1、orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Northern Liberties Waterfront PlanAn Addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood PlanNorthern Liberties Neighbors Association_interface studio llc Orth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.April.07Northern Liberties Wa2、terfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.AcknowledgmentsNLNA Board of Directors Jennifer Lewis,President Deborah Scoblionkov-King,Vice President John Braxton,Treasurer Bonnie Grah3、am,Secretary Harvey Bell Nina DeCosta Janet Finegar Larry Freedman Irene Lambrou Shelley Marcus Sue Patterson Matt Ruben Hank Sammon Barbara Saverino Ira Upin Special thanks to the interest,input and commitment made to this effort by the following political representatives,City agencies and neighbor4、ing community organizations:Councilman Frank DiCicco Councilman Darrell Clarke Representative Mike OBrien Representative Curtis Thomas Philadelphia City Planning Commission New Kensington CDC Neighbors Allied for the Best Riverfront Fishtown Neighbors Association Rivers Edge Civic Association Old Ci5、ty Civic Association Project Funding This Waterfront Plan is made possible by the generous donations of:1080 NCCB Associates Hoboken/Brownstone Delaware River Development Group Bridgemans View Waterfront Square Trump Tower BIU Properties Project Team Interface Studio LLC Scott Page,Principal Mindy W6、atts,Urban Designer Orth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Adrienne Eiss,Senior Project Manager Jason Zhang,Transportation AnalystNorthern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,In7、c.8.Apertures 80 9.An Adaptive Environment 81Private Framework 81 1.Basic Expectations 81 2.Height/Bulk 82 3.Site Design and Use 85 4.Transportation 89 5.Low-Impact Development 89 6.Signage 90 7.Lighting 91A Note on Implementation 91Table of ContentsIntroduction 1Need for the Waterfront Plan 1Study 8、Area 3Project Partners 4Planning Process 5Methodology 5Coordination with ConcurrentPlanning Efforts 6Executive Summary 9Analysis 13An Overview 13Existing Land Use 15Vacancy 16Building Condition 17Public Ownership 18Transportation 19Waterfront Access 29View Corridors 31Topography 35Susceptibility to 9、Change 36Proposed Development 37Comparison to other Waterfronts 45Open Space Targets 48Guiding Principles 49Recommendations 54Public Framework 55 1.Waterfront Trail 57 2.A Natural Rivers Edge 61 3.Play Space 63 4.Green Links 65 5.Civic Incisions 67 6.I-95 Insulation 71 7.A Multi-Modal Waterfront 75110、Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan IntroductionNeed for the Northern Liberties Waterfront PlanIn fall 2005,Interface Studio completed the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan,a comprehensive plan that addressed a wide range of local issues incl11、uding community participation,land use,the future of 2nd Street,“green”development,the development review process,and organizational capacity building for the NLNA.The Neighborhood Plan spoke generally to impending waterfront development,but the NLNA made the decision to focus-at that point in time-12、on other community priorities and to raise additional funds to conduct a study focused specifi cally on the waterfront soon thereafter.Since completion of the Neighborhood Plan,development pressure in the waterfront area(east of Interstate-95)has reached a fever pitch.Besides Waterfront Square and 713、00 N.Delaware,which were already on the table at the time the Neighborhood Plan was completed,Trump Tower,Bridgemans View,Penn Treaty Tower,Pier 40,proposed casinos and a number of other residential proposals were brought to the NLNA for zoning review.Given the scale,density and amount of new develo14、pment proposed,coupled with the lack of an overall plan for the waterfront,the NLNA became one of the fi rst communities in Philadelphia to impose a moratorium on all projects east of I-95.The NLNA refused to review any additional projects until they had a plan to help assess whether each project wo15、uld add value to the waterfront.The NLNA raised funds during the summer of 2006,and the planning process formally launched on September 1st.2orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Within the same time frame,the Community Design Collaborative funde16、d the New Kensington CDC and Neighbors Allied for the Best Riverfront in August to undertake a series of waterfront charrettes with residents to discuss the Delaware River stretching south to the Ben Franklin Bridge.In October,an executive order was signed by Mayor Street to undertake a civic vision17、 for a 7-mile stretch of the Central Delaware Riverfront,which encompasses the study area for this plan.The waterfront district adjacent to Northern Liberties went from no planning to multiple and overlapping studies within two months.The City-wide Central Delaware Riverfront planning process is org18、anized to guide the future growth of the waterfront and to act as the conduit through which implementation will be focused.To ensure open discussion and transparency,PennPraxis,the clinical arm of the University of Pennsylvania School of Design and the entity charged with directing the process,has c19、ommitted to active citizen involvement and neighborhood input throughout the project.For this reason,the NLNA strongly believes that the Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan is necessary to clearly express the shared vision of Northern Liberties residents for their waterfront.This is a community guide20、d and endorsed plan that has two overlapping objectives:o Provide guidance to the NLNA Zoning Committee in reviewing and negotiating with developers seeking to build within the waterfront district;ando Develop a clear framework of public improvements that will substantially enhance the use of the wa21、terfront and establish seamless connections from the Rivers edge to the fabric of the neighborhood.Some of these recommendations are elements with which the NLNA can move forward independently,while others should be strongly considered in the context of the larger Central Delaware Riverfront plannin22、g process.View of the Delaware River,the Benjamin Franklin Bridge,and downtown Philadelphia from the 33-acre vacant parcel north of the historic Richmond Power Station.3Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Recognizing the importance of a unifi ed23、 voice advocating for the future of the waterfront,a third objective became immediately apparent to ensure that an open dialogue and line of communication be maintained between this planning effort and those of adjacent communities and PennPraxis.Full consideration of the Northern Liberties Waterfro24、nt Plan follows in this document,intended to serve as an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan.The Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan is not a master plan for the neighborhoods waterfront district,nor is it a redevelopment plan detailing the specifi cs of the areas build out.Rather,th25、e Waterfront Plan is a statement of the communitys vision for one portion of the Delaware River Waterfront,the portion adjacent to the creative,progressive,and proactive Northern Liberties neighborhood.The Plan calls for a future for the waterfront district that is both fl exible and refl ective of 26、such neighborhood qualities.Study AreaThe Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan adopts the area bound by Interstate-95 to the west,the Delaware River to the east,the Benjamin Franklin Bridge to the south,and Penn Treaty Park to the north as its designated study area.The 189-acre(gross area)study area e27、ncompasses land that falls within the Northern Liberties neighborhood as well as within two adjacent neighborhoods:the Rivers Edge neighborhood,south of Callowhill Street,and the Fishtown neighborhood,located north of Laurel Street and east of Front Street.Established with respect to the pre-existin28、g edges that defi ne this upper portion of the Central Delaware River waterfront,the plans study area encourages continued The Plan is intended to capture the imagination of the community as well as the support of those positioned to partner with Northern Liberties in its realization.Offi cial North29、ern Liberties neighborhood boundaries.4orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Project PartnersThe Northern Liberties Neighbors Association(NLNA)is a volunteer driven nonprofi t organization established in 1975 by a small group of local citizens.Ev30、olving over time to address the changing issues facing the neighborhood and best represent the interests of the community,the NLNA and