16.0 Landscape Design Guidelines Element - Florida … Master...buildings within the campus core School of Business and Industry, College of Pharmacy and the Ware-Rhaney Nursing and

FAMU 2010-2020 Master Plan Update 16-1 November 2012 Inventory and Analysis BR-352 Landscape Design Guidelines Element

16.0 Landscape Design Guidelines Element

PURPOSE The purpose of this element is to establish guidelines to assist the University in establishing and maintaining a high level of quality in the design of landscape treatments on the University campus. The considerations of this element are qualitative in nature and are in addition to the quantitative requirements of other Master Plan elements.

(1) DATA REQUIREMENTS. This element shall be based, at a minimum, on the following data:

a) An inventory of the existing character, quality and location of landscape treatments on the campus identifying the existing character and quality of landscape treatments for the following.

1. Vehicular Circulation Routes

There are few defined landscape treatments of vehicular circulation routes on the University property. Limited street tree planting occurs along FAMU Way, Wahnish Way and Osceola Street. Landscapes associated with the majority of vehicular routes are characterized by open lawns that are occasionally shaded with existing large oak trees. A prominent planting of live oak trees was installed on M. L. King Boulevard when the roadway was closed to vehicular traffic and enhanced as a pedestrian plaza (see Photograph 16.1). The ally of live oaks along this primary pedestrian space is maturing rapidly and will soon canopy above the M. L. King Boulevard corridor. There is a significant canopy roadway bordered by mature live oak trees on Palmetto Street adjacent to Palmetto Apartments (see Photograph 16.2). There is also a substantial tree canopy of live oaks along the northern side of Wahnish Way (see Photograph 16.3). One recent project on campus that could be emulated for other campus streets is an effective planting of Crepe Myrtle trees along the south side of Wahnish Way from Campbell Street to Orange Avenue (see Photograph 16.4). Another perimeter street treatment that provides an effective screen but somewhat difficult to contain is the grapevine that has been planted on the perimeter fence along Orange Avenue. Special paving patterns of concrete interlocking pavers within M. L. King Boulevard accentuate the urban character of this pedestrian spine. Crosswalks constructed of interlocking concrete pavers as installed at the intersection of Gamble Street and Wahnish Way add natural beauty and demarcate critical conflicts between vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns.


Photograph 16.1 Mature Tree Canopy – Martin Luther King Drive

Photograph 16.2 Live Oak Canopy on Palmetto Street


Photograph 16.3 Live Oaks on Wahnish Way

Photograph 16.4 Wahnish Way Tree Plantings


2. Parking Facilities

Many of the existing parking facilities are devoid of any planned landscape treatments (see Photograph 16.5). Virtually all parking lot perimeters are unscreened from off-site views and the majority of the parking lots lack tree plantings to offer shade, mitigate heat and reduce glare. Newer parking facilities within the campus core, including parking areas associated with vocational tech buildings, Foote-Hilyer Administration Center and Lee Hall, have been constructed with broad, grassed medians anchored by moderate plantings of shade trees. However, no new substantial sized parking areas have been added within the last 5 years.

Photograph 16.5 Parking Lot Adjacent to Gibbs

The Parking Facility structure on Wahnish Way beside the New Student Union Center has virtually no landscape or trees near the building to soften the architecture (see Photograph 16.5). Due to the proximity of the structure to Wahnish Way the use of plant materials with an upright habitat such as palms, holly trees and crepe myrtles is recommended to soften the rigid architecture of the parking structure. The parking lots situated near the corner M. L. King Boulevard and Palmetto Street illustrate the effectiveness of large trees within parking lots to provide needed shade, reduce glare and aid in proper vehicular circulation. Currently this parking lot has some medians with moderate sized shade trees, other medians with small trees and the remainder of medians without trees. The pervious parking lots for Bragg Stadium effectively demonstrate the potential for alternative surfaces for campus parking.


The grassed parking areas between the paved medians effectively mitigate the typically harsh environs of impervious parking. Where practical this treatment for parking lots should be considered elsewhere on the FAMU campus.

3. Pedestrian Circulation Routes

The pedestrian circulation routes normally contain no special emphasis of landscape treatments. Landscaping in the open spaces abutting these corridors offer a subtle and simple emphasis to open lawns and scattered mature shade trees. The pedestrian plaza along Martin Luther King Street at the commons, is a good example of incorporating shade trees to over heat reduction and visual interest in pedestrian areas.

