a skate park and multi purpose area for the community youth. There is a group of community members who are in the process of making proposals for that site with the hopes of implementing a skate park and a multi use area encouraging different groups to utilize the area. If this area is successfully constructed it will tie in to the rest of Geneva’s park system creating more outdoor spaces for community members to utilize. the foundry site as a place with great opportunity for the community to expand their open park spaces and the connectivity between them. The public parks and recreation areas, which include the foundry, can be seen on the map provided above. 5. C.A.T.S. bus public transportation Being directly on the C.A.T.S. bus public transportation line presents both problems and opportunities. The bus line has inconveniences because there are no pre-determined bus stops and you are expected to wave the bus down for it to stop for you. The project site is an ideal location to begin implementing bus stops or areas in which people can wait for the bus. Helping the community gain easier access to public transportation will improve the connectivity of the all of the neighborhoods within Geneva. The C.A.T.S. bus provides transportation for households that are isolated from basic amenities like groceries and household necessities (personal communication, 2014). This is essential because East Lakeview does not have immediate access to many of these basic necessities (American Public Transportation Association, p.9). The route map above illustrates the C.A.T.S. bus route through Geneva. Threats: 1. Sanitary Line from the wastewater treatment facility located northeast of the ! site % ! ! ! ! % Neal Braman (City of Geneva) explains that ! untreated water is run through underground piping—sanitary sewer lines— to the treatment facility nearby where it is treated and discharged (personal communication, ! % % February 11, 2014). The treated water is %! ! then run through an underground pipe to
Seneca Lake. This piping runs through our !)5!)5 site from north to south. While the sanitary ! 1$ 1$ 1$# !# # line does not directly infiltrate Marsh Creek, # % 1$ ## # 1$1$ # # # %1$ 1$ # #! 1$1$ it does have the potential to contaminate # # 1$ 1$ !)5 # # 1$ !)5! % 1$ the soil in flood conditions, exacerbating the ! 1$ 1$ 1$ ! ! ! site’s brownfield. Additionally, if the ! ! % ! ! ! wastewater is not treated properly at the % ! !)5!! %
%
0 80 160 320 480 640 Feet q facility, it may contaminate the surrounding area as well. The wastewater treatment plant for Geneva is located north of the filling station site at 45 Doran Avenue in Geneva. The red line shown in the image below illustrates the sanitary line running through the Eastern portion of the site. Studies as cited by the CEP (“Caribbean Environment Program,” n.d.) indicate that in the case of a sewage leak, water pollutes groundwater and other bodies of water causing deterioration of water quality and moreover, of aquatic ecosystems.
2. Proximity to Industrial Park Zoto’s International Cosmetics factory, Guardian Industries glass factory, Seneca Foods, and Airgas East chemical supply company are all examples of large industrial developments in the East Lakeview area. These companies comprise an ‘Industrial Park’ that releases smoke stacks into the air, noise pollution of turbines, and causes many trucks to circulate through the area. The traffic consequently increases in the neighborhood, affecting the lives of residents in the area. The Industrial Park also influences the types of development than can occur in the area—if sustainability is a key focus, this may be somewhat compromised by the air pollution from these industrial companies nearby. This map illustrates the large Industrial Park area that exists in the Northeastern portion of the East Lakeview Neighborhood. This area is approximately 1/3 of the entire neighborhood, directly affecting the residents of the area and potential development plans. In addition to the negative environmental impacts of industrial development, Downey and Willigen’s (2005, p. 302-303) research indicates that “industrial activity is associated with perceptions of individual powerlessness and neighborhood disorder, leading to higher levels of psychological distress”.
3. Rail yard located between East Lake View neighborhood and Seneca Lake While this rail yard may be a benefit to a community that is based around heavy industry it does not compliment the sense of community we have gotten from multiple neighborhood visits, in addition to the opinions put forth by the East Lake View neighborhood residents in our steering committee meetings. From our meetings with community members it is evident that as a neighborhood their interest is in becoming a more socially and environmentally sustainable neighborhood and developing a close connection with Seneca Lake and the other neighborhoods from Geneva. This section of rail and the switchyard effectively cuts East Lake View off of the lake and other sections of Geneva. According to the ‘visitgeneva.com’ website (n.d.), “The City is connected to nationwide rail providers Norfolk Southern and CSX via a partnership with shortline rail hauler Finger Lakes Railway (FLR). FLR provides freight service seven days a week from its Geneva switchyard.” The map depicted below features the rail system existing in Geneva, NY.
Resources and Local Capacity
Strengths: 1. Urban Green Spaces The presence of neighborhood parks and other opportunities for expanded green spaces are and asset to the neighborhood. New green spaces can provide a boost to property values but also provide social benefits (Sousa 2003). Parks and other unprogrammed green spaces can provide opportunities for expansion of the neighborhood and can provide space for unstructured play for the children in the neighborhood. Open space provides an area suitable for imaginative play (Kahn et.al. 2014.) 2. The East Lakeview Neighborhood Association Another aspect of the East Lakeview neighborhood that provides a great benefit to the community is the presence of community involvement in the form of the East Lakeview Neighborhood Association. The success or failure of a neighborhood organization is dependent on a series of factors including social ecology and organizational complexity (Mesch & Schwirian 1996.) When these factors work in conjunction with each other a neighborhood organization can be effective at not only providing a platform for advocacy but can effective positive change for neighborhood residents (Mesch & Schwirian 1996.) Through personal interactions with members of the neighborhood association, it was noted that the residents of this neighborhood have strong attachment to the neighborhood and the will for action if it benefits the neighborhood. It is also important to note that the residents of this neighborhood have a great and in depth understanding of the complexities of their neighborhood and the consequences both positive and negative of small actions.. 3. The presence of the local church community Another asset to the East Lakeview neighborhood is the church community. The churches of the East Lakeview Neighborhood act as incubators for social gatherings and community. The importance of church in neighborhood action and development is important and strong (Sherrard & Murray 1965.) Churches provide a vital meeting place for people with similar goals which is important to community. Our Lady of Peace Parish in the community holds a youth group once a week in order to bring children together to learn about religion. The annual American Red Cross Blood Drive also takes place in the Parish Center, providing a central place for community members to donate and give back. Weaknesses: 1. Access There are very few physical access points into the East Lakeview neighborhood. This provides a situation where the neighborhood is perceived as isolated from the rest of Geneva NY. This was expressed in both the focus groups held in Winter 2014. Many community members noted the isolation also extended to create an obstacle to both policing and access to goods and services outside of the neighborhood. This is a particular issue to East Lakeview because there is a lack of services located within the neighborhood as noted by community members, and community members often leave the neighborhood for goods and services. Opportunities:
1. The Neighborhood Action Program Grant The Neighborhood Action Program Grant is another opportunity for the East Lakeview neighborhood. This program provides funding for neighborhood associations to make improvements in their neighborhoods. The Program provides grants for up to $2,500 for projects such as park improvements, community gardens, or block level curb appeal projects ("Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center: Neighborhood Action Program Grant Winners" 2013.) East Lakeview was given a grant for improvements to Gulvin Park last year. 3. Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center (GNRC) The GNRC provides support to grassroots neighborhood associations. These groups are the voice of the residents, driving local policy and operational decisions, geared at making Geneva an incredible place to live and raise a family. GNRC has partnered with agencies like Habitat for Humanity, Generation Bank, and Lake Federal Credit Union in order to provide programs and educational opportunities to help assist first-time home buyers and low income residents ("Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center: Other Grant Resources" 2013.) The GNRC provides resources that the community can take advantage of, including professionals specializing in community development. These resources could help his group in the East Lakeview neighborhood if they wanted to support a community garden. Threats: 1. Increased presence of absentee landlords The presence of absentee landlords who neglect their properties create threats to health and safety of neighborhoods. This makes the neighborhood less safe and attractive discouraging people to come into this neighborhood. This also affects neighboring property values. This problem has been seen in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem residents complained that absentee landlords were taking over their neighborhood which has caused the street to steadily deteriorate (Murphy 1992.) People say that this problem exists throughout many parts of Salem and has become one of the city's biggest problems (Murphy 1992.) The biggest objection though is that the landlords don't look into the tenants who move in without background references. This can be dangerous for the community because there are many different types of tenants, and without a proper background check the landlord and the community don’t know who they are dealing with. The Geneva Landlords Association (GLA) provides tools to properly screen tenants and support for landlords in the Geneva area. Due to the fact that over 50% of the properties in the City are rental properties the GLA is committed to helping landlords succeed in their businesses by compiling public information that is hard to find, like evictions and arrests, and present it in an easy to find format (Geneva Landlords Association n.d.) This local resource will allow landlords to have as much information as possible in deciding whom to rent to. 2. Vacant buildings Vacancies increase risk of arson and risk of other crime. People respond to their environment and studies show there is a direct correlation between peoples‘ perceptions and behavior and the quality of their surroundings (Knight & O’Shea 2011.) Public spaces that are dirty, vandalized and neglected encourage crime and discourage others from leaving their home or walking on the streets. According to the New York Times, in Chicago there has been a large increase in the number of vacant buildings (Knight & O’Shea 2011.) These empty buildings are said to be magnets for gang activity. Police officer Charles Brown stated “vacant homes create so many risks to a neighborhood.” (Knight & O’Shea 2011.) Drug abuse violations and burglaries are the most common crimes taking place in abandoned properties, according to a recent police report in Chicago. Vacant buildings decrease local capacity because they decrease how invested members are in their community. These deserted buildings create an eyesore for people coming into the neighborhood. People will pass by something that does not look nice instead of stopping to take a closer look. Community members have voiced their opinion on keeping the site open because of the concern that dark, vacant, closed off places cause hiding and bad activities. Places where there are nice facilities, for example basketball courts, encourage people to come to an area. The Geneva Human Rights Commission (GHRC) received a grant from HUD in partnership with HWS to create a Research and Resource Center in Geneva in order to take steps to extend and enhance housing opportunities to all members of a community.
Aesthetics and Architecture
Strengths: 1. St. Patrick’s Cemetery St. Patrick’s cemetery is located off of East North Street and Evans Street. It was erected in the early 1800s in affiliation with St. Francis deSales Church (Pierce). According to Cemeteries and Grave Markers: Voices of Americas Culture, there are very few landscape features that are as enduring as a burial ground due to design, history and religion (Meyer & Deetz, 1992). The function of the monuments in a cemetery can act as a tool to remind the Source: Caroline Demeter living of the duties they are held responsible to. Many of the gravestones have beautiful detail and ornamental work, which is aesthetically pleasing (French, 1974). The use of diverse, raw materials, shapes, and inscriptions represented on markers are important components of material architecture. Commemorating and preserving the past for certain people is extremely important. Having a cemetery close by where past ancestors and loved ones Source: Caroline Demeter are held is a crucial component of a community by providing historic and social ties to East Lakeview. Cemeteries are dynamic, reflecting changing cultural institutions, social values, and regional ethnic identity (Stoddard, 2009). Today cemeteries can be seen as cultural institutions, serving as a place to support education of religion and philosophy (French, 1974.)
2. Architecture in East Lakeview There are unique characteristics associated with each house, whether it’s the craftsmanship of the wood shaping the porch, or the unique colors chosen for the window shutters. A plethora of houses have in the neighborhood have unique features
Source: CarolineTim Griffin Demeter such as gardens, paint choices, porch furniture and yard decorations. These attributes add character and artistic expression to the neighborhood. Much of the houses that are located in East Lakeview are vernacular architecture or in other words “simple, everyday architecture”. What separates these houses from one another are the unique characteristics like paint color as you can see from the examples above.. The mint-green color of this house is one example of the unique choice of color of a house located in East Lakeview. The houses that are distinctly colored add liveliness and uniqueness to the neighborhood. Along with unique house characteristics there are churches and industrial buildings that have distinguishable attributes. There are several companies or businesses that have distinct exteriors to their structures. This structure above is currently listed for sale for $293,810, which is significantly higher than most buildings for sale in Geneva (Zillow, 2014). The exterior stonework creates a unique aesthetic to the architecture to the neighborhood. 3. Surrounding Trees The trees that are located on the elevated land beside the railroad line add boundaries to the property and make the property more private. Trees add beauty to the surrounding landscape by adding color, softening harsh lines of buildings, and contributing to the character and diversity of their environment (Bordelon, n.d.). Aesthetically the trees are Source: Tim Griffin important to the site but functionally they are equally as important. Besides the aesthetic and scenic value, trees improve air and water quality, and increase water retention thereby reducing local flooding. It is only natural that wherever trees are planted, wildlife and other plants will follow. Trees provide shelter and food for a variety of birds and small animals, such as squirrels and beavers (Bordelon, n.d.). 4. Street Signs Certain street signs are labeled with colorful, friendly East Lakeview markers. This brings a community sensation to the neighborhood and brings awareness to other people from Geneva or outsiders to where East Lakeview is located. At committee meetings, members of the neighborhood mentioned the neighborhood had been increasing awareness about the East Lakeview neighborhood in Geneva. One way they have successfully brought positive attention Source: Caroline Demeter to their neighborhood is with the new street signs.