members of its Board of Directors,Zoning Committee,and Urban Design Committee today fi nd themselves in the midst of developer interest,media attention,and City-wide31、 planning efforts concerning the future of the Delaware River waterfront.Gaming and transportation decisions at the State level promise to further alter the landscape of both Northern Liberties,its waterfront district,and its river edge.Outspoken and proactive in its approach to neighborhood develop32、ment,the NLNA commissioned the Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan to document local priorities and aspirations for the riverfront and serve as a tool for negotiating the waterfronts redevelopment in keeping with the neighborhoods vision.Interface Studio LLC and Orth-Rodgers&Associates,Iprise the pla33、nning team for the Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan.Interface Studio,lead consultant for the Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan,is an urban design,planning,and architecture practice based in Philadelphia.Founded in 2004 by Brian Phillips and Scott Page,Interface Studio was established to pursue hi34、gh planning and design quality and a close working relationship with our clients.Today,we are a successful company of seven professionals who work collaboratively on a diverse mix of projects ranging from the design of 13 green affordable homes in North Philadelphia to a city-wide housing strategy f35、or the City of Rochester,New York.We have worked extensively in the City of Philadelphia,actively addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented in the City with a renewed sense of optimism and innovation.Orth-Rodgers&Associates(ORA)has been providing professional traffi c engineering,36、transportation planning,and highway engineering services to both public and private sector clients since 1977.Headquartered in Center City Philadelphia,the fi rm also has branch offi ces in West Trenton,NJ,in Malvern and Mechanicsburg,PA,Tampa,FL,and Las Vegas,NV.The staff includes a total of about 37、130 people with diverse background and experience in all areas of traffi c,highway,and site engineering,and transportation planning.Orth-Rodgers conducted the traffi c study for the Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan and collaborated with Interface Studio in the development of mobility-,circulation-38、,and parking-related recommendations.Study Area adopted for the Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan.coordination between neighboring civic organizations and allows for the creation of a plan responsive to the larger areas vision for the Delaware River waterfront between the Benjamin Franklin Bridge a39、nd East Columbia Avenue.The study area also recognizes that proposed developments have an impact beyond the neighborhoods in which they reside.If the plan was constrained to Northern Liberties offi cial boundaries,the neighborhood would miss the opportunity to evaluate the range of issues and opport40、unities associated with developments such as the proposed SugarHouse Casino site and the multiple residential towers proposed near Penn Treaty Park.5Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Interface Studio collected a database of best practices and 41、implementation policies and strategies.The waterfront comparison analysis resulted in a broadened picture of what a diverse,urban waterfronts land use program should include as well as a means of measuring the amount of existing open space in the study area with respect to the existing and projected42、 population.o Resident Focus Group How do you envision the waterfront?Send us a postcard from 2020.Interface Studio conducted one well-attended focus group for residents of Northern Liberties,Rivers Edge,and Fishtown.The focus group served as an information sharing and visioning session.Interface St43、udio presented the analysis of the Northern Liberties waterfront(a synthesis of all we learned from the physical survey,historic research,and developer interviews),concluding with a brief discussion of lessons learned from waterfronts elsewhere in the world.The Planning ProcessGiven the highly-charg44、ed planning environment and media attention surrounding the Central Delaware Riverfront planning initiative and recent casino decisions,the planning process for the Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan has been one of interaction.The project has called for fi eld work,research,and learning,collection,45、quantifi cation,and creation,but also for community participation,cooperation and collaboration between local civic groups,and coordination with concurrent planning efforts.Methodologyo Physical Survey Whats there now?The planning team undertook a detailed physical analysis of the study area,surveyi46、ng existing land use,view corridors,waterfront access,open space resources,topography,the street network,and the operational status of major intersections.Maps and photography document our fi ndings as well as the character of Northern Liberties waterfront.o Historic Research What was there?Research47、 in the City Archives enriched our understanding of the place today and informed our idea of what a reclaimed and re-imagined,yet authentic Northern Liberties waterfront might be.Old photographs offer a glimpse of what was,indeed,a working waterfront,and Sanborn Maps provide clues as to the logic of48、 todays street pattern and pier system.o Developer Interviews Whats on the table for tomorrow?Discussions with private developers pursuing projects within the study area afforded a sense of what the waterfronts future may hold,what the landscape may look like,who and how many people will share the s49、pace as a place to live,work,and play in the near future.The data collected through these interviews yielded,for the fi rst time,a comprehensive,quantifi able table of what all of the proposed development means in real terms how many dwelling units,how many square feet of commercial,how many parking50、 spaces,how many more cars on the road,and how many new structures reaching for the sky.o Virtual Tour of World-Class Waterfronts Whats been done(well)before?For comparison(and vacation planning)purposes,Interface Studio took a virtual tour of some of the worlds most fabulous waterfronts.Choosing a 51、select few for their particular relevance to Northern Liberties waterfront,Vision postcards:Greetings from Northern Liber-ties waterfront,2020.Top to bottom:Frankford,Fairmount,Delaware,and Spring Garden.6orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.res52、idents at the meeting then contributed their thoughts,each listing,rapid-fi re,three words that describe the waterfront today,three words that capture his or her vision for the waterfront,and fi nally writing us a postcard from 2020 describing a walk down Delaware Avenue,Spring Garden,Frankford,or F53、airmount.Their input was thoughtful,critical,poetic,imaginative,and most importantly,refl ective of the community.Their input was heard.o Recommendations So what?Upon completion of the full analysis and after receiving input from the community and comments from the NLNA,Interface Studio and Orth-Rod54、gers engaged in the recommendations phase of the Northern Liberties waterfront planning process.All recommendations fall into one of two categories:the Public Framework,a series of design and infrastructure improvements to the public arena for which the NLNA must advocate,and the Private Framework,a55、 policy agenda to be adopted by the NLNA and meant to clearly communicate expectations and points of negotiation regarding private development along the waterfront.o Public Meetings What do you think?Interface Studio and Orth-Rodgers attended three NLNA community-wide meetings,presenting fi rst,the 56、fi ndings of the overall analysis,second,the fi ndings of the traffi c study specifi cally,and third,the plans recommendations.The public meetings provided a forum for additional stakeholder input,as well as questions and suggestions,critique and support.Coordination with Concurrent Planning Efforts57、o PennPraxis Central Delaware Riverfront Planning Process In October 2006 Mayor Street announced the commencement of a City-wide planning process focused on re-visioning the Central Delaware Riverfront,a 7-mile stretch of the Delaware from Oregon Avenue to Allegheny.PennPraxis,the clinical arm of th58、e School of Design of the University of Pennsylvania accepted the charge to lead the year-long public engagement process.PennPraxis is working in partnership with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission and with support from the Central Delaware