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Midtown AllianceTransit Station Enhancement Plans:
ART CENTER STATION
SMITH DALIA ARCHITECTS
DECEMBER 23, 2013Final Report
621 NORTH AVENUE, NE
SUITE C-140
ATLANTA, GA 30308-2805
404-892-2443
S m i t h D a l i aA R C H I T E C T S , L L C
SM
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Ginny Kennedy
Brian Whitfield
Morgan Gabler
Jacob Vallo
Connie Krisak
Susan Stainback
Heather Alhadeff
Alex Brewer
Team Members:
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
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Table of ContentsSection A - Introduction A1 - Project Description
A2 - Approach
Section B -Station Assessment B1 - Existing Conditions
B2 - Summary & Project Brief
Section C -Concept Development C1 - Station Concepts
C2 - Enhancement Strategies
Section D - Implementation Plan D1 - Zone Plan
D2 - Project Cost Spreadsheet
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“Cities are re-making themselves around urban amenities and Transit is an essential component to defining the difference between world-class cities with vibrant 24-hour occupancy and the type of commuter city that empties out when work is over.”
Source: Peter David Cavaluzzi; EE&K
MARTA: Art Center StationIntroduction
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
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Arts Center Station
Midtown Station
North Ave. Station
Project Description:To develop implementable solutions for three Midtown Atlanta MARTA stations by enhancing the functional, operational, and aesthetic aspects of each station.
Project Goals:
Short Term: To create an enhanced gateway expe-rience that increases transit ridership and provides visitors with the best possible first impression of Midtown Atlanta.
Long Term: To reposition the transit stations as des-tinations in their own right that catalyze surround-ing development and sustain economic growth within the Midtown area.
Attract Users & Spur Economic Development
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Desired Outcomes:
A renewed interest by community members to view MARTA stations as an assetPlan that sustains the continued mixed use, high density development in Midtown, particularly in areas within the 5-minute walkshed of transit stations.Strategies that aim to increase transit ridership and station visitsActionable steps to:
Transit Station Enhancement
1. To increase public safety and improve perceptions of safety in and around stations2. Improve accessibility to and from the stations by all users3. Improve connectivity to the stations4. Enhance the sense of place around MARTA stations
Phase I: Station Assessment - June - July
Phase II: Visioning & Public Engagement - July - August
Phase III: Concept Development - August - October
Phase IV: Implementation Plan - October - November
Phase V: Final Report - December 2013
Project Work Plan:
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
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Urban Centers:
current condition
The designs of the original Midtown MARTA stations were mainly inwardly focused with little urban engagement beyond their immediate sites. As the city developed around them, there was minimal incorporation of the transit stations into the creation of public urban spaces. As a result, these sites became disconnected from the urban fabric and are contributing little to the perception or identity of Midtown Atlanta. The MARTA stations are under utilized in promoting Midtown’s community, culture, and activity in Atlanta which are essential components to the creation of “Place” in an urban setting. For these stations to be vibrant and successful, it is critical to re-introduce these elements to the MARTA sites.
Transit stations are integral components of urban living which impact the overall quality of life and impression of our city for the residents and the visitors of Midtown Atlanta. To become true urban generators, these MARTA stations need to appeal to patrons beyond the commuter and provide amenities that promote a social exchange regardless of the intent to ride the transit system.
WHY?A2
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If we are to make Atlanta more sustainable we need to create transit places that will sustain and enhance urban life. The collective experience of over 400,000 daily MARTA riders is a major contributing factor in our city’s urban experience and reputation.
proposed solution
Making Midtown Atlanta’s Transit:
Urban Approach:
HOW?
EasierAccessSignageConnectivity
SaferLightingActivationMaintenance
DelightfulLandscapeArtInteraction
Productive Wait Time (Work, Entertain, Play)
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MARTA: Art Center StationStation Evaluation
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
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* Source|: MARTA GIS Analysis 2011 & ARC LandPro 2009.