Weaknesses: 1. St. Patrick’s Cemetery Aesthetically, people in the neighborhood may believe the cemetery degrades the neighborhood as an eyesore. The run down look to certain markers and the quality of the tombstones can be aesthetically displeasing. For a few residents, the cemetery is located right next to their houses and is in a visible part of the neighborhood. Burial is not just about celebrating the dead. It is about containing the dead; keeping them out of the realm of the living, which is why cemeteries Source: Caroline Demeter were removed from cities in the past (Greenfield, 2011). 2. Lighting Streetlights are a necessity for all neighborhoods, to ensure safety. Residents in the neighborhood want to feel comfortable and safe when walking around their neighborhood. Police support improved lighting because it can help them with their patrolling duties. A study was conducted in the United States and United Kingdom over four decades, which found crime decreased by 21% in areas that experienced street lighting improvements Source: Caroline Demeter compared to similar areas that did not (Farrington, D. P., & Welsh, B. 2002). It has been proven that adequate lighting can decrease crime rates and insure the safety of the neighborhood residents. Based on information provided to us by committee members who live in the neighborhood, street lighting needs to be improved in the neighborhood. If more lighting was installed people would feel more comfortable walking around and the neighborhood and would increase visibility for law enforcers.
3. Litter and Dumping Dumping and littering is currently a global problem. As consumers, we create municipal waste that needs to be put somewhere. People who do not have proper ways to dispose tend to dispose of it in ways that harm the environment. Aesthetically, seeing garbage beside the road or in a tree is not visually pleasing. It diminishes the overall beauty and cleanliness of the neighborhood. Upon walking through the neighborhood as well as the site, one can see significant amount of litter present on sidewalks, front yards, empty lots, and street curbs. This could also negatively affect tourism and the economic benefits associated with overall neighborhood property value (Carlson, 2000). Litter poses a number of environmental, social and aesthetic problems. Litter is a source of contamination, and a human health hazard (Shultz, Wesley et al 2011). The more litter present, the more likely other citizens are going to litter, which diminishes the value of our site. 4. Property Value For the East Lakeview neighborhood, property value is significantly less compared to other sectors of Geneva. In comparison to the average listing price for a house on the southern Source: czbLLC, 2008 end of the lake, the East Lakeview house is one-third of the price. One of the biggest factors that determines whether a home will rise or fall in value is its neighborhood (Bell, 2014). Overall, the neighborhood property value is the lowest in all of Geneva and aesthetics of the neighborhood contribute to this value. When people do not maintain their property, the overall value of the neighborhood will be negatively affected Opportunities: 1. Location of the Site Justification: The site is located off of East North Street, which is a heavily trafficked area. The site’s location will allow a lot of self-exposure to people driving by and will therefor become aware of its existence. It is walk able and easily accessible in East Lakeview. It is located in a neighborhood with houses surrounding the site on either side. Privacy is provided for the site by an elevated railroad line covered with vegetation at the back of the property. 2. Former Woodshop
Source: Caroline Demeter The workshop is a two floor square shaped building with windows present on every side. This is a naturally well-lit building due to the adequate amount of windows. The building consists of white, grey and turquoise colors. Cement material makes up the first floor of the building. The front of the building has brick like patterning imprinted into the cement, and the other sides of the building have a speckled texture. Vinyl house siding covers the perimeter of the second floor. Overall the building is in relatively good condition; windows are not broken and the structure appears stable. The location of this building on site is situated deeper within the property, off to the right side and it does not take up that much space. 3. Railroad Tunnel The railroad tunnel is located at the back left corner of the property and is an aesthetic highlight of site. The craftsmanship of the stonework should be appreciated. The stone makeup of the tunnel makes it unique compared to the surrounding structures. Behind the tunnel is a raised railway that is no longer in use but possesses aesthetic value. The raised railway is practically hidden by the trees present on the raised land, providing a unique boundary to the site. The Source: Caroline Demeter tunnel is a man-made attribute incorporated within the natural landscape. Aesthetically, the tunnel should be a highlight of the property. During committee meetings, members of the community spoke upon their admiration for the tunnel on site. It depicts Geneva’s railway history and adds character to the site. 4. Marsh Creek Marsh Creek runs through the edge of the site property. Aesthetically, the running water through the creek can provide tranquil water’s edge within the neighborhood. During site visits it has been observed that the creek freezes during the winter. For the site’s future, the creek can become a focal point. It adds diversity to the nature present on the site and brings aesthetically pleasing qualities to the property. Landscape architects commonly add water features to Source: Caroline Demeter property when designing outdoor spaces because of the visual beauty and dramatic role it can play in an outdoor space (Land Effects Inc. 2013). The property is unique because of this natural waterway that flows through the site. Threats: 1. Vacancy Aesthetically, vacancy is a substantial threat to the community. Having a run down, unmaintained, and uninhabited residence can lower property value for the neighborhood. According to a study conducted in Arizona, vacancy depresses neighbors’ home values, invite vandalism and other criminal activity, and increase code-enforcement calls for weeds and neglect (McClatchy, 2011). Vacancy can lead to housing conditions deteriorating Source: czbLLC, 2008 quickly, not only for vacant homes but also for other homes in the neighborhood. Multiple vacant homes and buildings can set a negative, neglected tone to a neighborhood. Vacant homes can encourage burglaries and other crimes in neighborhoods (McClatchy, 2011). 3. Upkeep of Homes and Properties Certain houses and properties in East Lakeview are not well kept. Some are in need of new paint, have trash and house hold items present in their front lawns. According to Zillow’s Town of Geneva Real Estate page, most of the homes in the East Lakeview neighborhood range in price from $30K-$70K.
Low valued homes are not always taken care of because the people cannot afford the Source: Caroline Demeter upkeep of their home or because the image of the neighborhood comes off as un-kept so no one else feels the need to take care of their home. Upon observing the neighborhood in East Lakeview, there are many multi-family homes in the neighborhood; this can also result in poor upkeep because the landlord may not live in Geneva to take care of the home. Residents may not respect the home because they are tenants, and do not own the home.
5. The Former Filling Station The former filling station is a rectangular shaped building that blocks most of the road visibility of the site. It consists of different types of materials including, vinyl siding, cement blocks, and wooden slabs. The old filling station is a threat to the site Source: Caroline Demeter for many reasons. During committee meetings many members expressed hope of tearing down the building. The East Lakeview community members have expressed frustration towards the previous owner, who abandoned the property because the building is falling apart, which has created visual pollution in the neighborhood. Members at the committee meeting seemed to agree that tearing down the old filling station will open up the site property increasing visibility from East North Street. Almost every aspect of the building is falling apart; materials are falling off, wires are hanging, and paint has faded or is no longer present. The large garage doors made of glass have been broken in multiple sections. It is very easy to see into the old filling station building because of the large floor to ceiling glass garage doors. Unfortunately the building was deserted with all of the original office supplies other and materials inside of the building. It can be easily observed that the materials inside the building have been dumped and strewn throughout the building, which is potential evidence of trespassing. The building has “no trespassing” signs posted in multiple locations of the building that are visible from the road. These signs made us feel unwelcome and uncomfortable walking on the site and around the building.
Source: Caroline Demeter 6. Curb Side Property The location of our site is along a heavily trafficked street and because of that there are some aesthetic attributes that come into question. After the fact of heavy traffic a danger upon its own, traffic noise, vibrations, fumes, soot, and trash are all Source: Caroline Demeter considered aesthetic challenges faced with curbside property (Appleyard and Lintell, 1982). In a steering community committee meeting, members stated that they want a space that escapes from the bustling of the streets. If there are loud cars driving by, trash being thrown out windows, and car fumes being associated with the site, then aesthetically having the site being next to this road could be a threat.
Natural Resources and the Environment
Strengths:
1. Soil Types Within the confines of the project site, sectioned between East North Street and Wadsworth Street there are two classified soil types. The area on the site surrounding Marsh Creek contains a soil type called Hemlock Silty Clay Loam, which occupies the majority of the area (United States Department of Agriculture, 2013). The remaining area is made up of Odessa Silt Loam (USDA, 2013). The Hemlock Silty Clay Loam, which is basically sediments or pieces of glaciated limestone, siltstone and shale that were deposited by flowing water (Soil Survey Staff, 2012). This particular type of soil is a range between 0 to 3 percent slope gradient, which means the soil is classified as being on a “nearly level” plain (Soil Survey Division Staff, 1993.) The slope is important because it tells us about a particular soil’s properties. In this case it tells us that in areas of the site where the ground is level the hemlock soil can be considered naturally cultivated to grow crops or to garden.
2. Topography
Slope gradient limits Slope Class Lower Upper percent percent
Nearly level 0 3
Gently sloping 1 8
Strongly 4 16 sloping
Moderately 10 30 steep
Steep 20 60 The topography of the land dramatically drops in Very steep >45 -- elevation where Marsh Creek runs through the site. Based upon observations of the banks on either side of the creek and using the chart below, it was concluded that the slopes on either side of the creek are categorized as having a convex radial and concave contour. The concave contour that this particular soil developed at the edge of the bank allows for run-off water to be concentrated toward the middle of the landform (Soil Survey Division Staff, 1993). At the bank’s ridges, the slope of the soil has a radial convex and allows for the excess water on site to accelerate downward to the lower point of elevation (Soil Survey Division Staff, 1993). The soil at the lower elevation of the bank’s slope has a higher level of absorbency than at the slope’s higher elevation (at the top of the creek’s bank) and helps to prevent the whole site from flooding often (Soil Survey Division Staff, 1993).
3. Vegetation and Tree Species Tree species that are often common to flood plains, which you will read about later on in the weaknesses and threat section, are of the Sycamore and Cottonwood type (Mohler et al., 2006). These trees are large and grow fast in a flood plain region because they are limited to areas that are close in proximity to water in order to grow (Mohler et al., 2006).
The weeping willow tree and its related species Salix spp., has become a pivotal component of environmental restoration (Kuzovkina & Quigley, 2003). To start, the genus Salix grows next to riparian (river, water banks etc.), or wetlands (growing on saturated soils), which aids in succession of other plants. In other words, the Salix spp. is good for helping other plants become colonized, which helps remedy damaged ecosystems. Furthermore, Salix has many physiological characteristics that are beneficial. One of the most beneficial characteristics of the species is that they have good tolerance to floods, as well as tolerance to increased concentration of carbon dioxide and methane. (Kuzovkina & Quigley, 2003). Willows are also valuable to wildlife by providing a habitat equip with food and shelter for different organisms. They provide food for deer, elk, and other animals (Kuzovkina & Quigley, 2003).
4. Wildlife Blue birds were spotted during a site visit by student Joe Gleason on February 24, 2014. Bluebirds live in open areas near trees with sparse ground cover. Birds in general provide many ecosystem services that are good for ecosystems and humans (Whelan et al., 2008). An ecosystem service is one that benefits humans even though it is a natural process done by the ecosystem (Whelan et al., 2008). Birds provide provisioning services, such as providing food, regulating services, such as scavenging for food, which limits disease, cultural services, such as bird watching, and supporting services, such as seed dispersal. Birds are important in the area because they provide many ecosystem services. According to Whelan et al. (2008) for example, bird watching created $85 billion dollars in the economy on retail for bird watching. Blue Birds can be considered aesthetically pleasing and may invite community member into the site.
Weaknesses: 1. Soil Characteristics
Overall, Hemlock soil is considered a “moderately well drained” soil, which means that the soil can retain water for long periods of time throughout the year (Soil Survey Staff, 2012). The soil is typically very moist and therefore can make it difficult to grow mesophytic crops (plants that can thrive in medium moisture conditions) unless artificial drainage can be established (Soil Survey Division Staff, 1993). It should also be considered that the Hemlock soil, which makes up the creek’s banks, is subject to erosion, meaning that over time the bank’s size and shape will be altered (Soil Survey Division Staff, 1993).
However this weakness can also be construed as an opportunity when looking back to that section where it mentioned about the willow near by and the species ability to prevent erosion. As previously stated in the strengths and opportunity sections, the Sycamore- Cottonwood species is considered to be the “dominate tree species” in flood plain regions (Mohler et al., 2006). Our site is located on a flood plain in the Finger Lakes region however, “flood plain forest soils tend to be coarse sands and gravels that don’t drain well” (Mohler et al., 2006). As also stated earlier, the soils on the site are Hemlock Silty Clay Loam and Odessa Silt Loam, which both happen to have the opposite characteristics and allow for the soils to retain water for longer periods of time (Soil Survey Staff, 2012). Therefore, due to the fact that the site could potentially flood and because the soil tends to retain water, these trees may have trouble growing or surviving in the event of a flood. However, because “floods are primarily seasonal” and usually in the Spring, as the snow begins to melt, this weakness can also be construed as a strength. The species is also subject to constraints, such as damaging drainage lines because of the roots looking for water, and damage to foundations, roads, and paths due to the roots putting pressure on the areas (Kuzovkina and Quigley, 2003).
Weakness 2. Erosion Looking back on one soil weaknesses, we can see that if the Hemlock soil surrounding Marsh Creek is slowly eroding then it poses as a threat because the eroded areas will alter the site’s topography and later on will potentially alter any design relative to Marsh Creek. Due to this category of soil and because the site happens to be located on a 100 hundred year floodplain there is a possibility that the site could flood (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2013). Some of the soil on the site has been contaminated by fuel that has spilled back when the area was used a filling station. Today, to incorporate a community garden or some sort of growing program to the new design for this site it would be necessary to either clean or replace the polluted soil. One relatively inexpensive and harmless solution for getting rid of the contaminants within the soil is through the process of bioremediation (J. Gleason, personal communication, February 10th, 2014; Wason, 2014). For any additional costs, the community could apply for the BOA grant, creating an opportunity within the threat of soil contamination.
