Handbook for Private Development and Public Improvements in the Riverfront Corridor Columbus, Ohio Riverfront Commons Corporation with Kinzelman/Kline, Inc., Design Group, Inc., Goody Clancy & Associates, Anne Hamilton & Michael Mercil and Davey Resource Group City of Columbus January, 2001 Handbook for Private Development and Public Improvements in the Riverfront Corridor Columbus, Ohio Riverfront Commons Corporation with City of Columbus Kinzelman/Kline, Inc., Michael B. Coleman, Mayor Design Group, Inc., Goody Clancy & Associates, Department of Trade and Development Anne Hamilton & Michael Mercil Mark Barbash, Director and Davey Resource Group Economic Development and Planning Services Downtown Development Office January, 2001 Handbook for Private Development and Public Improvements in the Riverfront Corridor Table of Contents Acknowledgements i 3.3 Unifying Elements 63 3.3-1 Signs Introduction 1 3.3-2 Hardscape 3.3-3 Walls Purpose 3.3-4 Railings and Guardrails Content 3.3-5 Structures 3.3-6 Lighting Urban Design Considerations 3 3.3-7 Furniture 2.1 Neighborhood Planning 3.3-8 Landscaping 2.1-1 The Urban Pattern 3.3-9 Community Connections 2.1-2 Building Setbacks and Private Frontages 2.1-3 Public Streetscapes Public Art 69 2.1-4 Building Program & Massing 4.1 Public Art Considerations and Opportunities 2.1-5 Entrances 2.1-6 Parking 2.2 New Building Construction 29 Appendix A 73 2.2-1 Building Composition and Reach Analysis: Redevelopment and Fenestration Development Alternatives 2.2-2 Garages and Outbuildings Merion Village 2.2-3 Building Materials Whittier Peninsula 2.3 Existing Buildings 35 Downtown Reach 2.3-1 Contributing Buildings and Harrison West Façade Improvement University 2.3-2 Demolition Public Open Space 2.4 Signage 41 Public Art Policy 2.4-1 General Rules 2.4-2 Sign Types Appendix B 79 2.4-3 Materials Public Art Policy Recommendations 2.4-4 Colors 2.4-5 Lighting Bibliography 85 Open Space Considerations 51 3.1 The Open Space System 52 3.1-1 The Greenway 3.1-2 The Neighborhood Park 3.1-3 Public Streets 3.1-4 Squares, Plazas, and Courtyards 3.2 Elements of the Greenway 57 3.2-1 The Riparian Edge 3.2-2 Environmental Parks 3.2-3 Active Recreational Fields 3.2-4 Urban Parks Handbook for Private Development and Public Improvements in the Riverfront Corridor Acknowledgements Riverfront Commons Corporation Cleve Ricksecker, Executive Director Doug Borror, Trustee, Chairman Julia F. Johnson, Trustee, Vice Chair James Kunk, Trustee, Treasurer Saul Seigel, Trustee, Secretary Jim Steckel, Trustee, Vice Chair Sally Bloomfield, Trustee John Christie, Trustee Don Day, Trustee Michael Flowers, Trustee Barbara Nicholson, Trustee Robert M. Roach, Trustee Robert C. Skaggs, Trustee Robert Teater, Trustee Virginia M. Trethewey, Trustee Department of Trade and Development Mark Barbash, Director Gary Cavin, Assistant Director Ken Ferell, Downtown Planning Manager Lori Baudro, Project Planner, Riverfront Development Acknowledgements i Handbook for Private Development and Public Improvements in the Riverfront Corridor 1 Introduction The Columbus Riverfront Vision Plan expresses the The riverfront corridor falls within the jurisdiction of communitys vision for a nine-mile river corridor that multiple organizations, ranging from local neighbor- stretches along the Scioto and Olentangy rivers from hood civic associations to formal commissions estab- The Ohio State University to State Route 104. The Plan lished by city ordinanceeach with different powers of identifies over 600 acres of potential parkland, 30 miles review, comment, and approval. In areas where there of mixed-use trails and 150 acres of new development are pre-existing guidelines or zoning standards, (e.g. opportunities. Envisioned for the riverfront corridor is an Brewery District and Downtown Commission), prospec- actively used greenway that preserves and enhances tive developers, with the assistance of Commission the existing natural riparian ecology, strong linkages to staff, must work within each Commissions established the riverfront from future and existing neighborhoods design review process to secure approvals as required. and new development that complements the tradi- tional character of existing neighborhoods. Developed Although not mandatory, the concepts of this Hand- under the auspices of the Riverfront Commons Corpora- book are a resource: a reference toolbox of valuable tion (RCC) and adopted by Columbus City Council in design and development options, which if imple- 1998, the Riverfront Vision plan establishes a framework mented, will help reinforce a riverfront character that is for the revitalization of the riverfront, identifies desired consistent with the adopted Columbus Riverfront Vision land uses and outlines open space and