senior exit project
DESCRIPTION
Revitalization of streetscape in Dahlonega, GATRANSCRIPT
Dahlonega: Bringing Nature to the Square
Jessica A. Gutierrez Prof. Longenecker
Spring 2011
Site Location
Site Location
Dahlonega, GA
Site Location
Streetscape extending from downtown to Lake Zwerner
On-Site Issues
• Two positive attributes: downtown & reservoir: no connection
• Two destinations, while a little under a mile apart, are rarely used in conjunction
• Dilapidated state of streetscape between destinations – Run-down/abandoned buildings – Big-box commercial buildings – Expansive, wasteful parking lots – Lack of landscaped areas
On-Site Issues
Positive Attributes
Photos of the existing square in downtown Dahlonega
Positive Attributes
Photos of Lake Zwerner at Yahoola Creek Reservoir
Precedents Bed-Stuy Gateway Streetscape Enhancement Project: Brooklyn
“The Bedford-Stuyvesant Streetscape Project will refashion the District Into a more attractive urban space and remove the impediments that are Preventing the corridor from reaching its economic potential as Central
Brooklyn’s anchor business destination.”
Precedents
• Bedford-Stuyvesant Streetscape Project – Newly constructed sidewalks & reconstructed
curbs – Paved amenity band along sidewalks – Creation of new public plazas – Addition of supplemental street lighting – Planting of new trees – Installation of heavy duty street furniture and
trash receptacles
Precedents
Project Riverway: Donalsonville, Georgia
The Fanning Institute
Precedents
• Project Riverway: Goals – Increase activity in downtown corridor – Build stronger connections between the
residents of downtown and those that live on the shore of Lake Seminole
– Provide recommendations for improvements to the landscape surrounding the historic courthouse.
Goals & Objectives
• Create a connection between North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega with the newly constructed Lake Zwerner at Yahoola Creek Reservoir.
• Construct new shops and cafes as well as a generous walkway and bike path to promote pedestrian bicycle traffic between the two spaces as well as further utilization of the opportunities Lake Zwerner provides.
Goals & Objectives
• Rid the area of run-down buildings and strip malls by either restoring them or replacing them with new buildings
• Utilize similar building materials and street trees to match the existing “feel” of downtown Dahlonega
• Create courtyards/greenspaces intermittently to serve as gathering places/rest areas for visitors
• Slow traffic along Morrison Moore Parkway East to make the new route safer for pedestrians and bicycle traffic
Analysis
Perhaps the most important of the analysis maps, the planning and zoning maps provided information for future land use zonings. Therefore, I knew what and
where I could legally place new usages along the streetscape.
Analysis
Analysis
It was important to highlight the existing impervious surfaces on-site in an attempt to lessen these areas. Decreasing them by 50% would help meet LEED
site sustainability credits #4 as well as #7.
It was very important to note where each power pole and utility line stood in order to accurately place street trees along East Main Street and Morrison Moore Pkwy E.
Analysis
In order to meet LEED SS credit #1, nothing could be constructed within 50’ of water.
Analysis
A compilation of all layers of analysis displays the usable land areas for this site in Dahlonega.
Analysis
Concept
• Bike path & walkway on either side of street
• Planting strips • Greenspaces throughout • New cafes, shops, offices, and
loft apartments • Smaller parking areas to the
rear of buildings • New streetscape will extend
current look and feeling of the square in Dahlonega
• Encourage college students and visitors to further utilize trails and other aspects of Yahoola Creek Reservoir at Lake Zwerner.
Master Plan
• Streetscape begins on E. Main St. right outside the square • Street trees will be placed to soften and ‘green’ the space • New shops, cafes, offices, lofts • Amphitheater, market-space, open-air pavilion, & picnic areas • Green roofs • Parking lots reduced in size
• Streetscape extends North along Morrison Moore Pkwy. E. • Transition from shops to single-family residential area • Each home: 100’ street frontage • Walks connecting homes to sidewalk & bike path system • Access drive to rear of homes for residents and visitors
• Single family residences extend up western side of Morrison Moore Pkwy E.