Opportunities: 1. Agriculture and Soils Hemlock Silty Clay Loam has low slope grade, it is good for growing certain crops like corn and small grains. The soil is less often used for growing vegetables and a nursery crops however with the right care and diligence it is possible for them to grow successfully in this kind of soil (Soil Survey Staff, 2012). Neighboring residents, Wanda White and Stephen White are a first hand example that it is possible to grow crops other than small grains and corn. In the annual White’s garden just outside of the site’s property lines and still within the confines of the Hemlock Silty Clay Loam, they have produced many vegetables such as cucumbers, zucchinis and tomatoes (S. White, personal communication, January 27, 2014).
2. Brownfield Opportunity Grant Program The project site is considered a Brownfield or “a dormant property where contamination has impeded redevelopment, [coining an area] an economic and environmental drain on localities” (Department of State, 2011). However in the past, the Department of State has offered over $6.5 million to over 21 Brownfield Opportunity Areas across New York State (Department of State, 2011). Based on this state program, the Department of State will enable communities to measure the impacts of brownfield sites by offering the community approach to the site, rather than an imposed more traditional system. The BOA program assists communities in identifying the area and supports redevelopment opportunities. Communities can use this to attract new business and increase the existing residential, commercial and industrial zones already within the community. This approach could be beneficial for East Lakeview. The community can apply for this and receive a grant to clean up the site and allow for more opportunity for communities’ vision for the site (Department of State, 2011).
3. Natural Barriers Sycamore and Cottonwood species thrive in flood plain regions which happens to be the type of region our site is located in (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2013; Mohler et al., 2006). Since Sycamore and Cottonwood trees tend to be large and to grow very quickly, they can act a good boundary barriers and will provide extensive shade in years to come. See Figure 8 and 9 to get a better idea of the open space between the property lines on the East side of the site.
While walking the site with our classmate Joe Gleason, he identified several trees as being both young and old. (Gleason, J., personal communication, February 26th, 2014.) It helps us to know that we have older, more established trees like Willows and Sugar Maples on site, because it leads us to believe that trees that are younger have the potential to grow. This can be viewed as a strength because the younger Striped Maples happen to be located on the west side of the site near the existing cement wall and can one day act as a barrier between properties.
4. Preventing and Reducing Pollution Another positive characteristic of the willow species is that they are able to grow in waste sites and industrial spill sites because of their tolerance to soil chemical contamination. This is an opportunity to help with bioremediation because they are tolerant of polluted soils. Similarly, the trees are able to grow in areas of increased air contamination. They are also good near places of flooding because they help prevent soil erosion because of their root system.
Threats:
1. Potential to complete Bioremediation This biological process uses “bacteria, fungi and plants to alter [the contamination] as these organisms carry out their normal life functions” (Donlon & Bauder, 2006). However the polluted soil acts as a threat to the site because “finely textured soils” like Hemlock Silty Clay Loam “have low permeability, which prevents oxygen and nutrients from dispersing throughout the soil”(Donlon & Bauder, 2006). Also Hemlock has difficulty controlling its level of moisture due to the “soil’s smaller pores and high surface area…thus preventing oxygen from reaching soil microbes throughout the contaminated area”(Donlon & Bauder, 2006).
3. Wildlife
Members of the class spotted the mallard duck during an excursion to the project site. The mallard, according to Sumner (1992), is the most adaptable of all of the ducks, with a wide dispersal throughout North America. The mallard duck builds its nests on dry lands (Sumner, 1992). Most importantly, the mallard duck is a migratory bird. This means that the birds leave their nesting site starting in the fall and travel south for the winter. As seen in the map, mallards are residential to the area, which means they may or may not migrate. This is important because their habitat is embedded in the area and any planning of buildings or gardens must account for the fact that it is a natural habitat for these creatures.
The Canadian Goose usually creates its nests within 150 feet of water, and tend to congregate in large open areas (Smith et al., 1999). The geese tend to migrate short distances, and generally stay within close to or within their state of birth or neighboring states (Smith et al., 1999). The geese can also be seen as nuisance in urban environments. While in urban areas, Canadian geese enjoy eating lawn grass (Smith et al., 1999). Large concentrations of geese create a lot of droppings, which can cause eutrophication in water bodies. Eutrophication is when excess nutrients runoff into bodies of water. These excess nutrients promote algal growth and grow at a rapid rate on the surface of the water. This can lead to death of the creatures suffocating underneath the algae and from the lack of nutrients. This is a problem for the site because Marsh Creek, which runs right through the site goes to the lake, and this could in turn have detrimental effects on the lake’s aquatic population (Smith et al., 1999). Additionally, the geese that congregate in urban areas tend to harden the grasses from constantly walking over the area. This can cause loss of vegetation, which means plant species cannot grow in the area because the grass is too hard for the roots to grow, as well soil erosion because there is no vegetation to hold onto the soil (Smith et al., 1999).
The white-tailed deer, according to DeNicola et al., 2000, are adaptable creatures regarding their habitat and their diet choices. In suburban areas, gardens plantings and fertilized lawns provide optimal dietary choices (DeNicola et al., 2000). Similarly, residential areas are usually free of hunting and predation (DeNicola et al., 2000). Deers have ranges that they stay within, and these ranges must be able to satisfy basic needs, such as shelter, water, food and mating. In general, males have a larger range than female deer. Just as their habitat range can vary, so does their movement behavior. DeNicola and his colleagues (2000) state that their movement patterns can be classified into three groups: residential, emigrants, and migrants. Residents have an established home range that the deer rarely leaves, and if they do get forced to leave, will return within a few days. Emigrant deer leave their home range to set up other homes in different areas. Finally, migrant deer move away from an area then return at a later time (DeNicola et al., 2000). The habits and migration patterns and behaviors of the deer is important to the area because the deer may have established a home on the site and anything that gets placed on the site that could influence their behaviors needs to be taken into account. DeNicola and his colleagues state that many of the sites locations and migration behaviors can be passed on from doe to fawn, which means you may be dealing with white-tail deer for extended amounts of time.
4. Pollution
Guardian Industries Corp, located in Geneva, released 27566.6 pounds of sulfuric acid and unspecified lead compounds into the air in 2011. Sulfuric acid, in its liquid form is a clear, colorless, and oily liquid that is incredibly corrosive. When sulfur dioxide enters the atmosphere, a series of chemical reactions occurs with water and creates sulfuric acid. It dissolves in the water in air and can stay in the air for extended amounts of time. This process leads to the formation of acid rain, which does not directly harm people (EPA, 2012), but the constitutes that form acid rain can. Exposure to sulfuric acid occurs when industrial factories emit sulfur trioxide and the compound comes in contact with moist environments. Sulfuric acid can cause direct effects to the skin, eyes, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, while breathing sulfuric acid mist can result in tooth erosion, and respiratory tract irritation. Additionally, breathing in sulfuric acid when air pollution is high may make it more difficult to breathe (ATSDR, 2011). This effects the site because exposure over long periods of time to airborne sulfuric acid my have detrimental long term health effects.
In 2009, Joel Andruski took did a green house gas (GHG) inventory, as well as a criteria air pollutant inventory (CAP) for the city of Geneva. GHGs are gases in the atmosphere that absorb and emit the suns rays. GHGs affect the temperature of the earth. CAPs on the other hand, do not have an impact on air quality (Andruski, 2009). To start, Gulvin pump station is the largest emitter of GHGs as well as the highest operator costs. The pump station pumps out 425 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). CO2es are metric measures that are used to compare emissions from multiple greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential. The pump costs $135, 305 to operate. The highway department and the ice rink contribute about 200 metric tons of CO2e and costs about $80,000 to operate. The wastewater facilities, which include wastewater facility and the water filtration plant, emits about 1554 CO2e, and costs about $396,888 to operate. These structures are not directly on the site, but do influence the air quality, and air pollution.
Univar released fifty-four pounds of nitric acid into the air in 2011. Nitric acid forms from the conversion of nitrous oxides, which is a common air pollutant from chemical and industrial processes (Wakefield, 2007). Like sulfuric acid, nitric acid is a corrosive substance. Inhalation of the toxic substance in its vapor form can lead to problems with vision and nose irritation, sore throat, coughs, chest pain, headaches, and confusion. Again, like sulfuric acid, nitric acid can have long-term detrimental effects.
Design Proposal Proposed Site Plan Former Filling Station on East North Street ARCH/ENV 351 Spring 2014
Fountain
Viewing Platform/Bridge
Recommended Plant List 1 Tulips 2 Coneflower
3 Tricolored Sage Handicap Accessible Raised Beds 4 Blue Oat Grass
5 Arethusa Rose Community Garden 6 Black-Eyed Susan 7 Lavender 8 Wild Mint 9 Maiden Grass 10 Wintergreen 11 Yarrow 12 Blue Fescue 13 Daffodils 14 Wood Sorrel 15 Early Snow Glories 16 Aster 17 Switchgrass
Japanese Maple
Weeping Willow
Washington Hawthorne
Blue Spruce
Eastern Redbud Amphitheatre
Bridge
17
13
5 Sensory Garden
Chiminea
16
4 Pavilion 12
10
Chalkboard Wall Storage Bathroom 7 1 Bocce Ball 14 Concession Stand
Concession Bathroom 11 8
2 9
6
13
3 Bridge 15
Ice Skating Rink/Basketball Court Crystal Street Crystal
Welcome Sign Bus Stop
East North Street
Key Bike Racks Grass Bench Aqua Pave Pathways Picnic Table Mulch Handicap Accessible Picnic Table Asphalt Well Lighting Grasspave Light Posts Fence Bollards Railing Adirondack Chairs Roof Above Stools Trash & Recycling Informational Sign
1” = 25’
Description of the Proposed Park Plan
The following section describes the proposed park plans for the project site in more detail, and includes justification for the decisions that are included when necessary. In general, the description begins at the southernmost portion of the site and continues northward.
Landscaped Buffer
Our proposal includes a vegetated buffer strip running parallel to East North Street. This will be a five-foot wide vegetated area that would help separate the sidewalk in between East North Street. Currently, the sidewalk in front of the old filling station that is flush with the street. The steering committee voiced concerns regarding the safety and walkability of the area, and, specifically, the prevalence of unsafe pathways for pedestrians. Buffer zones improve the safety of sidewalks because of the addition of solid objects in between pedestrians and moving vehicles. Similarly, pedestrians safety increases because they feel as though they less likely to become involved in a collision due to the physical barriers (Jaskiewicz, 2000).
CATS Bus Stop
The bus stop proposed for the site will provide a safe area for community members to wait for the CATS bus. During our steering committee meetings, East Lakeview residents spoke about the amount of walking necessary within the community and to areas outside the neighborhood to satisfy basic needs. It takes the average person about five to seven minutes to walk a quarter of a mile (Moran, 2013). Residents of the East Lakeview community travel this quarter mile distance to the local churches, parks, and convenience stores, but when their needs are not met within their immediate community, the trip is extended to areas outside the neighborhood. Furthermore, the community members mentioned that many residents do not have a personal vehicle or access to a car. The lack of personal vehicles coupled with the need for transportation creates a demand for the CATS bus system that can bring people from East Lakeview to farther distances.
Though the bus system can aid in getting from one place to another, it is lacking a vital amenity- a bus shelter. Residents voiced their concerns with the lack of any type of bus sign or proper signage to signal the bus. Community members had said that they sometimes must stand in the road in order to flag down the bus, which is a serious safety concern.
The proposed site plan includes a bus shelter that is set five feet away from the road to meet the ADA minimum requirements and allow for handicapped pedestrians to travel along the sidewalk and into the site. Following ADA guidelines, there will be clear ground space of a minimum of two and a half feet by 4 feet. The shelter will also be enclosed because the members of the community need an enclosed bus shelter to protect people from the elements. Within the shelter will be a 6-foot bench made out of recycled plastic materials from the company Belson. The bench will allow for people to rest while they wait for the CATS bus.
Parking Lot
The proposed parking lot on the site will improve the decrepit and dangerous parking lot that currently exists. The existing parking lot is small, cracking, and there are no clear spaces, exit, or entry for cars. In the proposed plan, the entire parking lot has the potential to be reclaimed using a process called Full Depth Reclamation (FDR). This is a recycling method where the parking lot asphalt and a particular amount of materials are treated to create a stable base. There are major benefits to the FDR process, such as improving the structure of the pavement without altering a large amount of the pavement and the shoulder, low production cost, and most importantly, materials and energy are conserved while air quality problems from dust, fumes, and smoke are nearly eliminated. Other sustainable methods are Cold In-Place Recycling (CIR) and Warm In-place Recycling (WIR). Both of these processes remove the onsite asphalt, mix and combine recycling agents, spread and compact the mixture, then overlay the surface with a layer of hot asphalt.
