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Pinellas County Public Works Traffic & Roadway Division

Transportation Engineering Section

Beckett Bridge Replacement (Design)

Riverside Drive from west of Chesapeake Drive to Pampas Avenue

Agenda - Aesthetics Committee Meeting # 3 May 10, 2017

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Type of Meeting: Aesthetics Committee Meeting

Meeting Facilitator: Hardesty & Hanover Project Team

Location: Tarpon Springs Yacht Club, 350 N. Spring Blvd., Tarpon Springs, 34689

Project: PID 0010037A = Beckett Bridge Replacement

I. Introduction

a) Review of Concepts from Aesthetics Meeting #2

b) Review of meeting with County Maintenance Group

II. Formal Presentation

a. Updates to Concept

i. Span Arrangement

ii. Deck Width/ On-Bridge Parking

iii. Vertical Access

b. Revised Concepts

i. Overview of Design Changes

ii. Railing and Barrier Options

iii. Pier Options

III. Discussion

a. Aesthetic Preferences

b. Color Preferences

c. Barrier Preference

d. Interpretive Display Location

e. Pedestrian Railing/ Fencing Material

IV. Next Step/Closing

Pinellas County Public Works Traffic & Roadway Division

Transportation Engineering Section

Beckett Bridge Replacement - PID 001037A

Aesthetics Committee Meeting #3 -Minutes

Type of Meeting: Aesthetics Committee Meeting #3 Meeting Date/Time: May 10, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Meeting Facilitator: Hardesty & Hanover Project Team Location: Tarpon Springs Yacht Club, 350 N. Spring Blvd, Tarpon Springs, 34689 Prepared by: Ann Venables, Hardesty & Hanover Project: PID 001037A – Beckett Bridge Replacement (Design)

Attendees: See Attached Attendee List

Summary of Discussion

A. Review of concepts and discussions during Aesthetics Meeting #2. Bradley Touchstone discussed the bridge concepts and modifications made to incorporate changes suggested by committee members in Meeting #2. These are listed on the 4th slide of the presentation for Meeting #3 (attached). Changes and preferences previously recommended by the County Maintenance staff included the following:

Preference for a solid concrete rail rather than an open steel rail. Complete enclosure of the bascule pier equipment areas and the “overlook” on the north side of the bridge

that will house the bridge control station and if open would allow public access to the lower level of the overlook.

If possible, provide parking for the bridge tender or County Maintenance staff at a location other than on Tarpon Springs Yacht Club property.

Provide an electrical connection for an emergency generator that could be pulled by a County truck,

B. Discussion of major concept changes made since Meeting #2. Jim Phillips and Bradley discussed the main changes made to the concepts since the last Aesthetics Committee Meeting. They include the following:

The east approach span was widened to provide parking for County Maintenance vehicles on the north side of the bridge. This area will be clearly marked for County vehicles only.

The widened span also will extend to the south side to provide an expanded sidewalk area which can be used to display bridge elements and educational displays. The rail in on the back of the deck in this area will be located further off the road (than the majority of the bridge rail sections) which would reduce the possibility of a car crashing into the rail. Accordingly, it would be possible to incorporate gears from the original bridge into the rail.

The length of the approach spans was increased to require fewer bridge piers in the water and allow a more open view.

The stairs leading from the top level of the north “overlook” (which houses the bridge control station) to the lower level were eliminated. Both the top and bottom levels of the north “overlook” will be fully enclosed with a material that will allow transparency.

C. Discussion of changes to the design/aesthetic elements of the concepts

Bradley discussed elements of the revised design concepts. They include the following:

Extending the rub rail across the front of the bascule piers. This rub rail will be attached to the piers with stainless hardware rather than to piles. This option maximizes the width of the channel. The material is a

Beckett Bridge Replacement - PID 001037A Aesthetic Committee Meeting #3 - Minutes Page 2

recycled plastic which allows boats to “slide” over it. This material will also be wrapped around the pier closest to the Tarpon Springs Yacht Club docks.

The vertical elements and the turbine of the overlook were modified in the “motion” concept to reflect a more nautical theme that mimics a mast.

An “arched” form was added to the overlook canopy. This design discourages birds from roosting or nesting and is somewhat “self-cleaning”.

An “arched” form was added to the bridge pier caps. In addition, a less arched, more contemporary notched form for the pier caps was also developed as an alternative.

Two color schemes are represented in the revised concepts. The first is the blue and white “Greek” theme with the bright white changed to a more gray-white. The second is a more natural theme which includes more earth tones, cream colored concrete, black rail and bronzed brown bascule leaf.

Two bridge rail types were shown for comparison in the revised concepts – the steel open rail and a solid concrete rail. Other variations were also presented.

Two types of enclosure material for the overlook housing the bridge controls were presented – Banker Wire and tension mesh. The tension mesh can be detached at the bottom and “rolled up” to provide clear access to the areas in the overlook if needed. It is possible that access for future bridge repairs could be provided in this manner.

D. Group discussion of concept changes

In general, the group liked the arched forms on the pier caps. The arched shape ties into the curved canopy

design and the curve of the bascule leaf. Preferences were expressed for both of the color schemes presented. It was pointed out that the Greek

theme of blue and white does not occur in Tarpon Springs. A suggestion to combine the natural and blue/white themes was made.

Painting the rail a “steel” color, or leaving it unpainted was also suggested. This would de-emphasize the rail element and might be used in a color scheme that combined the two themes. Jim Phillips stated that galvanized (unpainted) surfaces generally hold more dirt and highlight imperfections. Powder coated rails can be easily pressure washed and the powder coating hides construction imperfections.