Advisory Group,the projects steering committee compo59、sed of political representatives,civic organizations active in the historic river wards,and representatives from the Fairmount Park Commission,the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation(PennDOT),SEPTA,and Penns Landing Corporation,among other entities.All meetings of the Advisory Group are open t60、o the public.Jennifer Lewis,President of the NLNA,is a steering committee member for the Central Delaware River planning process plan.Interface Studio has also shared all aspects of this plans work,as it became available,with PennPraxis to ensure that a strong collaboration exists between this effor61、t and the larger civic vision.This plan incorporates their ideas and employs their words.Leadership for the Central Delaware Riverfront planning process.7Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan o NLNA Northern Liberties Neighborhood PlanCompleted in62、 November 2005 by Interface Studio,the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan is a live planning document,adopted and in use by the NLNA as the organization continues its work to balance growth and development while preserving the characteristics of the neighborhood cherished most by long term residen63、ts and newcomers,alike its diversity of people,built form,use,and landscape.Adept at using the Neighborhood Plan to empower the neighborhood as a proactive participant in Northern Liberties unfolding future,the NLNA commissioned the Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan as an addendum to the Plan.The W64、aterfront Plan reinforces all objectives and refi nes some of the strategies that form the Neighborhood Plan.o New Kensington/Fishtown Waterfront PlanDuring the analysis and recommendations phases of our work for the Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan,Interface Studio met with leaders of both of the65、 New Kensington CDC and NABR(Neighbors Allied for the Best Riverfront)seeking their review and input.The NLNA invited representatives of the New Kensington CDC,NABR and Fishtown Neighbors Association to attend the NLNA resident focus group and public meetings for which the Waterfront Plan was an ite66、m on the agenda.Likewise,representatives of the NLNA and the Northern Liberties waterfront planning team were invited to attend meetings held by New Kensington CDC,Fishtown Neighbors Association,and their planning consultant,WRT.o Casino DecisionsOn December 20,2006,the Pennsylvania Gaming Control B67、oard selected two of the fi ve slots parlors competing for casino licenses in Philadelphia,SugarHouse Casino in Fishtown,and Foxwoods Casino in South Philadelphia.If realized according to plan,one of the chosen gaming parlors,SugarHouse Casino,will be located within the Northern Liberties Waterfront68、 Plan study area,at the intersection of Delaware Avenue and Shackamaxon Street on the 22-acre parcel once home to the Jack Frost Sugar Refi nery.The NLNA has been a leading voice,both in opposing the location of casinos near residential communities in Philadelphia as well as in working through the N69、orth Delaware Avenue Unity Coalition and Delaware River Neighborhood Association with political representatives to mitigate the impact of the potential implementation of SugarHouse.As such,all analysis projections account for the potential impact of a large scale development like SugarHouse,and all 70、proposed recommendations consider ways to mitigate increased traffi c and light pollution,among other casino-related issues.The NLNA does not feel that the siting of the SugarHouse Casino at the Sugar Refi nery site is consistent with the communitys vision for the waterfront.Thus,all recommendations71、 and guidelines are adaptable to multiple uses for the SugarHouse site in the event that the casinos on the waterfront are relocated.Pre-existing and concurrent planning efforts informing Northern Liberties waterfront planning initiative.8orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCw72、ithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.o PennDOT I-95/Girard Avenue InterchangePennDOTs I-95/Girard Avenue Interchange project,which commenced preliminary design engineering in March 1999 transitioned to fi nal design engineering in fall 2006.Construction of the interchange and its related improvements is s73、lated to start in 2009.The project will involve reconfi guring the Girard Avenue Interchange,widening I-95 from three to four lanes in both directions within the Waterfront Planstudy area,improving access between I-95 ramps and the local street system,renovating highway lighting and signage,and miti74、gating drainage issues.The Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan recognizes that,like the proposed Casino and high-rise development along the waterfront,widening I-95 as it runs through Northern Liberties promises to dramatically alter the neighborhoods landscape and soundscape.The Plan thus views the 75、impending highway construction as an opportunity to engage with PennDOT regarding the design of the supports,structures,and land below the elevated infrastructure as well as of interventions deployed to mitigate increased traffi c-related noise.Map of PennDOTs planned improvements to the I-95/Girard76、 Avenue Interchange.9Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Executive SummaryThe slow decline of the Citys industrial base has had an enormous impact on the Northern Liberties waterfront.Left in the wake of this economic shift stands a mixture of a77、ctive warehouses,housing,entertainment venues,parking and extensive vacancy over 50%of the total net area lies vacant or underutilized.As a defi ning characteristic of the waterfront,this vacancy has not instilled a strong stewardship of the River,nor has it fostered strong connections between the R78、iver and the community despite their close proximity.As a result,access and views to the River are limited.Multiple barriers have emerged that further separate the River from the Northern Liberties neighborhood,including I-95,Delaware Avenue and the proliferation of private fencing.Despite these cha79、llenges,residents of Northern Liberties have always seen the potential of the River to provide a meaningful front door to(and front yard for)the community.Recently,developers and investors have recognized this potential as well.With all of the proposals currently on the table,there is potential for 80、a 313%increase in housing units alone in Northern Liberties.The impacts on traffi c,open space and views are serious concerns for the community.In this plan,we have worked closely with the NLNA to catalogue the existing conditions of the waterfront area.We have shared this analysis with the communit81、y and garnered their feedback on what the future could potentially hold.This document illustrates the analysis as well as the results of public feedback that have shaped the Northern Liberties Waterfront Plans recommendations.A Lens for Northern Liberties Merge murj,verb 1.to combine,blend,or unite 82、gradually so as to blur the individuality or individual identity of.2.to become one.The perceived(and real)gap between the heart of the neighborhood and the River must be erased.The distinctive character of Northern Liberties must be imprinted along the water.At the same time,the character of the ri83、verfront must seep into the fabric of the community.Northern Liberties identity will evolve as the community re-considers its waterfront and,in that process,the revived riverfront will alter how the community sees itself.The recommendations were guided by the following community-driven vision:o An e84、cological retro-fi t:The next evolution of the waterfront will exemplify the next green City.o Touch the water:The community needs to re-discover the water itself.o A multi-purpose waterfront:Extending the community to the water means putting aside broad land use designations and defi ning a fi ner-85、grained vocabulary with which to advocate for the broadest range of use and activity.o Diversity:The Northern Liberties riverfront cannot be homogenous.Tension,surprise,and eclecticism must fi nd a voice.o Active and secluded:The waterfront must provide space for recreation and isolation-recreation 86、to serve the growing needs of an expanding community,isolation to capture the need to escape within nature.o Expressive:Transform the vestiges of previous eras into modern expressions of the community through public art and interpretation.o Decelerate:Speed currently defi nes the waterfront.Cars tru87、mp pedestrians.