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Design Review Board

Level 1: Minor alteration of an existing building/structure

3-C-08-DT

This request is for the streetscape improvements in the 100 and 200 blocks of Gay Street (between Jackson Avenue and Summit Hill Drive). There are structural members underneath both the East and West sidewalks through most of the 100 block that will be either renovated or replaced as part of the project. State Street between Summit Hill Drive and Gay Street will be permanently closed, and the adjacent parking lot will be extended on the Gay Street end. In addition, sidewalks adjacent to Treble Clef Park, a short section of Vine Avenue and some curb, gutter and sidewalk work along Summit Hill Drive at State Street will be included. The work will include grading, drainage, base installation, paving, curb and sidewalk construction, utility relocations, column rehabilitation and structural slab replacement.

The existing pavement and sidewalks from Jackson Avenue to Summit Hill Drive will be replaced, including tree wells, lighting, and sidewalk patterning in keeping with the previously renovated blocks of Gay Street. The proposed lighting is the same as will be placed in the 700 - 900 blocks of Gay Street, which is underway. The lighting will have the same lighting fixture and arms as the Gay Street Viaduct lighting, but will have a base similar to the lighting in the 300 - 600 blocks (see the attached photos). The proposed benches will be the same as those on Market Square (see attached). The proposed planters will be the same as the metal planters on the 300 - 600 blocks of Gay Street and the precast concrete planters on Main Street (see attached). The sidewalks will be made of a dyed concrete to mimic the color of the existing brick on Gay Street. There will be accent strips at each bulbout on the sidewalk of a lighter tone than the Gay Street brick. The sidewalk concrete will have a brushed finish with a grid pattern scored into it as shown on the plans. The crosswalks will be made of the same dyed concrete. The existing angled parking in the 100 block will be replaced with parallel parking. This will allow for the widening of the sidewalk and the inclusion of bulbouts with trees. The lost parking spaces along Gay Street will be absorbed by additional spaces created by extending the parking lot next to Treble Clef Park

Gay Street streetscape improvements for the 100 and 200 blocks.
Applicant Request
This request is for the streetscape improvements in the 100 and 200 blocks of Gay Street (between Jackson Avenue and Summit Hill Drive). There are structural members underneath both the East and West sidewalks through most of the 100 block that will be either renovated or replaced as part of the project. State Street between Summit Hill Drive and Gay Street will be permanently closed, and the adjacent parking lot will be extended on the Gay Street end. In addition, sidewalks adjacent to Treble Clef Park, a short section of Vine Avenue and some curb, gutter and sidewalk work along Summit Hill Drive at State Street will be included. The work will include grading, drainage, base installation, paving, curb and sidewalk construction, utility relocations, column rehabilitation and structural slab replacement.

The existing pavement and sidewalks from Jackson Avenue to Summit Hill Drive will be replaced, including tree wells, lighting, and sidewalk patterning in keeping with the previously renovated blocks of Gay Street. The proposed lighting is the same as will be placed in the 700 - 900 blocks of Gay Street, which is underway. The lighting will have the same lighting fixture and arms as the Gay Street Viaduct lighting, but will have a base similar to the lighting in the 300 - 600 blocks (see the attached photos). The proposed benches will be the same as those on Market Square (see attached). The proposed planters will be the same as the metal planters on the 300 - 600 blocks of Gay Street and the precast concrete planters on Main Street (see attached). The sidewalks will be made of a dyed concrete to mimic the color of the existing brick on Gay Street. There will be accent strips at each bulbout on the sidewalk of a lighter tone than the Gay Street brick. The sidewalk concrete will have a brushed finish with a grid pattern scored into it as shown on the plans. The crosswalks will be made of the same dyed concrete. The existing angled parking in the 100 block will be replaced with parallel parking. This will allow for the widening of the sidewalk and the inclusion of bulbouts with trees. The lost parking spaces along Gay Street will be absorbed by additional spaces created by extending the parking lot next to Treble Clef Park
Staff Comments
The proposed streetscape improvements are in the Southern Terminal and Warehouse Historic District and are entirely within the public realm. There are four principles in the Public Realm section: 1) Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety, 2) Resident and Visitor Orientation, 3) Parking Facilities, and 4) Downtown Beautification. I will go through each principle with comments as it relates this project.

1) Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety - The components that accomplish this principle are pedestrian-scale lighting and benches, sidewalks and crosswalks that are accessible, sidewalks that have visual continuity, and a "furniture" zone is created for a buffer. Components that do not accomplish this principle are lack of proposed bicycle racks and the removal of a bench at a bus stop in front of Treble Clef Park, along Gay Street.
2) Resident and Visitor Orientation - This principle predominately deals with the creation of a comprehensive and consistent signage program for downtown. There is an existing wayfinding sign at the corner of Gay and Jackson that is part of a comprehensive wayfinding program, but this plan does not show the relocating of this sign.
3) Parking Facilities - This principle predominately deals with parking and the aesthetics thereof. The extension of the existing parking lot is on public property. There will be landscape screening to separate it from the sidewalk and trees will be added. However, the guidelines recommend 1 shade tree per 8 parking spaces distributed throughout the lot and there are no shade trees being added to the parking area. There will be 45 parking stalls when complete, and there are 29 parking stalls currently (not including four spaces to be removed on the portion of State Street to be closed).
4) Downtown Beautification - The project will meet this principle by adding landscaping and public open space, and by locating trees in locations that will not significantly alter the setting of, or harm the materials of historic buildings.
Applicant

City of Knoxville

Planning Staff
Mike Reynolds
Phone: 865-215-3827
Email: mike.reynolds@knoxplanning.org
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