Neighborhood Design Guidelines Boulevard: Moore St. to Byrd Park

Table of Contents:1. Table of Contents2. The Boulevard Corridor3. Mental Mapping4. Overview of Design Guidelines and Assets5. Commercial District Analysis6. Commercial District Design Guidelines7. Residential District Analysis8. Residential District Design Guidelines9. Museum District Analysis10. Museum District Design Guidelines11. I-195 Bridge Analysis & Design Guidelines12. Byrd Park Analysis13. Byrd Park Design Guidelines

Stephen BrownURSP 611: Principles of Urban Design

December 12, 2011

The Boulevard Corridor

Commercial Byrd ParkMuseumResidential

The section of Boulevard between Moore Street and Byrd Park can be broken into four separate districts. From Moore Street to Broad Street lies an area that is primarily commercial; from Broad Street to Idlewood Street, the area is mostly residential; inside this residential corridor, lies a super-block that is home to three museums, a third district; and from Idlewood Street south lies Byrd Park. Boulevard is the only major North-South corridor in the City of Richmond.

Mental MappingEdges are the boundaries between areas that help organize the city by separating one district from another. The prominent edges along Boulevard are Moore Street, Broad Street, Idlewood Street.

Districts are recognizable sections of a city, each with a distinct character. Boulevard can be broken into four districts; Commercial, Residential, Museum, and Byrd Park.

Landmarks, such as the VA Historical Society, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and Byrd Park, stand out in the Boulevard corridor. They provide visual reference points for navigating or giving directions.

Nodes occur in the form of prominent intersections; points at which a traveler experiences a sense of having arrived at a decision-making point. Boulevard’s nodes include its intersections with Broad Street and with Monument Avenue.

Boulevard is among the grandest, most celebrated streets in the City of Richmond. It is unique in being the only prominent North-South corridor in a city that primarily moves East to West. The corridor from Moore Street to Byrd Park embodies all of the essential qualities of a truly great street

The following design guidelines were established through careful analysis of the corridor's greatest assets, and are meant to preserve the characteristics that define this exceptional avenue and to direct future development or additions to this historic thoroughfare. They should also be considered for immediate implementation to provide improved continuity in places where they are not fully observed.

The most important aspects of the Boulevard Corridor are: its consistency in architectural features and forms; rhythmic, flowing streetscape; and vibrant pedestrian atmosphere. These guidelines address the features of the built environment that provide those who pass through with a remarkable, memorable experience:

Overview

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The Commercial District of the Boulevard Corridor, which stretches from Moore Street to Broad Street is home to many prominent Richmond establishments. It is heavily traversed by vehicles, yet very accommodating to pedestrians; the street and sidewalks are remarkably wide and the crosswalks well defined.

The West side of the street is quite well done from a design standpoint. The sidewalks are wide, and the architectural similarities in color, height, and design of the structures that abut the walkway provide a pleasant sense of enclosure. The visual experience is further enhanced by consistent, rhythmic building placement, and transparent, inviting pedestrian-scale windows shaded by canopies.

The East side of the Commercial District, however, is not as carefully designed. Although the sidewalk is of equal width, the inconsistent building setbacks, sporadic roofline, and resulting lack of enclosure make the area feel like a wide-open desert. In outspoken defiance of the West side’s harmonious facades, the buildings on the East side of the district present a motley of colors, shapes, and sizes in both signage and facades.

The district as a whole suffers from a lack of consistency of street trees; both on the sidewalks and the median. The few that exist along the sidewalk are of varying type, maturity, and placement. While the median trees exhibit more regularity in type and size, there are vast spans of the median that remain completely barren. Irregularity in the visual experience also stems from the abundance of curb cuts and turn lanes that inhibit the flow of pedestrian and automobile travel. A final design taboo that burdens the aesthetic unity of the commercial span is the inconsistency in sign type, size and placement.