“Slow city”should become a defi ning characteristic of the area.The vision was translated into both a public framework,to identify key infrastructure and civic space improvements,and a private framework to guide investment and development.In both cases,the waterfront is treated as muc88、h more than a strip of coastline,but rather as a district that must be seen as an extension of the local community and an integral part of the City as a whole.Public FrameworkNine interlocking elements comprise the neighborhoods priorities for the public waterfront.1.Activity Channel/Waterfront Trai89、l Continuous public access along the riverfront via a linked waterfront trail is a basic right.Our approach is to treat the trail as one public amenity comprising three very different characteristics:o Trail as expanded sidewalk:There are moments when the trail must operate as an active part of Dela90、ware Avenue.Embrace these moments,and 10orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.ensure that the sidewalk is designed to handle active bicycle lanes and other necessary amenities.o Trail along the Rivers edge:Where possible,require new developments 91、to provide at least a 50 public right-of-way in perpetuity.Where properties are deeper,advocate for a 150 right-of-way.o Trail fl oating along the water:Where opportunities to build a 50 trail are lost,bypass them.Create a fl oating trail that allows people to experience the feel of the water.One be92、nefi t is that the trail will create inlets,each of which can adopt a distinct personality.2.A Natural Rivers Edge A natural riparian edge along the River can bring enormous benefi ts-rebuilt natural/marine habitats,improved stormwater management and enhanced water quality through wetlands and marsh93、es.Portions of the Rivers edge,however,are man-made constructions,elevated above the water line.We have identifi ed a number of areas where the riparian edge can and should be improved.At times,this natural edge is separate from the proposed waterfront trail,and at other times they overlap.Final des94、igns for the waterfront trail should seek to capitalize on these different conditions as a means of celebrating the coexistence of an urban,civic trail with a passive,natural one.3.Play Space The study area has but one green space overlooking the river Penn Treaty Park.It was strongly expressed that95、 the waterfront should consist of multiple parks,linked to one another and the adjacent neighborhoods.The waterfront must be infused with play space a collective front yard for the community.This includes improving and expanding Penn Treaty Park to the south along the coastline in an expanded right-96、of-way;creating small,passive plazas;developing a new park under I-95 to foster stronger connections between Northern Liberties,Fishtown and the waterfront;and transforming the parking lot on Festival Pier into an active park capping Spring Garden with a public gateway to the River.4.Green LinksWhen97、 residents emerge from I-95,extensions of the waterfront park system should greet and lead them to the Rivers edge.The perpendicular streets to the riverfront require investment,creativity and protection.The perpendicular streets Callowhill,Fairmount,Brown,Poplar,Laurel,Frankford,Shackamaxon,Marlbor98、ough and Columbia must remain active,neighborhood-serving and green.Proposed new park space,restored riparian edge and fl oating waterfront path.Interlocking elements proposed for the waterfronts public arena.11Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Pla99、n In the case of Shackamaxon,Marlborough and Columbia Streets,the former right-of-ways that extended from Delaware Avenue to the River should be recovered providing connections to the waterfront trail system between development sites.5.Civic IncisionsThe study area is organized around two critical c100、orridors Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue.These streets are currently treated,by and large,as highways.Both Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue should be reclaimed as a civic gesture of the community,facilitating east-west connections and promoting more pedestrian activity.Early and rel101、atively simple actions can make a big difference.To act as a true riverfront boulevard,Delaware Avenue needs improved intersections,crosswalks(including electronic countdowns)and additional landscaping.Long term improvements include new light rail and expanded bicycle lanes to provide alternative mo102、des of transportation.To more strongly connect the Spring Garden El station to the River,Spring Garden Street between the station and Delaware Avenue should be transformed into a linear park.Planting the median with wild grasses,removing street parking,adding landscaping and enhancing the bicycle la103、nes will serve to bring the riverfront into the community,forge a new identity for the street and leverage the role transit plays in the waterfront area.Both corridors should be populated with new street furniture that is unique to the community.Bus stops,message boards/kiosks and benches should be 104、designed with the communitys industrial past and artistic present in focus.These deployable elements can be manufactured in the community,tapping the talents of local artists.6.I-95 InsulationI-95 is a barrier that must be addressed.PennDOTs plans to improve the Girard Interchange and add a lane to 105、the highway in both directions all the way to Vine Street should be viewed as an opportunity.While a widened highway is an unfortunate side-effect that only furthers the gulf between the community and the waterfront,early advocacy can bring about signifi cant improvement to what will be the highways106、 interface with the community will be at street level and noise level.Creative attention to I-95s edges are essential,and the community should have the chance to infl uence the look,feel and function of these edges from the ground up.There are 4 proposals for I-95:1.Create new open space where the h107、ighway is lofted above the City grid;2.Selectively excavate under the highway to reconnect streets once severed by I-95,most notably Poplar Street;3.Re-plant the berms along the highway edge to accommodate a strong row of trees that frame views to the waterfront as well as swales to improve stormwat108、er management;and4.Build new infi ltration planters at the base of the highway walls,and treat the wall surfaces with vines and murals.7.A Multi-Modal Waterfront The transportation overview completed by Orth-Rodgers&Associates indicates that up to 42,000 additional cars per day could be added to Del109、aware Avenue.Trade-offs will need to be made.In place of free fl owing automobile traffi c,a growing grass-roots consensus is building that the waterfront should offer the best of multiple forms of transportation including public transit,automobile access,cycling and walking.Connectivity and choice 110、are the underlying themes that guided our transportation recommendations.Key recommendations include:Proposed Spring Garden and Festival Pier improvements.12orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.o Improve the Frankford/Laurel/Delaware intersectio111、n Re-routing Frankford Avenue to intersect with Delaware Avenue at a right angle thereby creating a new plaza as a gateway to Fishtown.o Change Callowhill Street to two-way traffi c Callowhill is currently one-way east owing to a complicated intersection at 2nd and Callowhill where I-95 traffi c des112、cends into the City.This intersection should be redesigned to allow for two-way traffi c.o Improve the Spring Garden El Station The El station is trapped within the northbound and southbound lanes of I-95.Our approach is to wrap the interior of the underpass with a metal mesh and rear lighting to im113、prove the physical appearance of the underpass.o Pursue water taxi and river ferry service With two proposed casinos,Dave and Busters,the Aquarium and ballpark in Camden plus a growing number of proposed riverfront uses,a demand is apparent for new and enhanced water transportation services.o Insert114、 light rail onto Delaware Avenue Delaware Avenues future as a boulevard rests in the ability to adequately manage traffi c without compromising the safety and appeal for pedestrians.For this to occur,new public transportation is necessary.It is time to re-think the character of Delaware Avenue.8.Ape115、rtures We believe that the presence of the water should be felt far from its coastline.Small,highly visible locations such as intersections and small plazas should be programmed to introduce and entice people to discover their riverfront.There is a richly historic and evolving narrative to be embrac116、ed and