Compared to traditional methods, these alternatives can lower greenhouse gases by reducing the fuel needed to transport materials and heat the mixtures on site and save space in landfills by reusing the existing materials. Recycling methods can save up to fifty percent when compared to traditional methods that rip up the existing pavement and replace it with brand new materials. A single entrance on Crystal Street will make the parking lot visible to drivers and allow access off of East North Street that will help to eliminate the open, unstructured parking. Similarly, the parking lot will have a single entrance that feeds back out onto East North Street. According to the ADA, for every 1-25 parking spaces, there must be a minimum of one handicap parking space.
Ice Rink and Bocce Ball Court
Proposed for the southernmost portion of the property is a multi-use, seasonally dependent recreation area. During the summer this area can be used as a basketball court or as a roller hockey rink, and during the winter, the area can be flooded for ice-skating. In the steering committee meetings, many residents harkened back to the neighborhood ice rink that they enjoyed, and like the idea of bringing it back. In the design, we did not want to obscure the viewshed from the front of the property to the back of the site. In order to build the multi- use area and minimize view obstruction, we propose clear acrylic plastic for the walls. Clear acrylic plastic can absorb heat, cold, sunlight, and humidity, and is shatter resistant and lightweight. It ranges in thickness, but for hockey rinks the thickness is usually ½ an inch thick. There would also be padding on top of the acrylic boards for safety and metal joints between each board will maintain the structure and integrity of the boards. Simple curves can be made with adjusting the hinges of the boards from a rectangle shape area to turn into an oval shape. For maintenance purposes, replacing the boards is simple and can happen one by one, rather than replacing all at once. Sheets of this clear plastic acrylic can vary in size depending on your needs. The overall dimensions of our rectangular area are 41’ 6”x 91’ 8”.
The bocce ball court is proposed to be located to the north of the ice rink and beside the existing woodshop. The shape of the bocce court is rectangular and parallel with the woodshop. The proposed borders of the bocce court are made up of FSC certified wood or wood reclaimed from the deconstructed woodshop. FSC certification is given to companies and landowners to verify that they practice forestry that is consistent with FSC standards in which the lumber is raised, treated, and replaced in an eco-friendly manner (FSC, 2014). If the woodshop has enough lumber to build the borders of the bocce court, transportation and purchasing costs of lumber will be minimized. The dimensions of the bocce court are 20’x 60’. There are two courts within the overall dimension, separated by a wooden partition. These wooden border pieces can vary based on the supplied used. The wooden boards and wooden partition pieces can vary in thickness but can range anywhere from 1” to 6” thick. The internal mixture of the bocce court is made up of gravel, followed by a layer of sand. Leveling of the area is necessary before the border is constructed onsite.
Concession Stand
On our site is an existing woodshop that is located north of the filling station that runs parallel with Crystal Street. Based on personal observations, the exterior of the woodshop is in decent condition. The paint is worn down and chipping, but structurally, the inside of the building has an open layout, allowing for many different layout possibilities. We propose that a concession stand will be put into place on the southeast corner of the building. This location for the concession stand is near a large existing window that could be utilized for serving customers. We also propose public bathrooms on the west side of the building. Sidewalks are proposed for around the exterior of the building and will be wheelchair accessible. A large amount of space will be leftover inside the building and can be utilized for storage purposes or expansion of the concession stand.
Landscaping, Benches, Lighting, and Pathways
Various plants and trees will be implemented within the southernmost portion of the project site to bring color and life to the most visible portion of the proposed park. The planters that are located in between parking spaces will bring color to the parking lot and will look aesthetically inviting. A combination of Eastern Redbud Trees, Black-Eyed Susans, Tulips, Purple Coneflower, and Blue Fescue plants will mainly be planted around the parking lot.
Between the ice rink/basketball court and the bocce court we propose to plant Eastern Redbud trees as well as a number of planters located throughout the zone. Many of the plants in the planters correspond with other flora throughout the site. Benches are located around the ice rink/basketball court and bocce courts. Lighting is proposed in two different sources.
One source of lighting is ground/pathway lighting installed into the path that shines up from the ground. Another source of lighting are tall lampposts with small solar panels on top to help produce some energy to assist with associated costs with the site. The light posts support a diameter of 10ft and will be placed depending on heavily trafficked areas.
Pathways will are proposed to connect the entrance way from the parking lot leading to the rest of the property. Sidewalks will be put around the ice rink/basketball court and bocce court to promote ease of access to these recreational activities. These sidewalks will be accessible from main pathways and will also lead back to main pathways leading to other surrounding zones.
Pavilion
The proposed pavilion will be attached to the northern wall of the existing woodshop building on the project site. The area will include a chiminea, bar surfaces and bar stools attached to either side of the chiminea, picnic tables, trash/recycling bins, a chalkboard wall, and ample lighting for visibility and safety.
The chiminea will be used as an outdoor fireplace for warmth, cooking, and other programming. It will be located in the northeast corner of the pavilion in an effort to keep smoke away from the building and the pavilion visitors. The chiminea will be attached to the roof of the pavilion, acting as a supporting beam. The chiminea will be constructed from cinder blocks that will be recycled from the remains of a foundation wall which still exists on the site. For emergencies a fire extinguisher will be attached to the side of the pavilion incase of an unmanageable fire. Neighborhood residents, The Sons of Italy, the Boys and Girls Club, and local churches can use the chiminea for casual BBQ’s or pre-planned S’mores/cook outs. Four Adirondack chairs and several near by picnic tables will surround the chiminea on the exterior north end of the covered pavilion. This area will provide seating for programming such as roasting marshmallows, cooking food or relaxing by the fire. Community groups hoping to reserve the space will be able to contact the East Lakeview Neighborhood Association who will take responsibility for reserving all spaces in the park.
Bar space attached to either side of the chiminea will be accompanied by eight bar stools. The base of the bar will be supported by the recycled cinder blocks currently on site and the countertop will be made of recycled cement that can be given a sleek finish. The bar stools are made from recycled plastic and will have a similar aesthetic to the picnic tables under and surrounding the pavilion. The bar located on the west side of the chiminea will have stools only on the northern exterior side in order to create a space for procession or congregation in the event that the pavilion space is being used for community programming that involves a buffet style event.
To help carry the style and texture of the cinderblocks throughout the area, there will be a deconstructing wall attached to the bar on the east side of the pavilion to help enclose the space and make the setting more intimate. In doing this, the wall and bar will also act as a natural barrier between the site and the east side properties of Crystal Street. Since the wall is going to be made from the recycled cinderblocks with a void center, this particular material can double as space for annual planting. This will help emulate the landscaping and planting going on outside of the intimate pavilion space. The plant wall will encourage and provides programming opportunities for community members of all ages.
The chalkboard wall will be located on the northern wall of the former woodshop. The chalkboard wall can be used as a fun activity for children in the neighborhood, for community announcements, or for temporary graffiti and artwork. It is likely that the chalkboard wall may have to be repainted every few years due to weathering, but proposed partnerships with HWS Day of Service could help with this maintenance.
The existing woodshop will act as a storage facility to the site. All programming materials for the site such as wood and tools for the chiminea and extra chalk for the chalkboard wall will be held inside of the storage facility only available for town official access.
Seven picnic tables will be arranged throughout the pavilion and throughout the surrounding green spaces to allow casual seating for fifty-four people. The tables will be made out of 100% recycled plastic while still maintaining a natural wooden aesthetic. These tables can be used to play cards or board games as well as to observe Marsh Creek, or children playing in the green space. It also provides a place to rest after ice-skating, basketball and other programmed park activities. Park visitors utilizing the nearby concession stand can use the picnic tables as a place to eat. Inside the pavilion covered seating is available at the bar and picnic tables. Community members can gather in this intimate community based space for rest, food preparation, community eating and events.
Floodlights will be placed on the chalkboard wall under the pavilion to provide light inside the pavilion from dusk to dawn. Another floodlight will be placed at the top of the chiminea to provide light around the front of the pavilion. These lights contain LED bulbs and provide optimal luminance for the site.
Entry and exits to the pavilion will be located in the southwest corner, the northern tip, and the southeast corner of the pavilion. These passages allow for circulation between the concession area, green space, and amphitheater. The ground covering in the pavilion will be made of the same aqua brick as the entire site’s pathways in an effort to encourage connectivity between different areas of the site. The pavilion and connecting pathway will be designed so to help enhance the surrounding natural elements of the site, through the use of gentle, meandering curves, ample landscaping, and natural materials.
The pavilion area is designed to attract families, the elderly, teenagers, and children from the East Lakeview neighborhood. Research indicated that the age of community members is distributed fairly evenly (US Census, 2010: Age. 2010. p.1). The pavilion will provide a space that can be utilized by all of these age groups through its versatility and amenities. Programming with neighboring institutions, the ice-skating rink, and casual community gatherings (ex: birthday parties should draw a variety community members to the pavilion.) Community members at the steering committee meetings expressed that there are very few outdoor public places for the community to gather in the neighborhood. At this same meeting, several community members suggested that they wanted a pavilion area in the space. The proposed pavilion space and suggested programming will help provide a space that all members from the community can enjoy.
Image: Interior News Blog, 2014
Amphitheater
The amphitheater, strategically located in the site’s center, includes three gradual tiers of seating. The top row of seating allows for handicap accessibility. This location is large enough for the amphitheater while still allowing a significant amount of open green space in the surrounding areas. This location is also far enough removed from high traffic areas like East North Street, in order to diminish road noise. Research has suggested that road noise coming from East North Street could potentially distract from the park’s tranquility (“The Street Environment and Neighborhood Traffic Management; An Overview,” 1999, p. 10).
Although the amphitheater can be considered central in terms of circulation on site, it is still positioned at a corner of the site’s property; therefore a backdrop is necessary for this space. Tall switch grasses, which can grow to be around six feet, will act as the natural backdrop and barrier to this area of the site. In front of the switch grass border, an intermixture of flowerbeds including Lavender and Black-eyed Susan’s will be planted to provide complementing colors and an organic boarder. This organic barrier will continue all throughout the east side, aligning with neighboring property and Crystal Street until it meets the pavilion space.
The low retaining walls that establish the change in elevation for each tier, as well as the stage of the amphitheater will be made of porous concrete. This material will allow rain and snowmelt to move through the structures and prevent any degradation due to freeze-thaw action that would take place if a less porous material were used. Porous concrete is durable and will prevent extensive maintenance on the amphitheater site. LED lights will be located on the roof of the amphitheater pointing down on the stage from dusk through dawn. This lighting will provide a focus on the performance, as well as prevent conspicuous loitering in the space when the amphitheater is not being used. Additional electricity will be needed in the amphitheater space for an outlet located on one or both of the supporting beams. This outlet can be used for any performances that require speakers or additional lighting. If the town or East Lakeview Neighborhood Association chooses to provide sound or lighting equipment for the amphitheater space, it can be held in the storage space above the concession stand. Finally, the amphitheater space will also include a kiosk that describes the history of art and theatre in the Geneva, NY community.
Overall, the intention is to create a dialogue between the amphitheater and pavilion space by using materials with similar, natural aesthetics like various stones and plantings to construct the space. By designing curves and a soft gradient, the amphitheater should help to unify the space without becoming an overly dominant feature within the site.
Local community groups such as the Sons of Italy, local churches, Boys and Girls Club, and neighborhood residents will have access to the amphitheater for programmed or casual gatherings. Examples of programs include children’s plays, community meetings, or small concerts. When the space is not being utilized in a formal manner it can become an imaginative playground for young community members.
Image: Classroom in Nature, n.d.
Pathway
The pathway made of Aqua Brick suggests designated walking spaces between the covered areas beneath the pavilion, to the amphitheater and replicated throughout the entire site. The path connects programmed areas and allows for structured movement between the designated attractions. The smooth material and six foot width size of the path allows it to be utilized by all ages and disability levels. The path will be equipped with LED well lights to illuminate the path from dusk to dawn. This lighting will allow the park to be used safely day and night. Along with lighting, there will be a number of flowerbeds along the path. These beds will include Daffodils, Tulips, Lavender, Black Eyed Susan Flowers, wild mint, and Arethusa Rose. The flowerbeds should add a natural element to the structured walking space while adding a variety of natural fragrances. The curving lines of the path will mimic the aesthetics, which make up the surrounding environment such as Marsh Creek’s natural curvature. Three maple trees will also be arranged near the amphitheater to provide shade and to help enclose the space to feel more intimate among the surrounding public areas.
The pathways will connect with the portion of land on the western side of Marsh Creek, where they will be formed into a flowing figure eight to help maintain a sense of “just passing through,” which is intended to keep park goers away from the residential properties bordering the West side of the park. Our proposal includes for two bridges. Having two bridges opens up the park, keeping visitors flowing through the gardens on the west side of Marsh Creek, while minimizing contact between park visitors and nearby private properties. Due to concerns about privacy raised by community residents, the path will allow access to the western portion of Marsh Creek while maintaining the level of privacy for neighboring residents. The path is also split to give the visitors a sense of options, making the space more interesting for visitors. Signage will be provided throughout the site with information about the corresponding gardens. The paths on the western side of Marsh Creek will differ from the rest of the site, because they will be green paths. The green paths will look like grass but have a more stable, erosion resistant base underneath the grass providing a more robust and long lasting surface that will handle foot traffic more effectively than regular grass groundcover. The grass in these paths may vary in height, shade and species to provide a distinction between where the path is and where grass groundcover begins. These paths will also be distinguishable by the well lights placed along the path for visibility and safety in times of low light.