The Commercial District

Public:Street: Street width shall be 70'. Parking lanes must be 9' wide, and travel lanes must be 10.5' wide, with two travel lanes going each direction. When necessary, turning lanes shall be 9' wide. Multi-directional center lanes shall be 15' wide. Where multi-directional center lanes occur, parking lanes shall be eliminated.Sidewalk: Sidewalk width shall be 10'-12' wide, composed of two 5'x5' or 6'x6' gray cement squares. Curbs shall be 6" tall.Crosswalks: Crosswalks shall be placed at all intersections. Pedestrian walkways shall be defined with 5" white lines. Crosswalks may be composed of either asphalt or brick.Sidewalk Trees: Sidewalk trees shall be placed in 3' wide, planters that span the length of adjacent cement squares. At full maturity, sidewalk trees must be no less than 30' and no more than 60' tall. Branches should be limbed up to 15'. Street trees shall be placed 40' to 45' apart.Median: Median shall be 10' wide and 6" high, except when accommodating a turning or multi-directional center lane; at which time they can be narrowed or eliminated as necessary. 10' medians shall be planted with grass and trees.Median Trees: Median trees shall be spaced 15' to 30' apart. At maturity, median trees shall be no less than 25' high and no more than 30' high. Median trees should be limbed up to no less than 7' and no more than 10'. Lighting: 12' high "Acorn" streetlights shall be placed at each corner, and spaced 50' apart for the duration of the block. Overhead "Cobra" lights shall be 40' tall, and spaced 80' apart.

The Commercial District_Design Guidelines

Private:Building Height: Buildings shall be no less than 30ʼ feet, and no more than 50ʼ tall. Building Setback: Buildings shall be placed abut the sidewalk.Building Facade: Facades shall be red, brown, gray, beige, or white. Windows must be present on all facades. Windows shall start no higher than 3.5ʼ from the sidewalk and reach no greater height than 10'. Canopies may protrude no farther than 4' from building front, and hang no lower than 12' from sidewalk.Signage: Signage shall be attached to building facades, either placed directly on the structure or hanging from a modest bracket. Signs shall hang no lower than 12' high, and be placed no higher than 16' from the sidewalk. Billboards are prohibited.

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"Acorn" Streetlight

Example of Acceptable Sign and Bracket

Appropriate Building Setback

and Window Height

Gray CementSidewalk Squares

The Residential District

The Residential District of the Boulevard Corridor is nearly perfect; the grand homes and tall trees provide shade and pleasant enclosure to pedestrians, and wide roadways kindly accommodate vehicle traffic. It is typical, however, for mature trees to be placed in a way invades and obscures one’s view of the distinguished facades. Lamp posts reveal their age through weathered, peeling paint, and from Cary Street to Idlewood Street, the sidewalk narrows from 12 feet to only 4, cramping walkers between overgrown foliage that surrounds looming trees, and 3-foot high cement walls overrun with ivy. Houses along this span sit high off the ground, but closer to the street, with stairs leading directly up from the sidewalk.

The Residential District of Boulevard stretches from Broad Street to Idlewood Street. Its diversity in historic architectural styles give it a unique character in all of Richmond. This section of the corridor is lined with row houses, apartment buildings, and majestic religions institutions, most of which were developed between 1910 and 1935. A few townhouses have been converted to offices uses, but take care not to stand out among their modest neighbors. Most buildings are set back 20 feet from the sidewalk and approached by a brick or cement path with a few steps leading to the entrance. Houses and apartment buildings stand two to four stories tall, and boast grand columns and open balconies on every floor, red or beige brick facades, and beautifully manicured lawns and gardens. The vast roadway is lined by mature trees and spacious sidewalks, and complimented by rustic streetlights and the wide, planted median. Building rhythm and roofline are consistent throughout the district, drawing one’s eyes far down the seemingly endless, old-fashioned avenue.

The Residential District_Design Guidelines

Private:Uses: Building uses are confined to residential or office. Commercial, Industrial, and other uses are prohibited.Building Height: Buildings shall be no less than 30ʼ feet and no more than 35' tall; Corner buildings may reach a height of up to 60ʼ. Building Facade: Buildings shall be made of brick or stone. Acceptable colors are red, gray, or beige.Architectural styles shall conform to those of surrounding buildings Columns and balconies must be present on all structures. Office buildings may have modest signs attached to the structure. Signs must conform to and match building color regulations.Building Setback: Buildings shall be set back 15' to 20' from the sidewalk.Yards: Yards shall be planted with grass, shrubs, and/or flowers. Yards shall include a cement or brick walkway, as well as steps that lead to the building entrance. Yard signs are prohibited.

