131223 acs marta final report

Midtown AllianceTransit Station Enhancement Plans:

ART CENTER STATION

SMITH DALIA ARCHITECTS

DECEMBER 23, 2013Final Report

621 NORTH AVENUE, NE

SUITE C-140

ATLANTA, GA 30308-2805

404-892-2443

S m i t h D a l i aA R C H I T E C T S , L L C

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Ginny Kennedy

Brian Whitfield

Morgan Gabler

Jacob Vallo

Connie Krisak

Susan Stainback

Heather Alhadeff

Alex Brewer

Team Members:

MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS

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Table of ContentsSection A - Introduction A1 - Project Description

A2 - Approach

Section B -Station Assessment B1 - Existing Conditions

B2 - Summary & Project Brief

Section C -Concept Development C1 - Station Concepts

C2 - Enhancement Strategies

Section D - Implementation Plan D1 - Zone Plan

D2 - Project Cost Spreadsheet

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“Cities are re-making themselves around urban amenities and Transit is an essential component to defining the difference between world-class cities with vibrant 24-hour occupancy and the type of commuter city that empties out when work is over.”

Source: Peter David Cavaluzzi; EE&K

MARTA: Art Center StationIntroduction


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Arts Center Station

Midtown Station

North Ave. Station

Project Description:To develop implementable solutions for three Midtown Atlanta MARTA stations by enhancing the functional, operational, and aesthetic aspects of each station.

Project Goals:

Short Term: To create an enhanced gateway expe-rience that increases transit ridership and provides visitors with the best possible first impression of Midtown Atlanta.

Long Term: To reposition the transit stations as des-tinations in their own right that catalyze surround-ing development and sustain economic growth within the Midtown area.

Attract Users & Spur Economic Development

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Desired Outcomes:

A renewed interest by community members to view MARTA stations as an assetPlan that sustains the continued mixed use, high density development in Midtown, particularly in areas within the 5-minute walkshed of transit stations.Strategies that aim to increase transit ridership and station visitsActionable steps to:

Transit Station Enhancement

1. To increase public safety and improve perceptions of safety in and around stations2. Improve accessibility to and from the stations by all users3. Improve connectivity to the stations4. Enhance the sense of place around MARTA stations

Phase I: Station Assessment - June - July

Phase II: Visioning & Public Engagement - July - August

Phase III: Concept Development - August - October

Phase IV: Implementation Plan - October - November

Phase V: Final Report - December 2013

Project Work Plan:


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Urban Centers:

current condition

The designs of the original Midtown MARTA stations were mainly inwardly focused with little urban engagement beyond their immediate sites. As the city developed around them, there was minimal incorporation of the transit stations into the creation of public urban spaces. As a result, these sites became disconnected from the urban fabric and are contributing little to the perception or identity of Midtown Atlanta. The MARTA stations are under utilized in promoting Midtown’s community, culture, and activity in Atlanta which are essential components to the creation of “Place” in an urban setting. For these stations to be vibrant and successful, it is critical to re-introduce these elements to the MARTA sites.

Transit stations are integral components of urban living which impact the overall quality of life and impression of our city for the residents and the visitors of Midtown Atlanta. To become true urban generators, these MARTA stations need to appeal to patrons beyond the commuter and provide amenities that promote a social exchange regardless of the intent to ride the transit system.

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If we are to make Atlanta more sustainable we need to create transit places that will sustain and enhance urban life. The collective experience of over 400,000 daily MARTA riders is a major contributing factor in our city’s urban experience and reputation.

proposed solution

Making Midtown Atlanta’s Transit:

Urban Approach:

HOW?

EasierAccessSignageConnectivity

SaferLightingActivationMaintenance

DelightfulLandscapeArtInteraction

Productive Wait Time (Work, Entertain, Play)

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MARTA: Art Center StationStation Evaluation


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* Source|: MARTA GIS Analysis 2011 & ARC LandPro 2009.