development Plan. guidelines. Content Purpose The Handbook makes general design and develop- The Handbook for Private Development and Public ment suggestions applicable to the nine-mile corridor, Improvements in the Riverfront Corridor was developed as well as specific suggestions tailored to address the to supplement the Riverfront Vision Plan by providing unique characteristics of each of the five reach areas design and development suggestions that can be used identified in the Riverfront Vision Plan, as follows: by individuals and organizations seeking to develop within the boundaries of the Vision Plan (see Figure 1: Merion Village Reach: State Route 104 to Greenlawn Riverfront Corridor Boundary Plan). The design ap- Avenue proaches and strategies presented in the Handbook Whittier Reach: Greenlawn Avenue to Interstate 70 have also been developed as a tool to help Commis- Downtown Reach: Interstate 70 to Interstate 670 sions, with powers of review, evaluate proposals made Harrison West Reach: Interstate 670 to King Avenue for development and redevelopment within the bound- University Reach: King Avenue to Dodridge Street aries of the Riverfront Plan. Introduction 1 Many of these considerations are a result of the Reach recommendations made in the Riverfront Vision Plan as well as further inventory made in the Reach Analysis phase of this project. These observations are outlined in Appendix A of this document. Throughout the Handbook, design and development considerations are illustrated through photographs, diagrams, and sketches. Site specific character sketches found throughout the document are not intended as schematic design solutions. Instead, they are illustrations of possible alternatives that could be implemented within the framework of the adopted Vision Plan. The design and development considerations of this Handbook are organized into three general categories. Urban Design Considerations (Chapter 2) address the planning and design concepts that apply to private development areas within the riverfront corridor. Open Space Considerations (Chapter 3) address planning and design concepts that apply to the public open spaces within the riverfront corridor. Finally, the integration of public art in to the river corridor is detailed in the Public Art Considerations and Opportunities (Chapter 4). These considerations are based on the Public Art Policy Recommendations for the Columbus Riverfront that were endorsed in 1998 by the Riverfront Commons Corporation Board and the Greater Columbus Arts Council Board of Trustees (See Appendix B). 2 Introduction Handbook for Private Development and Public Improvements in the Riverfront Corridor 2 Urban Design Considerations The following considerations represent a variety of While most of these considerations apply to all four of concepts, strategies and possibilities that support the the new development areas that are outlined in the Planning and Design Principles established by the Riverfront Vision Plan, additional notes follow some Riverfront Vision Plan. The Planning and Design topics to address site specific considerations within Principles or broad policies that relate specifically to each development area. Many of these considerations the urban environment are stated in Chapter 2 of the are a result of the Reach recommendations made in the Riverfront Vision Plan as follows: Riverfront Vision Plan as well as further inventory and observations made in the Reach Analysis phase of this New riverfront neighborhoods and districts will project. These observations are outlined in Appendix A be urban in character. of this document. New development will be varied in character. New riverfront districts will connect to adjacent The following Urban Design Considerations have been neighborhoods and districts. organized into 4 general categories: The following considerations also further articulate and 2.1 Neighborhood Planning illustrate the Development Guidelines for the Corridor 2.2 New Building Construction (See Chapter 9 of the Riverfront Vision) and any specific 2.3 Existing Buildings reach guidelines or urban design elements that are 2.4 Signage stated throughout the Riverfront Vision Plan. The following considerations are described through bullet statements, photographs, diagrams and charac- ter sketches. These concepts are intended to provide guidance and inspiration towards achieving an urban density and character while not dictating design or hindering creative planning and architectural design. These considerations should not be construed as the only means to achieving the above stated Planning and Design Principles. These are examples or strategies, that if implemented, reinforce the goals and principles of the Vision Plan. Nor should any individual idea, such