4. Bicycle Facilities

Currently few FAMU students use bicycles on campus. The five bicycle racks observed in a campus inventory are located at the Facilities Planning Facility, Polkinhorne Village and Tucker Hall, Recreation Center and Teaching Gymnasium. Also, there is a large bicycle parking area located at the New DRS campus. (see Figure 16.2A: Site Amenities)

Photograph 16.6 Landscape along Wahnish Way at Parking Garage Inventory located behind this element write-up). The University has begun to standardize the ribbon style bicycle rack in all new buildings and additions. These are installed within concrete sidewalk areas or on a concrete pad. No significant vegetation has been installed with the bicycle racks.


5. Public Transportation Facilities

Bus stop shelters, consisting of modular metal and plexiglass shelters, exist at the intersection of Wahnish Way and Gamble Street and along Palmetto Street in front of the Palmetto Apartments. These shelters have no associated landscape or other design treatments and are in fair condition as the plexiglass is badly worn and scratched. The two public

Photograph 16.10 School of Journalism without foundation plantings transportation facilities situated in the pedestrian plaza on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard are a customized design that are beginning to show signs of age and in need of cleaning and painting. New shelters, utilizing the City of Tallahassee shelter standards, are now found within campus at the Studium and at the corner of Wahnish Way and Osceola Street. These shelters contain a decorative arched frame with perforated panels, bench and trash can. (see Figure 16.2C: Site Amenities Inventory at the end of this section).

6. Emergency Access Facilities

Landscape treatments present no specific deterrents to emergency access facilities. The close proximity of parking areas to existing structures and


the extensive open spaces throughout the campus core afford unimpeded emergency access.

7. Planted Areas

Planting areas for the campus core are primarily foundation plantings with occasional special accent planted areas. The campus core's landscape is characterized by a somewhat more intensive foundation planting accentuated with groupings of shade trees, flowering trees and other under-story trees. Planted areas near the dormitories, apartments, athletics and support facilities consist of sparse to modest foundation plantings of hardy site-adapted species. These landscapes lack the maturity of plantings to establish campus landscape themes. Some of the poorest landscapes associated with existing buildings include the women’s dormitories, the Vocational Tech buildings, Gibb’s Hall,

Photograph 16.11 Insufficient Planting at Sampson Hall Sampson Hall, N. B. Young Hall and virtually all the recreational facilities with the exception to the new Recreation Center and Teaching Gymnasium (see Photographs 16.10 and 16.11). Even some of the newer buildings, such as the School of Journalism lack foundations plantings and landscape treatments. A landscape enhancement of these buildings and other deficient facilities is encouraged to establish a density of plantings, continuity of plant palette and design intent.


Exemplary planting areas occur in the successfully created pedestrian spaces of the Quadrangle and The Set. These plantings frame and define outdoor spaces, offer beauty and shade and compliment landscape architectural elements such as seating areas, pools and raised planters. The extensive foundational plantings also soften and frame the architectural facades, which enclose these major exterior spaces in the academic and student service areas. Overall, landscaping at foundations and adjacent to buildings are average to less than average for most of the campus. Effective foundation plantings are established around some of the more recent academic buildings within the campus core School of Business and Industry, College of Pharmacy and the Ware-Rhaney Nursing and Allied Health Building. One recent building, the new Teaching Gym, seemed to have a higher degree of focus on providing plantings. Here, native species were utilized that help to define the overall visual appeal of the new building and surrounding areas. Formal elements, such as the row of palms leading to the entrance help define central axis while native grasses provide a low maintenance native groundcover.

Photograph 16.12 Insufficient Planting at Palmetto St. Apartments Occasionally there are some exceptional small planting areas on campus that demonstrate how the thoughtful use of plant materials can enhance the visual appearance of the campus and create an environment that is more enjoyable for its users. Recent examples of successful landscapes include the landscape installation at the corner of Pinder Street and Osceola. The seasonal interest plantings, sidewalks and tables are an


inviting place for seating and small gatherings to occur. The plants are well maintained and in good health. Another good example of landscape treatment is at the large stormwater pond just north of Osceola Street. Here, the required stormwater pond was turned into a campus amenity feature by creating an environmentally focused treatment of various plantings on the embankment to soften the edges and provide a “near-by nature” experience. The walkway that surrounds the pond provides a safe way for pedestrians to experience the pond and environment.

