Design of the Marmion Way Corridor
Fred Glick, PLA • Urban Design • Master Planning • Landscape Architecture
Metro Gold Line Light Rail Transit Project National Transportation Leadership Conference FHWA – FTA – APA Washington, DC 2004
Purpose of Presentation
Demonstrate extensive public involvement effort resulting in dramatic physical improvements to community
Consensus building through urban design
Use of historically compatible and green materials helps achieve sustainability
Principal Challenge
From a physical standpoint, the challenge was
to fit light rail into an existing, historic
community fabric in a way that improved the
quality of the urban environment.
Agenda
Marmion Way: Overview
Community Workshops
Urban Design Process: 1996-2001
Construction: 2001-2003
Operations: 2003
Overview: Marmion Way Southbound
Before construction: 100 year old freight corridor, single track, undersized RR worker homes built at turn of 20th century.
Overview: Marmion Way Northbound
Before construction: Utility poles both directions, minimal setbacks from street, poorly delineated intersection.
Overview: Unique History
100 years as freight rail line - single track
LAMTA original lead agency
13.7 mile LRT corridor • Chinatown - Highland Park • South Pasadena - Pasadena Marmion Way segment • Avenue 50 to Figueroa • Nearly 1 mile long
Overview: Socio-Cultural Composition
Diverse ethnic composition Latino, Asian-American, other minorities Generally low to lower-middle income Mistake to consider Highland Park a “rollover” area • Language differences • Little education among some minority residents • Economic hardship
Well-spoken, well-educated professionals as well Neighborhood is well-organized Relentless in seeking improved quality-of-life
Overview: Project Background
Imminent addition of light rail transitway Pavement - concrete walls - LRV speeds Changing configuration - community concern Urban design process initiated in 1996 Engineering needs vs. community adaptation Urban design analysis implemented • Support of elected officials • Two EIS’s had previously overlooked real issues From exclusive transitway to street running
Overview: Major Challenges
Neighborhood: • Neighborhood character – use of sustainable materials • Local Historic District (City of Los Angeles) • Livability • Pedestrian and bicycle safety • Functional use of private properties - access & egress
Project:
• Emergency vehicle access • Street closings and gated RR crossings • Noise from LRV’s • Speed of trains
Overview: Proximity of homes
Narrow setbacks: Majority of homes have minimal setback from public right-of-way; in some cases, as little as three feet.
Overview: Tight tolerances
Circulation movements: Some homes have unsafe driveway locations relative to intersections. Note how utility poles crowd the intersection.
Overview: Zero setback multi-family
Setback dilemma: Narrow gate openings create turning movement difficulty for motor vehicles.
Overview: Garages @ ROW Line
Setback dilemma: Proximity of garage doors to public right-of-way creates turning movement difficulty for motor vehicles.
Overview: Kids play here
Open space? Kids used the existing right-of-way for parks and recreation space.
Overview: Narrow driveways
Turning movements: Narrow driveway gate openings create access-egress difficulty for motor vehicles.
Overview: R.O.W. used for parking
Parking. Residents and visitors previously used the BNSF RR-ROW for parking.
Overview: Alleyways @ mid-block
Turning radius issues: Narrow alleyways create access-egress issues onto Marmion Way.
Overview: Avenue 57 Station Site
Proposed Highland Park Station Site: Right-of-way widens at the station location shown center above; Marmion Way street corridor runs south of and parallel to station site (in left of photo).
Community Workshops: 1996
Initiate new round of dialogue & build consensus Cost containment measures – Redesign Stations
mandated by MTA Board Clarify MTA’s position - Design Marmion Way - Gain
community support Facilitation by urban design consultant
Community Workshops: 1996
Initiate new round of dialogue & build consensus Cost containment measures – Redesign Stations
mandated by MTA Board Clarify MTA’s position - Design Marmion Way - Gain
community support Facilitation by urban design consultant
Workshop #1
Place: South Pasadena Library - April 6, 1996 Purpose: • Revisit project impacts & design with community
• 8’ high concrete sound walls enclosing transitway • RR crossing gates, bells, horns, etc.
