Conceptual design plan of how the proposed Los Angeles River Improvement Overlay Ordinance could enhance land use development in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles, California

1. Arroyo Seco Highland Park (LA-RIO) River Improvement Overlay District Conceptual PlanCity of Los Angeles Cal Poly Pomona Urban & Regional Planning Department Graduate Student Design Project Fall 2009

2. PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS 1. Ecosystem/Greenway2. Mobility/Transportation Megan Dreger Tim Stapleton Mike Roberts Megan Whalen Amy Chambers Michelle McFadden Alex Campbell Ryan Gilmore Gina Grace NitiAnand KaroTorossian 3. Housing4.Special Districts Brian Baldauf Leila Ibrahim Renee van Staveren Fernando Villalba Eric Turner Marie Powell Eric Whitemyer Adrian Huerta Jackie Vandenburgh Troy Gunter 5. Economic Development Mike Hofflinger Louise Shammas Professor Meredith McKenzie, JD Nidia Garcia California State Polytechnic University James Combs at Pomona, California Miguel Gonzalez

3. 3 Regional View of Arroyo Seco River Corridor

4. Proposed Arroyo Seco Highland Park LA-RIO District: ½ mile corridor on each side of Arroyo Seco Stream

6. THE GOAL Provide residents and developers an economic and environmental model for revitalization within Highland Park, appropriate to historical community character and sensitive to resident needs.

7. PROJECT DESIGN ASSUMES THAT: The Arroyo Seco Highland Park LA-RIO District will be approved under the LA-RIO Ordinance for Los Angeles River tributaries Highland Park welcomes revitalization High potential exists for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Watershed management is major focus Holistic strategies are desired Affordable and innovative revitalization choices must be attractive to both residents and developers

9. Los Angeles River Improvement Overlay District

10. HPOZ

11. Historic Preservation Overlay Zone

12. TOD

13. Transit Oriented Development

14. LEED

15. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

16. LID

19. Density

20. Community context

21. Access/Mobility

22. Encroachment of incompatible uses

23. Design

26. Balance growth with housingEncourage pedestrian activity and use of public transportation Preserve and enhance the residential character and scale of existing single and multi-family neighborhoods

28. " LA-RIO is established to implement the urban design goals and principles established in the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan.... The City's vision for the Los Angeles River and its adjacent Greenway emphasizes a livable, walkable, and sustainable community that is oriented to the River and the surrounding streets. The LA-RIO is intended to support this vision through the enhancement of environmental and urban design.“

30. LA-RIO POINT EXAMPLES Watershed: Stormwater Management, Stream Enhancement, Landscaping, Water Conservation, Hardscape, Open Space Urban Design: Vehicle Parking, Transparency, Site Lighting, Visual Clutter Mobility: Connectivity, Pedestrian, Transit, Bicycle, Vehicular

31. 16 NEW HOUSING Avenue 57 Gold Line Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Conceptual Plan

32. EXISTING TOD DEVELOPER PLANS

34. LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PLAN

35. LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PLAN

36. LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PLAN

37. LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PLAN

39. LA-RIO TOD CASE SOLUTIONS PERSPECTIVE

40. LA-RIO TOD WATERSHED OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS

41. LA-RIO TOD WATERSHED OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS

42. LA-RIO TOD URBAN DESIGN SOLUTIONS

43. LA-RIO TOD MOBILITY SOLUTIONS

44. Existing HousingPreserving Heritage Highland Park is the largest historic preservation district in the city Over 80 designated cultural monuments

45. Community Demographics Population: 50,524 Household Income: $60,112 Median Age: 32.4 Ethnic Background: Latino: 70% White: 30%

46. Historic Preservation Overlay Zone LID Solutions

47. LA-RIO HOUSING OUTDOOR WATERSHED SOLUTIONS

48. LA-RIO HOUSING OUTDOOR WATERSHED SOLUTIONS

51. LEED REGREEN

52. American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and United States Green Building Council (USGBC)

53. EPA Water Sense

54. EPA Energy Star

55. LEED for Homes Rating System

56. Indoor Solutions

57. Configure for solar access

58. Consider solar water heating

59. Consider solar electric (photovoltaic) system

60. Provide homeowner’s manual of green features and O&M practices

61. Complete client education

62. Practice energy-efficient, healthy lifestyle

64. HPOZ EXISTING PLAN VIEW

66. Avenue 58 Plaza Closing Avenue 58 between Figueroa and the Gold Line Metro Station will provide: A permanent home for LA’s Oldest Farmers Market A new home for the suggested Highland Park Classic Car Show An attractive destination for community functions and gatherings

67. Avenue 58 Plaza Concept Designs

68. Job development along Figueroa Geographically convenient to major educational institutions and job centers Green jobs training center location potential Design/software training Federal funding for retooling

69. Job Development Work Center Proposed Center constructed to optimal LEED standards Solar panels / passive solar / windows can open Green walls / parkways Close Proximity to mass transit

71. Arroyo Culture Beautification Encourage coffee houses, restaurants, sports bars and small retail shop owners to integrate design elements reflecting historic Arroyo culture Revive local cultural and social architectural monuments including the Heritage Square Museum, Southwest Museum and Highland Park Theater. Create outdoor terraces to showcase the area’s river canyon viewshed (Southwest Museum, Debs Park, Mount Washington, San Rafael Hills) Preserve historic homes and make them open to the public.

