A PPEARANCE REVIEW BOARD

Transcription

1 ARB Staff Report A PPEARANCE REVIEW BOARD December 15, 2016 Case Number ARB AGENDA ITEM 2 W. C OLONIAL BETWEEN ORANGE AVE. AND I-4 COLONIAL PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS Applicant Nathan Butler, Vice President HKS Architects Interstate 4 Owner City of Orlando Requested Action W. Colonial Drive Project N Orange Ave. Request for a Major Certificate of Appearance Approval for a stele pedestrian bridge and pylon between N. Orange Avenue and Interstate 4 Aerial Perspective Recommendation Approval, based on the conditions in the staff report Project Planner Doug Metzger, AICP, LMT S UMMARY Project Description The subject project is located east of I-4, west of N. Orange Avenue, and crosses W. Colonial Drive until touch down approximately 340 feet south of Colonial. This is a request for Major Certificate of Appearance Approval for the pedestrian bridge and associated facilities. Project Background This project is the missing link that will connect the Orlando Urban Trail to the Gertrudes Walk Trail creating a trail connection that will take users into the core of Downtown Orlando while also providing a safe crossing of Colonial Drive for both pedestrians and cyclists. Public Notice A placard was posted at the project site advertising the ARB meeting. As of December 9th no public comment regarding this case has been received. Updated: December 9, 2017

2 Page 2 Case Number ARB Highland Avenue Park Lake Townhomes P ROJECT OVERVIEW From the Applicant: The City of Orlando proposes to construct a new pedestrian bridge, and associated approach ramps, to span over Colonial Drive (SR- 50) and provide bicycle and pedestrian connectivity between the Gertrude's Walk and Dinky Line segments of the Orlando Urban Trail. The Central Florida Commuter Rail Corridor runs north and south through the project area, and will be located adjacent to the trail and pass beneath the proposed pedestrian bridge. The pedestrian bridge is proposed to be approximately 200 feet long and cross over Colonial Drive diagonally across the roadway and rail lines below. The approach ramps start at grade at the north and south extents of the project limits and elevate to the bridge crossing, with a proposed combination of on-grade construction and MSEwall retained earth, and elevated structure supported on single column piers. The approach ramps will be aesthetically consistent with the nearby I-4 Ultimate project. The bridge span is comprised of a box truss assembly, supported by a monumental main pylon on the south side of SR-50, and by smaller piers at the extreme north and south ends. Stay cables are also utilized for secondary support of bridge live loads. The City of Orlando has contracted with Southland Construction, Inc. to deliver the project via a Design/Build delivery model. Horizon Engineering is providing Civil and Structural Engineering services for the D/B team, and HKS Architects, Inc. is providing Architectural Design services. The project is scheduled to commence construction in the first quarter of ARB STAFF OVERVIEW ARB Staff would like to recognize the applicant and their design team for their collaborative efforts with City, ARB and DDB Staff in the initial design of this signature downtown project. This pedestrian bridge will not only connect two major trails and provide pedestrians and cyclists a safe passage across one of the most dangerous roads in Central Florida, but it will also become a highly visible gateway into the Downtown area during the day and night. ARB and DDB Staff have been deeply involved in this project attending numerous meetings, and making significant design decisions including: the finish and material of the bridge truss, lighting options, and how the bridge interfaces with the streetscape. It is difficult to provide anything more than basic conditions of approval for this project because it is difficult to question any of the design decisions after exploring numerous options. This project is the best it can be because of the complete and comprehensive design process it has been through to get to this point. Staff believes that this project will provide significant benefits and will be a visual landmark in Downtown Orlando for years to come. December 2016 Update At the November 2016 ARB meeting, the Board deferred action on this application and requested additional design detailing and information on several elements. Those elements and the applicant s response to the design concerns are detailed below: Pier Design The ARB members requested additional attention to the design of the ramp piers leading up to the truss structure that crosses Colonial Drive. The board felt the proposed smooth concrete was too plain and uninteresting. The applicant has proposed two alternative treatments that add a fractured fin textured area to the columns that creates the desired detail and interest on the approach ramp piers. The applicant also investigated re-designing the pier structures. This was deemed unfeasible and financially responsible by the deign team, DDB, Public Works and ARB Staff. A new pier design would create a significant setback to the project schedule because the structural engineering of the approach ramps would have to be completely re-done. Additionally, the costs involved in the reengineering effort, construction delays to the schedule, and increased fabrication requirements would create a substantial cost over run to the current, fixed budget for the pedestrian overpass. Paint Colors The ARB members felt the proposed paint colors on the Colonial Overpass should not match the paint colors being used on the I-4 Ultimate structures. The board felt the paint colors should be unique to the pedestrian overpass structure. The applicant has proposed a warm light and warm dark gray color palette instead of the original light and dark tan paint colors that matched the I- 4 structures.

