plan for canalside facades

7/27/2019 Plan for Canalside Facades

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ENLIVENINGTHE MANAYUNK CANALTOWPATH

DESIGN GUIDELINESJANUARY 2005


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ....................................................... ...........

Photo Gallery ................................................................

Whos on the Towpath? ...................................................

Examples from Other Places ..................................... .....

What Are the Issues & Challenges? .................................

What Guidelines Should Be Established? .........................

Reasons for the Guidelines ........................................

Condition 1 ...............................................................

Condition 1 Sketch ...................................................

Condition 2 ...............................................................

Condition 3 ...............................................................

Condition 3 Sketch ...................................................

Guidelines for Design Details .....................................

Suggested Maximum Widths of Bays & Balconies ......

Project Milestones ............................................ .............

What Could the Changes Look Like? ...............................

Prepared by:

for theManayunk Development Corporatio

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The Manayunk Canal Towpath represents an exciting opportunity reconnect people with a remnant of Manayunks industrial heritagWhile the existing towpath is easy to access and fairly well-maintained

is an underutilized asset. However, interest in remaking this asset into

welcoming destination has grown in recent years. As a result, the Man

yunk Development Corporation has spearheaded an effort to study th

towpath, compile input from stakeholders, examine various possibi

ties for bringing life to the towpath, and develop a series of guideline

and recommendations for animating the towpath. This document rep

resents the results of these efforts.

The Manayunk Development Corporation would like to thank the Pen

sylvania Department of Community and Economic Development f

providing a grant to undertake this project. MDC would also like to thathe Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the Manayunk Neighb

hood Council, and the residents of Manayunk for their valuable sugge

tions for breathing new life into towpath.

INTRODUCTION


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As these pictures indicate, the yunk Canal Towpath comes indifferent forms. In some placeis a boardwalk, in others therebe a gravel trail. The distancebuildings from the edge of thpath also varies. In some cas

buildings line up to the edge towpath, while in other placesmight be 4 to 10 feet of space betthe buildings and the towpath.

The guidelines for adding balbays, and decks to the backs buildings, which are describedtail in this report, take into coation these variations.

Note : At the time this report was publ

City began installing lighting along the

This is the rst step in the transformati

towpath into a vibrant destination.

PHOTO GALLERY


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WHOS ON THE TOWPATH?

A diverse group of businessethe towpath, from clothing stopizzerias. A few business ownealready expressed interest in ing up on the towpath. Oncepioneers are able to demonsuccess on the towpath, other

nesses will likely follow suit.


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EXAMPLES FROM OTHER PLACES

WILMINGTON, NC RIVERWALKA pleasant, manicured place for astroll that caps off the revitalization

of the towns historic main street

SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALKA unique destination for shopping,

dining, and boating, day or night,that put San Antonio on the map for

something other than the Alamo

Canals and riverfronts can mexciting destinations for shodining, and recreation. The exaon the left, from Wilmington, San Antonio, TX illustrate somways cities throughout the cohave brought life back to their

fronts.

The photos from Wilmingtoshow the careful attention givthe design of the light xtureboardwalk, and the railings, whcontribute toward a pleasant rience for strollers and joggeSan Antonio photo shows howing dining and recreational o

has transformed a canal into a lar destination and landmark.


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WHAT ARE THE ISSUES & CHALLENGES?

Ambiguous Property Ownership and Property LinesWho owns the space between the towpath and the buildings? Where are the ex-act property lines? Since Fairmount Park Commission has jurisdiction over thetowpath, it will be interested in participating in discussions.

Regulatory IssuesShould the space between the buildings and the towpath be treated as a publicright-of-way similar to a sidewalk? Would businesses need to get a variance tomake additions to their buildings?

Environmental LimitationsWould property-owners within the oodplain be burdened by FEMA insurancerestrictions and construction requirements if they wanted to make changes totheir buildings?

Design GuidelinesHow can the ensemble of potential changes to the buildings facing the towpathbe coordinated to maximize the benets to everyone and minimize problems?

Before business owners can bemake improvements to the batheir buildings facing the towpnumber of issues need to be res This report details the last item list to the left: Design Gui The Manayunk Development

ration will take a lead role in mwith various agencies to resolother issues.


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WHAT GUIDELINES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED?

Reasons for Establishing Guidelines for the Towpath

Increase the vitality of the towpath.

Promote safe and pleasant passage for pedestrians.

Ensure that the design of new structures is consistent with existing character in Manayunk.

Provide design ideas to businesses wishing to make additions to the backs of their buildings.