Arts Center Station

Midtown Station

North Ave. Station

Arts Center Station:

Residential Demographics (1/2 mile):Population 8,884Median Age 37Households 5,271Median Household Income $78,822

Business Demographics (1/2 mile):Businesses 2,741Employees 50,162

Midtown Station:

Residential Demographics (1/2 mile):Population 9,674Median Age 35.4Households 6,645 Median Household Income $63,110


North Ave. Station:

Residential Demographics (1/2 mile):Population 12,426Median Age 25.7Households 4,006Median Household Income $53,396

Business Demographics (1/2 mile):Businesses 3,732Employees 73,918* Source|: Site To Do Business on-line, 2011

Midtown Station

North Ave. Station

Midtown Station:

Residential Demographics (1/2 mile):Population 9,674Median Age 35.4Households 6,645 Median Household Income $63,110


North Ave. Station:

Residential Demographics (1/2 mile):Population 12,426Median Age 25.7Households 4,006Median Household Income $53,396


Residential

Commercial

Institutional

Parks

TCU

Limited Access

Transitional

Urban Context

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Arts Center Way & 15th St. Arts Center Way Entry Plaza

Entry Plaza

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ARTS CENTER WAY

BUS BU

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950

SURFACE PARKING

PARKING DECK

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MuseumStudent Family Wing

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SURFACE PARKING

SURFACE PARKING

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Sculpture Stuido

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

WOODRUF ARTS CENTE

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16TH ST

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Wieland Pavilion

Existing Site Plan

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Key Topic Comparison

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0 Daily Ridership

Land Use/Density

Walk/bike ratio

Vehicular Street Traffic

Visibility to Station

Bike Parking

Walkability

Wayfinding to Station

Park N Ride

Park N Ride Adequate space

Waiting Areas Directness Way-finding in Station

Pedestrian Flow

Maintenance Signage

Seating

Security

Lighting

Shelter from Weather

Landscaping Presence

Art Visibility

Cleanliness

Maintenance Signage

Arts Center

Midtown

North Ave

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Key Topic MatrixArts Center Midtown North Ave

Daily Ridership 4.0 3 3.5Land Use/Density 1.9 3.4 3.3

Housing 1.5 3.5 3Jobs 3.5 3 4

Shopping 1 3.5 2.5Services 1 3.5 3DU/acre 1 4 3.5

Jobs/acre 3.5 3 4Walk/bike ratio 3 4 4.5Vehicular Street Traffic 3.5 5 5Visibility to Station 2.5 5 4Bike Parking 5 2.75 1.5

Bike Rack Presence 5 3 2Bike Rack Visibility 5 2.5 1

Walkability 2.7 3.5 3.1Crosswalk Effectiveness 3.5 2.5 2.5ADA Compliant Ramps 2 2.5 3

ADA Compliant Sidewalks 3.5 3 3.5Intuitiveness of Short-cuts 1 4.5 2.5

Streetscape Lighting 3.5 5 4Wayfinding to Station 1 3 1Park N Ride 2.5 2.75 1

Park N Ride Adequate space 3 2.5 1 Park N Ride Visibility 2 3 1

Waiting Areas 4 4 5Train Waiting Area Size 3 5 5Bus Waiting Area Size 5 3 5

Directness 2.5 4.5 3.75Directness to Train 2 5 3.5Directness to Bus 3 4 4

Way-finding in Station 1.3 2.5 1.8Way-finding Vertical 1 2.5 2.5

Way-finding Directional 2 4 2Schedule Info 1 1 1

Pedestrian Flow 2 4 4Maintenance Signage 2 3 3Seating 3 3.5 5

Seating at Train Platform 2 2.5 4Seating at Bus Bay 3.5 1.5 3

Seating outside 2.5 2 2Security 3.5 3.25 3.5

Police presence 2 3 3.5Call box/station help 5 3.5 3.5

Lighting 2.5 3.75 3.25Interior 2.5 3.5 3

Exterior 2.5 4 3.5Shelter from Weather 2 2 3Landscaping Presence 3.5 1 2Art Visibility 2 2.5 2.5Cleanliness 2 1.8 2.0

Graffitti Presence 1 1 1Litter Presence 2 2 2

Dirt 3 2.5 3Maintenance Signage 1 3 2

Site

Acc

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Safe

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Exp

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Urb

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Stat

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Circ

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0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0 Daily Ridership