Landscape Buffer on western side of Marsh Creek A landscape buffer is proposed to provide visual and acoustic protection for the private residential properties that front on North Wadsworth Street. The visual screening needs to be a combination of plants and fencing that is aesthetically appealing and compliments the overall visual aesthetic of the park, while maintaining an open feel to the site. Based on the comments from the residents directly adjacent to the park, the fence also needs to be a visual barrier, impassable, and dampening noise from programming that may be happening in the park. The proposed landscape buffer consists mainly of four large blue spruce trees with additional Washington Hawthorn trees backed by an eight-foot tall chain-link fence woven with hardwood slats. The fence will be planted with the Magic Dragon Rose, which climbs fences and trellises well producing abundant fiery red flowers. The synergistic effect of the trees, fencing and roses provide a visual and acoustic barrier for the adjoining private properties that is vibrant yet unobtrusive.
Bridges Two small footbridges will allow community members access to the west side of Marsh Creek, where there is scenic and fragrant gardens set away from the main infrastructure of the park to provide a quiet space with less foot traffic. These bridges will be designed in a way to visually compliment the rest of the park and provide visual consistency with the stone arch at the north end of the property. These bridges will be small and simple, keeping the visitor focused on the pre-existing beauty of the park such as the stone arch under the railway bridge at the North end of the site. The bridges will be built from stone and will both have low arches over Marsh Creek with a flat walkway, mirroring the arch at the North end of the site. The goal behind implementing multiple bridges is to keep the area on the west side of Marsh Creek accessible, while not overpopulated and obtrusive to the nearby private properties.
The idea is to utilize the space available on the west side of Marsh Creek with pathways and gardens while keeping the park visitors screened from the adjoining private properties. There will be no area to congregate or sit on the West side of Marsh Creek to keep visitors moving through the West side fluidly. Two bridges will accomplish this better than one because there is a flow created to keep visitors walking to the Eastern side of Marsh Creek where there is more infrastructure and programming. They are able to enjoy what lies on the West side of Marsh Creek as the path leads them across the first bridge, allowing temporary access to the gardens before quickly leading them to the East side of Marsh Creek via the second footbridge, bringing visitors right to the amphitheater on the Eastern side or Marsh Creek.
Signage
Image: envirosigns.com.
Informational signage will be provided throughout the gardens. This signage will be similar to the rest of the signs used at the park keeping a sense of aesthetic continuity between areas. This sign will differ in that it will be devoted primarily to identification and information about the plants in the surrounding flowerbeds. The goal of this sign is to provide information about the surrounding gardens to those who are interested. These signs will be environmentally friendly in attempts to highlight the sustainability of the park. The signs will be constructed from recycled plastics, which are vandalism resistant and will last many years. Once the signs are no longer usable, the company will recycle them free of charge.
Plant Selection Lavender (Lavandula spp.) (1) This class of plant was selected because of its fragrance, color, and hardiness. Lavender serves as an attractor for butterflies and other pollinators. Lavender also requires little maintenance aside from occasional pruning to maintain a large plumage. This plant prefers well-drained soil. The lavender plant prefers well-drained soil, making it an appropriate choice for the top of the mounded soils that will provide depth to our garden. By placing this plant on the top of the rises, it allows for its famous fragrance to spread over a larger area. This plant is very sun tolerant, which allows it to be placed in the open and to provide shade for more shade tolerant plants. Lavender is also a perennial and will offer its pleasant smelling blossoms year after year without much attention such as pruning.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) (2) This is a native plant that provides excellent ground cover and requires limited maintenance. This plant will spread without ferocity and will compliment the other plants within the area. This native plant enjoys wetter soils and produces clustered white blossoms on the end of a stalk. Additionally, this plant does not grow very tall and will not take over areas already colonized by other plants. Yarrow thrives in more moist soils and is well suited for the shady parts of our garden. Yarrow will help to bind soil in the drainage areas preventing unsightly erosion. This plant can also act as a baffler to disrupt strong water currents preventing outwash into the path and into the creek.
Tricolor Sage (Salvia officinalis) (3) This North American native provides an excellent aroma and is an attractor to pollinators. This particular sage has lovely foliage that will make this plant an asset all year round. Sage is also known for being a strong attractant for pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds. Preferring moderate to well-drained soils this plant should thrive in the silt loam of our site. (Soil Survey Staff, 2012) Also tricolor sage provides excellent summer foliage for our site and will work as a border plant or as filler.
Wintergreen (Gaultheria spp.) (4) This is a native plant that provides an excellent scent and even flavor. This plant will spread without ferocity and prefers to be near running water. This can provide excellent ground cover in our lower areas. Wintergreen can thrive in the loamy soils native to the site, especially if placed in the areas in-between the hills of the garden where water will naturally drain. The soil native to the site is called Hemlock Silty Clay Loam, which are sediments or pieces of glaciated limestone, siltstone and shale that were deposited by flowing water (Soil Survey Staff, 2012). This plant is not appealing to animals such as deer and can act as a deterrent to such pests, creating a safer habitat for other species. This plant will have delicate white flowers in the spring and will keep its shiny deep-green foliage all year long providing good green cover for the garden. This plant also has the capacity to bind soil in drainage areas.
Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) (5) This is an easily cared for ornamental grass that does not spread easily. Maiden grass prefers more moist soils and after becoming comfortably established, Maiden Grass can be quite drought resistant. This plant offers beautiful foliage that is most prominent from late summer into winter. Being drought resistant this plant will not need watering, especially in our site. Growing up to 6ft tall, this plant will serve as a sound and light buffer as well as providing shade for less sun-hearty plants placed near the Maiden grass. This grass will also add a sound element to the garden as it will rustle and rub against itself in a breeze especially in the summer.
Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis) (6) This is a native plant that offers a pleasant smell and serves as a deterrent to Deer. Mint can often be found inter-grown with species of grass, and will add a fragrance to the garden.
Black-Eye-Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) (7) These stunning flowers are a staple of many gardens. These flowers will spread slowly and will spread only to increase the radius of whatever plot they a placed in. This plant is well suited for our garden because it will help to fill gaps that surround its initial planting structure. Black-eyed Susans act like a wild flower. The blooms of this plant remain all summer and provide an excellent yellow color to the garden that can act as a compliment to many of the other colors offered by the other wildflowers planned for the garden. This is a highly adaptable plant that can thrive in any area within our garden that we can choose to place it.
Blue Oatgrass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) (8) Blue Oatgrass is a clumping grass that grows to about 2’ by 2’. This plant will create excellent filler that will provide excellent blue foliage all year round. Blue Oatgrass is well suited for providing a centerpiece for the garden sections on the creek-side of our path. This plant is unobtrusive it can also be used in the mid ranges of the garden view shed to provide a segmentation of the garden ahead of larger plants.
Cone flower (Echinacea purpuria.) (9) This native, perennial flower is a perennial that will survive without much maintenance. This native will keep its blossoms for a good part of the summer, and is popular with charismatic pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds. These purple flowers compliment well the colors of the Black-Eyed Susan and the tulips. These plants also provide a taller cover to support other grasses and flowers.
Tulip (Tulipa spp.) (10) The tulip is a perennial that can survive winter months under the soil as a bulb. Once these flowers are established they will sprout up year after year to provide florescent spring blooms. Tulips bloom in the spring with brilliant effect and variety but soon abate in the summer to allow for the late bloomers such as Coneflower to have a better environment for their display.
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) (11) This is a clumping grass that offers striking blue leaves all year round. This grass is similar to blue oat grass in that it is evergreen and not a voracious spreader. Blue Fescue is well suited as a border because of its clumping pattern; the blue foliage of this plant will remain all summer long and will pride a nice contract and summer cover when inter-plated with tulip as we did in one of the planting area.
Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) (12) This plant offers stunning foliage all year round and is known for the fiery red color that appears in late summer and fall. This particular species palmatum has a tendency to foliate late in the spring avoiding surprise frosts and is very cold hearty. Japanese maple is popular because it provides shade and color all year round, and will grow to suit its environment. It will only reach its maximum growth height when surrounded by other the other plants growing in proximity. This plant requires little watering and maintenance.
Washington Hawthorn Tree (Crataegus phaenopyrum) (13) This is a North American native that has delicate white blossoms in the spring. These blossoms will produce a small red fruit that is not appealing to large mammals but will attract native song- birds. This plant also sports fierce 2-3 inch thorns over its entirety so can be used as a very visually stunning barrier. This plant is cold hardy and pollution resistant in addition being well adapted to a wide variety of soils including loam native to our site. (Soil Survey Staff, 2012) The delicate white blossoms on this ferocious looking tree provide an excellent contrast to many of the other trees on the property without showy flowers.
Arethusa Rose (Rosa “Arethusa”) (14) This rose bush of the “China Rose” variety will produce a midsized bush and pretty peach colored blooms. This plant is cold hearty and will re-bloom for several years. This rose bush will grow into its surroundings and offer a great scent to our garden. These flowers are a type of shaggy bloom not typically pictures when one thinks of roses. The pink blossoms compliment the other colors in the garden such as blues and purples and even provide a nice contrast to some of the yellows and whites in the garden.
Switch grass (Panicum virgantum) (15) This plant was planned on being utilized until further research revealed this grass is a voracious spreader and poses a risk of invasion.
Magic Dragon Rose (Rosa “Magic Dragon) (16) This is a very cold hearty climbing rose that sports delicate fiery red flowers. The bright red of this rose variety is something not commonly seen in the garden. This offers a nice contrast and can complement some of the tulip varieties present in the garden. The climbing nature of this plant also allows it to be utilized in conjunction with a fence to create a barrier that is not visually obtrusive.
Aster Aster Alpinus. (17) The purple blossoms of aster complement coneflower and its clumpishness make it appropriate on the slopes of the mounded areas of our garden. The preference of this plant for well-drained soil make it appropriate for the upland areas of our garden and the deep purple delicate flowers allow it to compliment other plants such as coneflower and tulips and contrast with Black Eyed Susan and roses.
Wood Sorrel Oxalis Montana (18) This native plant is already found growing amongst the lawn grasses throughout the North East. Wood Sorrel produces tiny yellow blossoms and provides lush green cover and hugs the ground. Wood Sorrel also adds a lush green color to the base of any garden.
Threadleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis verricillata (19) This plant offers an alternative yellow color to Black-Eyed- Susan, contrasting with that plant well because of the different plant structure of Coreopsis. This plant will do well in the upland areas of the garden and will provide a nice height contrast to those plants placed around it. This plant is also very attractive to butterflies and will offer a late summer and fall color to the garden.
Daffodils Narcissus spp. (20) This flower is a hearty perennial that has become naturalized in the part of the country meaning that it can be found growing wild but not invasively. These plants bloom in early spring and abate before mid or early summer. The drooping flowers are a nice compliment to the wide variety of tulips. Because these plants tend to clump and stick together Daffodils are great for planting in-between grasses and as a border plant.
Blue Spruce Picea pungens (21) This plant is a native to North America and is a very popular landscaping plant. Named for the blue needles that cover it this plant adds a subtle color to out garden. Because of the thickness of the growth of this tree this plant offers good sound baffling, light blocking, and when placed close together can provide an effective barrio to people. This plant creates a cone profile all the way to the ground and is very hearty. Without any maintenance these plants can thrive in this garden with practically zero maintenance.
Early Snow Glories Chionodoxa spp. (22) These perennial flowers offer brilliant striking blues which complement the subtle blues of the grasses and trees of the garden. Able to inter-grow with almost anything these plants are an excellent start to a spring garden. The electric blue flowers only show up for a short time in early spring and many time are the first to bloom in a garden and will give way at the same time that tulips and daffodils become established colors in the garden. These plants can serve as the starting bloom for the entire garden in the spring.
Community Garden A primary feature proposed within the northernmost area of the site is the community garden, which will contain a handicap accessible component as well as a set of raised beds for optimal soil content and ease of gardening for community members.
The first component of the community garden area is a series of raised beds for the community. Six separate 8’ by 16’ by 1’ raised beds will be located south of the handicap- accessible garden stalls. Community gardens promote community engagement, positive mental health, cooperation, and sustainable growth of nutritious foods/plants (Wakefield, 2007.) To maintain a high level of sustainability, recycled railroad ties will surround each raised bed and a foundation will extend underneath the beds to prevent any possible soil contamination. As Steven and Wanda White, residents of East Lakevierw, mentioned at the steering committee meetings, the soils in the neighborhood are conducive to growing vegetables and a variety of plants. The garden will be surrounded by landscaping to screen edge of the site, fence to prevent animal disruption to the garden, and a shed in the corner, which can be used for storage of community gardening tools. 6’ wide paths surround all sides of the raised beds to allow wheelchair and wheelbarrow access as well as individual access to each side of the plots.
The second feature of the community garden is the handicap-accessible raised beds. We are proposing four connected 5’ by 6’ handicap-accessible gardening stalls at the height of a wheelchair. Drawers in each garden stall can be used for storage of individual tools. Widened pathways with connections to the garden shed, lower community beds, and surrounding park will increase handicap-accessible circulation. The area will contain a grass-pave pathway that is permeable. Research indicates that this surface prevents rutting, mud, and root zone compaction, while supporting the growth of grass (Grasspave 2011). Additionally, the area will be fenced-in to prevent animal disruption of the plantings and maintain a barrier from other areas of the park. An aesthetic view of the quaint fountain area to the North end of the site will be visible from the handicap gardens. The design has been fully informed by ADA guidelines for handicapped accessible gardens.
