manayunk river access
TRANSCRIPT
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AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM
River Acc t Mnayuk|Vec Islnd
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THIS REPORT WAS PREPARED FOR THE SCHUYLKILL PROJECT IN THE SUMMER AND FALL OF 2006
by Brown & Keener Bressi, with assistance from Urban Engineers
ank you to the following people for their help and input:
Gina Snyder, Executive Director of the East Falls Development Corporation
Kay Sykora, Executive Director of e Schuylkill Project
Joanne Dahme, Watershed Program Manager of the Philadelphia Water Department
Mike Blundetto,Manayunk Dragon Boat Team
Gwen Cohen, Programs Manager of e Schuylkill Project
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Background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Purpose of this Document. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Initial Evaluation Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Comparative Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Two Access Design Scenarios. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Preferred Site: Technical Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Appendix A: Cost Estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Appendix B: CAD Sketch in Plan View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Appendix C: Early Prototype Designs and Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . 17
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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4 RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMOR ANDUM
RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS
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BACKGROUND
Manayunk is an urban miracle. A thriving river-side center of workshops and textile
mills through the 19th and 20th centuries, its stout stone buildings and narrow streets
now host a bustling array of shops, restaurants and galleries with sought-aer condos
on the upper floors above.
As Manayunks Main Street upscaled its offerings in the 80s and 90s, long-time residents
advocated for a public waterfront that provides locals as well as visitors opportunities for riverfront
recreation. is tension between the desire for a publicly accessible urban riverfront and the
inclination of developers to secure waterfront property for the exclusive use of project tenants is
part of a bigger story. roughout the city, rejuvenated interest in city living has brought profound
changes to the skyline, to the neighborhoods, to shopping streetsand most recently to the way
Philadelphias two rivers are occupied and experienced. e latent potential of our waterfronts
is an unturned key to the citys destiny. As more and more people find that Philadelphia is the
place they want to live, to shop, to do business and to have fun, rejuvenated interest in city living
has brought profound changes. An ongoing study by the Planning Commission will result in
consensus principles that should apply to development along the DelawareAND will investigatestrategies to connect new civic river places to neighborhoods, elevating and stabilizing property
values. It will also broaden awareness of a couple of fundamental truths:
1) All Philadelphians have something to gain as responsible stewards for the economic potential
of urban land near rivers.
2) We all have a shared stake in the beauty of riparian ecologies. In cities especially, people truly
cherish places to be next to nature, to see the sky, and be near the water.
A number of improvements continue to make the Schuylkill river-side experience a more
hospitable and fun part of city life. e Schuylkill River Heritage Corridor, a 130-mile corridor
stretching from Schuylkill County through Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties down toPhiladelphia celebrates the outstanding cultural, recreational and historic resources along the
river. e Schuylkill Banks project in Center City brought trail improvements from Locust Street
up to the Art Museum, attracting an even greater number of people to the river. An excursion
vessel based at Walnut Bridge affirms that the Schuylkill River is tour-worthy and of interest to
residents and visitors alike. Further up-river, Lower Venice Island will be transformed through
a Philadelphia Water Department initiative to create a new park, court sports, play facilities and
performing arts venue.
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2 RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMOR ANDUM
RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS
Looking at the canal between Manayunk and Venice Island
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PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This document, Water Access at Manayunk |Venice Island, an Illustrative Memorandum
describes site selection process, technical considerations, preliminary design solutions and
construction costs for a boat landing and/or overlook on Manayunks Venice Island.
e Venice Island Landing is an element of the 2005 plan for the Lower Venice Island Park. Other
planned recreational and cultural features include a community center, a performing arts venue, a
pool or water play facility, as well as accommodations for basketball, street hockey, and ice skating.
Park activities are arrayed linearly between the river and the canal. e park is being constructed
over a 15 million gallon state-of-the-art stormwater/sewer retention facility that will eliminate
overflow into the river. e landing is proposed at the tip of the island where the river and a
restored canal converge. A river access facility here will be a landmark attraction for the Schuylkill
River Heritage Corridor, a 130-mile corridor linking the outstanding cultural, recreational and
historic resources along the river stretching from Schuylkill County through Berks, Chester, and
Montgomery Counties down to Philadelphia.
e project goals are to create a River Access Facility that will:
Make the river and canal locks a more integral part of the Manayunk | Venice Island
experience.