Arts Center Station
Midtown Station
North Ave. Station
Arts Center Station:
Residential Demographics (1/2 mile):Population 8,884Median Age 37Households 5,271Median Household Income $78,822
Business Demographics (1/2 mile):Businesses 2,741Employees 50,162
Midtown Station:
Residential Demographics (1/2 mile):Population 9,674Median Age 35.4Households 6,645 Median Household Income $63,110
Business Demographics (1/2 mile):Businesses 3,144Employees 54,609
North Ave. Station:
Residential Demographics (1/2 mile):Population 12,426Median Age 25.7Households 4,006Median Household Income $53,396
Business Demographics (1/2 mile):Businesses 3,732Employees 73,918* Source|: Site To Do Business on-line, 2011
Midtown Station
North Ave. Station
Midtown Station:
Residential Demographics (1/2 mile):Population 9,674Median Age 35.4Households 6,645 Median Household Income $63,110
Business Demographics (1/2 mile):Businesses 3,144Employees 54,609
North Ave. Station:
Residential Demographics (1/2 mile):Population 12,426Median Age 25.7Households 4,006Median Household Income $53,396
Business Demographics (1/2 mile):Businesses 3,732Employees 73,918
Residential
Commercial
Institutional
Parks
TCU
Limited Access
Transitional
Urban Context
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Arts Center Way & 15th St. Arts Center Way Entry Plaza
Entry Plaza
Bu
s Term
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ELEV
WE
ST
PE
AC
HTR
EE
15TH ST
OPE
N T
O
BELO
W
ESC
ALAT
OR
STAI
R
OPE
N T
O
BELO
W
ARTS
CEN
TER
WAY
PAR
KIN
G
ARTS CENTER WAY
BUS BU
S
950
SURFACE PARKING
PARKING DECK
920
920
920
920
920
920
930
930
930
930
930
940
940
940
940
940
950
950
950
950
950
950
950
MuseumStudent Family Wing
960
960
SURFACE PARKING
SURFACE PARKING
ARTMORE HOTEL
VENT
CollegeResidence Hall
Sculpture Stuido
ART CENTER TOWER
NG
09400
CE PARKING
ART CENTER TOWERWE
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WOODRUF ARTS CENTE
ESIDENTIAL
16TH ST
W16TH ST
STAI
R
OPE
N OPE
N
STAI
R
MuseumBunzl
AdministrativeCenter
MuseumAnne CoxChambers
Wing
High Museumof Art
Wieland Pavilion
Existing Site Plan
Stre
et leve
l
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
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Key Topic Comparison
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0 Daily Ridership
Land Use/Density
Walk/bike ratio
Vehicular Street Traffic
Visibility to Station
Bike Parking
Walkability
Wayfinding to Station
Park N Ride
Park N Ride Adequate space
Waiting Areas Directness Way-finding in Station
Pedestrian Flow
Maintenance Signage
Seating
Security
Lighting
Shelter from Weather
Landscaping Presence
Art Visibility
Cleanliness
Maintenance Signage
Arts Center
Midtown
North Ave
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Key Topic MatrixArts Center Midtown North Ave
Daily Ridership 4.0 3 3.5Land Use/Density 1.9 3.4 3.3
Housing 1.5 3.5 3Jobs 3.5 3 4
Shopping 1 3.5 2.5Services 1 3.5 3DU/acre 1 4 3.5
Jobs/acre 3.5 3 4Walk/bike ratio 3 4 4.5Vehicular Street Traffic 3.5 5 5Visibility to Station 2.5 5 4Bike Parking 5 2.75 1.5
Bike Rack Presence 5 3 2Bike Rack Visibility 5 2.5 1
Walkability 2.7 3.5 3.1Crosswalk Effectiveness 3.5 2.5 2.5ADA Compliant Ramps 2 2.5 3
ADA Compliant Sidewalks 3.5 3 3.5Intuitiveness of Short-cuts 1 4.5 2.5
Streetscape Lighting 3.5 5 4Wayfinding to Station 1 3 1Park N Ride 2.5 2.75 1
Park N Ride Adequate space 3 2.5 1 Park N Ride Visibility 2 3 1
Waiting Areas 4 4 5Train Waiting Area Size 3 5 5Bus Waiting Area Size 5 3 5