Photograph 16.13 Attractive Landscape at Palmetto Apartments


Photograph 16.14 Entry Gate and Fence at President’s House

Photograph 16.15 Lush Planting at Plant Operations Facility


Photograph 16.16 Substantial Foundation Planting at Jones Hall

Photograph 16.17 Traditional Southern Garden at Coleman Library


8. Site Furnishings

Site furnishings are primarily located in the pedestrian spaces and corridors, which occur in the Quadrangle and The Set and are associated with recent campus expansion. The site furnishings include benches, trash receptacles, retaining walls, planter seat walls, flag poles, entry columns, stairs and railings, bollards, paving and pools as shown on Figure 16.2A, located at the end of this section). These furnishings are, for the most part, coordinated in compatible styles, materials and colors which compliment the nearby campus architectural style.

9. Lighting Location and Type

There is lighting for vehicular routes, parking areas and pedestrian corridors and plazas. Vehicular parking areas and pedestrian corridors are primarily lit with 16 foot, black anodized round aluminum light standards with single or double shoe box style fixtures. In some pedestrian areas lighting consist of a 16 foot black anodized, round aluminum light standard with a clear rectangular fixture. Additional low-level, glare-free square bollards, similar in style to vehicular lights, are used in pedestrian plazas within the campus core. Although the intensity of illumination is often insufficient, the quality and compatibility of the light standards is acceptable. A newly introduced style on campus consists of 16 foot, black anodized round, decorative, aluminum light standards with single or double glass, acorn style fixtures. See Figure 16.2B for examples of campus lighting.

10. Trash Collection Facility

Trash collection facilities consist of large dumpsters distributed throughout the campus core that are, unfortunately, often in areas of high visibility. A comprehensive study should be initiated to analyze current dumpster locations on campus. A study should recommend alternative locations for trash collection facilities with the proper screening techniques and materials. Dumpsters are rarely appropriately screened (see Photograph 16.18). In some instances, they are screened with concrete walls, attractive brick walls or wooden lattice.


Photograph 16.18 Poorly Sited / Unscreened Dumpters

11. Maintenance Facility and Service Areas

Maintenance facilities are located on the western edge of the FAMU property along Wahnish Way and Gamble Street. The majority of maintenance facilities and building service areas are unscreened from pedestrian circulation. In some instances, walls have been built to conceal these areas behind some buildings but there are normally no landscape treatments to soften the starkness of these walls and unsightly areas. There is one exceptionally successful screening, utilizing a brick screen wall and extensive landscaping. This is the service area and electrical transformers situated behind the Coleman Library (see Photograph 16.19).

12. Campus Edges (including as appropriate all/part of items 1-11).

The University property edges to the west and portions of the east are defined by urban residential land uses, more open agricultural uses to the south and industrial land uses to the north. The campus edges along these neighborhoods are generally characterized by a rolling topography, substantial tree canopy and open spaces which somewhat buffer the FAMU property from the urban development of the surrounding community. There are no planned landscape treatments to augment these existing features along the FAMU property edges. Better defined landscape treatments should be developed along the property edges to help identify and enhance the campus image. Also, there is limited signage and gateway treatments on the edge of campus to reinforce the campus edge and identity.


b) A description of the natural landscape context within which the University campus exists, including a description of important native plant species (narrative).

The FAMU property lies within the Tallahassee Hills and the Apalachicola property ranges from a low point of below forty-five (45) feet above sea level in the open pastureland of the agricultural fields to a high point of above two hundred and five (205) feet near the Women's Dormitory quadrangle. Another pinnacle on campus of similar elevation, that affords a dramatic view of downtown Tallahassee, is located near the Black Archives Building. The campus core is situated on gently rolling terrain and is interspersed with stately mature live oak trees that provide shade and character for the existing buildings. There is a significant live oak hammock situated at the southern terminus of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. These mature hardwoods border the University's upper agricultural fields and effectively buffer the on-campus Palmetto Street Apartments. An additional mixed hardwood and pine forest occurs along the FAMU property's steep topography adjacent to the Women's Dormitories, Foote-Hilyer Administration Building and the President's home. This landscape context offers an attractive setting for a primary campus entry point. Important native plant species include live oak, slash pine, turkey oak, red maple, sweet gum, cabbage palm, loblolly bay, wax myrtle and associated ferns and native grasses.

