REV . 0 03/01/2011 DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR ARCADE MAIN STREET REVITILIZATION ARCADE, NEW YORK WILLIAM J. ARLOW LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 1 REV . 0 03/01/2011 MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION DESIGN GUIDELINES TO ENHANCE DOWNTOWN ARCADE These design guidelines, including schematic drawings, with an explanation of architectural terms are aimed at maintaining and enhancing the unique history of the Village of Arcade. These concepts will enable each property owner in the downtown Arcade area to recognize existing and historical architecture while incorporating proposed facade improvements. These guidelines can be used by the Village of Arcade to direct any future building modifications. These guidelines will also provide a resource for all applications to Wyoming County Community Action (WCCA)/Village of Arcade (VA) as part of their 2010 Main Street Grant. The guidelines can also be used for reviews in conjunction with SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) and SHPO (State Historical Preservation Office) parameters. It is hoped that people living and working in the Village downtown area will recognize the distinctive elements along Main Street in the Village of Arcade. General Principles - Restore and enhance the downtown area to attract additional shopping, business, and socializing - Encourage economic development - Enhance existing and future housing opportunities - Retain the unique visual character as established in the early 1900s history of the Village including architectural elements - Establish and enhance the pedestrian-friendly environment to encourage residents and visitors to shop, dine and socialize in the downtown area Application These guidelines will be used to assist in the design and review of existing building enhancements along with any new construction within the downtown Main Street Corridor. The guidelines are intended to provide direction along with reasonable flexibility for the applicant and the appropriate review board. Where zoning regulations define acceptable use, dimension and/or other requirements, the zoning regulations shall take precedence over the design guidelines. All requests to alter existing sites and structures must be submitted to the appropriate review boards, the Village of Arcade Zoning Officer and Wyoming County Code Enforcement Officer. New construction and the alterations of 2 REV . 0 03/01/2011 existing structures shall be compatible with adjacent structures with respect to scale, mass, detail and color. SECTION 1 FACADES AND GENERAL BUILDING DESIGN 1. Along street frontages, all exterior walls shall be constructed with durable materials such as masonry, stone, brick, finished wood, stucco or glass. 2. Use of the predominant existing building materials, architectural features and windows shall provide guidelines in determining appropriate replacement and new construction materials. 3. Building Facades shall have a sense of scale through the use of vertical divisions. Facades shall have a base, middle and top. These should be discernible from each other. 4. Vertical divisions at street level should be at human scale. However, architectural elements such as columns, posts and pilasters shall be sufficiently proportioned to carry the weight above them. 5. A maximum of three exterior building materials on any one side is recommended. 3 REV . 0 03/01/2011 6. Changes in materials shall occur at inside corners. Material changes at outside corners should be avoided. A clear and definable transition is recommended. 7. Facades facing a sidewalk shall include windows, entrances and other architectural features and scale to enhance the pedestrian experience and should be appropriate for the overall historic period theme. 8. Historical colors within the recommended color palette include pastel and earth tones are highly encouraged. A color palette from California Paints is enclosed with these guidelines. The review committee will work with the applicant on any other preferred colors . All natural wood finishes are acceptable. It is essential to coordinate your color selection with your neighbors in order to provide a visually interesting and varied series of building facades. These photos illustrate the use of paint color to emphasize architectural details and the separation of individual buildings to create an interesting and varied series of building facades. 4 REV . 0 03/01/2011 9. Building corners should address street corners with the principal entrances chamfered if possible. Towers, turrets, bay windows or other devices can be used to articulate the view from Liberty Street toward the west. For example, the Howlett building could be enhanced with a tower or turret similar to the following historical photo. In addition, many times the street names were placed right on the corner of building façades. 5 REV . 0 03/01/2011 10. Many of the existing buildings in the project area have a visually pleasing cornice (roofline). This roofline should be further emphasized with additional detail and trim color. 11. On longer buildings, the roofline should fluctuate in height or detail to break up the façade and enhance entrances. This can be further enhanced through the use of columns, pillars, pilasters and a change of color to create smaller building fronts within the same structure. The use of decorative design adornments appropriate for the period are highly recommended. 12. The base level of a façade shall have a plinth to create a transition from the ground plane to the building façade. 13. Full glass wooden entry doors as used in the early 1900s are recommended for first floor entries. Vinyl, steel or aluminum doors detract from the overall theme of an early 1900s railroad village and should be avoided if at possible. 14. Entrances to second floors should be multi-paneled doors with minimal window openings. 15. Any new construction should align with existing facades. 6 REV . 0 03/01/2011 SECTION 2 WINDOW DESIGN 1. In buildings built before 1950, windows were usually at least twice as high as they are wide. The solid wall ratio between windows should be consistent. This photo shows the ratio of window height to width 2. Preserve the historic window size and trim design. 3. Maintain the existing sash configuration. 4. The size of shutters should fit the sash opening. Shutters should be mounted to the window frame (casing) and should cover the window if closed. 5. A lintel or arch above doors and windows and a sill at the bottom of the windows is historically appropriate. 6. Smaller windows are to be framed within a recess to make them appear larger. 7. New construction shall provide areas equal to 75% of the wall area between the height of two and eight feet from the ground. 7 REV . 0 03/01/2011 8. It is highly recommended that existing window openings that have been blocked off be reopened to their original configuration. 9. The renovations of first floors shall not decrease the area of transparency visible from the street. It is recommended to increase the area of transparency. 10. Window planter boxes on upper levels are recommended to provide additional interest and color. In addition the use of planter boxes throughout the Main Street Corridor will create a sense of unity. This photo is an example of an appropriate planter box. This drawing illustrates the individual parts of a window 8 REV . 0 03/01/2011 This drawing illustrates the types of double-hung windows This drawing illustrates types of window hoods 9 REV . 0 03/01/2011 SECTION 3 SIGN DESIGN 1. Refer to Section 805 of the Code of the Village of Arcade for general sign regulations. The code provides for hanging signs that are perpendicular to the street. The applicant should consult the Design Committee and the Village Zoning Officer prior to the installation of any sign. 2. Signs shall be compatible with the surroundings and shall be appropriate to the architectural character of the building and the overall theme of an early 1900 railroad village. Signs should relate to and not cover architectural features. 3. Signs shall be placed either above or below the storefront cornice. If an awning is being installed, the sign shall be above the awning so that it is visible at all times. 4. Gooseneck lighting fixtures shall be used to illuminate signs. All lighting shall be dark sky compliant, in accordance with Village Zoning regulations. These fixtures direct the light toward the sign and produce little light overflow. The gooseneck light fixtures are appropriate for the overall theme of an early 1900 railroad village theme. This photo shows the use of gooseneck lights to illuminate a sign 5. Buildings or their architectural elements shall not be emphasized so as to be used as a sign. 6. Any design element perceived as a graphic attention-getting device is regulated by village zoning and these guidelines. 10