expressed.From the Revolutionary War to the industrial revolution to the present day,the waterfront has played a multi-faceted role,though at times it seemed forgotten.We have identifi ed 11 locations as opportunities to create varied installations that express these hidden narratives.These i117、nstallations can be simple comprising only historical markers/signs to more aggressive and interpretive integrating both public art and landscaping.9.An Adaptive Environment A waterfront must fl ow and respond to each season.The yearly rhythms need to be imprinted on the River.All of the existing ac118、tivities,both that occur within Festival Pier and within the neighborhood,must fi nd stronger expression on the riverfront.A calendar of events needs to be created that populates the River with unique experiences from farmers markets to art shows and concerts.Private FrameworkThe NLNA has built a so119、lid reputation for its capacity and ability to provide local zoning review.Given the current system in Philadelphia that affords community organizations power in determining their future,the following guidelines are created to help the NLNA review waterfront proposals.As with the Neighborhood Plan,t120、hese guidelines are intended as a statement of the communitys expectations for new development.We recognize that there is a move afoot to fi nally address the Citys zoning code.We applaud these efforts.To promote private investment,clear expectations are necessary City-wide,not just in one community121、.However,until such time as the zoning process and code are changed throughout the City,these guidelines attempt to make the best of the existing system.The private framework,beginning on page 81,is organized around 7 elements:1.Basic Expectations Guidelines that all developments should exemplify,fr122、om retaining view corridors and maintaining public access to the River to striving for excellence in architectural design.2.Height/Bulk Recognizing the controversy surrounding the height of new development,the plan provides an approach for determining provisional height guidelines.By mapping existin123、g residential uses and overlaying view corridors,a height limits map was created,accompanied by design guidelines that limit bulk and promote diversity in form.3.Site Design and Use Guidelines to address the placement of buildings,the location of allowable uses,the physical treatment of edges and en124、trances,and the waterfront trail.4.Transportation and Parking Guidelines intended to limit the impact of new development on the character of local streets and promote alternative forms of transportation.5.Low-Impact Development A template for promoting green building and design in all waterfront dev125、elopments.These are extensions of the guidelines developed for the neighborhood plan.6.Signage Suggestions on allowable placement and types for signage.7.Lighting Guidelines to enhance the safety and attractiveness of local streets and limit light pollution.13Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an ad126、dendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan AnalysisAn OverviewThe Delaware River began as a working port and fueled Philadelphias growth.Despite William Penns plan for Philadelphia that stretched from River to River,early settlers concentrated close to the Delaware River,rapidly expanding th127、e City to the north and south as opposed to westward to the Schuylkill River.Northern Liberties,located outside of the City proper,became a haven for multiple activities that had been effectively zoned out of the City itself.The further growth of the community stemmed from its role in the Revolution128、ary War as an army outpost and later as a hub for waterfront industry.Finger piers were constructed,served by multiple rail lines,the majority of which were removed as local industry declined.During Northern Liberties industrial heyday,the riverfront had a direct and meaningful connection back to th129、e community.The River was a source of jobs and the economic engine for the neighborhood.People lived and worked within just a few blocks.The riverfront was a main street of the community.As industry left,the direct relationship between the economy,jobs,housing and the water was de-coupled.I-95 was i130、ntroduced.Vacant land and buildings were left in the wake of industrial out-migration.The water quality continued to worsen.The Delaware River became a backstreet that would sit for decades without signifi cant investment.While the City toiled with ideas of a central,civic space at Penns Landing,the131、re was little active discussion about the area north of the Ben Franklin Bridge.During William J.Green,IIIs term as Mayor of Philadelphia(1980-1984),the Philadelphia City Planning Commission completed the North Delaware Waterfront District Plan,including Northern Liberties waterfront within its scop132、e;this effort was largely overlooked.“The Growth of the City”map at Penns Landing,highlights Northern Liberties waterfront as among the fi rst areas developed in Philadelphia.The historic pier system,linked by rail to the industrial fabric of the neighborhood.Source:1916 Sanborn Map14orthern Liberti133、es Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Owing credit to the efforts of multiple organizations and advocacy groups and a stronger environmental awareness,the water quality has improved signifi cantly.Along the northern portions of Philadelphias waterfront as well 134、as across the Delaware River in Camden,multiple initiatives are underway that place waterfront revitalization fi rmly in the context of larger eco-systems.With an emphasis on naturally managing stormwater,reducing discharge and eliminating primary water pollutants,the water is being reclaimed as a c135、lean and healthy resource for the region.One noticeable impact has been the marked increase in the Atlantic Shad runs that originally provided the economic basis for waterfront activity.In addition to a growing environmental ethos,active discussions are now taking place about what happens along the 136、Delaware River.This is due in part to what appears to many as the sudden discovery of the waterfront by private developers as well as a surging housing market,a revitalized Northern Liberties and an awakening in Philadelphia that planning and design matter.As these discussions proceed,we cannot take137、 for granted the riverfronts rich history;the industrial past is what makes the area unique.Giant cargo ships and tankers still traverse the landscape,and this history of shipping and industry should fi nd a voice in the riverfronts future.What follows is a catalogue of existing characteristics alon138、g the Rivers edge and throughout the Northern Liberties and Fishtown waterfront district,which lies between the River and I-95.As a snapshot in time,the catalogue is an attempt to see the place through a critical lens and with an open-minded perspective.The 1916 Sanborn Map documents that Northern L139、iberties waterfront once pulsed with the activities of:Reading Railroad Co.Philadelphia Transportation Co.Philadelphia Warehousing&Cold Storage Co.Terminal Warehouse Co.Pennsylvania Warehouse&Safe Deposit Co.Acorn Iron&Supply Co.Pennsylvania Sugar Co.Trains,ships,goods,and laborers all came and went140、 within the tightly scheduled shifts of a thriving port.L-R:Delaware Avenue north of Poplar 1931,Delaware Avenue north of Callowhill 1914,Delaware and Spring Garden 1929,Working Waterfront,800 North Front Street 1915.Source:Philadelphia City Archives15Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum t141、o the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Existing Land Use Land use within the waterfront planning area encompasses a wide array of distinct uses,from entertainment and active industry to offi ces,new residential towers and quiet,small-scale residential streets.The truly unique existing character 142、of the waterfront stems from the fact that there is no concentration of existing uses.Residential uses are nestled between large tracts of vacant land or dotted with active commercial and industrial buildings.Retail and entertainment are scattered across Frankford,Spring Garden and Delaware Avenue,o143、ften in close proximity to other offi ce or residential properties.There is only one publicly accessible open space-the 7.3-acre Penn Treaty Park-located at Delaware Avenue and Columbia Street.Festival Pier,situated at the critical intersection of Spring Garden and Delaware,is publicly owned but off144、-limits to the public except when an event is occurring.Source:Field Survey September 200616orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.VacancyVacant