) e t e i dAw ÉP E\ u- à i\ ae S E aec A 4| \ ha ty I z w i " = % N q \\ ee o "| n.S J lec| N ro L q M A u P deo SS B A i | N r a s a Q : p eUE - a L - Fall 1996 AÍ || p Seds Hillier Group | Prepared By: e Colgg Cuo h Ess\ ex \\ \ IEJer seHyi”s Public Newark =Tn1 he ACA à ow juc Newark Symm phonf (C SNS Transi "d MUEu Nseew‘uea~A m Te;mh e fortorjmeier |——N\e\ w | ark Ne-wo f -CWiit| \y Ar.y = itted-By\ Submi ic mesJ,amp e, blIb-Shes so. nora il rk) “fW-oe lla: City The | ij ax wt! 2( E qe vueeas A S po nsored Byy- d = if edeEnhaVnicseumaanle dn mog Eiun| ee i "Ga:t e way , kadidezabti m ee | Mz e p torical Library Hall — ^ nt(esr 8 Í ta a“Mayor i cu| = . 1 m m S s e A o C x c i U =e ty- son i aaE\;i,| Nvc, CEi e kateo lin onne ^ p x ts oe a) ae | Sy Z | 1| INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES GATEWAYS A - Stickle Bridge B - Rte. 280 / Rte 21 interchange C - Martin Luther King Blvd D - First Street / Orange Street E - Rte. 21 / Broad Street transition F - Rte 78 / Rte 21 viaduct PRELIMINARY BUDGET Connection Newark is a public/private . partnership organized for the purpose of creating a visible wayfinding navigational system for the City of Newark, the State of New Jersey, and its people. This partnership is comprised of numerous institutions, governmental agencies and individuals, all giving their time, talent and resources in support of this program. The project consists of several phases. PHASE 1 will be implemented by the summer of 1997 and will involve interstate sign modifications, gateway enhancements, and a wayfinding sign system that will include a comprehensive banner and graphics program. PHASE 2 will include developing landscape opportunities, lighting improvements and pedestrian walkways. Additional phases will be integrated into the program as deemed appropriate. This report addresses recommendations as they pertain to “gateway” landscaping, lighting and other possible enhancements. This is noted as PHASE 2A. The purpose of this document is to begin to establish concepts, goals and budgets for PHASE 2A of the Connection Newark project. This document is intended to be a work in progress, we will modify and shape this plan as we continue to meet with the State of New Jersey, the City of Newark and the Connection Newark participants. Identify gateway locations and their site specific requirements, conditions and opportunities. Develop conceptual ideas for each of the individual gateways, taking into consideration existing environments, future construction, wayfinding requirements and creative and re-imaging opportunities. Establish budget parameters for PHASE 2A of the Connection Newark project. To initiate a plan that will develop funding for the planning, programming, design, implementation and construction of Phase 2A of the Connection Newark project. N. Stickle Bridge Rte 280 / Rte 21 Interchange 4 During a wayfinding journey, gateways provide visitors with a sense of arrival to a important [IL i LIUC Martin Luther King Bivd destination or zone. It provides reassurance that the correct route/path has been taken. Gateways create First Street / Orange St. landmarks and establish reference points for orientation to an area. A gateway can be TI | ACnEdhNaT RAN VAEEN accomplished with architectural gates, landscaping, lighting, signage, graphics or banners. Gateways also provide visitors with their first impressions of the environment they are entering. A gateway can express the character of a city, offer a welcoming message, create a inviting environment or convey important information. In this initiative 6 potential gateways to the City of Newark have been identified. These entrances have been developed in conjunction with the district routing established by the Connection Newark project. The gateways include A - Stickle Bridge B - Rte. 280 / Rte 21 interchange SBT—R OAD C - Martin Luther King Blvd off ramps D - First St & Orange St. off ramps E - Rte. 21 / Broad St. transition Rte 21 / Broad St. F - Rte. 78 / Rte 21 viaduct Transition The ideas presented in this report are for concept only. Upon further approvals, the ideas can be developed into schematic designs. Rte 73 / Rte 21 Viaduct Concepts Existing View As in many cities that border water, bridges become gates to the city. Driving west on Route 280 (A), the Stickle Bridge acts in this capacity. Visible from a distance, the architectural structure (which you approach and then pass thru) provides the potential of a impressive gate to Newark, as well as a marquee the city can highlight. Conceptual designs include, painting the structure in a identifiable color and up-lighting the structure with innovative color accents (this will highlight the industrial age architecture of the bridge, which is prominent in the city’s rich history). In the evening MER the bridge would be visible from many vantage points from within the city as well as the ci : : = surrounding areas. A - Stickle Bridge - Rte 280 westbound view Install a “NEWARK” sign on the bridge to identify that you have arrived in Newark. A electronic message board may be included to provide travel gual. and traffic information to passers by. A banner program can be developed which would highlight the major attractions and assets to the city. The quantity of traffic that passes through the Stickle Bridge creates an enormous marketing opportunity for the City of Newark and its people. Currently there is no construction planned for the bridge. A - Stickle Bridge - Rte 280 westbound view Preliminary Budgets Key Plan Painting Structure $500,00 Lighting $250,00 Banner (2) $50,000 Signage $25,000 Other $75,000 Maintenance (annual) $75,000 TOTAL $975,000 4 Concepts Existing Views There are 2 