Public:Street: Street width shall be 70ʼ. Parking lanes shall be 9ʼ wide; travel lanes must be 10.5ʼ wide. Turn lanes are prohibited.Strip Planters: Strip planters shall be 6' wide, planted with grass and trees. Sidewalk: Sidewalk width shall be 10'-12' wide, composed of two 5'x5' or 6'x6' gray cement squares. Curbs shall be 6' tall.Street Trees: Street trees shall be placed in in the strip planters that line the sidewalk. At full maturity, trees must be no less than 40' and no more than 60ʼ tall. Branches should be limbed up to 15'. Trees shall be placed 40' to 50' apart and should not obscure building facades.Median: Median shall be 10' wide and 6" high. Medians shall be planted with grass and trees.Median Trees: Median trees shall be spaced 30' apart. At maturity, median trees shall be no less than 25' high and no more than 30' high. Median trees should be limbed up to 7'. Crosswalks: Crosswalks shall be placed at all intersections. Pedestrian walkways shall be defined with 5" white lines and shall be composed of brick.Lighting: 12' high "Acorn" streetlights shall be placed at each corner, and spaced 60' apart.

Appropriate Sidewalk Width, Building Setback,

and Street Tree.

Appropriate Median Tree Spacing and Height.

Yard Plantings, Path, and Stairs.

Example of Modest

Office Sign.

Street Trees Shall Not Obscure Building Facades.

Columns and Balconies Must Be Present on All

Structures.

The Museum DistrictThe Museum District of the Boulevard Corridor occupies a super-block on the West side of the avenue between Kensington Ave. and Grove Ave. The buildings are massive, and set far back from the street behind vast green lawns and wide footpaths. The distance from sidewalk to structure provides relief from the majestic size of these stunning colossi. Topographical elements include elegant signage, illuminated walkways, and commemorative statues and artifacts.

The history of these monumental buildings is made apparent through their architectural diversity and continued expansions; especially at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Despite their unique designs, the grandeur of these three buildings creates a sense of aesthetic harmony.

The Museum District portrays both nostalgia and progress, but lacks a smooth transition between the memorial and the modern. Building expansions, though impressive, pay little homage to the long history of their counterparts.

This district also breaches the tree canopy characteristic of the rest of the avenue. Lawns are well maintained but signs, walkways, and plantings are inconsistent and abrupt.

The Museum District_Design Guidelines

Private:Building Height: Museum buildings are exempt from height regulations, however, they must not vary more than 50' in height from the surrounding museums. Additions must be within 20' of the height of the original structure.Building Setback: Buildings shall be set back from the sidewalk in a manner that conforms to surrounding museum structures.Building Facade: Facades shall be composed of brick, marble, or stone. Colors are limited to red, white, beige, and gray. Facades shall incorporate windows, columns, and statues as appropriate. Signage: Up to two signs per establishment shall be placed within 50' of the sidewalk. Signs shall be no more than 10' in height and 20' in width.Paths and Driveways: Pedestrian and automobile paths shall be no more than 80' in width. Paths must be composed of brick, cement, or dark-colored pavers. Paths may be illuminated with street-lamps or recessed ground lighting, and shall be lined with shrubs that do not stand taller than 2.5'.Yards: Yards shall be planted with grass and maintained regularly. Flags are permitted in moderation. Mature trees and large sculptures or monuments are permitted, but limited to 3 per establishment.

Public:Street: Street width shall be 70'. Parking lanes shall be 9' wide; travel lanes must be 10.5' wide. Turn lanes are prohibited.Strip Planters: Strip planters shall be 6' wide, planted with grass and trees. Sidewalk: Sidewalk width shall be 10'-12' wide, composed of two 5'x5' or 6'x 6' gray cement squares. Curbs shall be 6" tall. Curb cuts shall be limited to one per establishment.Street Trees: Street trees shall be placed in in the strip planters that line the sidewalk. At full maturity, trees must be no less than 40' and no more than 60' tall. Branches should be limbed up to 15'. Trees shall be placed 40' to 50' apart.Median: Median shall be 10' wide and 6' high. Medians shall be planted with grass and trees.Median Trees: Median trees shall be spaced 30' apart. At maturity, median trees shall be no less than 25' high and no more than 30' high. Median trees should be limbed up to 7'. Crosswalks: Crosswalks shall be placed at all intersections. Pedestrian walkways shall be defined with 5" white lines and shall be composed of brick.Lighting: 12' high "Acorn" streetlights shall be placed at each corner, and spaced 60' apart.

Appropriate Use of Flags, Street-Lamps, Columns, and Building Materials.

Examples of Artifacts, Shrubbery, and Signage.