3 Page 3 P ROJECT OVERVIEW [CONT.] Case Number ARB Highland Avenue Park Lake Townhomes Truss Mesh The ARB members requested additional information on the visual characteristics of the required interior mesh on the truss structure. The applicant has provided some additional details on the mesh, as well as an example of an existing pedestrian bridge at Disney Springs which incorporates the same mesh. Truss Head Walls ARB members expressed security concerns about the solid head walls on the north and south ends of the truss structure. The applicant clarified that the north headwall is separated from the at-grade pedestrian paths by a security fence. The south head wall is actually located in the middle of an FDOT retention area and is significant distance from any of the trail treads. Pier Lighting The applicant investigated extending the color changing LED accent lighting and reveal to the top of the main piers on the south side of Colonial. In order to accomplish this, the entire pier structure would have to be thickened from top to bottom with as much as 12-inches necessary at the base of each pier. The design team and ARB staff felt that increasing the mass of the pier structure would adversely impact the aesthetic qualities of the pier by making it look heavier and bulkier. Additionally, it was determined that the cost increase to achieve such a minor aesthetic change was not practical. Anti-Vandalism Coating The use of an anti-vandalism coating on the exposed bridge and ramp surfaces was investigated further and determined to be unnecessary. Chemical removers can be used on the metalized finishes of the truss structure and railings to remove paint tags without harming the finishes. The pier structures can be re-painted if vandalized and paint tags on the main bridge piers, which are sandblasted concrete, can either be removed by sand blasting or with chemicals. ARB CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL ARB and City Staff has reviewed the Applicant s submittal documents and has the following conditions of approval: 1. Streetscape A. Streetscape Design Guidelines All at-grade streetscape design and construction is required to comply with the design, material and construction requirements of the Downtown Orlando Streetscape Design Guidelines, as they may be amended from time-to-time, and the conditions in this staff report. B. General Streetscape Requirements: i. At-Grade Street Lights Single acorn 40-watt LED streetlights, consistent with the Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines and spaced based on OUC lighting requirements shall be installed at the plaza area on the south side of Colonial. ii. Pedestrian Plaza The Lawerenceville brick surface of the plaza area at the south side stair landing shall be replaced with gray concrete on a 5-foot by 5-foot grid with troweled edges and a medium broom finish. iii. Valve and Junction Boxes All at-grade junction, valve and control boxes shall be traffic bearing grade boxes and lids, painted per the downtown streetscape standards. 2. Architecture A. ARB Staff supports the architectural direction, theme and materials of the Colonial Overpass project. B. Vandalism It is recommended by ARB Staff that an anti-vandalism coating be applied to all reachable surfaces. C. Benches Benches in the plaza area shall have a center divider to prohibit the ability to recline or lay down on the benches. D. Final architectural plans, elevations, materials and finishes shall be reviewed by ARB Staff prior to commencement of construction to ensure consistency with the ARB approvals. 3. Lighting Plan A lighting plan that complies with the City s lighting regulations [Chapter 63 2M.] including photometrics and all proposed exterior lighting fixtures shall be submitted for ARB Staff review prior to issuance of building permits. 4. Modifications Minor modifications to the approved ARB plans will require ARB Staff approval prior to construction or installation. Substantial modifications may require a return to the full ARB for review and approval. 5. Permit Approvals A. Signage All signage shall be submitted to ARB staff for review prior to submittal of sign permits. B. ARB Approval ARB Approval does not grant permission to construct or install. All necessary permits must be obtained prior to commencement of construction activities.