72. Business Beautification Create facades & terraces that showcase Hillside and City views Use trolleys for local street transit. Connect consistent design element look throughout corridor

73. Street Beautification Create a more easily walkable and pleasant streetscape to improve the overall atmosphere for shoppers and residents Bump in first floor of businesses Plant a parkway between cars and pedestrians Update street lighting Repair damaged sidewalks

74. Suggested Street Front with Solar Roof Panels

75. Suggested Street front with ‘Bump in’ Terrace Seating

76. Signage Program Ideas

77. Need for Signage Consistency

78. Destination-Oriented Signage Plan

79. Gastrobus/Food Truck Parking Across from Library, Recreation Center and the Senior Center just below York Blvd

80. Suggested North Figueroa Micro-Brewery & Restaurant

81. Non-Motorized Mobility/Transportation Elements

82. Mobility ProgramGoals Provide residents with safe, affordable transportation methods other than automobiles Connect residents with other parts of the city and allow others to easily access Highland Park with multiple modes and routes

83. CityBike Provides residents with bicycle renting and buying options at a low cost through grants and donations Encourages using bikes as a healthier, zero-emissions alternative to automobiles Helps participants access jobs and opportunities by providing a means of transportation Supports and lobbies for items like bike paths and amenities that make biking accessible and more comfortable

84. Temporary Street Closures Allows street fairs, regular businesses, and markets to operate regularly while offering a safe, comfortable environment for customers . Avenue 58 is ideal initial location for street closures.

85. StrØget, Copenhagen Denmark is a “walking street” that offers a great model of how street closures can have multiple benefits

86. Bicycle Stations Bicycle storage Community gathering space Café Located next to Gold Line Station Bicycle Co-op http://kellyslongbeachblog.com/

88. Integrated into the landscape

90. Bicycle Co-op Volunteer run Membership dues Bicycle education Maintenance workshop Bicycle and bicycle parts purchasing Community gathering space http://sf.streetsblog.org/

91. Bicycle Repair Training Workshop

92. Bicycle Lockers Safe bicycle storage Located near bus stops and shopping areas Opportunity for community murals http://www.transport.wa.gov.au

93. Sharrows Freedom to move further to the left within travel lane, rather than brave the door zone , squeezed between moving and parked cars, without such markings, bicyclists might seek refuge on the sidewalk or travel in the wrong direction.Reduce aggressive motorist behaviorencourage correct bicycling behavior Increase the comfort of (and therefore the number of) bicyclists on shared roads http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/media/news/2009/5/21/0iMm3PDG8CBhzFRdOlJqJw4wRo.gif

94. Improves the position of bicyclists and motorists on roads without bicycle lanes

95. Sharrows Implementation along Monte Vista Street

96. Sharrows Implementation along MarmionWay

97. North Figueroa Street Pedestrian Safety Mid Block Crosswalks http://www.xwalk.com/Main-graphic-5_HR4.jpg

100. Alternative A Overview

101. Alternative A Design

103. Alternative B Overview

104. : Alternative B Design

106. Possible Solution to In-Channel Bike Path

107. Proposed Out-of-Channel Bicycle Path Easement created between channel and residential property Existing paths and access roads

108. Bike Path Problems and Possible SolutionsAvenue 52

109. Bike Path Sycamore Creek Bridge Modification

110. Bike Path Tunnels at Avenue 43 and the 110 Freeway Ramps

111. LED Lighting & water stops along bike path next to Arroyo Seco helps increase usage & awareness of water and urban nature issues

112. SPECIAL DISTRICTS Library District, School District, Caltrans, Metro/Gold Line Special Districts create a unique challenge because the LA-RIO Ordinance does not directly apply to these agencies with infrastructure and services located within the proposed Arroyo Seco Highland Park LA-RIO District.