Water Feature To address the need for a park area serving multiple functions and age groups, we are proposing a water feature in the Northeastern corner of the site. Studies have shows that the visual and auditory experiences of water fountains have therapeutic value—calming and distressing individuals (Marcus 1999, p. 226). This 15’ diameter circular fountain will be constructed from existing concrete blocks and lined with a mosaic of ceramic tiles that community members will paint. Each community member will be offered the opportunity to decorate one tile to engage interest with the site and develop rapport with the neighbors. Landscape encircles the fountain to create a quiet, contemplative area secluded from activity in the rest of the site. Lavender, Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan, Orange Tulips, Wild Mint, Blue Fescue, Maiden Grass, Wintergreen, Arethusa roses, Japanese Maple trees, Washington Hawthorn trees, and Willow trees will enrich the area with colorful, native plantings. Four 2’ x 6’ recycled plastic benches surround the fountain and face inward toward the water feature; they are tucked into the landscaping to create quiet seating areas. The option for individuals to either actively engage with the water, or passively enjoy the calming effects of the fountain from the benches will be provided. The water fountain serves as an aesthetically appealing, soothing area to draw people to the northeast corner of the site.
Bridge/Viewing Deck
We are proposing the construction of a flat bridge that will extend across Marsh Creek to connect the eastern half of the site with the northwestern park entrance. Exterior stonework will mimic the historic aesthetic of the northern bridge by the elevated railway. Aqua-Bric will be used as the walkway across the bridge; a light grey color will be installed to match the stonework of the bridge. Aqua-Bric is a semi-permeable, sustainable material that looks like brick and complies with all ADA guidelines for handicap accessibility. Research reveals that Aqua-Bric is advantageous for areas of high foot traffic, and qualifies for LEED certification (“Permeable Brick Pavers” 2013). A large viewing deck with seating areas will extend on either side of the Creek to see the historic tunnel on the North end of the site, as well as activity in the Southern half of the site. It will serve as a passageway for people walking across the Creek, as well as a more contemplative and tranquil area along the edges of the bridge for people to sit and enjoy the historic aesthetic of the site. Two benches on each side of the Creek will be angled toward the Northern and Southern ends of the site to craft views of the site. Room in the walkway of the viewing platform will allow for pedestrians to stand and congregate as well. The viewing platform will split into two pathways on both sides of the Creek that surround planter beds of flowers and small shrubs. Cinderblocks from the existing concrete wall will be reused to surround these planters.
Pathway & Landscaping
The pathway will incorporate a curvilinear route that complements the organic contour of the circular fountain and arched bridge. Both in-ground lighting along the path as well as taller lampposts will line all pathways at 15’ distance increments. According to Clarke (2008), well-lit pathways reduce crime-rates and foster safe environments. The pathway will promote connectivity within the site by incorporating a pathway across the Creek. This, in turn, will increase the walkability of the site, as well as the physical activity and social interactions of community members (Lindley, 2008). Willow trees, Washington Hawthorn trees, and Japanese Maples will line the perimeter of the northwestern park entrance by Wadsworth Street. This landscaping will maintain clear boundaries of the park area, screen noise form nearby neighbors, and provide privacy. Additional native plantings, such as Wintergreen, Arethusa Rose, Wild Mint, Maiden Grass, Lavender, and Blue Fescue, will be placed in beds surrounding the trees to create landscaped levels. All of these plants are local and native to the area.
Programming The following are programming ideas for the different proposed areas of the park. It is hoped that the park will become and active and busy community space, and that by engaging local community groups, churches, and youth programs, neighbors will be provided with planned events in the space, as well as develop a comfort within the space for informal usage after being introduced to the space.
• Community Garden o The community garden should be a space for all members of the community to contribute and participate in through planting, watering, and basic maintenance tasks. In order for the garden to be as successful as possible, there will need to be some programmed events. It is proposed that larger/undesirable maintenance projects be coordinated with the HWS Day of Service. This could include the building of planting boxes or replacement of wired fences. If the community found that the garden was not being utilized to its full extent in an informal setting, programming with the Boys and Girls Club, more specifically the Roots and Shoots program that takes place at the Community Center is suggested. This program would bring students from the community center to the garden to plant and water seeds for the community. • Walking Path/Viewing Deck/Wildflower garden o Park guests hoping to relax in an educational environment should utilize the walking path informally. The path moves through the entire park, with informative kiosks at various locations along the way. Along with the kiosks, the path also provides a viewing deck and wildflower garden. The viewing path will provide a picturesque view of the entire park/creek. The wildflower garden will have benches for park guests to sit and enjoy the natural environment. Programming along this portion of the park is not necessary, however, nature lovers may be inclined to host informative walking tours of the park to learn about the natural surroundings. The Finger Lakes Institute, local religious organizations, or Boys and Girls Club would be ideal institutions to organize this type of programming. • Amphitheatre o The amphitheatre can be utilized for informal as well as programmed events for all age groups. Informal events could revolve around children’s imaginative play or small musical performances. Though the space could be used informally, it would be most successful as a space for programmed events. Programmed events might include movie nights, outdoor performances, open mic events, outdoor religious services, or children’s plays. The East Lakeview Neighborhood Association, Sons of Italy, Boys and Girls Club, or one of the local churches would be ideal institutions to coordinate movie nights. The local religious communities could also utilize the space for outdoor services. Local religious groups, the neighborhood association, or Boys and Girls Club might host theatrical performances or open mic events. • Pavilion o In the winter the pavilion can be used as a place for parents/care takers to seek shelter while their children use the ice skating rink. During the summer, the space can be used as an informal picnicing area or seating space for park users. Additionally, this pavilion could be used as the focal point of a Winter Festival. Local community groups such as Sons of Italy, the neighborhood association, or the Boys and Girls Club could host this festival. The festival could utilize the chiminea, ice skating rink, and concession stand as well. Along with a winter or summer festival, the pavilion could be utilized by local families to host graduation, birthday, or religious gatherings by renting out the space. The East Lakeview Neighborhood Association should consider taking the responsibility of the rental of this space. Rental fees could be used to fund the maintenance of the park throughout the year. • Chiminea o The chiminea is located in the pavilion. The chiminea will be used for informal BBQ’s or campfires. The chiminea can also be used during any programming that is already taking place under the pavilion already. On its own, the chiminea can be used for programming events such as community BBQ’s or marshmallow roasting night. The Boys and Girls Club or local religious organizations should consider hosting these events. • Bocce Ball Courts o The bocce ball courts can be used informally. Additionally, local community organizations hoping to fund raise may be interested in creating a bocce ball tournament in the space. This type of tournament should be organized with the permission of the East Lakeview Neighborhood Association to reserve the space. • Ice Skating Rink o Ideally, neighborhood residents who hope to gather for informal skating or pick-up hockey games will use the ice skating rink most frequently. Additionally, programming such as Skate-A-Thons, Night Skating, or casual hockey leagues could be organized by local community groups who hope to fund raise for various causes. Suggested groups who may consider this option include: Geneva High School clubs, Girl/Boy Scouts of America, local religious institutions, the Boys and Girls Club, or the East Lake View Neighborhood Community. Single night events could provide music and food to be distributed from the concession stand. • Green Space o Green space in the park should be used for informal free play. Additionally, community members can use the space to informally picnic. The local community groups listed above to host short-term community gatherings or private events can use the space.
Proposed Concession Stand Proposed Bocce Court
Garden Section Not to Scale Creek Section Not to Scale View of Bridge
Proposed Viewing Platform Materials Inventory Materials Inventory In order to further assess the sustainability of design proposals, each student group completed a materials inventory that identified and measured the sustainability attributes of the major materials used in the site design proposals. A materials inventory is a compilation of the supplies and materials needed to complete the project. The focus of the proposed design for the park is sustainable development, and it is vital to its design with sustainable materials in mind. Sustainable materials encompass the environmental impact, social implications and financial costs of the material, and all three of these things must be taken into account for a material to truly be assessed. Below are is a list of materials used in the re-design, estimated costs and details on the sustainability of the proposed materials. Each of the elements proposed included the purpose, total amount, source companies, cost per unit, estimated full costs, brief explanation and rationale and the justification as to why materials are sourced from particular location and company.
Paint for Proposed Concession Stand Valspar Ultra 5-Gallon Exterior Semi-Gloss White Latex-Base Paint and Primer in One Item #: 20056. Model #: 007.0020056.008 Purpose for material needed: The paint being purchased is for the existing woodshop, which is proposed to be adaptively reused as a concession stand. The current status of the paint is worn down and chipping. A fresh new splash of white paint would increase the overall aesthetic of the building. Having numerous vendors in the area allows for limited transportation costs. As for buying a sustainable product in the paint field, VOC levels need to be at a low content to a no VOC containing paint. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOC and its impacts on the environment can be harmful to its surroundings. One example of that is the odor the paint gives off. Source Company: Lowes. 3030 Sessler Dr Geneva, NY (315) 781-9000 Total cost: $137.00 Explanation for why material is appropriate: This product is paint and primer in one, so doing a, initial primer color is unnecessary. The weather resistance level is very high for this brand. It also gives a mildew-resistant finish and most importantly it has low odor and low VOC. In this region of the country, it is important to have exterior paint last through the tough conditions. Having a durable paint that is mildew resistant will not provide bacteria and other toxic organisms a place to grow. Justification for sourcing required material from this company: Even though Lowes is located in Geneva, it is not locally owned and is a corporate enterprise. When buying from Lowes, your money is not filtered back into the community because the company is a multi- national corporation. Lowes has received numerous sustainable awards including The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star® award, the EPA’s SmartWay® award, and the 2013 WaterSense® Sustained Excellence award. We are proposing to use this company as a possible resource because of its track record of sustainable methods and the location in Geneva. Additional Option: Olympic 5-Gallon Exterior Flat White Latex-Base Paint Item #: 469680 Model #: 73311A05 Source company: Lowes. 3030 Sessler Dr Geneva, NY (315) 781-9000 Total cost: $99.86 Explanation for why material is appropriate: This paint is a self-priming paint and can be used on a multi-surface area. Moreover, it is weather resistant and UV-protected, provides mildew-resistant coating, and has a low VOC content. Like the brand before, having the location be at the Lowes Department store, allows for minor transportation costs. The low VOC content and the mildew-resistant coating are an essential attribute to the environment and specifically for our region in New York. Source company: J.J. McGovern Paints- 14 Main Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527: Exterior Paint, Gloss, 5 gal, Aura Benjamin Moore Price: $298.50 Explanation for why material is appropriate: This paint is more expensive than the two other paints but the VOC content is 46g/L. This is a low rate, because anything below 50g/L is considered low. It has excellent resistance to paint deterioration as well as a durable, long- lasting finish. It resists cracking, peeling, blistering and dirt and is mildew resistant. To purchase this paint, we would have to travel a slightly farther distance or have it be shipped a farther distance, which would mean higher transportation costs and pollutant rate.
Wood for Bocce Ball Court Type of material needed: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood for Bocce Court: Purpose for proposed materials: The barrier that is needed for the outskirts of the Bocce Courts is going to be made out of wood. FSC certification is given to companies and landowners to verify that they practice forestry that is consistent with FSC standards. FSC's forest management standards expand protection of water quality, prohibit harvest of rare old-growth forest, prevent loss of natural forest cover and prohibit highly hazardous chemicals, which are all unique aspects of the system (FSC, 2014). The amount of wood that is needed would be made up for 2x6 to 4x6 pieces of wood, and would have to enclose an area of 234 cubic yards. These 2x6 to 4x6 pieces of lumber would make up the outskirts of the bocce court as well as the middle partition. The overall dimensions for the Bocce ball court are 20x62ft. Source company: Universal Forest Products Inc.- 11 Allen St Auburn, NY 13021 - Landscaping FSC-certified, treated wood comes from lumber cuts from anywhere between 4" x 4" to 12" x 12". This company mainly does commercial work but prices for private investors are discussed through personal consultations. Having the lumber be FSC certified, we can ensure that the wood was harvested and transported sustainably. Source company: Pioneer Millworks Reclaimed & Sustainable Flooring: 1180 Commercial Dr., Farmington, NY 14425 – Able to cut any of their reclaimed or FSC woods. Reclaimed wood would be a strong benefit environmentally because extra scrap lumber or wood that is taken down with previous structures would normally be tossed away but by re-using this wood, we are being environmentally friendly and saving potential trees to be cut down. With nine acres of lumber, including more than fifty species, grades, finishes, sizes, and specialty items, they are the largest regional resource for reclaimed and sustainably harvested timbers. Source company: Woodshop wood source: Re-using the existing wood from the woodshop is an option but the amount of wood is unknown. This would be a more sustainable option because we are not purchasing lumber or having to spend money on transportation. If there is an adequate amount of lumber for the bocce court, re-using of existing wood is the most sustainable option.