Photograph 16.20 Specimen Live Oak Adjacent to Carnegie Center


Photograph 16.21 Specimen Live Oaks Near The Patch

There are a several large specimen live oaks trees on campus that are situated adjacent to the Black Archives Building and The Patch (see Photograph 16.20 and Photograph 16.21). Other mature live oaks border the eastern side of the track with one exceptional specimen adjacent to the Foster Tanner Ceramic Center.

c) An identification and inventory of existing historic landscape features on the campus.

The landscape approach on FAMU property is typified by a remnant of large native trees and modest planting areas. The simple landscape treatment of the historical Black Archives Building offers a successful though perhaps unplanned effect. The building, situated on one of the highest points within the campus core, affords a dramatic view of the Florida Capitol. A traditional setting for this historical structure is created by the site's natural elements; a grassy knoll is emphasized by a majestic, framing live oak, a specimen cabbage palm, simple foundational plantings and a large historical bell.

An additional feature of the landscape on campus is the Patch. The Patch is the name commonly used to describe the home of the famous FAMU Marching 100 band's practice field. Need to check this. This is a space where students and faculty gather with pride and watch the Marching 100. The Patch is an important


part of FAMU's heritage and tradition and should be nurtured and preserved, if possible, in its present or similar location. The Patch was relocated to a more remote site, directly west of the Foster Tanner Observation Tower, to eliminate conflicts with academic activities. To observe the famous marching band, a heavy timber observation tower with colorful signage has been constructed along the lushly grassed practice field.

d) An identification and inventory of specimen or significant landscape features on the campus.

Photograph 16.22 View of Carnegie Center from the Quadrangle There are significant natural landscape features within the University property, as well as planned features. The unusually high elevation of the property provides dramatic off-campus views of downtown Tallahassee. Views of the Florida Capitol may be seen from behind Lee Hall, the Black Archives Building and along the intersection of Wahnish Way and Gamble Street. Significant planned landscape features occur at the Quadrangle, The Set and the seating area behind Coleman Library and the campus Campanile/Clock Tower in the Commons area. Additional planned landscape features also include the Eternal Flame strategically located in the Quadrangle. Figures 16.1A –B at the end of this section depict the landscape features on the Main Campus.

The Quadrangle is the primary on-campus common area (see Photograph 16.22). It is a traditional campus green, or quad. The large formal lawn is framed by allees of magnolia trees and brick planter seat walls. Extensive plantings soften and reinforce the buildings that define this open space. The terminus of this


linear space is accentuated with the Eternal Flame and a series of attractive pools and fountains that occur in the foreground of Coleman Library and Lee Hall.

The Eternal Flame is a polished black granite monument standing in the heart of the campus within the primary axis of the Quadrangle (see Photograph 16.23). The obelisk-shape memorial’s base is enveloped with circular granite planter curbs, containing markers and inscribed bricks acknowledging the generous gifts from various FAMU colleges and individual patrons.

Photograph 16.23 The Eternal Flame


Photograph 16.24 The Set

Photograph 16.25 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Specialty Paving


The Set is an area that has been utilized as the primary destination for social interaction within the campus core. This centralized space in front of the Student Union and the University Commons anchors the academic, service and residential zones on campus (see Photograph 16.24). Entry gates and moveable bollards allow access of mass transit, security, service and emergency vehicles (see Photograph 16.25). The conversion of this activity zone from vehicular to pedestrian circulation made the Set a functional space for informal gathering and social interaction. The resulting pedestrian plaza contains special paving patterns, entry gates and bollards, bus kiosks, seating areas and landscaping.

e) An inventory of the existing types of outdoor furnishings and graphics used on campus, including identification of model numbers, materials, etc. (seating, trash receptacles, paving materials, light poles and fixtures, signage, etc.)

Site Furnishings 1) Light Standards

• Overhead Walkway and Areas Lights - Sixteen (16)-foot high, black round, anodized aluminum

standards with square fixtures are utilized for parking and pedestrian lighting (see Figure 16.2B for various examples).