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Condition 1: Short Distance (4) Between Building and Towpath Edge

Under Condition 1, in order to determine how far a balconybay window, or deck can extend over the towpath , theis to measure 4 from the edge of the trail/boardwalk back towathe building. From that point, draw an imaginary line extendupward with a slope of 2:1. This line represents the primary lim


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Before Construction

Example of Improvements Allowed Under Condition 1

10 MINIMUM WALKING CLEARANCE

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MAX. AREA FOR OUTDOOR DINING

+/- 11 6 TRAIL/BOARDWALK WIDTH

COLUMN

The sketch on the left shows how a business owner faCondition 1 might make use of the space on and abthe towpath. In this case, the business owner added a oor balcony, along with a second oor bay/balcony. boardwalk was extended out to the building. The bness owner placed a bench on this space. If the businowner were interested in adding a small table and ch

to this space, this is allowed. As the sketch on the left cates, the table/chairs can actually extend onto the topath so long as there is a 10 clearance on the towpathpedestrians.


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Condition 2: No Distance Between Building and Towpath Edge

Under Condition 2, in order to determine how far a balcony, baywindow, or deck can extend over the towpath , the rst measure 4 from the edge of the trail/boardwalk back toward building. Under Condition 2, this 4 setback actually extends the building. From that point, draw an imaginary line extendupward with a slope of 2:1. This line represents the primary lim


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WHAT GUIDELINES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED?Condition 3: Large Distance Between Building and Towpath Edge

Under Condition 3, in order to determine how far a balconybay window, or deck can extend over the towpath , theis to measure 4 from the edge of the trail/boardwalk back towathe building. From that point, draw an imaginary line extendupward with a slope of 2:1. This line represents the primary liSince there is a relatively wide gap between the trail/boardwedge and the building, a business owner could place a cano

(along with supports) over this space and place tables and chaunderneath the canopy.


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WHAT GUIDELINES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED?Example of Improvements Allowed Under Condition 3

PERMITTED CANOPY & COLUMNS

10 MINIMUM WALKING CLEARANCE

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MAX. AREA FOR OUTDOOR DINING

+/- 11 6 TRAIL/BOARDWALK WIDTH

The sketch on the left shows tables and umbrin the outdoor dining space. It also shows, as ation, how a business owner facing Condition 3 mattach a canopy behind the building and placetables and chairs underneath for outdoor dinAs in Condition 1, the tables and chairs, alongthe canopy, can extend onto the trail/boardwalk

long as there is at least 10 of space for pedestto walk. Projections may be enclosed, but onto 4 back from the edge of the trail.

This photograph of San Antonios Riverwalk shows conditions simshown in the sketch on the left.


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WHAT GUIDELINES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED?Guidelines for Design Details of Projections & Other Building Elements

Railing design should reect the

industrial character of the towpath/canal; metal is the preferred mate-rial

Bay-like projections should haveclear glass windows that cover atleast 50% of the bay wall space

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Materials on exterior walls of baysand on soffits should reect theareas industrial aesthetic; preferred

materials include painted metal,painted wood, and metal supports


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WHAT GUIDELINES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED?Guidelines for Design Details of Projections & Other Building Elements

Businesses should install lightsunderneath bays, balconies, anddecks and are encouraged to illu-minate the backs of their buildingsto help contribute toward a morelively nighttime ambience along

the towpath

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The design of signs should beguided by the existing standardsset for Main Street Manayunk. Two examples from Manayunk areshown here

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The design of the oors and rail-ings of projections should preventhazards to pedestrians walkingon the towpath; oors shouldbe solid and railings should beshaped so that objects cannot beplaced on them

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Temporary vendor carts shouldbe permitted, but their hours of operation, placement, servicesprovided, and designs should becontrolled.

YES


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WHAT COULD THE CHANGES LOOK LIKE?

This photo simulation illustrates what could be done to bring life to a section of the towpath in two situations: when theboardwalk adjoins the boardwalk, and when the building is set back about 10 feet.

This sketch shows how the restaurant Bourbon Blue might add outdoor dining optionson and above the towpath. Bourbon Blue faces a unique set of conditions that only ap- proximately t the three described in preceding pages.


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PROJECT MILESTONES

Project Initiation

Site Survey & Sketches

Met with Planning Commission

Met with Neighborhood Council

Met with Businesses

Met with Community Group

Issued Final Guidelines & Recommendations

June 2004

July 2004

September 22, 2004

October 20, 2004

November 10, 2004

December 1, 2004

December 2004

plan for canalside facades

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