Land Use/Density

Housing

Jobs

Shopping

Services

DU/acre

Jobs/acre

Walk/bike ratio

Vehicular Street Traffic

0

1

2

3

4

5 Visibility to Station

Bike Parking

Bike Rack Presence

Bike Rack Visibility

Walkability

Crosswalk Effectiveness

ADA Compliant Ramps

ADA Compliant Sidewalks

Intuitiveness of Short-cuts

Streetscape Lighting

Wayfinding to Station

Park N Ride

Park N Ride Adequate space

Park N Ride Visibility

Urban Character

Site AccessArts Center

Midtown

North Ave

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1

2

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5 Seating

Seating at Train

Seating at bus

Seating outside

Security

Police presence

Call box/station help

Lighting

Interior

Exterior

Shelter from Weather

Landscaping Presence

Art Visibility

Cleanliness

Graffitti Presence

Litter Presence

Dirt

Maintenance Signage

0

1

2

3

4

5 Waiting Areas

Train Waiting Area Size

Bus Waiting Area Size

Directness

Directness to Train

Directness to Bus

Way-finding in Station

Way-finding Vertical

Way-finding Directional

Schedule Info

Pedestrian Flow

Maintenance Signage

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Safety/Experience

Site Circulation

Arts Center

Midtown

North Ave


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Summary:

Because of the split nature of the Arts Center Station and the elevation changes from West Peachtree Street to Arts Center Way, the movement between the separate buildings and vertically through the site has become the dominating experience of this station. The dispersed transit locations occurring at separate levels creates more of a demand on internal wayfinding elements as the simple navigation of the station is more complex and confusing to the transit users. There is a lack of a defined path of circulation to help make this journey intuitive. The station also is lacking a sense of identity and connection to its urban context. The surrounding buildings have essentially created a “Back of House” environment surrounding the station. The public space at the upper plaza is oriented to the entry of the Woodruff Art Cen-ter’s parking deck and has little sense of association to the main campus. The main point of arrival is essentially moved to the interior courtyard of the museum and no longer exists at the MARTA station.

This station, like many others, has a limited material pallet. Besides a few finish varia-tions, the exposed concrete tends to be heavy & monolithic in nature. The secondary materials also tend to be in similar color ranges which blends into an uninteresting environment. This effect is compounded when moving into areas of low natural light to the point of being uncom-fortable for the transit user.

Art Center Station Comparisons: (Target Issues)

Station Visibility – LowestWayfinding – LowestDirectness – LowestWalkability – LowestArt Visibility – Lowest

Pedestrian Flow – Lowest

Station Goals:

Make the navigation of the station more intuitive by increasing the wayfinding markers within the MARTA station as well as identify ways to communicate real time information to the transit users.

-perience and a legitimate sense of arrival. This space should connect the main entry points of the Woodruff Arts Center to the circulation paths of the MARTA station.

that reflect the connection to the Woodruff Arts Center as a main cultural center to Midtown Atlanta.

-tion/performance giving a mixed use program to the MARTA site.

that inform, entertain, and direct the transit user

Provide dedicated amenities for multi-modal transit users

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* This site plan identifies the existing needs and future opportu-nities for the Midtown MARTA station. This criteria will be used as the foundation for decision making in developing the strate-gic direction for each station moving forward in this project.

West Peachtree St. LevelArts Center Station

AB B

C

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C1. Artistic Expression: (A, B, C, D)

Multi-Medium opportunities

2. Flex Space: (A, B, C)Both temporary and permanent programming

3. Landscape: (C, D)Both temporary and permanent

4. Lighting: (B, C)Utilize higher impact expressive lighting designs

5. Revenue: (A, B, C)Vending, retail, or commercial programming

6. Development (N/A)Both T.O.D. & Joint Development land possibility

Key Plan

1. Way-finding2. ADA3. Shelter from Weather4. Lighting Outside

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15th St.