Expand opportunities for river-related recreation, educational opportunities and
activities further up the river. Currently all activities are concentrated in the area below
East Falls to the Fairmount Dam.
Enhance economic development by integrating/connecting river-related activities with
the areas other recreational, entertainment and retail offerings.
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4 RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMOR ANDUM
RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS
Pedestrian Bridge
Church & School
Senior Housing
School
e Canal
e Retaining Wall
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INITIAL EVALUATION SUMMARY
The project kicked off on July 29 with a meeting and tour of the study site by the project
team, composed of Gina Snyder from East Falls Development Corporation, Kay Sykora
of e Schuylkill Project, Mike Gabor from Urban Engineers, and Mark Keener with
Veronica Polo from Brown & Keener Bressi.
It was agreed that the ideal arrangement would:
Provide ADA compliant access for people get close to the water for the simple pleasure
of being there.
Create a platform for watching wildlife and passing boaters or for fishing.
Provide a permanent landing structure to launch canoes and kayaks that are light
enough to be hand carried from the parking lot to the water. e potential for a rental
concession should also be considered.
Establish a place for dragon boats to land. is could support growing popularity of the
sport in a number of ways.
Provide for the future possibility of an excursion service that might operate on this reach
of the Schuylkill linking the Water Works, East Falls and Manayunk attractions.
e team looked at the canal area, the tip of the island, the shore at the southeast of the island, and
the area below the retaining wall.
e island tip forms a natural beach area where boaters currently access the river. It is also fairly
sheltered from the river current. It has a moderate grade from the Lock Street parking lot.
e south-eastern shore is thick with vegetation and the slope of the bank drops steeply to the
water. It has the advantage of deeper waters and good panoramas. Disadvantages are direct river
currents and accessibility difficulties due to steep grade.
e retaining wall area which is part of the southern shore shares the same advantages and
disadvantages. Additionally, the retaining wall itself forms an additional barrier to access the
water.
Lower Venice Island southern shore
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6 RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMOR ANDUM
RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS
Floating dock with gangway in Richland, WA
Overlook in Milwaukee, WI
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The project team reviewed water access
projects and structures in other cities.
Waterfront projects in New York City;
Portland, Oregon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
Chattanooga, Tennessee; Baltimore; andRichland, Washington each include well-
designed small structures that enable access to
the water. Although some of these projects are
on a much larger scale, certain concepts are
transferable and various elements are applicable.
Below is a short summary of highlights.
Milwaukee and New York (Battery Park City)
each have interesting lookout structures along
water. Along Chattanoogas riverfront, access
ramps are a visually powerful landscape feature.Portland, Oregon and Varanasi, India provide
elegant examples of steps transitioning to the
waters edge. A floating dock in Richland,
Washington generated discussion for how
best to accommodate the changing level of
the Schuylkill. A landing in Baltimores Inner
Harbor also hosts a concessionaire, which could
serve as a model here as well.
Public art as part of landing or overlook
structures was also of interest. In Melbourne,Australia lighting solutions were integrated
in creative ways. Interpretive educational and
environmental components of Baltimores
waterfront, where native flora was displayed next
to illustrative display panels, was also of interest.
COMPARATIVE PLACES
Ramp in Chattanooga, TN
Baltimore Waterfront
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8 RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMOR ANDUM
RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS
Early prototype scheme included a set of steps and an ADA
ramp with overlook/switchback leading to a platform with
gangway and floating dock.
SCENARIO 1 A short ADA ramp leading to a fishing
platform, and a trail leading to the island tip.
SCENARIO 2 A longer ADA ramp leading to a fishing
platform and a trail leading to the island tip. A future
floating dock could extend from the platform.