- Sixteen (16)-foot high, black anodized round, decorative, aluminum standards with single or double glass, acorn style fixtures.

• Bollard Lights

- Three-and-one-half (3-1/2)-foot square and round, dark gray, anodized bollards with a square fixture produce low-level, glare-free illumination (see Figure 16.2B for various examples). This fixture is utilized for pedestrian circulation within the campus core. The same standard and fixture in a maroon color is utilized around the pedestrian walkways at the School of Architecture.

- Three-and-one-half (3 ½)-foot round, green, powder coat, aluminum, with a louvered, cut-off fixture

• Roadway and Parking Lights

- Thirty (30)-foot high, maroon, anodized aluminum standards with hooded shoebox fixtures are utilized around the perimeters of the School of Architecture.


Photograph 16.26 Coleman Library Bosque

Photograph 16.27 Campanile Clock Tower Walkway


Photograph 16.28 Campanile Clock Tower


• Wall-mounted, white luminares are installed in the brick entrance

gates and stairways at The Set and on the New Student Services Center.

2) Trash Receptacles and Recycling Containers

• Custom-made, red brick, rectangular enclosures with manufactured brown plastic inserts and hoods are typical. The same receptacle is constructed with a light brown brick for the installations behind the Coleman Library (see Figure 16.2A for various examples).

• Green welded wire mesh trash receptacles with white fiberglass liners and tops are utilized in The Set.

• Metal-lined trash receptacles with plastic hoods are built into brick planter walls utilized in The Set.

• Green perforated metal trash receptacles with an orange perforated metal top with fiberglass liner is used in the plazas at the New Student Services Center. The lids for these receptacles seem to remain seated better than receptacles with plastic hoods used at the Set.

• Square, black, plastic trash receptacle with side openings, used at the new Teaching Gymnasium.

• Found on rare occasions the simplest form of trash receptacles, fifty-gallon steel drums, some painted in alternate bands of green and orange.

• Large, white plastic, multi-bin, side-opening, recycling containers. • Blue and green, plastic, top-opening, recycling containers.

3) Benches and Seat Walls

• Concrete seat walls are integrated in raised brick planters in the Quadrangle.

• Perforated, welded metal benches are utilized in The Set. • Seat walls constructed with primarily red brick and concrete cap are

utilized for seating in The Set. • Freestanding concrete seats are located at Paddyfoote Pavilion, near

the Men's Dormitories. • Brick planters and supports for heavy wood slats are used effectively

at the School of Business and Industry building. • Outdoor dining booths are constructed of brick supports and walls

with concrete tables and seats at the ‘Snake Pit’ and ‘Rattlers Den’, two exterior plazas adjacent to the Student Union Office.

3) Tables/Picnic/Tables

• Exterior fiberglass dining tables with orange and green finishes are utilized for the plaza at the ‘Snake Pit’. Rattler’s Den.

• Metal framed, green and black, perforated metal and wire benches and picnic tables.

• Wooden picnic tables are scattered throughout the campus.

4) Paving Materials and Handrails • Concrete sidewalks have a rough broom finish. • Concrete plazas have special scoring patterns with brick edges and

accents. • Concrete pavers of various sizes and colors are utilized in pedestrian

plazas.


• Handrails along sidewalks and for many buildings on campus are generally constructed of a combination of horizontal and vertical welded steel pipes painted primarily of orange, green and maroon pigments.

5) Signage

• Primary Entrance Sign: A primary entrance sign located at the intersection of FAMU Way and Wahnish Way is presently under construction. This sign is constructed of aluminum and glass block with the FAMU name and logo internally lit. The aluminum panels are primarily finished in dark bronze and contain a green or orange recessed accent stripe in the sign's upper portion (see Figure 16.2C for various examples).

• Building Identification Signs: Wall-mounted, polished aluminum individual letters are utilized for building names. These signs are attached to the building exteriors. Another type of wall-mounted building identification sign is constructed of an orange metal panel with white letters accentuated by black shadows.