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Key Topics: (In blue)

Opportunities: (In red)


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Bus Station LevelArts Center Station

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(.9 acres)

1. Artistic Expression: (A, B, C)Multi-Medium opportunities

2. Flex Space: (C)Both temporary and permanent programming

3. Landscape: (B, C)Both temporary and permanent

4. Lighting: (A, B, C)Utilize higher impact expressive lighting designs

5. Revenue: (N/A)Vending, retail, or commercial programming

6. Development (A, B, C)Both T.O.D. & Joint Development land possibility

Key Plan

1. Way-finding2. Seating Outside 3. ADA

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Arts Center StationLombardy Way Level

Key Plan


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E (.5 acres)


1. Artistic Expression: (A, B, C, D, E)Multi-Medium opportunities

2. Flex Space: (A, B, C, D)Both temporary and permanent programming

3. Landscape: (A, C, D, E)Both temporary and permanent

4. Lighting: (A, B, C)Utilize higher impact expressive lighting designs

5. Revenue: (A, C, D)Vending, retail, or commercial programming

6. Development (A, B, C, D)Both T.O.D. & Joint Development land possibility

1. Way-finding2. ADA3. Shelter from Weather4. Lighting Outside5. Seating Outside

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MARTA: Art Center StationConcept Development


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PARKING DECK

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MuseumStudent Family Wing

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ARTMORE HOTEL

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ART CENTER TOWER

BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERSOF ATLANTA

SURFACE PARKING

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MARRIOTTRESIDENTIAL

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FULTON CO.LIBRARY

ART CENTER TOWER

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

WOODRUF ARTS CENTER

MEMORIAL ARTS BUILDING

ALLIANCE THEATER

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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High Museumof Art

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Peachtree Street

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15th Street

17th Street key points forstation visibilityand wayfinding

vehicular circulation flow

bicycle circulationflow

pedestrian circulation flow

marta station entrance/exit

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Station Concepts:

Site Access

Branding of the block corner to show MARTA locations & direction

Branding of Block Corners

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Proposed Site plan

1. Arts Center Way: Park & plaza

2. Bus Entry:Lawn

3. W. Peachtree: Entry Plaza

4 Flex Green:Event & Amphitheater

Arts Center Station Goals:

Make station entrances more visible

Create positive gateways to Midtown

Create new civic spaces

Establish a station identity connected to the Arts Center

Add amenities for multi-modal transit users

Activate and enliven the overall environment

Communicate real time transit info

Site Strategies:

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C2

Enhancement Strategies:

INTERACTIVE SEATING

Multi-ModalPROVIDING AMENITIES THAT ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMUTING PROMOTES A BROADER APPEAL TO THE TRANSIT STATION

ARTFUL KIOSKCONTAIN FLEXIBLE PROGRAMMING SUCH AS INFORMATION AND WAYFINDING, CAFES, BICYCLE SERVICES.

PAVING PATTERN AS WAYFINDINGDIRECTIONAL PAVING PATTERNS PROVIDE INTUITIVE WAYFINDING AND BUILD STATION IDENTITY. (1.) Art Center Way: Transit Plaza

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A.C.W. Transit Plaza:Transit Plaza: The most significant challenge with the Art Center site is to establish a relationship with the adjacent urban context. Most importantly, there needs to be a dialog with the Wood-ruff Arts Center. There is an existing “back of house” condition where views of parking garages and vehicular entries dominate the landscape. This must be broken with a pedestrian oriented experience that creates a sense of arrival and intuitively navigates the commuter across Arts Center Way and to the main entry stair.

The Transit Plaza solves this problem by creating a sense of arrival for the commuter. The paving patterns act as wayfinding elements which lead to the entry stair and navigates over Art Center Way. An elevated crosswalk will provide a seamless pedestrian connection from the station to WAC. The raised table design will transition back to existing grade on both the south and north ends. Granite pavement materials will continue across Arts Center Way and onto WAC property.

The Plaza also incorporates amenities that appeal to different types of transit users that re-inforce this area as a transit hub and entry point to the station. There is potential for some program elements from the Woodruff Art Center to exist on the MARTA site as well.

WAC Main Stair MARTA Exit @ Plaza Existing Entry Plaza


24 (1.) Art Center Way: Pocket Park

SCULPTURETHE PLACEMENT OF SCULPTURE AT KEY STATION VISIBILITY POINTS WILL INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND CREATE STATION IDENTITY.