• Achieve consensus for Marmion Way design
• Introduce community to urban design consultants Results: • Exchanged information
• Developed communication tools
Workshop #2
Place: Highland Park Senior Center - April 20, 1996
Purpose: Present MTA’s revised scheme for M.W. • 32 foot trackway, fenced both sides • 6’ high chain link fences • 13’ southbound travel lane; 15’ northbound • Only 4 cross-streets closed to motor vehicles • High LRV speeds of 45 mph; avg speed of 31 mph Results: • Community response still negative • Diverse attendance reflects of Highland Park
Workshop #3
Place: Elementary School in Chinatown - May 4, 1996
Purpose: Present another iteration of Marmion Way • 32’ trackway; 4’ metal picket fence (both sides) • 13’ and 15’ travelways (peds & motor vehicles) • Pedestrian crosswalks at all intersections (striped paint) • 4 cross-streets closed to motor vehicles • Highest LRV speed 20 mph; avg speed 15 mph Results: • Semi-exclusive scheme still non-responsive • Private property impacts first raised at this meeting
Right-of-Way Analysis
Block-by-block evaluation of public right-of-way and individual properties conducted to determine impacts to private properties.
Workshop #4
Place: Pasadena Doubletree Hotel - May 16, 1996
Purpose: Finalize consensus on preferred scheme • Analysis done by MTA engineer & urban design consultant • MTA position - functional impacts to private properties
required scheme minimizing or eliminating such impacts
Results: • Street running system - preferred approach • Proposal well-received by community • Modest center fence prevents errant transitway use by motor
vehicles, while directing pedestrians to intersections
Vision Statement
The Marmion Way Corridor . . . is unique to the overall Pasadena Blue Line Project in that it is the core of the historical neighborhood of Highland Park. The narrow right-of-way requires a sensitive approach to the provision of urban design principles in promoting safety for the accommodation of pedestrians, bicycles, motor vehicles and light rail transit. Neighborhood character and livability are vital aspects the community seeks to maintain. They can be achieved through the efficient and creative composition of various materials, textures and colors that form the separate use areas and provide for a neighborhood compatible corridor that promotes safety, maintains or adds value and preserves the character of the community.
Marmion Way Corridor Metro Gold Line LRT, Los Angeles
Marmion Way Corridor before construction.
Original engineering proposal for design of public right-of-way.
Urban Design Vision: 1997
Right-of-way design concept prepared by urban design team, meeting both neighborhood compatibility and engineering requirements.
Project Shutdown
Project terminated in early 1998 by LAMTA due to forecasted budget shortfalls. All work ceased. All consultants released from contracts.
Project Resumption
Construction Authority formed in January, 1999 • Sole purpose: to build the project • Hired Chief Executive Officer • Retained Program Management Consultant • Retained same urban design consultant • Design-Build method chosen
Marmion Way - • Refined Avenue 50 - 57 segment • Urban design approach - Avenue 57 – Figueroa
including Highland Park Station Plaza
Marmion Way Right-of-Way
Rooftop photo of Marmion Way after construction.
Marmion Way Right-of-Way
A corridor residents can live with.
Functional & aesthetic transitway materials.
Marmion Way Trackbed
Rough-texture of transitway materials thwarts errant use by pedestrians, bicyclists and even motor vehicles.
Marmion Way Typical Crosswalk
Use of historically compatible materials consistent with Craftsman era – Greene & Greene inspired architecture.
Marmion Way - Ave 56 Intersection
Typical intersection design
Corridor is “emergency vehicle friendly”
Design Character
Street lights on catenary pole
Typical arroyo-stone pilaster
Arroyo stone tactile strip located between mountable curb and trackway
Highland Park Station Plaza
Gateway pilasters at Highland Park LRT Station transit plaza
Highland Park Station Plaza
Heavy timber pergola
Copper light fixture Craftsman-era combinations of timber and arroyo stone
Highland Park Station & Plaza
Note use of Arroyo-Stone washed aggregate in Highland Park Station trackway
Highland Park Station & Plaza
Consistent use of Marmion Way Corridor construction materials at Highland Park Station – stone, steel picket fence & concrete
Project Summary
• Public involvement process resulted in dramatically upgraded neighborhood – use of green materials, sustainable solution
• System, civil, urban design all changed • Pedestrians can now walk safely • Driveway access/egress maintained • Residents taking new pride in neighborhood • Public right-of-way -- neighborhood asset rather
than a liability
Project Summary (cont’d.)
• Vehicles operate at streetcar speeds - 15 mph avg • System design functions as streetcar
Traffic lights & signal pre-emption, rather than crossing gates, bells & horns
• Relates well to neighborhood • Relates well to private properties • Community takes ownership of corridor • System has become well-integrated
Summary: Project Operational
Through four years of revenue service, Marmion Way’s responsive design has functioned well, with no pedestrian accidents to date.
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2004 Transportation Planning Excellence Award
Project Name: Metro Gold Line Light Rail - Marmion Way Corridor
Category: “Safety Conscious Planning”
Co-Sponsors:
• Federal Highway Administration • Federal Transit Administration • American Planning Association
Awards Jury: - Institute of Transportation Engineers - American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials - American Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations - American Automobile Association