4 172 West Fourth Street Apopka, FL P(407) F(407) City of Orlando Appearance Review Board Presentation Design Build - Colonial Pedestrian Overpass (SR50) RFP: Project No: TRE0003_G Financial Project Number: Federal Aid Project Number: A

5 PROJECT LOCATION

6 RENDERING LOOKING WEST

7 RENDERING LOOKING EAST

8 LOOKING EAST - FROM I-4

9 PLAN AND ELEVATION

10 PLAN AND ELEVATION SOUTH RAMP

11 PLAN AND ELEVATION NORTH RAMP

12 BRIDGE TRUSS MATERIALS Truss Materials Fabricated from (HSS) Hollow Structural Shapes, with welded connections Truss Finish Zinc Metalized finish, silver/gray in color 20-year warranty Example: Existing bridge in North Carolina

13 BRIDGE TRUSS MATERIALS Wire Mesh Panels 2 x 2 mesh is required by CSX at sides and top of bridge crossing. Black vinyl coating is durable, easily cleaned, and conceals dirt and wear. Also serves as a contrasting color to the larger truss members, while maintaining transparency. Example: Bridge at Disney Springs with black vinyl coated mesh screening at sides and top. Looking down the length of the bridge, with mesh screening at sides and top. View from street level, with mesh panels visible at sides and top.

14 BRIDGE STAY CABLES Stay Cables Zinc coated multi-wire strand (requires little to no service life maintenance)

15 Materials and Finish Constructed using cast-in-place concrete Sand-blasted finish MAIN BRIDGE PYLON

16 Stairs to/from SR-50 Providing direct access to SR-50 from the bridge Increasing connectivity with SR-50 sidewalks Discouraging pedestrian crossing at grade Railings: Single handrail at each side of bridge span FDOT standard guardrail at elevated walkways and stairs BRIDGE ACCESS ROUTES

17 BRIDGE ACCESS ROUTES Approach Ramps Cast-in in-place deck slab on cast-in in-place piers Color and finish to be consistent with adjacent I-4 Ultimate Project Accent Color Base Color

18 BRIDGE ACCESS ROUTES Approach Ramps Cast-in-place deck slab on cast-in-place piers Color and finish palette to be consistent with bridge truss color. Accent Color Base Color

19 Approach Ramp Pier Options APPROACH RAMP PIERS Baseline Design Accent Color Fractured Fin Texture Smooth Concrete Texture Base Color Fractured Fin Texture Fractured Fin Texture Baseline Design Option A Option B

20 TRAIL DESIGN Mainspan Bridge Alignment Avoids placement over the top of the rail road signal

21 North Side Main Bridge Pier Support Pier is located in the railway Right-of- Way, separated from pedestrian pathways by welded wire fencing. TRAIL DESIGN Pier at north end is located outside of pedestrian pathways, separated by a welded wire fence, and is situated within the CSX railway right of way.

22 South Pier located within I 4 Stormwater holding area Avoids OUC transmission lines Minimizes impacts to I-4 Pond and drainage system Provides gentle flowing alignment Plaza area enlarged on next slide TRAIL DESIGN Trail / Ramp Alignment South of Colonial Drive SOUTHLAND CONSTRUCTION

23 HARDSCAPE / LANDSCAPE At South Side of SR-50: Streetscaped Plaza Area Two Benches Two Bike Racks Rules and Map Sign Wayfinding Signage Direct Stair Connection Brick Pavers around Pylon base Landscaping and adjacent elements within the SR-50 right-of-way to be designed and constructed by FDOT

24 TRAIL DESIGN Trail / Ramp Alignment North of Colonial Drive Switchback Ramp to Connect to SR 50 Align Sidewalk closer to Steelhouse Maximize Dog Walk Area at Steelhouse Existing landscaping and irrigation to remain Existing lighting to remain At grade access point from sidewalk to ramp system. Easement Used as a Dog Walk Area STEELHOUSE

25 Six Wayfinding Signs Consistent with existing Orlando Urban Trail Text on 11 x17 Plans Preliminary SIGNAGE & GRAPHICS

26 Trail Map and Rules Sign Consistent with existing Orlando Urban Trail Provided in Plaza Area SIGNAGE & GRAPHICS

27 Main support pylon Vertical color changing LED lighting AESTHETIC LIGHTING

28 Main Span Truss LED deck mounted indirect lighting (unique effect) Shield drivers on Colonial Drive from glare AESTHETIC LIGHTING

29 Walkways / Ramps Decorative poles finished to match fixture heads LED fixtures pointed away from residences AESTHETIC LIGHTING Pole Finish Color

30 Concrete Piers LED decorative colorchanging up-lighting AESTHETIC LIGHTING