LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/150657
Left "Bulb outs," or curb extensions, were added to the south side of 14th Street to minimize the pedestrian crossing distances. Colored concrete also better defines crossings along the multimodal corridor, which accommodates lightrail, emergency vehicles and vehicular traffic. The underground utility infrastructure, parts of which are more than 100 years old, were integrated into the design "block-by-block" despite space challenges, code restrictions and budget constraints. 14th Street encompasses 12 city blocks. There was no single programmatic solution for the entire length of the streetscape project, and no equitable funding assessment model for property owner contribution, so these had to be developed. The city's first "General Improvements District" resulted in the street being divided into "Premium Zone" and "Standard Zone" sections to address budgetary, future block redevelopment, construction and maintenance priorities, all the while maintaining the look and feel of a complete and contiguous project. Wayfinding Designs 14th Street lies at the convergence of two historic city grids, and is the first street encountered by motorists entering downtown. It is traversed on foot by thousands of people. The 40 Landscape Architect and Specifier News project branded 14th Street as the "Ambassador," orienting people to downtown destinations along a new streetscape known as the "Red Carpet." A creative signage system has become a new feature in itself, including 30-foot tall, three-sided gateway monuments, custom kiosks and banners combined with accent lighting, unique street furnishings, well detailed paving and seasonal landscape colors and textures that change blockby-block. A New Urban Forest The promotion of a healthy landscape within this dense urban environment was a significant design challenge. studioINSITE worked directly with the city's Forestry and Parks & Recreation departments to establish a new paradigm for urban forestry. This included a plant diversification strategy based on species adaptability to each