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Brown & Keener Bressi and Urban Engineers worked together to identify the most suitable
location of a water access structure. Early designs assumed that a dock structure parallel
to the shore would be accessed by a long ramp with a switchback/overlook (See Appendix
C and image on the le). is creates an accommodating and interesting approach to the river,
but from an engineering perspective there were several concerns. First, a dock and its structuralanchorage may be susceptible to damage from currents and debris. Second, the access ramp
necessary to reach the waters edge could be expensive. In response to these concerns, a more
modest alternative proposal was developed (see Scenario 1) focusing on the trail improvements
combined with overlooks and a fishing platform.
SCENARIO 1: VENICE ISLAND OVERLOOK
e less costly approach proposes a short ramp connecting the parking area to a fishing platform
overlook 18 feet over the water. Also recommended is a paved trail leading from the parking
area to the tip of the island. e cost estimates (see Appendix A) for this configuration includes
lighting, street furniture and landscape improvements, as well as an allowance for some special
feature marking the entrance of the trail. e natural beach area at the island tip could serve as a
sometimes muddy put-in location for small paddle cra. However, such an arrangement would
not enable dragon boaters to disembark here.
SCENARIO 2: VENICE ISLAND LANDING
A longer ramp connects the parking area to the island tip. It would end at a fishing platform/
overlook 4 feet above the water. A paved trail could also give people access to the beach area at
the island tip. A gangway from the fishing platform connects to a dock, for landing and putting in
small boats such as canoes and kayaks. Properly designed and sited, the dock would enable dragonboaters to land and disembark. Given adequate depth, the landing could accommodate a shallow
dra excursion vessel; though, as noted elsewhere in this document, it may be difficult to get
permitting for an excursion service operating motorized cra on this reach of the river. Scenario
2 cost estimates (see Appendix B) also include an allowance for artwork or some other special
feature at trail head as well as lighting, street furniture, and landscape. Additional costs for the
gangway, dock, and debris barrier are included as well.
TWO ACCESS DESIGN SCENARIOS
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RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS
Rocky outcroppings limit navigation for larger vessels.
However, in the past, big boats plied this reach of the river regularly.
Fare on the comfortable steamer pictured above, was 12 1/2 cents to
go from Fairmount to Manayunk.
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1
WATER DEPTH
T
he river around the Venice Island study areaexcept around the canal outfallis deep
enough to accommodate boats with shallow dras such as canoes and kayaks. ough
the water might be deep enough, it is unlikely that an excursion service could operate
motorized vessels herefor political, navigational, economic, infrastructure and operational
reasons. e Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission limits motored boats in this area to 10
horsepower or less, and there is little chance that these regulations will change. Additionally,
in the area around Venice Island there are places where shallow waters, rapids and outcrops
will make this a navigationally difficult or dangerous area for shallow dra (2 to 4 ) vessels.
However, it was noted that a pontoon party boat operated here just a few years ago and that in
the more distant past steam powered tour vessels operated seasonally along this reach of the river.
Dragon Boats can also navigate in this area, but they should proceed with caution due to rock
outcroppings.
FLOATING DEBRIS
Any water access structures built in the study area should be weary of flood, ice and debris
hazards. e sites on the river side of the island are particularly vulnerable to the full force of
the rivers current, which is particularly fast on this narrow portion of the river (about 65 yards
wide here versus 150 yards at East Falls). Any built structure, such as an overlook platform, would
have to withstand fast moving ice and debris. A floating dock would be particularly vulnerable,
although the vulnerability could be mitigated to some extent by providing a floating boom to
deflect ice and debris away from the dock.
PERMITS
Because the project is in a floodway, a range of permits and regulatory approvals would need
to be obtained from various agencies such as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the Philadelphia Water Department,
the Philadelphia Art Commission, the Philadelphia Streets Department, and the Philadelphia
Department of Licenses and Inspections.
ACCESSIBILITY
ADA access is an important consideration due to the costs involved. Reasonable
accommodations need to be made. Fishing platforms and boating facilities need accessiblehandicap routes.
