PZC Packet 070511To
Planning and Zoning Commission
Fr
Community Development Staff
Date
July 1, 2011
RE Avon Pedestrian Mall - Proposed Improvements Plan
The Town Council is contemplating improvements to the east end of the pedestrian mall in the West
Town Center. The goals of the effort are to increase the visibility and use of the pedestrian mall, clarify
pedestrian circulation in the West Town Center, and create new public spaces that can be used during
special events to increase business activity. Town staff has developed some basic plans for the area and
are in the process of removing trees and demolishing existing infrastructure to allow improvements to
be implemented.
The Town has retained Zehren and Associates to assist with the design of the effort. As initial steps of
the conceptual design work, Zehren and Associates have prepared (3) preliminary concepts (A, B, and C)
for mall improvements to review with the Planning and Zoning Commission. The goal is to help focus
discussion and identify a preferred direction to investigate in greater detail.
Concepts A, B, and C prepared by Zehren divide the overall project area into (3) key areas of
improvements:
1) the Lettuce Shed lane corridor connecting the Westin / Riverfront and transit center to the
pedestrian mall;
2) the green space associated with the Avon Center building, between the intersection of the
pedestrian mall with Lettuce Shed lane and the eastern gateway of the mall, where the old
transit drop-off currently exists; and
3) the eastern gateway of the mall where the old transit drop-off currently exists, and the
surrounding landscape between the drop-off and the Avon Center building.
All three concepts share the same proposed improvements for areas 1 and 2.
For area 1, the following is proposed in all (3) concepts:
- shifting the 12' past east away from the season's building to create a wider more ample
landscape area to plant trees and ground cover
- Planting (6) street trees (Marshall Seedless Ash or Patmore Ash) on 30' o.c. intervals on the west
side of the path, with a uniform ground cover below
- Installing (5) standard light fixtures, 40' o.c. on the east side of the path to reinforce the
pedestrian connection from the transit center / Riverfront project to the pedestrian mall, and
unify the overall area
- Re -grade the east side of the path so it is relatively flat and can be used for small booth tents
(approx. 10'x10') set-up during special events and festivals
- Create a native grass / wildflower meadow between the east edge of the path and the Lot 61
west property line, to help transition and define the space
- Improve the northern terminus of Lettuce Shed lane and intersection with the pedestrian mall
by creating a mini -plaza like space that clarifies the circulation and provides a more organized
pedestrian system
New landscape perennial beds with seasonal color at select areas within the plan, and in
conjunction with sculptures relocated from other areas of town.
Area for outdoor benches relocated from other areas of town
For area 2, the following is proposed in all (3) concepts:
Re -grading of the lawn area north and adjacent to the pedestrian mall pathway, to create a more flat
and useable lawn panel
- Re -surface the pedestrian mall path to be new concrete coordinated with the overall project
- Reconfigured and expanded restaurant patios, oriented toward the lawn and pedestrian mall,
with better visibility and relationships with each other and the overall space
Addition of a new coordinated fence / railing around the patio / liquor license approved areas
associated with both restaurants
- Addition of a new pervious pathway around the perimeter of the re -graded lawn area that
allows direct access from the exterior into the Ticino and China Garden restaurants
- Some new landscape beds with season color to create visual interest, define space, and create a
buffer between the two restaurant patios
Clarified pedestrian circulation — removal of segment of existing walkways and addition of new
segments that are coordinated with the overall plan circulation
Removal of some trees that are in the way of major views and or intended new plan features,
and preservation of other trees for screening, scale, and definition of space
In contrast, the three concepts vary in the way area 3 is proposed. Each concept has different extents of
hardscape paving and landscape areas as a result of how the 'old transit circle' is treated. All three
concepts propose to re -grade the landscape areas east of the building so they are relatively flat and
become open lawn panels surrounded by trees, some of which have been selectively removed to open
up the space, while keeping others to help define the edges of the space and help screen and scale the
buildings around the space. The old transit shelter building is being demolished, and an electric
transformer is being relocated to open up the space. In all three concepts, the alignment of the
pedestrian mall is proposed to change, and become a straight -shot (without a jog as in present day
conditions). This is proposed to increase the visibility of the mall, and simplify the direct path of
circulation into and out of the space.
In so far as the old transit circle treatments, following are how the concepts vary from one another:
In Concept A the old transit circle is left in its current configuration with a 40' wide asphalt area, and
striping for shuttle drop-off and two travel lanes. The internal circle is proposed to become a perennial
and boulder xeric garden, with low plantings (no higher than 36"). A 15' concrete walkway is proposed
around the edge of the circle. A small paving area with a fire pit, kiosk, or art element is proposed off of
the main mall pathway, as a landmark and to generate visual interest and call attention of passerby's
walking near the area.
In Concept B the old transit circle is proposed to be reduced to two lanes and a 24' wide asphalt area,
with striping for shuttle drop-off and one travel lanes, limited to one way travel only. A new sidewalk is
proposed around the smaller transit circle, and the lawn panels are extended toward the street,
reclaiming areas that are currently pavement. As in Concept A, the internal circle is proposed to become
a perennial and boulder xeric garden, with low plantings (no higher than 36"). The overall area grows, by
reclaiming a portion of the old transit circle while allowing the space to function for shuttle drop off.