Directness 2.5 4.5 3.75Directness to Train 2 5 3.5Directness to Bus 3 4 4
Way-finding in Station 1.3 2.5 1.8Way-finding Vertical 1 2.5 2.5
Way-finding Directional 2 4 2Schedule Info 1 1 1
Pedestrian Flow 2 4 4Maintenance Signage 2 3 3Seating 3 3.5 5
Seating at Train Platform 2 2.5 4Seating at Bus Bay 3.5 1.5 3
Seating outside 2.5 2 2Security 3.5 3.25 3.5
Police presence 2 3 3.5Call box/station help 5 3.5 3.5
Lighting 2.5 3.75 3.25Interior 2.5 3.5 3
Exterior 2.5 4 3.5Shelter from Weather 2 2 3Landscaping Presence 3.5 1 2Art Visibility 2 2.5 2.5Cleanliness 2 1.8 2.0
Graffitti Presence 1 1 1Litter Presence 2 2 2
Dirt 3 2.5 3Maintenance Signage 1 3 2
Site
Acc
ess
Safe
ty &
Exp
erie
nce
Urb
an C
hara
cter
Stat
ion
Circ
ulat
ion
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0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0 Daily Ridership
Land Use/Density
Housing
Jobs
Shopping
Services
DU/acre
Jobs/acre
Walk/bike ratio
Vehicular Street Traffic
0
1
2
3
4
5 Visibility to Station
Bike Parking
Bike Rack Presence
Bike Rack Visibility
Walkability
Crosswalk Effectiveness
ADA Compliant Ramps
ADA Compliant Sidewalks
Intuitiveness of Short-cuts
Streetscape Lighting
Wayfinding to Station
Park N Ride
Park N Ride Adequate space
Park N Ride Visibility
Urban Character
Site AccessArts Center
Midtown
North Ave
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0
1
2
3
4
5 Seating
Seating at Train
Seating at bus
Seating outside
Security
Police presence
Call box/station help
Lighting
Interior
Exterior
Shelter from Weather
Landscaping Presence
Art Visibility
Cleanliness
Graffitti Presence
Litter Presence
Dirt
Maintenance Signage
0
1
2
3
4
5 Waiting Areas
Train Waiting Area Size
Bus Waiting Area Size
Directness
Directness to Train
Directness to Bus
Way-finding in Station
Way-finding Vertical
Way-finding Directional
Schedule Info
Pedestrian Flow
Maintenance Signage
27
Safety/Experience
Site Circulation
Arts Center
Midtown
North Ave
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
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Summary:
Because of the split nature of the Arts Center Station and the elevation changes from West Peachtree Street to Arts Center Way, the movement between the separate buildings and vertically through the site has become the dominating experience of this station. The dispersed transit locations occurring at separate levels creates more of a demand on internal wayfinding elements as the simple navigation of the station is more complex and confusing to the transit users. There is a lack of a defined path of circulation to help make this journey intuitive. The station also is lacking a sense of identity and connection to its urban context. The surrounding buildings have essentially created a “Back of House” environment surrounding the station. The public space at the upper plaza is oriented to the entry of the Woodruff Art Cen-ter’s parking deck and has little sense of association to the main campus. The main point of arrival is essentially moved to the interior courtyard of the museum and no longer exists at the MARTA station.
This station, like many others, has a limited material pallet. Besides a few finish varia-tions, the exposed concrete tends to be heavy & monolithic in nature. The secondary materials also tend to be in similar color ranges which blends into an uninteresting environment. This effect is compounded when moving into areas of low natural light to the point of being uncom-fortable for the transit user.