• At this point, the proposed sidewalks and bike paths will meet up with the existing trails at Lake Zwerner at Yahoola Creek Reservoir.
Master Plan
Streetscape Section: NTS
Walk Bike Path
Street
Focus Area
Courtyard & Streetscape
• Open courtyard/marketplace • Open-air pavilion- extra room for events & performances • Permanent tents provide space for vendors at farmers markets and art
fairs, among other events • Low reflecting pool in the center of the space • Greenspaces & picnic areas for social gathering space • Each building is home to a green roof, decreasing overall heat-island
effect on-site
Courtyard & Streetscape
Courtyard
Courtyard Section: NTS
Permanent Tents
Reflection Pool
The main issues with grading on-site were focused around making sure the courtyard area was as level as possible. This was achieved by creating stairways to either side of the space to enter
the area. The central reflecting pool was also graded to create as level of a pool as possible.
Grading Plan
A series of evergreen plants were chosen to provide a lush landscape and soften the surroundings throughout the year. Several different perennials were chosen to provide interest
against the evergreen backdrop. A purple, yellow, and white color palette has been utilized.
Planting Plan
Planting Schedules
Greenroof Plants Number Common Name Botanical Name Type Evergreen Height Spread Zone Sun Flower
114 Artichoke Agave Agave parryi var. truncata shrub x 2-4' 2-5' z.6-9 full 891 Avalanche Feather Reed Grass Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche' orn. grass x 3-4' 1-2' z.4-9 full
1,380 Bloodstone Thrift Armeria maritima 'Bloodstone' herb. Per. x 8-10" 1' z.3-9 full spring-purple
73 Compact Plumosa Juniper Juniperus horizontalis 'Plumosa Compacta' shrub x 1-2' 4-8' z.3-9 full 1,380 Cotton Tail Thrift America maritima 'Cotton Tail' herb. Per. x 4-6" 1' z.3-9 full spring-white 1,706 Elijah Blue Fescue Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' orn. grass x 8-12" 8-12" z.4-11 full
906 Emerald Empress Hens & Chicks Sempervirum 'Emerald Empress' herb.per. x 1-4" 3' z.4-8 full summer-purple 1,066 Orange New Zealand Sedge Carex testacea orn. grass x 15" 15" z.6-9 full
Planting Schedules
Trees & ShrubsNumber Common Name Botanical Name Type Evergreen Height Spread Zone Sun Flower
7 Aurora Dogwood Cornus x 'Rutban' P.P. Tree 25' 25' z.5-8 Partial Spring-Purple58 Brouwer's Beauty Lily of the Valley Pieris x 'Brouwer's Beauty' Shrub x 6' 6' z.5-8 Partial Spring-Purple2 Cut Leaf European Beech Fagus sylvatica 'Asplenifolia' Tree 60-80' 35-40' z.5-7 Full41 Dreamland Rhododendron Rhododendron x 'Dreamland' 'Yakushima hybrid' Shrub x 4' 4' z.6-9 Partial Spring-White/Pk59 Maiden Grass Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' Orn. Grass 6-8' 5' z.5-9 Full
Construction Documents
Brick Paver Walk: NTS
Construction Documents
Concrete Stairway: NTS
Construction Documents
Green Roof Finish: NTS
Conclusion
The existing mile-spanse of the streetscape in Dahlonega is far from prosperous. Run-down buildings, expansive parking lots, and a lack of plant life line the area. After analysis of the site and gaining further knowledge of the space, the site has been
designed to strengthen the connection between downtown and the reservoir. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic routes now connect the two spaces so they will be used in
conjunction with each other more often. Street trees and plantings line the area to soften the once-harsh space.
Works Cited • 2006 Garland Industries, Inc. Green Roof
Specs. • www.greenroofs.com • www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog • http://www.nycedc.com/PROJECTSOPPORTU
NITIES/CURRENTPROJECTS/BROOKLYN/BEDFORDSTUYVESANTSTREETSCAPEPROJECT/Pages/BedfordStuyvesantStreetscapeProject.aspx
• www.projectriverway.org