land and buildings form a large part of the existing fabric and character of the waterfront.Former ind145、ustrial uses have been long vacated,replaced in some cases with surface parking.There are currently 61 acres of vacant land in the study area.At times,this vacancy has been overtaken by nature in the form of tall grasses,brush,fl owers and trees,bringing a sense of serenity when proximate to the Riv146、ers edge.Upon other vacant parcels,abandoned industrial structures remain.Vacant land combined with the 14+acres of surface parking within Northern Liberties waterfront district renders approximately 53%of the 142-acre net study area underutilized.Vacant land reclaimed by nature,abandoned industrial147、 structure atop vacant land,underutilized event parking on roughly 7 acres of Festival Pier,and vacant land adjacent to I-95.17Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Building Condition As determined through a building by building condition survey,t148、he majority of existing structures in the waterfront district range from fair to distressed condition.Most of these structures are former or active industrial buildings that today exhibit weathering and signs of deterioration over time.The small scale residential fabric of townhouses along Front Str149、eet south of Callowhill and along Richmond and Allen Streets(between Frankford Avenue and Columbia Street)represent the largest concentrations of structures in either good or excellent condition.The building condition survey is based solely on the exterior condition of each structure.The survey does150、 not account for any improvements to the quality of the building interiors nor portions of the exterior that are not visible from a public right-of-way.The condition survey is divided into 6 categories:o Excellent pristine exterior appearance.No improvements necessary.o Good minor issues such as pee151、ling paint,which could be addressed by the owner without hiring a contractor to fi x.o Fair damaged window frames,cornices or cracking in the brick that likely(depending upon the skill level of the owner)would require hiring a contractor to address.o Deteriorated major exterior damage necessitating 152、professional assistance.o Distressed apparent structural damage that likely requires the structure to be demolished for safety purposes.o New Construction any obvious new construction including projects underway or recently completed.18orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwith153、Orth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Public OwnershipThere is very little public ownership within the study area.The only location of concentrated public ownership lies adjacent to I-95.Much of this land is owned by PennDOT and,in some cases,planned for I-95 expansion.Besides a handful of smaller properties 154、owned by the City or the Penns Landing Corporation,there are 7 key publicly owned sites:o Penn Treaty Park;o Piers 44-50 dedicated to the proposed SugarHouse Casino,account for approximately half of the total designated site;o Festival Pier used only during events,the northern half of the site is us155、ed exclusively for event parking;o Pier 24 immediately north of Dave and Busters,the pier is currently used for remote parking largely for Pennsylvania Hospital.There is a long term lease on the property,but recent signs indicate that the pier is available;o The majority of the block between Vine St156、reet,Callowhill Street,Water Street and Delaware Avenue the site is a surface parking lot and is not open except during events;o The southeast corner of Fairmount and Delaware Avenues a publicly owned small warehouse located along a key neighborhood connector street is now for sale;ando The northeas157、t corner of Frankford and Delaware Avenues a former gas station,now vacant,is a highly visible and strategic publicly held parcel.19Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan TransportationStreet NetworkThe existing street network is varied but with li158、mited connections to the waterfront.I-95 is a major barrier,blocking Poplar from extending through to Delaware Avenue.Brown Street also ends at Front Street,as the remaining block was ceded to private use years ago.The only location where a clear grid extends to the water is north of Frankford Avenu159、e where Shackamaxon,Marlborough and Columbia all afford the possibility of strong connections,either automobile or pedestrian,to the waterfront.Remaining connective streets include Laurel,Fairmount,Spring Garden and Callowhill.Where all of these streets intersect with Delaware Avenue,there are oppor160、tunities to signifi cantly enhance pedestrian access.Spring Garden and Delaware are the primary movement corridors and integral components of the larger City street system.Spring Garden carries the majority of east-west crosstown traffi c,approximately 20,000-25,000 cars per day,likely because no ot161、her streets between Market and Spring Garden are accessible from Delaware Avenue.Delaware Avenue bears a substantial amount of north-south traffi c,which tapers off signifi cantly north of Frankford Avenue.As reported by Orth-Rodgers,Delaware Avenue currently carries 22,000 cars per day.While the wi162、dth of Delaware Avenue can handle this level of use,the traffi c study,detailed later in the report,identifi ed the Spring Garden and Delaware intersection as“failing”during peak traffi c hours.20orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Like its dis163、tinctly varied land use pattern,the street system along Northern Liberties waterfront is very unusual.No two streets are alike with polar and extreme conditions in close proximity.Brown Street truncates at Front rather than connecting to Delaware Avenue.Fairmount connects with Delaware Avenue,but do164、es not provide pedestrian access across the major throughway.Delaware Avenues sloped median accommodates the grade change between north and southbound traffi c lanes.Spring Garden lacks active ground fl oor uses,pedestrian amenities,and landscaping.21Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to165、 the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Street Widths With the exception of Spring Garden and Delaware,all streets are standard widths of between 35 and 50.Spring Garden is approximately 80 across including two lanes of cars in either direction,a parking lane on each side,bicycle lanes and a cente166、r median,which is unplanted.The width combined with the lack of street-facing active uses east of I-95 encourages fast moving traffi c.Similarly,Delaware Avenue acts as a signifi cant boundary to the waters edge.At 108 across(for the cartway only),Delaware Avenue is wider than Broad Street.It carrie167、s three lanes of traffi c in either direction,bicycle lanes,alternating parking lanes and a planted median that accommodates a left turning lane where necessary.An analysis of sections of Delaware Avenue in three different locations using topography data and information on proposed development illus168、trates the varied conditions along the corridor.Of particular note along Delaware Avenue is the signifi cant(at times)grade difference between the northbound and southbound traffi c lanes.The sloped and planted median accommodates this difference in grade.Delaware Avenue adjacent to the proposed Mar169、ina View Tower.Delaware Avenue at Spring Garden.Front Street at Spring Garden.22orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.ParkingThere are 5 public parking surface lots within one to two blocks of the Spring Garden and Delaware intersection.Two of th170、ese Festival Pier and the block facing Delaware Avenue between Callowhill and Vine Streets are not operational on a day to day basis.Pier 24 is 120 spaces and approximately half full on a week day,mostly from Pennsylvania Hospital employees served by a shuttle bus.On any given weekend evening,all pu171、blic parking lots as well as any on-street parking near Spring Garden Street is completely utilized.Front Street,Fairmount and the parking lot along Spring Garden at Front Street are also heavily used during weekdays.At times on weekend evenings,the privately owned parking lot at Delilahs swells wit172、h overfl ow parking stemming from high demand related to the bars and clubs in the area.Delaware Avenue adjacent to the proposed Bridgemans View tower.Front Street north of Laurel.Surface Parking23Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Existing Tra173、ffi c ConditionsOrth-Rodgers&Associates(ORA)obtained existing available AM and PM peak hour turning movement volumes at signalized intersections on