In Concept C the old transit circle is proposed to be eliminated and most of the space reclaimed as new
plaza and or landscape space. A pull-out lane is proposed that would still allow drop off by shuttle (and
private vehicles) along the edge of the road. However, the remainder of the space becomes hardscape
paving, or new lawn space, which is now extended close to the street. A large area of open space is
created forming a quasi -like 'campus quad' or town square space that is ample enough to be used
during significant special events, and can accommodate large volumes of people.
In all three Concepts the extent of paving is generally reduced from present day conditions, and the
extent of lawn and landscape increase, while accommodating the major project objectives. Zehren and
Associates believes it would be desirable to reduce or eliminate the old transit circle to improve the
overall quality of the space, as well as clarify circulation between pedestrians and automobiles. By
keeping it, it reinforces conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, and makes the area auto -dominated.
Since there is a 'new' transit center immediately to the west created for transit uses, we believe it is
worth considering eliminating the old transit circle and to create more opportunity for improvements to
the pedestrian mall, without the conflicts of vehicles.
Summary
The Planning Commission should select a preferred concept plan, and provide feedback for a final design
plan review at the next meeting.
Nottingham Park
Seasons
Building
VO N
COI.C�)RADO
To White River Center
/ Slifer Building
SU
RY:
Shift pedestrian lane east 5', create wider
landscape edge
New street trees to screen Seasons building,
define space
Add street lights along east side of shifted
Lettuce Shed Lane
New mini -plaza at terminus and intersection
with pedestrian mall
Create native grass / wildflower meadow
between lane / lot 61
Re -grade east edge to allow special event
booths / tents.
Area 2:
New concrete walk for pedestrian mall
Re -grade lawn space to be more useable
New coordinate fence around restaurant patios
Re -configured restaurant patios
New locations for lights, public art, benches,
trash receptacles
Focal landscape plantings for visual interest/
character
Area 3:
Keep transit circle in existing condition
New concrete sidewalk with scoring, 15' deep
Re -grade landscape areas to be flat lawn panels
New fire pit, art, or kiosk as visual magnet /
landmark for pedestrian mall entrance
Re -align pedestrian mall to be a 'straight shot'
and increase visual connection to street
Landscape center island of transit center with
boulders / xeric plantings
New locations for lights, public art, benches,
trash receptacles
0 10' 20'
June 30, 2011
501
US Bank
Building
To Avon
Road
E
po box 975 . avon . colorado 81620 .970 748 4000 . www.avon.org po box 1976 . avon . colorado 81620 .970 949 0257. www.zehren.com
Nottingham Park
Seasons
Building
To White River Center
/ Slifer Building
Summa
Shift pedestrian lane east 5', create wider
landscape edge
New street trees to screen Seasons building,
define space
Add street lights along east side of shifted
Lettuce Shed Lane
New mini -plaza at terminus and intersection
with pedestrian mall
Create native grass /wildflower meadow
between lane / lot 61
Re -grade east edge to allow special event
booths / tents.
1`4
10' 20'
June 30, 2011
Area 2:
New concrete walk for pedestrian mall
Re -grade lawn space to be more useable
New coordinate fence around restaurant pati
Re -configured restaurant patios
New locations for lights, public art, benches,
trash receptacles
Focal landscape plantings for visual interest /
character
Area 3:
Reduce width of transit circle to 2 lanes (shut
& bypass lane)
New concrete sidewalk in area previously
asphalt
Re -grade landscape areas to be flat lawn pan(
extend toward street
New fire pit, art, or kiosk as visual magnet /
landmark for pedestrian mall entrance
Re -align pedestrian mall to be a 'straight shot
and increase visual connection to street
Landscape center island of transit center with
boulders / xeric plantings
New locations for lights, public art, benches,
trash receptacles
US Bank
Building
To Avon
Road
po box 975 . avon . colorado 81620 .970 748 4000 . www.avon.org po box 1976 . avon . colorado 81620 .970 949 0257. www.zehren.com
Seasons
Building
To White River Center
/ Slifer Building
Area 2:
New concrete walk for pedestrian mall
Re -grade lawn space to be more useable
New coordinate fence around restaurant patios
Re -configured restaurant patios
New locations for lights, public art, benches,
trash receptacles
Focal landscape plantings for visual interest/
character
Area 3:
Eliminate transit circle and create temporary
drop-off lane parallel to street
New concrete plaza (radial concept) adjacent to
drop-off
Re -grade landscape areas to be flat lawn panels,
extend toward street to create 'town square /
quad'
New fire pit, art, or kiosk as visual magnet/
landmark for pedestrian mall entrance
Re -align pedestrian mall to be a'straight shot'
and increase visual connection to street
New locations for lights, public art, benches,
trash receptacles
0 10' 20'
June 30, 2011
501
US Bank
Building
To Avon
Road
po box 975 . avon . colorado 81620 .970 748 4000 . www.avon.org po box 1976 . avon . colorado 81620 .970 949 0257. www.zehren.com