Art Center Station Comparisons: (Target Issues)
Station Visibility – LowestWayfinding – LowestDirectness – LowestWalkability – LowestArt Visibility – Lowest
Pedestrian Flow – Lowest
Station Goals:
Make the navigation of the station more intuitive by increasing the wayfinding markers within the MARTA station as well as identify ways to communicate real time information to the transit users.
-perience and a legitimate sense of arrival. This space should connect the main entry points of the Woodruff Arts Center to the circulation paths of the MARTA station.
that reflect the connection to the Woodruff Arts Center as a main cultural center to Midtown Atlanta.
-tion/performance giving a mixed use program to the MARTA site.
that inform, entertain, and direct the transit user
Provide dedicated amenities for multi-modal transit users
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* This site plan identifies the existing needs and future opportu-nities for the Midtown MARTA station. This criteria will be used as the foundation for decision making in developing the strate-gic direction for each station moving forward in this project.
West Peachtree St. LevelArts Center Station
AB B
C
D
C1. Artistic Expression: (A, B, C, D)
Multi-Medium opportunities
2. Flex Space: (A, B, C)Both temporary and permanent programming
3. Landscape: (C, D)Both temporary and permanent
4. Lighting: (B, C)Utilize higher impact expressive lighting designs
5. Revenue: (A, B, C)Vending, retail, or commercial programming
6. Development (N/A)Both T.O.D. & Joint Development land possibility
Key Plan
1. Way-finding2. ADA3. Shelter from Weather4. Lighting Outside
Wes
t Pea
chtre
e St
.
15th St.
1
1
1.
2
3
3
4
4
Key Topics: (In blue)
Opportunities: (In red)
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
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B2
Bus Station LevelArts Center Station
A
B
C
B.
(.9 acres)
1. Artistic Expression: (A, B, C)Multi-Medium opportunities
2. Flex Space: (C)Both temporary and permanent programming
3. Landscape: (B, C)Both temporary and permanent
4. Lighting: (A, B, C)Utilize higher impact expressive lighting designs
5. Revenue: (N/A)Vending, retail, or commercial programming
6. Development (A, B, C)Both T.O.D. & Joint Development land possibility
Key Plan
1. Way-finding2. Seating Outside 3. ADA
1
1
1
3
2
Key Topics: (In blue)
Opportunities: (In red)
15th St.
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Arts Center StationLombardy Way Level
Key Plan
Key Topics: (In blue)
D
AB
C
E
E (.5 acres)
Opportunities: (In red)
1. Artistic Expression: (A, B, C, D, E)Multi-Medium opportunities
2. Flex Space: (A, B, C, D)Both temporary and permanent programming
3. Landscape: (A, C, D, E)Both temporary and permanent
4. Lighting: (A, B, C)Utilize higher impact expressive lighting designs
5. Revenue: (A, C, D)Vending, retail, or commercial programming
6. Development (A, B, C, D)Both T.O.D. & Joint Development land possibility
1. Way-finding2. ADA3. Shelter from Weather4. Lighting Outside5. Seating Outside
1
1
1
2
3
4
4
5
Lom
bard
y W
ay
(roof)
(roof)
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
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MARTA: Art Center StationConcept Development
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
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ELEV
15TH ST
OPE
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BELO
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ESC
ALAT
OR
STAI
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BELO
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ARTS
CEN
TER
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PAR
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ARTS CENTER WAY
BUS BU
S
PARKING DECK
SURFACE PARKING
PARKING DECK
SURFACE PARKING
MuseumStudent Family Wing
SURFACE PARKING
SURFACE PARKING
ARTMORE HOTEL
VENT
CollegeResidence Hall
Sculpture Stuido
ART CENTER TOWER
BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERSOF ATLANTA
SURFACE PARKING
SURFACE PARKING
RFACEARKING
SURFACE PARKING
SURFACE PARKING
MARRIOTTRESIDENTIAL
INN
FULTON CO.LIBRARY
ART CENTER TOWER
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WOODRUF ARTS CENTER
MEMORIAL ARTS BUILDING
ALLIANCE THEATER
ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
BUS
ON
LY
BU
SO
NLY
RESIDENTIAL
16TH ST
17TH ST
17TH ST
15TH ST
16TH ST
STAI
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MuseumBunzl
AdministrativeCenter
MuseumAnne CoxChambers
Wing
High Museumof Art
Wieland Pavilion
ST15T
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ARTS
CEN
TER
15TH ST1
US
NLY
BU
ON
L
Peachtree Street
Wes
t Pea
chtr
ee S
tree
t Art Center Way
15th Street
17th Street key points forstation visibilityand wayfinding
vehicular circulation flow
bicycle circulationflow
pedestrian circulation flow
marta station entrance/exit
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Station Concepts:
Site Access
Branding of the block corner to show MARTA locations & direction
Branding of Block Corners
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Proposed Site plan
1. Arts Center Way: Park & plaza
2. Bus Entry:Lawn
3. W. Peachtree: Entry Plaza
4 Flex Green:Event & Amphitheater
Arts Center Station Goals:
Make station entrances more visible
Create positive gateways to Midtown
Create new civic spaces
Establish a station identity connected to the Arts Center
Add amenities for multi-modal transit users
Activate and enliven the overall environment
Communicate real time transit info
Site Strategies:
1.
4.
3.
2.
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
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C2
Enhancement Strategies:
INTERACTIVE SEATING
Multi-ModalPROVIDING AMENITIES THAT ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMUTING PROMOTES A BROADER APPEAL TO THE TRANSIT STATION
ARTFUL KIOSKCONTAIN FLEXIBLE PROGRAMMING SUCH AS INFORMATION AND WAYFINDING, CAFES, BICYCLE SERVICES.
PAVING PATTERN AS WAYFINDINGDIRECTIONAL PAVING PATTERNS PROVIDE INTUITIVE WAYFINDING AND BUILD STATION IDENTITY. (1.) Art Center Way: Transit Plaza
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A.C.W. Transit Plaza:Transit Plaza: The most significant challenge with the Art Center site is to establish a relationship with the adjacent urban context. Most importantly, there needs to be a dialog with the Wood-ruff Arts Center. There is an existing “back of house” condition where views of parking garages and vehicular entries dominate the landscape. This must be broken with a pedestrian oriented experience that creates a sense of arrival and intuitively navigates the commuter across Arts Center Way and to the main entry stair.
The Transit Plaza solves this problem by creating a sense of arrival for the commuter. The paving patterns act as wayfinding elements which lead to the entry stair and navigates over Art Center Way. An elevated crosswalk will provide a seamless pedestrian connection from the station to WAC. The raised table design will transition back to existing grade on both the south and north ends. Granite pavement materials will continue across Arts Center Way and onto WAC property.
The Plaza also incorporates amenities that appeal to different types of transit users that re-inforce this area as a transit hub and entry point to the station. There is potential for some program elements from the Woodruff Art Center to exist on the MARTA site as well.
WAC Main Stair MARTA Exit @ Plaza Existing Entry Plaza
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
24 (1.) Art Center Way: Pocket Park
SCULPTURETHE PLACEMENT OF SCULPTURE AT KEY STATION VISIBILITY POINTS WILL INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND CREATE STATION IDENTITY.
PARK MOUNDSPLAYFUL LANDSCAPE MOUNDS WILL ACTIVE THE GREEN SPACE AND ENCOURAGE INTERACTION WITH VISITORS
URBAN OASISPROVIDING A CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT & PROGRAM THAT ACTIVATE THE PUBLIC SPACE WILL ENCOURAGE USAGE PROMOTE A DAY AND NIGHT LIFE TO THE STATION
RAIN GARDENNATIVE PLANT MATERIALS PROVIDE STORM WATER RETENTION AND A STRONG AESTHETIC
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(2.) Bus Terminal: Entry
Pocket Park:
The main purpose of this park is to establish a pedestrian connection along Arts Center Way that engages both the Woodruff Art Center and the MARTA site. By reclaiming the existing parking lot, this area can become a significant edge condition for this site and offer an urban amenity for the community.