Sand or gravel for Bocce Ball Court Purpose for proposed materials: Used from nearby source or torn down structure for the Bocce Court. Source company: Sensenig's Landscape Supply- Routes 5 & 20 Geneva NY. Having this location right down the street, transportation costs for pickup or delivery would be less and we would also be producing a smaller amount of carbon dioxide. The Bocce court would need a base layer of gravel, totaling 234 cubic yards. Cost per unit: $34.42/Cubic Yd for course sand. $34.42/Cubic Yd for gravel. Total cost: $8,54.28 for gravel Source company: P&S Excavating and Cayuga Compost- 3225 Agard Rd Trumansburg, NY. Concrete Sand ($18 per ton), Mason Sand ($21 per ton) used for masonry work, underlayment for pool liners, paver bricks, flagstones, sandboxes, etc. This location is farther away than the first option in which transportation costs would be higher and amount of pollution let into the atmosphere would be a higher amount as well. Cost per unit: Concrete Sand ($18 per ton), Mason Sand ($21 per ton) Total cost: ~$4,680 Explanation for why material is appropriate: The filling sand is ideal for reusing the torn down filling station. Taking down the filling station and reusing the gravel or remaining substance to be used inside the Bocce courts in place of buying gravel. This remaining substance from the filling station would be the layer underneath the top sand layer inside the Bocce court. The amount of remediated substance that we get out of the filling station would most likely be enough for the courts, filling at least 234 cubic yards.
Sustainable Concrete for Ice Rink Purpose for proposed materials: Many companies allow for the production of concrete to be more environmentally friendly. One way in which this happens is structures and foundations that are torn down and dug up are re-implemented within the making of the new concrete. The re-use of these materials allows for the less consumption of other resources needed to make the adequate amount of concrete. Source company: Eco Crete Solutions LLC- 5795 Smith Rd, Canandaigua, NY 14424 - Repatriate Debris and Waste into viable reusable Building Materials for gravel or concrete mix use. Pricing is determined based on an on-site evaluation. Canandaigua is in relative close proximity to the site, and transportation costs are smaller compared to a farther location. Explanation for why material is appropriate: By using the remediated filling station structure and re-introducing it into the site will be avoiding potential additions to the landfill and choosing a sustainable alternative.
Paving for Parking Lot Purpose for proposed materials: There are only a few companies that allow for permeable interlocking concrete that is adequate to drive on in this area. When dealing with transportation costs and pollution output, buying local is an essential attribute. Run off is an aspect of pollution that is associated with parking lots that are made up of concrete. This interlocking permeable concrete allows for water to reach the soils underneath.
Source company: Unilock Inc- 841 Buffalo Rd Rochester, NY 14624 – Different styles of permeable interlocking concrete units for pedestrian traffic, residential vehicular, commercial vehicular, and surface texture. Pricing involves a personal, on site consultation.
Picnic Tables for area around Pavilion Source Company: Belson Outdoors: Recycled Plastic Hexagon Picnic Table Model Ht-100. Size: 40”L x 46-3/6” and comes with 2” umbrella hole 267lbs http://www.belson.com/Hexagon-Picnic-Table-with-Recycled-Plastic-Frame Price Per Unit: $740.00 per table Price Total: $3,700 for five tables Explanation for why material is appropriate: These picnic tables are made with 100% recycled plastic and match other features chosen for the site from the same manufacturer. The picnic tables require no maintenance and are at a reasonable price. We are proposing to incorporate several picnic tables within and around the proposed pavilion. These elements will help encourage community members to purchase food from the surrounding neighborhood food establishments or from the proposed on-site concessions. Each table is a single unit that will work together to build community through its multipurpose uses. Belson Outdoors has been serving the parks and recreation industry since 1948. It is a highly trusted company that now specializes in making products out of recycled materials.
Handicapped-Accessible Picnic Tables Source Company: Belson Outdoors: Rugged Handicapped Accessible Picnic Table Model HT- 100H. Size: 235lbs http://www.belson.com/Universal-Access-Hexagon-Picnic-Tables-with-Recycled-Plastic- Frames Price Per Unit: $690.00 Price Total: $1,380 for two tables Explanation for why material is appropriate: Similar to the proposed model above, these tables are also made from 100% recycled plastic and match other features on site. However, proposing to have two tables that will accommodate for a community member in a wheelchair will allow for the proposed space to become more accessible.
Bar Stools Source Company: Reuse, Recycle, Relax! Polywood Furniture: Two-Tone Contemporary Bar Height Stools Product ID: PWF100-2BAR130 Manufacturer: Poly-Wood, Inc. Size: 15 pounds, 29” high, 15” wide http://www.polywoodfurniture.com/polywood-stools/poly-wood-BAR130-contempo-bar- stool Price Per Unit: $279.98 (currently on sale saving $32) *Free Shipping Price Total: $2,239.84 for eight stools Explanation for why material is appropriate: These bar stools will be used to provide alternative seating within our proposed pavilion near the chiminea. These stools match the other proposed site furniture and are made from recycled plastic. We are proposing to attach the stools to the ground with U-shaped brackets and metal cable in order to ensure they maintain a permanent fixture on site. Polywood Furniture has been servicing outdoor furniture shoppers since 1998 and today they are an advocate for sustainability and recycled design using recycled plastic lumber to build furniture. All of the furniture is backed by a twenty- year warranty.
Porous Cement for Amphitheater Walls and Stage http://www.us-concrete.com/usc_pervious_concrete.asp Source Company: US Concrete Pervious Concrete Price per unit: $150.00 per cubic yard Amount: Stage:75.76 y3 Tier 1: 17 y3 Tier 2: 24 y3 Tier 3: 72.33 y3
Price Total: $28,363.50 Explanation for why material is appropriate: We are proposing to create a tiered seating area that surrounds a small stage on the site and we would like to use Pervious Concrete to section off each of these proposed tiers and for the stage. Justification for sourcing the required material from this company: Pervious Concrete is our best option because it is porous enough that it can allow for rainwater to run through and into the soil beneath naturally. The product can “incorporate admixtures into its pervious concrete mix that will enhance durability and workability” (Us Concrete). There are also several light-colored options from which we can choose, which will help the cement to stay cool in the hot summer. Durable for a minimum of 30 years, the Pervious Concrete is a cost efficient choice because of its strength and minimal upkeep. U.S Concrete works to “seek harmony” with the environment as they contribute to building new infrastructures. It is the first national concrete company to commit to green building through its EF Technology, and environmentally friendly concrete mixes. Since 2009, this company has saved over 1 million tons of CO2 emissions from polluting the environment due to their agreement and green products (US Concrete).
Chiminea/ Outdoor Fire Place http://www.backyardflare.com/santacruz.htm Source Company: True Value Hardware Price Per Unit: Cinderblocks- $1.15 Concrete Mix- $3.49 per 80 lb bag Price Total: $69.80 for twenty bags of concrete mix ~ $100.00 for 100 more cinderblocks Explanation for why material is appropriate: The chiminea will be built out of cinderblocks that have been left behind on site to create a recycled design. An outdoor fireplace’s frame is often structured with cinderblocks, which are usually then covered with brick or stone to add aesthetic value. It appears that there are more than enough cinderblocks currently residing on site. This includes both the deteriorating structure constructed of cinderblocks as well as the pile of cinderblocks behind the existing structure, amounting to an approximate total of 620 blocks. We have accounted for only the cinder blocks that appear to be in a usable condition, and can be incorporated into the chiminea design. According to an outdoor fireplace design company 360 blocks will be needed to build an outdoor fireplace that is sixteen feet tall, 112 inches wide and 56 inches deep (backyardflare.com). Justification for sourcing the required material from this company: To build the outdoor fireplace cement will be used to hold the cinder blocks together. From True Value Hardware Quickete Concrete Mix can be bought for $3.49 per 80lb bag. This is a great way to incorporate materials that have been left on the site in a sustainable way and also reduce costs. Cinderblocks are light grey and would complement site’s natural features materials, and landscaping.
Bar Materials http://www.ecocretesolutionsllc.com Source Company: Eco Crete Solutions LLC. Explanation for why material is appropriate: The base of the bar will also be built out of the cinderblocks left on the site. The countertop for the bar will be made out of concrete. It can be custom cast so any shape can be created. Concrete can be dyed or acid-stained any color and it can be given any texture. For our bar a glossy finish would look nice against the textured cinderblock bottom. It will cost from $65 to $190 to be installed. And cement sealer needs to be applied regularly to prevent cracking (HGTV). Justification for sourcing the required material from this company: The concrete can be purchased from Eco Crete Solutions LLC. located in Canandaigua N.Y. The concrete is made out of recycled construction debris and is known to be lighter, stronger, more flexible and water repellent (Eco Crete Solutions LLC).
Half Plant Wall http://www.pottedstore.com/post/potteds-diy-cinderblock-wall/ Source Company: De Maria’s Nursery in Geneva, NY. Price Per Unit: $7.00 for topsoil Price Total: $21.00 for three bags of topsoil $10 for plants or plant seeds Explanation for why material is appropriate: This wall will extend off of the bar and serve as a half wall also made out of cinder blocks. The wall will jut out at different angles allowing the cinderblocks to be filled with soil to grow plants. About three bags of topsoil would be needed, as well as flower seeds, which can be purchased at De Maria’s Nursery in Geneva, NY.
Grass Pavers For Amphitheater Levels http://www.invisiblestructures.com/grasspave2.html Source Company: Invisible Structures Explanation for why material is appropriate: We will be using Grass Pave 2 for the three sections of our amphitheater. Grass Pave 2 is an invisible structure that allows heavily trafficked grass areas to stay green and continue to grow. Model 1020 will be suitable for our amphitheater because it comes in rolls that are 3.5 ft wide and 32.8 ft long. We will need about 5 rolls, price unknown. (Invisiblestructures.com)
Grass Pave Path for Western side of Marsh Creek
Source Company: New England Construction Representatives. Contact: Ralph Morgan- [email protected] Explanation for why material is appropriate: This product will provide a path that is green but is more structurally sound than grass ground cover. Product comes in 3.5x32.8 foot roll. The site will require about 26 rolls to construct the path on the West side of Marsh Creek. Total Price: Unable get a quote on this material
Landscaping Dirt Purpose for proposed materials: Fill dirt to help landscape and build up the mounds on the west side near the properties. Price per unit: ~$30/yard Total price: ~5 cubic yards required- $150 Source Company: Sensenigs, Geneva, NY Justification for sourcing the required material from this company: This company is local and gets their dirt locally, this is important because it will keep shipping costs low in addition to keeping the soils implemented consistent with the soils in the area. This prevents any unwanted organisms such as invasive plants or insects that could be in the soils delivered. Sensenigs is a local company and transportation costs will be minimized.
Mulch for Planting Beds
Explanation for why material is appropriate: Natural Mulch without artificial dyes is ideal for the most sustainable management of planting beds. The mulch acts as a base for all of the planting beds. Price per unit: ~$28.00/ cubic yard Total cost: ~70 cubic yards ~$1,960 Source Company: Sensenigs, Geneva, NY Justification for sourcing the required material from this company: This is the most suitable option for mulch because it is coming from a local company that produces their own mulch from local lawn waste. Dyed mulches can be harmful by leaching the dyes into the surrounding soils and water table. These dyes can also produce a foul odor, which has potential to discourage people from visiting the park. If mulch is available from the local landfill it is cheap or free in most cases, unfortunately the effectiveness of this idea can be hindered by lack of transportation resources. Fence
370 feet of 6 foot tall chain link fence, 2,500 Hardwood slats 6’x1.25”x.25”
Explanation for why material is appropriate: Chain link fence with hardwood slats and vines to provide a visual barrier between the park and adjoining properties. Source Company: 84 lumber Price per unit: ~$3.00/foot $28.50/ board Total price: $5,600 Justification for sourcing the required material from this company: We are implementing a fence that will not look out of place, but will provide a great amount of privacy for the private properties adjoining the park. The wood used will be bought from 84 Lumber, a local vendor that carries FSC certified lumber, which is “The Mark of Responsible Forestry.”
Interpretative Signage
Explanation for why material is appropriate: The sign is designed and created from recycled plastic. Source Company: Enviro-reader Interpretive Panel, By EnviroSigns ltd. Total price: Currently waiting for a quote for this product, as price per-sign will vary based on shipping, size, number, and content. Justification for sourcing the required material from this company: The Enviro-reader is advertised as one of the most graffiti proof signs of the market, with washable properties similar to glass. This highly durable sign is made from material that will not yellow or fade and is constructed of entirely recycled materials. This sign is a good option not just for our zone, but for the entire site. Envirosigns also has a staff of interpretive designers, writers, and illustrators that will aid in designing effective signs.
Various Plants Explanation for why material is appropriate: Many differing trees and plants to provide landscaping, scenery and habitat for the park. Source Company: Sensenigs, Geneva NY or other local nurseries that have the capacity to source the proposed plants Total costs: The costs of the plants will vary depending on the plant, source and time of year. Specimens such as the Japanese maple can very drastically in price based on the characteristics of the general plant. Average Cost of Plants (varies by time of year, vendor, and origin of plant)
Washington Hawthorn ~$70 for a four year tree.
Arethusa Rose ~$20
Blue Spruce ~$40 for a small sapling and price will increase based on size and aesthetic characteristics of the tree.