PREFERRED SITE: TECHNICAL SUMMARY
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RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS
is drawing illustrates how a river access facility might look
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1
is investigation, completed in the summer and fall of 2006, was initiated to propose design
concepts, explore technical considerations, and define probable costs for the proposed new Venice
Island Landing. e results are promising:
e rendered illustrations show that the landing can be an accessible, fun place to be.
e technical memorandum describes criteria such as current, water level, obstructions,
and regulatory matters that should be considered in siting the facility and proposes
solutions responsive to each of those issues.
A line-item budget clearly lays out the cost to build the landing, confirming that the
resources necessary are in line with similar recently completed projects.
e proposed new Venice Island Landing will certainly require further detailing and design,
as well as the continued support of funding and public agency partners. Now, with answers to
many of the initial questions in-hand, e Schuylkill Project is prepared to begin the next steps
committing the necessary resources, getting in place the necessary permitting and agreements,
and completing design and construction documents.
CONCLUSION
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RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS
SCENARIO 2: ENHANCED
APPENDIX A: COST ESTIMATES
SCENARIO 1: MINIMAL
ItemNo. Description Unit Unit Price Quantity
Unit Price xQuantity
A Major Materials & Subcontracts
1 Artwork or fountain at the entrance area allow 10,000$ 1 10,000$2 Paving at entrance area sy 40$ 320 12,800$3 Lighting allow 10,000$ 1 10,000$4 Street furniture allow 10,000$ 1 10,000$
Subtotal, Major Materials & Subcontracts 42,800$
B Construction & Installation1 Mobilization, Demobilization, Erosion Control allow 10,000$ 1 10,000$2 Clear, Grub, rough grade allow 5,000$ 1 5,000$3 River Overlook / Fishing Platform (inc. approach walk) sf 120$ 800 96,000$4 Lighting Installation allow 15,000$ 1 15,000$5 Landscaping allow 30,000$ 1 30,000$
Subtotal, Construction & Installation 156,000$
Subtotal, Materials, Subcontracts, Construction & Installation 198,800$Contractor overhead & profit 20% 39,760$
Estimated Construction Cost 238,560$Design, Permitting, & Construction oversight 20% 47,712$
Project Cost 286,272$Contingency 20% 57,254$
Project Cost including Contingency 343,526$
ItemNo. Description Unit Unit Price Quantity
Unit Price xQuantity
AMajor Materials & Subcontracts1 Artwork or fountain at the entrance area allow 20,000$ 1 20,000$
2 Paving at entrance area sy 40$ 320 12,800$3 Aluminum Gangway 12' x 31' & Floating Dock 12' x 38' sf 45$ 828 37,260$4 Lighting allow 20,000$ 1 20,000$5 Street furniture allow 15,000$ 1 15,000$6 Debris Barrier lf 60$ 80 4,800$
Subtotal, Major Materials & Subcontracts 109,860$
B Construction & Installation1 Mobilization, Demobilization, Erosion Control allow 15,000$ 1 15,000$2 Clear, Grub, rough grade allow 15,000$ 1 15,000$3 New walkway to dock abutment (including landing area) sf 120$ 2100 252,000$4 Lighting Installation allow 30,000$ 1 30,000$5 Landscaping allow 30,000$ 1 30,000$
6 Gangway & dock install days 4,000$ 4 16,000$7 Debris Barrier installation days 4,000$ 2 8,000$
Subtotal, Construction & Installation 366,000$
Subtotal, Materials, Subcontracts, Construction & Installation 475,860$Contractor overhead & profit 20% 95,172$
Estimated Construction Cost 571,032$Design, Permitting, & Construction oversight 20% 114,206$
Project Cost 685,238$Contingency 20% 137,048$
Project Cost including Contingency 822,286$
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SCENARIO 1: MINIMAL
APPENDIX B: CAD SKETCH IN PLAN VIEW
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RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS
SCENARIO 2: ENHANCED
APPENDIX B: CAD SKETCH IN PLAN VIEW
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APPENDIX C
EARLY PROTOTYPE DESIGNS AND VISUALIZATIONS
Drawing in Perspective
Drawing in Section
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RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGSAPPENDIX C
EARLY PROTOTYPE DESIGNS AND VISUALIZATIONS
Drawing in Plan