• Building Identification Signs/Freestanding: The dark bronze painted aluminum panels and tubular posts incorporate the FAMU logo in the sign's upper portion. The FAMU logo is screened with an orange or green background with green or white text and graphics. The building names are screened on the sign in white letters and a matching recessed accent stripe separates the message from the FAMU logo. The accent stripe may also utilize the orange or green school colors.

• Regulatory Signage: Standard FDOT metal posts and sign panels are utilized.

• Informational Signage: These signs are fabricated of aluminum sign panels and tubular posts. The top of the sign edge contains a raised radius consistent with the shape for the primary entrance sign and building identification signs. The sign’s post and the central portion of the panel are finished with a dark bronze paint. A white accent stripe separates the orange upper and lower portions of the sign panel.

• Service Signage: This signage construction and shape is similar to the informational signage. The panel finish is dark brown and the messages and accent stripes are white.

• Historical Signage: This signage construction and shape matches the style of the national park monument informational signage. The black panel with raised text and graphics discusses the founding of FAMU and the historical significance and architectural style of its buildings. There are two of these signs on campus, with one located at the terminus of an axial walkway in the quadrangle and another along the campus perimeter.

• Fraternity and sorority logos and Greek letters are painted on the base of various trees on campus. This type of expression is more appropriate as observed on the retaining wall along Palmer Street and the concrete wall that along the parking lots east of ‘The Patch’.

• There are a variety of signs present at the corner of Palmer Street and Adams, a primary entrance to the FAMU campus. A topiary planting of low shrubs spells out the four individual letters for ‘FAMU’. Behind the topiary signage is the original campus entry sign, a simple brick wall with individual aluminum letters identifying ‘Florida A&M University”. Located adjacent to the topiary signage is a prominent


informational sign with white background, green type and orange FAMU insignia. This sign congratulates FAMU on being selected as Time magazine/Princeton Review’s college of the year.

• A visitor informational sign is located at campus entrance at the corner of Palmer Street and Adams Street and instructs visitors to report to the Parking Informational Center to receive a visitor’s parking permit. Three other visitor informational signs are located north of the intersections of Orange Avenue and Wanish Way, Orange Avenue and FAMU Way and Palmetto Street and Adams Street. Nees to be updated to include the new location of the parking permit office.

• A larger custom site identification sign is located at the southeast corner of FAMU Way and Wanish Way. This sign that is constructed of a brown aluminum sign panel with the FAMU logo and white text bordered by orange trim, is similar and shape and materials to other FAMU site signage.

(2) ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS. This element shall be based, at a minimum, on the following analyses:

a) An assessment of the degree to which existing landscape features (plants, materials, furnishings, graphics, etc.) are coordinated and the degree to which they contribute to or detract from the present visual and functional quality of the campus.

The FAMU property's existing landscape features are divided functionally into two severely different developmental zones. The campus core and student services areas contain the more intensively planned landscape treatments. The dormitories, athletics and support facilities contain minimal landscape enhancements and no overall plan of landscape treatments.

The simple, underdeveloped landscape treatments along University property need reinforcement to improve awareness of campus edges and to offer a unified transition with the campus core's open spaces. A valuable resource that contributes greatly to the campus landscape character is the large, freestanding live oaks interspersed throughout the FAMU property. Diligence should be taken to continue to preserve these stately trees.

With few exceptions, paving materials, site furnishings and graphics have been limited to a selected range of compatible materials, textures, styles and colors. The exceptional campus graphics and signage system, which has been installed on the campus, consists of a more unified system of coordinated messages, styles, colors and materials. The signs are attractive and the messages easy to read. The primary sign colors are compatible with other campus site furnishings and the sign's accent colors are consistent with the school colors. The limited plant palette of hardy trees and shrubs utilized on the campus serves as a modest landscape framework upon which a more comprehensive and standardized system should be established.

