09 - Toole Design Group Memorandum

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combination of a two-way network and stop sign traffic control will result in numerous benefits in safety, access, and cost. D ow'II°'i "V" o vj r'� a q U a QIP'"d I. "t c'w't`: t' e e : Culbertson Fountain was gifted to the City of Paris to commemorate its rebirth after the 1916 fire. It is the historical centerpiece of downtown and a community gathering spot for numerous residents and visitors to the City. The Fountain sits on approximately a half acre civic green, that is surrounded by front-end angled parking and fast-moving traffic. It is currently elevated with ADA access on one of the four corners (i.e., the northeast corner). Universal access, comfort, usable and flexible space, business -friendliness, walkability, and views were the major design objectives, expressed by the community for the heart of downtown. To advance those objectives, several design elements were recommended, including: • Flush, brick, streets on the streets around the Square and the block east of the Square; • Streets that are useable and flexible for all types of events; • Separated bike facility along the south side of the square extending to the Downtown Community Park; • Large, uninterrupted awnings along the entire frontage of the buildings that face a flush street, and highly encouraged for one block off of the flush streets; • Bulbouts are used on the corners to self -enforce parking and shorten crossing distances; • View corridors on the diagonal and cardinal directions; and • Increased sidewalk width for more retail -oriented space and a legible furnishing zone. The design concept also eliminates front -in angled parking around the square in favor of parallel parking. This allows the open space in the square to almost double in size to one acre. Currently, there is a 10 -foot -wide walkway around the fountain that is at a higher elevation than the sidewalks around the Square. The change in elevation is currently addressed with sloped lawns on all four sides. The slopes make the lawns less usable for events, compared to level lawns. On the north, west, and south sides of the Square, we suggest leveling the lawns and addressing the slopes by adding three perimeter steps between the 10 -foot -wide walkway and the lawn. We recommend leaving the east side as is, with its sloped lawn. These topographical changes preserve the historic fountain and the historical intent of the fountain being prominent, increase the accessibility and usability of the greenspace, provide plenty of informal seating, keep one slope for kids to play on, and does not negatively affect the large trees. We would recommend locating low plantings around the base of the large trees and move the seating under the large trees so that people can sit in the shade. The seats should be oriented to the diagonal walkways and back onto the low plantings. As an option, it would romantic and fun if the benches could gently swing. We suggest that the plantings on the corners be removed or relocated to allow view corridors on the diagonals to the fountain. Providing for special events should be incorporated into the new design of the Square. For example, care should be taken to place the new street trees so that they do not obstruct potential stage locations, in the cardinal directions for concerts, jazz festivals, etc. Notice the street trees on the inner side of the 15