This park will increase the visibility and access to the MARTA station from 15th Street. By opening up the corner, a physical and visual connection is made to the main entry of the sta-tion. The Park provides an inviting walk to the station and provides an engaging urban oasis with amenities for commuters, visitors and residents.
This transit park will target the needs of the commuter as well as the resident students, employees, and artists at this station. Elements in this park are to provide both temporary space for the short term pedestrian as well as contemplative environments for longer occupied durations. Elements such as playful mounds, sculpture, and creative program will provide di-verse environments for broad appeal that will collectively engage the urban context and create an identity to this edge of the station.
The proposed reclaiming of the existing vehicular turn around lane at the pedestrian entrance to the bus terminal allows a continu-ous path from 15th street to the bus terminal.
In its current configuration a pedestrian must navigate a bus aisle and a vehicular lane to get to the bus shelter.
Corner of 15th & A.C.W.
Bus Entry
Existing Parking Lot
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
26 (3.) West Peachtree St: Transit Plaza
SCULPTURETHE PLACEMENT OF SCULPTURE AT KEY STATION VISIBILITY POINTS WILL INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND CREATE STATION IDENTITY.
SHADED ENVIRONMENTSTHE COMBINATION OF HARDSCAPE & SOFTSCAPE UNDER SHADE TREES CREATES AN INVITING AREA OF REFUGE
LINEAR PAVINGLINEAR PAVING DIRECTS THE VISITOR AND IS AN INTUITIVE WAYFINDING STRATEGY FOR THE GROUND PLANE
PLAZA SEATINGCOLORFUL INTERACTIVE SEATING SERVES TO PROVIDE STATION WAYFINDING AND IDENTITY AND PROVIDE SHADED SEATING UNDER MATURE SHADE CANOPY.
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West Peachtree Transit Plaza:
The existing corner condition at 15th St. and West Peachtree has little street presence and the tree canopies completely hide the station from view. MARTA stations should be ur-ban destinations, not discoveries. With the planned expansion of 15th street, this corner will become an even more significant urban condition and needs to have a visual presence at this corner.
Opening up this area for pedestrian access and creating a visual connection to the main entry of the station is critical in establishing a street presence along West Peachtree St. The addition of a dedicated loading zone will help facilitate a safe vehicle drop off area along a ma-jor arterial street in Atlanta. Directional paving strategies are used to enhance intuitive way-finding techniques that lead the visitor to the entrance of the station.
In an effort to convey a sense of identity that relates to the Woodruff Art Center, paving materials and sculpture should be included that reference this cultural institution. These ele-ments will also help activate the street edge at this location.
Existing Plaza on W. Peachtree St.Corner of 15th St. & W. Peachtree St
Transit Towers: The tower communicates real time infor-mation at the street level which frees the commuter from having to stay at the plat-form while waiting. Transit riders can enjoy the amenities of the station and know when they need to return for their next bus or train.The tower acts as a way finding element at the urban scale. It is important that they are visible at distances away from the MARTA sites and anchor the street edge. The tower is also a information kiosk that contain maps of the immediate context and could communicate information like events in the Midtown area.
MIDTOWN ALLIANCE | MARTA STATION ENHANCEMENT PLANS
28 (4.) Flex Green Space: Amphitheater
EVENTSA MULTIFUNCTIONAL STAGE IS PLACED IN THE FLEX GREEN TO HELP FACILITATE A WIDE VARIETY OF EVENT NEEDS
GRAVEL
RAIN GARDEN
FLEX GREEN SPACE
AMPHITHEATER
STAGE
WES
T PE
ACHT
REE
ST.
LANDSCAPELANDSCAPE AMENITIES COULD INCLUDE RAIN GARDENS, RAIN CACHMEMENT, URBAN AGRICULTURE, AND OTHER COMPATIBLE USES.
PROGRAMADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING POSSIBILITIES INCLUDE EXERCISE, SPORT RECREATION, FARMERS MARKET, CONCERT VENUE, AND OTHER COMPATIBLE USES.
AMPHITHEATERTHE AMPHITHEATER IS BUILT INTO THE HILLSIDE TO PROVIDE SHADED OUTDOOR SEATING.
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Flexible Green Space:
The green space located at the north end of the site is currently being under utilized and should become an active amenity and potential revenue generator for the MARTA site. The existing topography already creates a gentle sloped lawn surrounded by a hillside and berm that insulate this green space from the neighboring traffic. With little effort, this space could become an active multi-purpose event lawn for many types of venues from farmers market to concerts.
The hillside should be transformed into stepped levels for shaded seating that would create a natural amphitheater for a music or performance venue. This terraced seating would also help develop a pedestrian path from Arts Center Way down into the event lawn. A central stage would be used to anchor the park and establish a focal point for activity.
At the base of the main slope, we are proposing a bioretention rain garden as a sustainable storm water management system for the site. A crushed stone walk is also proposed to serve as an alternative pathway around the event lawn and amphitheater.
The enhancement projects proposed at this location are taking advantage of the exist-ing landscape characteristics. This lawn has much potential as a destination and will appeal to visitors beyond the transit rider. Taking advantage of this amenity would have a positive impact to the MARTA station and bring people to the site that would otherwise not be inclined to come.
Bus Terminal: Roof Mural
To help create the identity of an “Arts” station and con-nect to the Woodruff Arts Center, the bus terminal has a unique opportunity for a public art installation.
The roof of the bus terminal is just below the grade lev-el of the entry plaza along Arts Center Way and can be viewed from the exterior and the interior of the station. A roof mural here will have high impact and visibility for the commuter as well as surrounding buildings.
Corner of Arts Center Way & W. Peachtree St.Existing Green Space
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With the split nature of the stations into 3 distinct levels, wayfinding for the commuter is dif-ficult. By introducing color and artwork to the interior of the station, we can not only break the monotony of the concrete finishes, but establish intuitive markers that help guide commuter through the station.
Communicating real time information is also a critical component needed to make the transit experience easier. Digital information boards should be used to convey schedules and relevant MARTA updates (such as maintenance and directional messages). The locations of these moni-tors should be placed at strategic circulation points and waiting areas.
Existing Station Interior Proposed Station Interior
The train platform is the least desirable space in this station. With the dark finishes and rela-tively low ceilings, it is important to activate the space with an artistic expression. One simple solution is to add colorful metal panels to the tunnel wall and supplement the existing lighting with additional fixtures that wash the wall & ceiling surfaces.
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Peachtree Place Perspective:Final Concept
Public Feedback:
A Public meeting was held on September 11, 2013 to present the Arts Center MARTA station enhancement design concepts for community feedback and approval. Overall, the designs were well received with particular interest in improving the overall experiential nature of the transit sites both for the commuter and the community.
The main critiques of the existing MARTA stations were focused on the stations usability and overall lack of public amenities on site. There is a negative perception of the site as public space and people did not want to spend more time there than they needed to commute. The MARTA station is considered a place of function and not for enjoyment. Suggested areas of im-provement ranged from basic maintenance to creative programming that would improve daily expe riences.
These enhancement strategies addressed this major conflict as the core principle of the proj-ect approach: Easier, Safer, and Delightful. By increasing the flow of real time information to the commuter and providing amenities that engage daily experiences, the transit sites become more appealing as destinations themselves and broaden their impact into the community. The integration of technology at the stations is a key aspect of enabling productive wait times and allowing free movement throughout the station. The intended result is to make this station more intuitive and usable, activated with program, and enjoyable to occupy.
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DSECTION artwork by HENSE
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MARTA: Art Center StationImplementation Plan
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Zone Map: Summary Sheet
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Zone Map: Summary Sheet
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ENHANCEMENT PROJECT PRICING
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SMITH DALIA ARCHITECTS