114. Arroyo Seco Magnet Museum Science School “Everyone will be motivated to learn in an engaging environment enhanced by a focus on museum science studies”

115. Arroyo Seco Magnet Museum Science School Footprint

116. LAUSD and Magnet Green Building Programs Alternative Schools High Performance Schools Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) LEED for Schools

117. Current Campus Parking Lot

118. LA-RIO Recommendations for School Site Remove exotic/invasive plants Teach about & plant native species Install high efficiency irrigation system Involve students in landscape maintenance Recycle greywater and stormwater onsite Remove large areas of concrete & enhance permeability

119. Examples of LA-RIO Friendly Landscapes

120. BEFORE: Above photos. AFTER: Southern California Desert Grape – Native Plants

121. Honey suckle for fenced screening

122. School Mobility & Urban Design Transportation information designated area Bicycle racks Parking stalls for mopeds, scooters and motorcycles Ridesharing program Landscape barriers LED/downward beamed Lighting Secure trash enclosures

123. Current vegetation at school entrance offers potential for LA-RIO Outdoor Solutions Demonstration Site.

124. Native flowering plants both beautify the playground as well as support LA-RIO Outdoor Solutions

125. Arroyo SecoRegional Branch LibraryCommunity and Environmental Enrichment Program Library Architecture Reflects Arroyo Culture in River Rock Motif

126. Arroyo Seco Library/Recreation Center Aerial View

128. Location

129. Connectivity

131. Library Environmental Enrichment Rain Gardens to capture oil & water run-off

132. Library Environmental Enrichment Urban Outdoor Classrooms provide natural creative learning environments.

133. Library Environmental Enrichment Permeable Pavers support stormwater recharge

135. State Route 110 (SR-110) beginning at the intersection of SR-110/US-101 and continuing northeast to Glenarm St. in Pasadena.

136. Existing Plans

137. Arroyo Seco Parkway Corridor Management Plan

138. Federal National Scenic Byway Designation

139. intended to connect Downtown LA with Downtown Pasadena, with the Arroyo Seco Parkway viewshed as the corridor connector

140. Focus on preservation, protection & promotion

142. Replacement of metal fence with decorative barriers

143. Historical Cobble stone walls

146. Traffic calming measure

147. Safety for pedestrians and vehicles

148. Connection between Library, Bus Stop, Recreation Center, Senior Center and New Development(s)

149. LID Elements:

150. Bioswales (native-plants)

151. Permeable Pavers (Interlocking concrete)

152. Computer- Generated North Figueroa Library Round-About Design

153. View looking south down North Figueroa from York Boulevard towards Round-About and Arroyo Seco Library.

154. Special Districts Proposed Cooperative Plans Plan 1: Share information and cultivate sense of stewardship by fostering cooperative learning centered around community heritage, resource conservation, and wildlife & habitat education. Audubon Center at Debs Park: vital community resource dedicated to resource conservation and preserving habitat and wildlife. Arroyo Seco Regional Library: community historians as well as modern information disseminators. Community groups: Arroyo Seco Foundation, Northeast Trees, and others are valuable mentors and educators. Arroyo Seco Museum Science Magnet School: teachings emphasize preserving, organizing, and communicating information.

156. Monitor safe connections to learning centers

157. Utilize planned dedicated bike/pedestrian paths

159. The Arroyo Seco Stream 118 Before Restoration After Restoration

160. The Plan (Add photo of plan) 119 The Plan

161. Water Treatment Device PlanDemonstration ProjectHermon Park ‘Island’ 120

162. Roadside Water Retention Buffers 121 Biofiltration and Infiltration Best Management Practices (BMPs): -BioSwales -Trenches

163. Water Treatment Bio-Swales for Parkway Runoff 122

164. Water Treatment for Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway Freeway Sweeping Educational Campaign Media Outlets Signage throughout the Parkway Best Management Practices (BMP) Treatment Site 123

165. EXISTING OPEN SPACE ENHANCES GROUNDWATER RECHARGE 124 The Audubon Center Ernest E. Debs Park

166. 125 Groundwater Percolation Daylightingthe North Branch of the Arroyo Seco at Sycamore Grove Park

167. The Fly Rail Arroyo Seco CrossingSouthwest Museum to Debs Park 126 (Show map of fly rail from plan)

168. The Arroyo Fly Rail 127

169. Park-Intensive District 128 Supports Healthy Cities Initiative & Nature Education Opportunities

170. Trail Connectivity 129 (Show map of fly rail from plan) Goal: Mobility Maximizing Nature & Viewsheds

171. Trails 130 Trail Lighting Trail Ground Materials

172. Arroyo Culture Trail Design 131

173. Wildlife Habitat Restoration 132 Sycamore-Oak Remnant Oak-Walnut-Toyon Woodland Coastal Sage Scrub Walnut Savannah

174. 133 Habitat Restoration Plan Habitat Enhancement/ Reintroduction Area Wetland/ Stream Habitat Enhancement/ Reintroduction Area Wildlife / Pedestrian Link

175. Ultimate Objective:Community & Culture Connectivity 134

176. We welcome questions & comments to arroyolover @gmail.com 135