Japanese maple ~$60 for a small specimen
Magic Dragon Rose ~$20
Fountain
Type of Material Needed: Concrete blocks/ceramic tiles
Purposes of the proposed Materials: The concrete blocks will create the main basin for the circular fountain, while the ceramic tiles will line the exterior portion of the fountain to create an inviting and colorful aesthetic appeal. Community members can decorate the ceramic tiles, and a mosaic of tiles will foster community pride within the site.
Total amount of the Material to be Acquired: A 15’ diameter fountain that is 2 ft. tall will require approximately 900 4” by 8’’ ceramic tiles.
Source Company: The concrete blocks do not need to be purchased, as we will reuse leftover blocks form the concrete wall on site. The ceramic tiles can be purchased from Terra Green Ceramics—a sustainable ceramics company.
Cost Per Unit: Terra Green Ceramics sells products by the square ft. The approximate cost of ceramic tiles per square foot is $3.35.
Estimated Cost for Full Amount of Materials Required: 900 tiles is approximately 306.81 square ft. which would cost $1,027.81.
Brief explanation for why material is appropriate: We chose to use concrete as the basic material for the fountain because it is a durable material that lasts a very long time (Campbell, 2010). We will reuse the concrete blocks from the existing wall on the eastern side of the site for the basin of the fountain to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with the production of new concrete. According to the “Ceramic Tile Makes the List of Top Sustainable Materials” site, ceramic tiles are a solid sustainable option for building material. Ceramic tiles are composed from natural clay and other raw materials that are abundant in supply, eliminating the need for other natural resources in its production, such as wood or plant material. Much like concrete, ceramic tiles also last a long time, especially when glazed and sealed after they are painted. They are also very water and stain repellent, which is appropriate for a fountain ("Ceramic Tile Makes the List of Top Sustainable Materials," 2011).
Justification for sourcing the required materials from this company: Terra Green Ceramics is an appropriate source, both architecturally and in terms of its sustainability. This company produces ceramic tiles with a minimum of 55% recycled content. The company has been certified by the Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) for its highly sustainable products; Terra Green Ceramics is also LEED certified for meeting requirements for green construction and design. All products are manufactured regionally in Richmond, IN, using recycled content—such as silica, post-consumer glass, clay, and sand— sourced from within a 500 mile radius from the company.
Railroad Ties for Community Garden Planting Beds
Type of Material Needed: ECOTRAX Composite Railroad Ties
Purpose of Proposed Materials: The railroad ties are going to be used to make our raised beds in the community garden. The composite ties will last longer than the typical wooden railroad ties and there will be no worry of any type of paint or other toxic substance either on or in the material.
Total Amount of Material to be Acquired: For each raised bed we are going to need 12 railroad ties and we plan to have 6 total raised beds. That means that we will need 72 railroad ties in total.
Source Company: Axion, Zanesville, Ohio.
Cost Per Unit/Total: The pricing for one railroad tie is around $100. Thus, to purchase all 72 railroad ties, the pricing would come out to be around $7,200. Brief Explanation for why Material is Appropriate: Axion takes pride in their composite railroad ties because for one, they are made from 100% recycled materials and are 100% recyclable at the end of their long, functional life. Also, the material does not contain any toxic chemicals and is impervious to rot, fungus, insects, and moisture.
Justification for Sourcing the Required Materials from this Company: The reasoning for choosing Axion is because this is their own product that they have created. Axion distributes their products internationally through several locations and our products would come from Zanesville, Ohio. This company patents the formula that is used to make these composite railroad ties, so there is no other store to purchase this type of material from. Another reason for purchasing the ties from this company is because they are dedicated to use 100% recycled plastic and there are very few companies, if at all, that are sustainable as this one.
Bridge Materials
Type of Material Needed: Concrete/Stamped Concrete Purposes of the proposed Materials: Concrete will be poured to build the structure of the bridge and it’s foundation. Stamped concrete will be applied to the outside of the bridge to mimic the appearance of the elevated railroad tunnel to the north.
Total amount of the Material to be Acquired: Approximately 4,000 cubic feet of concrete will be needed (depending on the final design) to create the shape of the bridge and to create the texture on the outside.
Source Company: A possible concrete contractor is Western Concrete located in Rochester, NY. The company performs different concrete construction projects of similar scale and they perform both regular concrete and stamped concrete work.
Cost Per Unit: Concrete costs approximately $4.00 per cubic foot and stamped concrete for this particular application should costs between $8.00 and $12.00 per square foot.
Estimated Cost for Full Amount of Materials Required: The full amount of materials required should cost approximately $23,200.
Brief explanation for why material is appropriate: For the time being we are proposing to use concrete for this application because it should be cheaper (waiting for an estimate) compared to building a similar structure out of stone block matched to the rail tunnel. By stamping the concrete we should also be able to provide a very similar look to the rail tunnel on site. Concrete is also frequently used for bridges so it should be appropriate for this scenario.
Justification for sourcing the required materials from this company: Western Concrete is located in Rochester, NY which is relatively close by. By using concrete from this business money will stay in the region and emissions from travel will also be minimized. Aqua-Bric for Pathways
Purposes of the proposed Materials: Aqua-Bric is the material that has been chosen to be used for pathways and other paved surfaces throughout the site.
Total amount of the Material to be Acquired: Approximately 3,500 square feet of Aqua- Bric will be needed for both pathways and other paved surfaces in Zone 4.
Zone 1 will be using roughly 3,600 square feet of Aqua-Bric. Zone 2 will be using about 1,600 square feet of Aqua-Bric. Zone 3 will not be using any Aqua-Bric, as their paths are comprised of Grasspave.
Type of Material Needed: Aqua-Bric
Total: 8,700 square feet of Aqua-Bric Source Company: A possible source company is Belgard. Belgard is one of several companies which produce Aqua-Bric which is a type of permeable paver.
Cost Per Unit: Aqua-Bric prices vary between different manufacturers and based on the chosen style however they should cost approximately $3.00 per square foot.
Estimated Cost for Full Amount of Materials Required: The full amount of materials required should cost approximately $26,100.
Brief explanation for why material is appropriate: Aqua-Bric was chosen because it provides a hard surface that is also handicap accessible. The material is also permeable so it will better allow rain water or snow melt to pass through to the ground.
Justification for sourcing the required materials from this company: Belgard is a good supplier for Aqua-Bric for a several reasons. There is an authorized Belgard reseller in Geneva, Sensenig’s Landscape Supply. By using the product from Belgard, money would be spent at a local business and Sensenig’s Landscape Supply could also deliver and install the Aqua-Bric if needed.
Shed
Type of material needed, amount to be acquired: 4 – 1x3x8 feet spruce pine furring strips- $1.64 Total- $6.56 8 – 1x4x8 feet cedar wood - $6.48 Total - $51.84 1 – 1/2" roofing plywood panel, full 4x8 sheet $27.84 30 square feet of roofing shingles 39 shingles per bundle 32.8 square feet - $31.50 Roofing nails - $33.92
Cost Per Unit: 18 – 2x2x8 feet wood Unit Price - $1.82 Total- $32.76 44 – 5 1/2" wide cedar fence pickets - $1.58 Total- $69.52 1 – 2x4x8 feet stud- $2.73 Purposes of the proposed materials: The multiple types and sizes of wood will be used for the fountain of the shed. The plywood and roofing shingles will be used for the roof and the hinges and nails are used to hold the foundation and doors together. The latch and handles are going to be used to access and lock the doors of the shed to keep it private and secure.
Source Company: All of the materials can be purchased from Ferrara Lumber in Seneca Falls, NY. They supply local services for the community. The Lumber though should be purchased from 84 Lumber in Rochester because the store is FSC certified. These means that the lumber used for the shed would be responsibly harvested lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Estimated Cost for Full Amount of Materials Required: For the full amount of materials, the cost would be approximately $283.00.
Brief explanation for why material is appropriate: We chose to use Cedar as the main material used for the shed because it is the most durable material for outdoor use. The other materials are metal and also durable in order to keep all of the materials in the shed secure and safe. All of these materials are going to stay natural so that it does not stick out. The wood will stay natural with brown roofing and all of the fixtures will be black.
Justification for sourcing the required materials from this company: The required materials will be easy to obtain because they can be picked up from Ferrara Lumber store and 84 Lumber which reduces CO2 emissions and all of the materials are in store so they do not need to be specially ordered.
Heavy-Duty Round Trash Receptacles
Industrial strength trash receptacles made out of super strong recycled plastic slats, which resemble wood panels were chosen for the site. Garbage cans will be cedar in color and recycling cans will be a gray-slate color. Both possess aesthetic qualities due to the neutral look. The trash receptacles can be purchased off of an outdoor superstore website called Belson Outdoors, which is a company that manufactures many recycled park materials. We chose a round shaped can because of its organic shape and ability to blend well into the natural curves of the pathway through the site. Twelve trash cans and twelve recycling bins will be purchased for the site and placed heavily near the pavilion and snack bar and evenly throughout the rest of the site. Near the snack bar and pavilion we would use the larger 55- gallon trash receptacles and throughout the rest of the site the smaller 32-gallon trash receptacles can be used. We chose this trash receptacle because it is made out of recycled materials, it is sturdy, aesthetically pleasing and is an appropriate size for the site. Belson Outdoors is a trustworthy company according to the reviews read online and is a leader in selling recycled and sustainable outdoor park products.
Flood Lights
LED flood lights are needed around on site structures to provide light from dusk to dawn, which will increase the safety of the site. Six floodlights should be purchased; four should be installed on the snack bar/ storage building, one on the front corner of the pavilion and one on the shed in the back of the site. They can be purchased on “lighting direct.com” and they cost $139.99 per fixture. The total price would be $839.94 for all six flood light fixtures. We chose these lights because LED lights operate them; they will provide ample light to the site and they will be in power from dusk to dawn to ensure safety of the site. The lighting direct website seemed to have relatively cheap priced lighting fixtures compared to other lighting websites we looked at such as Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Tall Lampposts
Solar lampposts that are seven feet tall are necessary to better illuminate the site. About sixteen lampposts will be needed to add to the light conservatively provided by well lights installed along the site pathway. The LED light bulbs are powered by the solar panel on top of the lamppost. The solar lamppost automatically turns on from dusk to dawn and no maintenance is required. The price per unit is $219.00 so the total cost for sixteen lamps would be $3,503. These lampposts would increase the site’s sustainability because they contain LED bulbs and are solar powered. They are black in color and possess a traditional look which blends in well with the other structures and materials on site. It is made of durable powder-coated cast-aluminum, which is rust free and resistant to all types of weather. Each lamppost comes with the materials to install the post into the ground. They can be purchased off of a website called Earth Tech Products, a trusted company that sells eco-friendly, energy saving products.
Well Lighting
With about 2,050ft of pathway space throughout the site that will need to have well lighting in the path, there will need to be about 205 well lights. Each well light will be 10ft away from one another. This will allow adequate illumination for the pathway in addition to a few larger lights along the pathways and additional lighting around the main features. The unit price is $27.95 with a total cost of about $5,729.75. These lights can come from Affordable Quality Lighting. Each light will have a bronze cover and 12V 3W warm LED light bulbs. LED light bulbs will produce less pollution and are better for the environment than incandescent light bulbs and will be able to provide an adequate amount of light. The bronze cover will blend in with the color of the path, which will blend in well with the rest of the site.
Benches
By going through an online source, belson.com, purchasing a 6 foot long 100% recycled plastic bench for $766 each seems to be the best idea. By making the benches from recycled plastic that looks like wood, the ability to have benches that look like wood will match the aesthetics of the park, while keeping it sustainable by not using actual wood, and using recycled plastic. The benches come in a variety of colors, but the gray back/seat color, with a black frame is the ideal choice from the sustainability/design committee because it best fits the look and feel of the entire park without looking too modern. Benches can also be purchased with a center arm for an extra $67, which could be beneficial to the elderly or disabled people of the area. Conclusion Conclusion This class is the capstone course for the new minor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Sustainable Community Development. The interdisciplinary course explores the local community of Geneva and explores the process of community design in practice. The objectives of this class are to learn about local capacity, explore the interplays between design and the environment, develop professional skillsets, and provide an opportunity for interdisciplinary work and a service-learning experience. This class is an invaluable tool for students interested in sustainable design, environmental issues, sociology, local communities and landscape architecture. The group work, research, experiential learning, and conflict resolution skills that the students’ gain from taking this course are valuable tools to supplement their classroom and academic studies. The students are also able to gain a sense of pride and confidence by providing quality designs to the local neighborhood and helping to empower the community through a vision of hope and a more sustainable future. Through learning from the community members and building off residents’ visions and ideas for the site, the student design proposals created a reality for a sustainable re-design, providing a space of pride for the community.
Next steps An essential component of the success of this course, both as a tool to facilitate learning and as a service to the community, is the involvement of the community partner. For this class, this means the residents and friends of the East Lakeview neighborhood. Because this project originated with their vision for the brownfield site located on East North Street, it also concludes in their hands. This report, along with the many meetings and focus groups, as well as the full-size maps and design proposals, serve as the main deliverable to the community partner. Our hope is that the East Lakeview neighbors are in a position to continue to work with GNRC and the City of Geneva to promote their vision for the adaptive re-use of the brownfield site in their community.