Delaware Avenue from three recent traffi c impact studies (700 North Delaware Avenue,SugarHouse Casino,and Riverwalk Casino).The intersections analyzed 174、are the intersection of Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue,the intersection of Penn Street and Delaware Avenue,and the intersection of Frankford Avenue and Delaware Avenue.No AM peak hour count was available at Delaware Avenue and Spring Garden Street.Figures 1 and 2 illustrate existing peak h175、our volumes at these three intersections.During the morning peak hour,the heavier traffi c movement occurs at the southbound approach on Delaware Avenue heading toward Center City.The highest southbound volume on Delaware Avenue in the study area is approximately 1,300 vehicles/hour,while the northb176、ound is approximately 670 vehicles/hour.The opposite pattern occurs during the evening peak hour in which the heavier movement is the northbound approach on Delaware Avenue leaving the Center City area.The northbound volume on Delaware Avenue in the study area can be as high as 2,250 vehicles/hour w177、hile the southbound volume is approximately 720 vehicles/hour.TRANSPORTATIONENGINEERSandPLANNERSOrth-RodgersAssociates,Inc.SPRING GARDENSTREETFRANKFORDSETRE TLDE AWAREEAV NUEPENNSTREETSOURCES:TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDIES FOR 700 N.DELAWARE AVENUE AND SUGAR HOUSE CASINONOTAVALABLE2 74156610352 808361 58251178、0911 012 4792 81 6726675958419FIGUREExisting AM Peak Hour Traffic VolumesNorthern Liberties Waterfront Plan Northern Liberties Neighbors Association1SUGARHOUSE CASINO24orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.TRANSPORTATIONENGINEERSandPLANNERSOrth-R179、odgersAssociates,Inc.SPRING GARDENSTREETFRANKFORDSETRE TLDE AWAREEAV NUEPENNSTREETSOURCES:TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDIES FOR 700 N.DELAWARE AVENUE,SUGAR HOUSE CASINO AND RIVERVIEW CASINO.1409444141333188042 77393390032338251 836 5100155453 7732 462931222 54210197427 01 69 5FIGUREExisting PM Peak Hour Traffi180、c VolumesNorthern Liberties Waterfront Plan Northern Liberties Neighbors Association2SUGARHOUSE CASINO AND RIVERWALK CASINO.25Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan ORA examined the operation of the signalized intersections using volume/capacity an181、alysis.The intersections of Columbus and Frankford and Columbus and Penn Street have acceptable operation.However at Spring Garden Street,during the PM peak,level of service F conditions exist for the northbound Delaware Avenue left turn to Spring Garden Street and also for the eastbound Spring Gard182、en Street left turn to northbound Delaware Avenue.The results are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.TRANSPORTATIONENGINEERSandPLANNERSOrth-RodgersAssociates,Inc.SPRING GARDENSTREETFRANKFORDSETRE TLDE AWAREEAV NUEPENNSTREETC(92)22C()C(20)B 18)(A(7)XXXXOVERALL:B(19)FIGUREExisting AM Peak Hour Levels of S183、ervice Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan Northern Liberties Neighbors Association326orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.TRANSPORTATIONENGINEERSandPLANNERSOrth-RodgersAssociates,Inc.SPRING GARDENSTREETFRANKFORDSETRE TLDE AWAREEAV NUEPENNSTREETC184、(4)223C()B(17)B 12)(B(13)C 2)(7(40D)F(526)C(24)D(44)F(8)0C2(2)A(0)OVERALL:B(14)OVERALL:F(148)FIGUREExisting PM Peak Hour Levels of Service Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan Northern Liberties Neighbors Association427Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborho185、od Plan Public TransportationGiven the already overburdened roadways and intersections,transit options are especially important in Northern Liberties.The area is well-serviced by a range of public transportation opportunities,including two SEPTA El stations within a 5 or 10 minute walk,5 different b186、us lines and the Girard Avenue Trolley nearby.The primary challenge is the perceived disconnect between the SEPTA El stations and the waterfront.I-95 functions as a major boundary,in effect encasing the Spring Garden Station in concrete.The Girard Station is separated by I-95 as well as underutilize187、d and vacant land along Front Street.The 25 bus is the only one that links the southern and northern portions of Delaware Avenue,but the route only runs every 10-20 minutes during peak hours and every half hour off-peak.28orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&A188、ssociates,Inc.In its BEST.and WORST light,the Spring Garden El Station leaves much to be desired.-It is inconvenient and challenging to cross Spring Garden Street upon leaving the station,as pedestrians must walk quite a distance to the nearest crosswalk.-The station is not handicap accessible.-Ther189、e is no entrance to the station on the north side of Spring Garden Street.-The environment beneath the highway and El tracks is dark,desolate,and unattractive.The Spring Garden El Station.29Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Waterfront Access T190、here are only a few locations in the area where people can get within 20 of the Rivers edge.The best opportunity to experience the water is in Penn Treaty Park.Penn Treaty Park has great,long views of the River and of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge but is unfortunately severed from the rest of Fishtow191、n by Delaware Avenue.The other location where people can enjoy and feel the presence of the water is along the sidewalk,between the piers from Waterfront Square south to the Ben Franklin Bridge.Views from these locations are limited by the piers themselves.There are other locations for waterfront ac192、cess,but these are not public.Commercial activities at Dave and Busters or Cavanaughs(when it was open)afforded access to the water but only for paying customers.Perhaps the most unique waterfront experience is located far north of the study area on an overgrown,large and vacant parcel of land,forme193、rly the site of the proposed Pinnacle Casino.Although exploring this forgotten landscape is technically trespassing due to the fence,the openness and vegetation offer a reprieve from the City.If you are daring enough to climb through the holes in the fence,you can fi nd a regular group of fi sherman194、 over the hill and along the waters edge.Source:Field Survey September 200630orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Varied conditions of waterfront access.Existing pedestrian path along Delaware Avenue between Waterfront Square and the Ben Frankli195、n Bridge.31Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan View CorridorsViews to the water are limited.Due to the presence of I-95,riverfront views from the neighborhood are only afforded at street level along specifi c east-west streets.The strongest view196、 corridors exist on Callowhill,Spring Garden and Columbia.All of these view corridors have unimpeded views to the water.The current design proposals for Trump Tower and Penn Treaty Tower preserve and restore the views to the water along Fairmount and Marlborough,respectively.Shackamaxon,however,curr197、ently has views toward the water,but recent development proposals threaten to hamper them;depending upon the fi nal design for the proposed SugarHouse Casino site and Piers 44 and 49/50,the views down Shackamaxon toward the River are in question.The views from Frankford Avenue and Brown Street have 198、already been obstructed by the development of Waterfront Square.Views of the Ben Franklin Bridge,an icon that frames the Central Delaware River landscape during the day and glows above the water at night,must also be protected.Waterfront Square obstructs views or the River from Frankford Avenue.32or199、thern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Barriers“Fragmented”is one of the most frequently cited terms in reference to the waterfront by neighborhood residents.This is due largely to the multitude of barriers that impede any level of connectivity with200、 the River.I-95 is the fi rst major obstacle to contend with.I-95s width,dark underpasses and un-designed edge conditions only further the perceived disconnect between the heart of the Northern Liberties and its waterfront.Any design for the waterfront must address the character and impact of I-95s 201、infrastructure on its immediate surroundings.Beyond I-95,Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue also act as major boundaries due to traffi c speed,width and the lack of any pedestrian amenities.In this respect,the Rivers edge and the entire waterfront district suffers,as automobiles,not pedestrian202、s,dominate the environment.The ubiquitous fencing that encases many sites within the study area