PARK MOUNDSPLAYFUL LANDSCAPE MOUNDS WILL ACTIVE THE GREEN SPACE AND ENCOURAGE INTERACTION WITH VISITORS

URBAN OASISPROVIDING A CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT & PROGRAM THAT ACTIVATE THE PUBLIC SPACE WILL ENCOURAGE USAGE PROMOTE A DAY AND NIGHT LIFE TO THE STATION

RAIN GARDENNATIVE PLANT MATERIALS PROVIDE STORM WATER RETENTION AND A STRONG AESTHETIC

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(2.) Bus Terminal: Entry

Pocket Park:

The main purpose of this park is to establish a pedestrian connection along Arts Center Way that engages both the Woodruff Art Center and the MARTA site. By reclaiming the existing parking lot, this area can become a significant edge condition for this site and offer an urban amenity for the community.

This park will increase the visibility and access to the MARTA station from 15th Street. By opening up the corner, a physical and visual connection is made to the main entry of the sta-tion. The Park provides an inviting walk to the station and provides an engaging urban oasis with amenities for commuters, visitors and residents.

This transit park will target the needs of the commuter as well as the resident students, employees, and artists at this station. Elements in this park are to provide both temporary space for the short term pedestrian as well as contemplative environments for longer occupied durations. Elements such as playful mounds, sculpture, and creative program will provide di-verse environments for broad appeal that will collectively engage the urban context and create an identity to this edge of the station.

The proposed reclaiming of the existing vehicular turn around lane at the pedestrian entrance to the bus terminal allows a continu-ous path from 15th street to the bus terminal.

In its current configuration a pedestrian must navigate a bus aisle and a vehicular lane to get to the bus shelter.

Corner of 15th & A.C.W.

Bus Entry

Existing Parking Lot


26 (3.) West Peachtree St: Transit Plaza

SCULPTURETHE PLACEMENT OF SCULPTURE AT KEY STATION VISIBILITY POINTS WILL INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND CREATE STATION IDENTITY.

SHADED ENVIRONMENTSTHE COMBINATION OF HARDSCAPE & SOFTSCAPE UNDER SHADE TREES CREATES AN INVITING AREA OF REFUGE

LINEAR PAVINGLINEAR PAVING DIRECTS THE VISITOR AND IS AN INTUITIVE WAYFINDING STRATEGY FOR THE GROUND PLANE

PLAZA SEATINGCOLORFUL INTERACTIVE SEATING SERVES TO PROVIDE STATION WAYFINDING AND IDENTITY AND PROVIDE SHADED SEATING UNDER MATURE SHADE CANOPY.

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West Peachtree Transit Plaza:

The existing corner condition at 15th St. and West Peachtree has little street presence and the tree canopies completely hide the station from view. MARTA stations should be ur-ban destinations, not discoveries. With the planned expansion of 15th street, this corner will become an even more significant urban condition and needs to have a visual presence at this corner.

Opening up this area for pedestrian access and creating a visual connection to the main entry of the station is critical in establishing a street presence along West Peachtree St. The addition of a dedicated loading zone will help facilitate a safe vehicle drop off area along a ma-jor arterial street in Atlanta. Directional paving strategies are used to enhance intuitive way-finding techniques that lead the visitor to the entrance of the station.

In an effort to convey a sense of identity that relates to the Woodruff Art Center, paving materials and sculpture should be included that reference this cultural institution. These ele-ments will also help activate the street edge at this location.

Existing Plaza on W. Peachtree St.Corner of 15th St. & W. Peachtree St

Transit Towers: The tower communicates real time infor-mation at the street level which frees the commuter from having to stay at the plat-form while waiting. Transit riders can enjoy the amenities of the station and know when they need to return for their next bus or train.The tower acts as a way finding element at the urban scale. It is important that they are visible at distances away from the MARTA sites and anchor the street edge. The tower is also a information kiosk that contain maps of the immediate context and could communicate information like events in the Midtown area.


28 (4.) Flex Green Space: Amphitheater

EVENTSA MULTIFUNCTIONAL STAGE IS PLACED IN THE FLEX GREEN TO HELP FACILITATE A WIDE VARIETY OF EVENT NEEDS

GRAVEL

RAIN GARDEN

FLEX GREEN SPACE

AMPHITHEATER

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LANDSCAPELANDSCAPE AMENITIES COULD INCLUDE RAIN GARDENS, RAIN CACHMEMENT, URBAN AGRICULTURE, AND OTHER COMPATIBLE USES.

PROGRAMADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING POSSIBILITIES INCLUDE EXERCISE, SPORT RECREATION, FARMERS MARKET, CONCERT VENUE, AND OTHER COMPATIBLE USES.

AMPHITHEATERTHE AMPHITHEATER IS BUILT INTO THE HILLSIDE TO PROVIDE SHADED OUTDOOR SEATING.

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Flexible Green Space:

The green space located at the north end of the site is currently being under utilized and should become an active amenity and potential revenue generator for the MARTA site. The existing topography already creates a gentle sloped lawn surrounded by a hillside and berm that insulate this green space from the neighboring traffic. With little effort, this space could become an active multi-purpose event lawn for many types of venues from farmers market to concerts.

The hillside should be transformed into stepped levels for shaded seating that would create a natural amphitheater for a music or performance venue. This terraced seating would also help develop a pedestrian path from Arts Center Way down into the event lawn. A central stage would be used to anchor the park and establish a focal point for activity.

At the base of the main slope, we are proposing a bioretention rain garden as a sustainable storm water management system for the site. A crushed stone walk is also proposed to serve as an alternative pathway around the event lawn and amphitheater.

The enhancement projects proposed at this location are taking advantage of the exist-ing landscape characteristics. This lawn has much potential as a destination and will appeal to visitors beyond the transit rider. Taking advantage of this amenity would have a positive impact to the MARTA station and bring people to the site that would otherwise not be inclined to come.

Bus Terminal: Roof Mural

To help create the identity of an “Arts” station and con-nect to the Woodruff Arts Center, the bus terminal has a unique opportunity for a public art installation.

The roof of the bus terminal is just below the grade lev-el of the entry plaza along Arts Center Way and can be viewed from the exterior and the interior of the station. A roof mural here will have high impact and visibility for the commuter as well as surrounding buildings.

Corner of Arts Center Way & W. Peachtree St.Existing Green Space


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With the split nature of the stations into 3 distinct levels, wayfinding for the commuter is dif-ficult. By introducing color and artwork to the interior of the station, we can not only break the monotony of the concrete finishes, but establish intuitive markers that help guide commuter through the station.

Communicating real time information is also a critical component needed to make the transit experience easier. Digital information boards should be used to convey schedules and relevant MARTA updates (such as maintenance and directional messages). The locations of these moni-tors should be placed at strategic circulation points and waiting areas.

Existing Station Interior Proposed Station Interior

The train platform is the least desirable space in this station. With the dark finishes and rela-tively low ceilings, it is important to activate the space with an artistic expression. One simple solution is to add colorful metal panels to the tunnel wall and supplement the existing lighting with additional fixtures that wash the wall & ceiling surfaces.

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Peachtree Place Perspective:Final Concept

Public Feedback:

A Public meeting was held on September 11, 2013 to present the Arts Center MARTA station enhancement design concepts for community feedback and approval. Overall, the designs were well received with particular interest in improving the overall experiential nature of the transit sites both for the commuter and the community.

The main critiques of the existing MARTA stations were focused on the stations usability and overall lack of public amenities on site. There is a negative perception of the site as public space and people did not want to spend more time there than they needed to commute. The MARTA station is considered a place of function and not for enjoyment. Suggested areas of im-provement ranged from basic maintenance to creative programming that would improve daily expe riences.

These enhancement strategies addressed this major conflict as the core principle of the proj-ect approach: Easier, Safer, and Delightful. By increasing the flow of real time information to the commuter and providing amenities that engage daily experiences, the transit sites become more appealing as destinations themselves and broaden their impact into the community. The integration of technology at the stations is a key aspect of enabling productive wait times and allowing free movement throughout the station. The intended result is to make this station more intuitive and usable, activated with program, and enjoyable to occupy.


DSECTION artwork by HENSE

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MARTA: Art Center StationImplementation Plan


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Zone Map: Summary Sheet


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Zone Map: Summary Sheet


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ENHANCEMENT PROJECT PRICING


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SMITH DALIA ARCHITECTS

131223 acs marta final report

Documents