I-195 Bridge_Analysis and Design Guidelines

Example of Temporary Bridge Decoration

Tree and Flowers in

Raised Sidewalk Planter

Public:Street: Street width shall be 70ʼ. Travel lanes shall be 15ʼ wide. Sidewalk: Sidewalk width shall be 12ʼ wide, composed of adjacent 10ʼx12ʼ gray cement blocks. Curbs shall be 8” tall. Street Trees: Street trees and small shrubs or flowers shall be placed in raised planters placed every 40' along both sidewalks. Planters shall be made of brick or gray stone with white mortar Planters' inner surface shall be brown mulch. At full maturity, trees must be no more than 20' tall. Branches should be limbed up to 10ʼ. Median: Median shall be 10' wide and 6" high. Medians shall be composed of cement.Lighting: 40' high "Cobra" streetlights shall be placed at corners, and spaced 60' apart for the length of the bridge. Miscellaneous: Temporary art exhibits should adorn the fence and be replaced monthly. These can include but are not limited to: paintings, flowers, and streamers. Art exhibits should not invade the pedestrian environment; they should protrude no more than 8" from the fence.

The bridge over Interstate 195 offers a safe method crossing of this busy highway. It is composed of gray cement and lined with a tall, unadorned gray fence. Highway signs block pedestrian views of the roadway below. There is no median, no sidewalk trees, and the wide travel-lanes and tall streetlights make the bridge seem miles across. Although there is some foliage planted at either end, it is poorly maintained and laden with poison ivy.

This unattractive stretch of pavement provides an unfortunate transition between the grand residential corridor and one of the most beautiful parks in the city.

Traveling South, Boulevard’s grand ensemble concludes with the entrance to Byrd Park. The park, only a fraction of which

is visible from Boulevard, was developed in 1874. It was originally called Reservoir Park, and was once home to horse shows, a summer theater, a racetrack, and a swimming pool. The park’s tree-lined streets, open lawns, and vast lakes combine to create one of Richmond’s most beautiful landscapes.

A statue of Christopher Columbus stands tall in front of a cascading fountain and grassy hill. The statue and fountain provide a terminal vista, as one approaches the Southern end of Boulevard. To the West are several tennis courts, and to the East, Boat Lake. The lake is surrounded by trees and has an ornamental spray fountain in the center. In the summer, one can see paddle-boaters, readers, sitters, and wildlife on and around the lake.

In spite of Byrd Park's immense beauty, the surrounding fences are tangled in overgrown trees, shrubs, and vines. Street trees are inconsistent in type, placement, and maturity. Sidewalks vary in width, and pedestrian crossings are not marked in a way that alerts drivers. Also, human-scale street lamps are lacking; the area is illuminated only by tall overhead light fixtures.

Byrd Park

Byrd Park_Design Guidelines

Public:Street: Street width shall be 70ʼ. Parking lanes shall be 9' wide; travel lanes must be 10.5ʼ wide. Turn lanes are permitted.Strip Planters: Strip planters shall be 6' wide, planted with grass and trees. Sidewalk: Sidewalk width shall be 10'-12' wide, composed of adjacent 5'x5' or 6'x6' gray cement squares. Curbs shall be 6” tall. Curb cuts are prohibited except to provide handicap-access ramps.Street Trees: Street trees shall be placed in in the strip planters that line the sidewalk. At full maturity, trees must be no less than 40ʼ and no more than 60ʼ tall. Branches should be limbed up to 15'. Trees shall be placed 40' to 50' apart.Median: Median shall be 10ʼ wide and 6" high. Medians shall be planted with grass and Linden trees.Median Trees: Median trees shall be spaced 30' apart. At maturity, median trees shall be no less than 50' high and no more than 30' high. Median trees should be limbed up to 7'. Crosswalks: Crosswalks shall be placed at all intersections. Pedestrian crosswalks shall be lined with 5" white lines and include white "Zebra Stripes" that are 16' wide and spaced 16' apart. Crosswalks shall be composed of asphalt. Pedestrian crossing signs shall be placed 50' from intersection.Lighting: 12' high "Acorn" streetlights shall be placed at each corner, and spaced 60' apart. Overhead "Cobra Lights" shall be 40' in height and spaced 60' apart.Miscellaneous: All foliage shall be maintained on a bi-weekly basis. Foliage should not climb fences or intrude upon pedestrian areas. Pedestrian paths leading to tennis courts or other attractions shall be composed of cement or wood and grass. Stairs should be spaced appropriately. Each step shall stand no more than 10" tall.

Example of Zebra-Stripe Crosswalk

Appropriate Street Tree Size and Distribution

Inappropriately Maintained Foliage. Permitted Curb Cut

Example of Appropriate Median Tree

Size and Spacing