opportunities at this location for landscaping, lighting and architectural graphics. The first (B1) as you exit the Rte 280 westbound off ramp.Landscaping and public art can give a pleasurable sense of arrival and direction. Lighting underneath the Rte 280 overpass will create an inviting "path" which drivers can follow in the evening. A large "directional landmark" will guide visitors to the Downtown/Arts District. The second (B2) can be identified at the intersection of the off ramp and Rte 21. The frontal approach of the superstructure offers areas for creative graphics and materials. Wall surface provides ample space for poster boards and murals. Landscaping can provide areas of "green" to what is currently a concrete environment. This is the primary gateway to the Downtown/Arts District. It provides travelers with their first impressions of Newark and is a real opportunity to welcome them and create a positive image. B1 - Rte. 280 westbound off-ramp to Rte 21 A new eastbound off-ramp from Rte. 280 to Rte 21 is currently underway. B2 - Rte 280 off-ramp and Rte 21 intersection B2 - Rte 280 off-ramp and Rte 21 intersection ————————————————————————— Preliminary Budgets Key Plan Landscape $150,000 Lighting $150,000 Public Art / Sculptures $100,000 Signage, Graphics & Banners $50,000 Other $50,000 Maintenance (annual) $100,000 TOTAL $600,000 5 Concepts Existing Views Approaching the University Heights District on Rte 280, Martin Luther King Blvd. is a primary route to 3 of the universities. 2 off ramps provide gateways to the district. The Rte 280 westbound off-ramp (C1) is currently a "soft" environment of green shrubbery and trees. Landscaping, signage and public art can convey the sense of arrival to a "university" district. The Rte 280 eastbound off-ramp (C2) is currently a "hard" environment of concrete facades, which provide a continuous surface for wall murals, architectural graphics and innovative lighting patterns. Integrated paver designs at intersections can provide pedestrian walkways to the college C1 - Rte 280 westbound off- ramp to campuses. Martin Luther King Blvd These two gateways can be valuable assets to the city and the universities as they attract new students, families, faculty and visitors. The gateways create a entrance and a environment of urban college campuses. C1 - Rte 280 westbound off- ramp to Martin Luther King Blvd Recently the Rte. 280 eastbound ramp was closed permanently, leaving no on-ramp to Rte. 280. A recommendation is made that a westbound on- ramp be considered. No construction is planned in this area, but the closing of the eastbound Rte 280 on ramp may provide additional opportunities. C28 - Rte 280 eastbound off- ramp to Martin Luther King Blvd Preliminary Budgets Key Plan Landscape $75,000 Lighting $75,000 Public Art / Sculptures $50,000 “a Signage, Graphics & Banners $75,000 LOW Other $25,000 à Maintenance (annual) $100,000 C2b - Rte 280 eastbound off- ramp to \| TOTAL $400,000 Martin Luther King Blvd 6 Concepts Existing Views The First Street and Orange Street off-ramps present two opportunities for gateways to the University Heights District. The Rte. 280 westbound off-ramp to Orange St. (D1) offers a large area for landscaping and architectural structures to alert travelers they have arrived in the University Heights District. Signage and banners can be included to help guide visitors to First Street which is another primary route to the University Heights District. The Rte 280 eastbound off-ramp to First Street (D2) is another primary route to the University Heights District. A architectural gateway can "welcome" people to the city and the district. Landscaping, lighting and plaza opportunities are also possibilities. The gate also creates a orientation for the departure route back to Rte 280 westbound. As with the Martin Luther King Blvd Gateway, this is a highly traveled access route to the city and the University Heights District, creating a entrance to the urban college campuses can be a valuable asset to the city. Future construction and expansion is planned for this area to begin in 1- 3 years. Preliminary Budgets Landscape $100,000 Lighting $50,000 Public Art /S culptures $50,000 Signage, Graphics & Banners $100,000 , Other $50,000 : Maintenance (annual) $100,000 ee: EN TOTAL $450,000 TT ok TI-IEI D2 - Route 280 Eastbound off-ramp to First Street 7 Concepts Existing Views This is the major gateway to the City of Newark from the south. Drivers must maneuver a left turn off of McCarter Hwy (E1) and then a right turn on to Broad Street (E2). The access to Broad Street is a important path to the Downtown/Arts District. It also provides a first impression of the city to visitors. Design of this area includes early condemnation of the properties that will be part of the Rte 78 - Broad Street interchange. This will allow for the creation of a public plaza which will also act as a transition point between McCarter Highway and Broad Street. The plaza can include a gateway entrance, public art, fountains, civic sculptures and landscaping. The park like setting can offer a smooth transition from E1 - View of McCarter Transition the highway to the city. Innovative lighting can increase visibility in the evening, create a inviting environment and increase the confidence of a first time visitor that this is the correct path to the Downtown/Arts District. Future construction and expansion is planned for this area to begin in 3 - 5 years. Preliminary Budgets iH r f j 7 Landscape $125,000 I Lighting $75,000 Public Art / Sculptures $50,000 ereaCROREa”d e=d ce cse Signage, Graphics & Banners $100,000 Other $100,000 E1 - View of McCarter Transition Maintenance (annual) $100,000 TOTAL $550,000 8