Decreasing the mass of the salvaged track and tread portion of the bridge was recommended. Lighting was discussed at length. There is no roadway lighting on the existing bridge and roadway

lighting is not proposed for the new bridge. There will be standard navigation lighting which meets US Coast Guard requirements. In general, subtle lighting was recommended. The City of Tarpon Springs has received complaints about lighting near the Stamas Yacht property reflecting off of the water and into homes. The discussion included the following:

o Subtle lighting could enhance the dining experience for those dining outside at the Tarpon Springs

Yacht Club. o Lighting the underside of the bridge should be considered. o Lighting the turbines was recommended. o Lighting the sidewalk with embedded solar lights in the concrete or lights in the bridge rail

Jim Phillips stated that there have been substantial maintenance issues associated with the solar lights embedded in the sidewalk. They tend to fill up with water and short out.

Jim also explained that there is space between the “plates” that compose the vertical elements of the rail. Lights can be installed between the plates for subtle lighting of the sidewalk.

o The need for lighting the areas where historic information and salvaged parts would be placed was discussed. In general, the group agreed that pedestrians were likely to view these areas at night.

E. Maintenance concerns were discussed

Beckett Bridge Replacement - PID 001037A Aesthetic Committee Meeting #3 - Minutes Page 3

David Deranzio (County Maintenance) discussed the following issues.

The solid concrete rail is preferred by the County Maintenance Department. David’s concerns include the potential for vehicles crashing into the rail, keeping replacement parts on hand to repair the steel rail and long term maintenance. However, David understands how important this element is to the committee and how much it affects the aesthetics of the bridge.

A totally enclosed area on the bottom level of the overlook on the north side of the bridge would be preferred. If it were protected from the elements, it could be used for storage – possibly for spare bridge parts. Bradley explained that openness and transparency is an important element of the design. Rebecca Spain-Schwarz (Cultural Resource GEC for FDOT) stated that SHPO liked the concept of “openness”.

Jim suggested that a smaller enclosed storage area at the back of the overlook space could be an option that would work. He will look at that possibility.

The tension mesh enclosure material is a good option since it can be “rolled up” to provide more access to the space by maintenance staff.

The turbines are a major maintenance concern. Connecting the turbines to the local provider’s energy grid is problematic. The turbines are “delicate” and could easily be damaged. The aggressive salt-water environment is likely to result in corrosion requiring more frequent maintenance and replacement.

David was concerned that the cable connecting the canopy to the support was also a major concern. Bradley explained that this element is actually a stainless steel rod and would not require much maintenance. David still expressed some concern about this element.

F. Other Discussion – Issues generally agreed on by the group The group generally agreed that the turbines could be eliminated to address maintenance concerns. The group overwhelmingly (except David Deranzio) preferred the open rail. The group generally agreed that combination of the color schemes should be explored. The group generally agreed that lighting should be provided in the rails and in the interpretive display area. The group generally liked the arched forms for the pier caps.

G. Next Steps

Suggestions made by committee members will be taken into consideration and incorporated as much as possible into the final concepts.

The final concepts will be presented to the committee at a fall Aesthetics Committee meeting. At that time, only very minor changes will be considered.

The final concept will be presented at a public meeting later in in the design process.

Aesthetic Committee members are encouraged to discuss the revised concepts and their concerns/recommendations with groups they represent and provide that feedback via email to Ann Venables, or to Erin Lawson and Nancy McKibben.

Beckett Bridge (Bridge No. 154000) – Engineering Consulting Services PROJECT NO.: 145-0317-NC (SS) Aesthetics Committee Meeting #3

3rd Aesthetics Committee MeetingMay 10, 2017

Tarpon Springs Yacht Club


Aesthetics Committee Meetings

Meeting Schedule: A total of four meetings is anticipated.

1st Aesthetics Committee Meeting - November• Establish an “overarching theme and/or vision statement” for the project.

2nd Aesthetics Committee Meeting - March 2017• User experience and primary architectural components

3rd Aesthetics Committee Meeting - April 2017• RefinementofDetails

4thAestheticsCommitteeMeeting-December2017• RefinementofDetails


Meeting #2 Recap

Nautical2Contemporary1

Greek Modern3 Motion4


Meeting #2 Recap

Preferences:• Open Barrier System• Vertical Element from “Motion” option that mimics a mast• Canopy that incorporates vertical element and the

“Contemporary” lines with engineering history elements• Secondary platform for display of rolling leaf from existing

bridge• Incorporation of gears from existing bridge into railing/ wall

systems• Introduce arch forms into composition• Exploration of colors for bridge• Refinesafetyandmaintenancerequirements


Concept Refinements

Enclose Lower Level of Bascule Pier

Enclose Operator AreaIncrease ApproachSpan Length

Expanded Sidewalk for Intrepretive Area

Eliminate Stair

Add MaintenanceParking


Concept Refinements


Railing Comparison


Railing Comparison/ Pier Options


Color Comparison


Overall Concept Discussion


Color Discussion


Barrier Discussion


Barrier Discussion

Combination Rail Texas Classic Rail


Intrepretive elements location


Enclosure Material


Next steps

01 May 2017Revised Concept - Greek Color Scheme a101

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scale: NTSBridge Perspective Rendering

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© Touchstone Architecture 2017date: Beckett Bridge - Tarpon Springs, FloridaThis architectural rendering conveys design intent only and may not be relied upon for dimensional or illumination accuracy.

01 May 2017Revised Concept - Historic Color Scheme a102

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01 May 2017Revised Concept - Open Rail - Arched Pier a103

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01 May 2017Revised Concept - Closed Rail - Modern Pier a104

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01 May 2017Revised Concept - Open Rail a105

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01 May 2017Revised Concept - Closed Rail a106

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