Site furnishings in the newer developed landscape areas within the campus core are coordinated with one another and with the campus architecture. The landscape treatments at The Set and the Quadrangle enhance the visual and functional quality of these outdoor spaces. There are unfortunately few other good examples of defined open spaces in combination with the adjacent


buildings. Some of the latest buildings, including the Recreation Center and Teaching Gymnasium should continue to define the adjacent spaces with landscaping and features that will strengthen the relationship to adjacent buildings. There are a number of the newer facilities constructed on campus that have installed insufficient landscaping commensurate with the scale and grandeur of these structures. Recently constructed buildings that merit additional landscape treatments include the School of Journalism, School of Business and Industry, Science Research Facility, Foster Tanner Arts Complex, the East Wing and West Wing of the and the Parking Garage Facility. The B. L. Perry Industry General Classroom Building has modest foundation plantings but like other buildings along Pinder Drive lacks street tree plantings. As newer buildings are constructed on campus it affords an opportunity to establish street tree themes and parking tree plantings. New plantings have been added to the east side of Martin Luther King Drive in an effort to improve the entrance to the open space at the women’s dormitories. Sable Palms, low level ground cover and shrub and native grass plantings have all helped to improve the lack of landscape, stabilize badly eroded areas and remove areas where turf suffered. This improvement is a good enhancement for this area which was suffering from lack of plantings.

b) An assessment of the existing design treatments for the items identified in (1) a) with regard to their impacts on campus safety.

The existing landscape treatments have only minor impacts on campus safety. An assumption could be made that the characteristic open nature of the campus landscape offers good sight visibility for vehicular and pedestrian circulation. Present directional and regulatory signage is satisfactory for maintaining campus safety. There is an overall exterior lighting system for the campus core. However, some of the areas in the campus core, including the area behind Coleman Library, the Architecture Building and in the vicinity of the Counseling Center, and many of the perimeter areas on University property need an improvement in light intensity to offer increased safety. A number of security cameras with weatherproof housing have been installed on buildings in critical areas on campus to improve campus safety. In addition large flood lamps have been wall mounted in some areas of critical concern and emergency call boxes have been installed in strategic locations. Also, in certain areas, such as along the Osceola parking lot, temporary, gas powered roadway, flood lights have been utilized in various locations of campus, where lighting is of particular concern (see Figure 16.2B for various lighting examples) .

The removal of all vehicular traffic from The Set, with the exception of buses and service vehicles, was an excellent example of a planned landscape feature that has significantly improved campus safety while adding a significant pedestrian campus space.

c) An assessment of the ease or difficulty of maintaining the existing landscape features.

The existing campus landscape features require moderate maintenance to retain their function and appearance. The majority of the site furnishings, concentrated in the campus core, are presently relatively new. The substantial site furnishings


and the procured site furnishings utilized in the campus core should endure even with heavy usage. The use of native and site-adapted plant materials require minimal maintenance with the exception of the existing mature canopy trees which will require additional care to preserve adequate levels of vitality and safety. The required level of maintenance for lighting and signage is normal for maintaining satisfactory functional operation levels.

d) An assessment of the physical condition of the existing landscape features.

The more recent landscape enhancements of the University are in excellent physical condition, with a few exceptions, while the remaining landscape features are in fair condition. There is noticable wear and deterioration in the canopied bus shelter and some site furnishings and lighting utilized in the Quadrangle and the Set. The lighting standards and fixtures are relatively new. A new signage system installed on campus has held up well, with a few exceptions where the paint has streaked. Most of the site furnishings on campus are utilized in the recent landscape architectural developments constructed within the campus core. One isolated area of concern is the advanced age of the University's large shade trees. This principal deficiency of the campus landscape can be partially remedied with effective individual facility landscapes. The University should consider a substantial tree planting program that will augment and eventually replace the campus forest. Ultimately the reestablishment of the overall campus tree canopy will need to be part of a concerted effort to provide a master campus landscape plan.

e) An assessment of the accessibility of the campus to disabled persons.

Disabled accessibility for the campus is improving with the addition of new handicap accessible buildings. Conditions challenging students with disabilities are the University's inherently steep topography, sometimes poorly maintained walkways and few curb cuts, and the propensity for stairways and raised entryways for many of the campus walkways and structures. These conditions are sometimes mitigated by alternative ramped sidewalks and ramped handicapped entrances for buildings. Modifications to some existing building entrances is needed to make them more accessible to disabled persons. FAMU has replaced some of the poorer sidewalks and added handrails along some sidewalks with steeper grades. Sidewalks should be continually monitored to ensure that they are in good condition. Correcting and repairing inaccessible walkways will be an ongoing campus project.

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16.0 Landscape Design Guidelines Element - Florida … Master...buildings within the campus core School of Business and Industry, College of Pharmacy and the Ware-Rhaney Nursing and