forms a fi nal set of boundaries.Fences,in fact,are one the most visible and common elements of the existing waterfront landscape.North of Dave and Busters,where the wide sidewalk of Delaware Avenue is ac203、tually close to the water,two different fences ensure that pedestrians cannot get closer than 15 from the Rivers edge.In fact,the majority of properties along the east side of Delaware Avenue are fenced,preventing any potential access to the water.33Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to 204、the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan The dramatic elevated infrastructure poses a physical and psychological barrier between the heart of Northern Liberties and its waterfront.Interstate infrastructure at Laurel and Richmond Streets.Interstate infrastructure at Spring Garden Street.Interstate in205、frastructure at Callowhill Street.34orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.This small green space at the Rivers edge is blocked by:a tall and unyielding fence.Any way you slice it,if you are in Northern Liberties,there are multiple imposing barrie206、rs between you and the waterfront.Service facilities and fencing hinder the ability to experience and enjoy the waterfront.35Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Topography Most of the study area is located within the 100 year fl oodplain.The stu207、dy area also has the lowest elevation of anywhere else in Northern Liberties.As water in the area tends to fl ow southeast,during rainfall the waterfront study area faces both the rising water level of the Delaware River and the urban storm-water run-off that emanates from much farther afi eld in No208、rth Philadelphias neighborhoods.Add to this system heavy run-off from I-95 and the fact that Northern Liberties has suffered from numerous water main breaks and sewer back-ups,and the need for thoughtful stormwater management becomes abundantly clear.36orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interf209、ace StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Susceptibility to Change A standard means of assessing future change is to undertake a susceptibility to change analysis.The analysis is generated by combining information on building condition,use,density and design to determine which parcels have a high210、 likelihood to change in the coming years,which have a low likelihood to change and which will likely remain as they are.Our analysis determined that out of the 142 net acres of parcels in the study area,93.7 acres have either a low or high susceptibility to change.This amounts to 66%of the study ar211、eas net area,no surprise given the high vacancy combined with the strong housing market.37Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Proposed DevelopmentWhats proposed now?Most of the discussion surrounding the waterfront lately has targeted either the212、 proposed casinos or a certain 70-story tower.However,there are multiple proposals on the boards,some with preliminary zoning approvals.We documented all of the major proposals in the waterfront area by speaking with the developers themselves,their architects or other representatives.In some cases,i213、f the development was far enough along(Marina View Tower),we were able to tally the number of units,parking and other space through publicly available information.In addition,we updated the analysis completed for the Neighborhood Plan of new developments proposed west of I-95.The result is a total a214、ssessment of what is planned for the community.This analysis is just a snapshot in time,as existing projects frequently fall apart and new projects emerge.The analysis results helped us to build a 3-D model of what the waterfront will look like if every project moves forward.The results were also us215、ed by Orth-Rodgers to run an assessment of the potential trips generated by each development.In 2000,the Northern Liberties neighborhood had 2,276 housing units which marked an increase of 12%from 1990.An additional 1,509 housing units are currently proposed,completed or under construction since 200216、0,west of I-95.This represents a 166%increase from 2000.Proposed development in the waterfront study area would add yet another 3,346 units to the community.In sum,the potential is for Northern Liberties to grow to 7,131 households,a 313%increase from 2000.38orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|217、Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.The majority of the proposed waterfront units stem from several major projects:o Waterfront Square 936 units all permits secured;o Bridgemans View 352 units plus retail,offi ce space and a 177 room hotel zoning permits secured;o Trump Tower 263 unit218、s preliminary zoning approval,riparian rights pending;o Penn Treaty Tower 166 units plus public amenities at park edge preliminary zoning approval,riparian rights pending;o 412 Front Street 240 units zoning permits secured;o Pier 40 266 units plus limited retail preliminary zoning approval,riparian 219、rights pending;o World Trade Center 265 units(phase 1)plus over 100,000 SF of retail and over 2,000,000 SF of offi ce phase one zoning permit secured;o 700 N.Delaware 1,050 units plus retail zoning permit secured;ando 1101 N.Delaware 535 units plus limited retail in planning only.All proposed develo220、pments meet or exceed the parking requirements.L-R:700 N.Delaware,Marina View Tower.L-R:Trump Tower,1101 N.Delaware,the proposed SugarHouse Casino.L-R:412 Front Street,Bridgemans View rendering and model,World Trade Center,Sky 101 Condos.L-R:Waterfront Square,Penn Treaty Tower.39Northern Liberties W221、aterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan View of the waterfront from Center City prior to any redevelopment.Waterfront redevelopment projects with all permits in place.All waterfront redevelopment projects with preliminary zoning approval.40orthern Liberties Neighborhoo222、d Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.View of the waterfront from Center City if all proposed projects proceed as planned.All currently proposed waterfront redevelopment projects.note:These models represent a snapshot in time,and may not account for all projects currently pr223、oposed or in development along the waterfront.41Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Traffi c ImpactTraffi c Impacts:Trip Generation and rip Generation and Distribution for the Proposed DevelopmentsDistribution for the Proposed DevelopmentsAccord224、ing to information collected and compiled for the proposed projects in the area,these developments are going to build about 3,350 housing units,214,000 sq.ft.retail/entertainment,2,460,000 sq.ft.offi ce,and 177 hotel rooms within the study area.Orth-Rodgers&Associates estimated the amount of traffi 225、c that could be generated by all of the proposed new developments using Institute of Transportation Engineers(ITE)data,based on type(residential high rise condominium,retail,offi ce,hotel)and size of the development.It was assumed that for offi ce,30%of trips would be made by transit.This rate seems226、 reasonable given that survey and census data indicates a drive-to-work percentage of 65%in University City.For the retail and entertainment development,a 40%reduction from ITE trip generation rates was taken in order to account for traffi c already on the roadway and interaction with other developm227、ents.For residential high-rise condominiums,the ITE trip rates were used directly for estimates of residential trips.High rise condominiums are typically only found in urban areas,so that the ITE rates already refl ect urban conditions.The maps illustrate the estimated traffi c generation of each de228、velopment plus the existing traffi c volumes on major streets.All of the proposed developments taken together,not including the proposed SugarHouse Casino,could generate approximately 3,600 vehicle trips in the morning peak hour and 4,800 vehicle trips 42orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Inte229、rface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.in the PM peak hour(total,in and out).The World Trade Center development The World Trade Center development alone generates about half of the overall alone generates about half of the overall estimated trips from all proposed non-casino estimated trips 230、from all proposed non-casino developmentdevelopment.The proposed SugarHouse Casino would add another 1,500 trips to this area in the peak hours.The new trips from all the proposed developments were distributed into the adjacent roadway network.The trip distribution of all development except the prop231、osed casino was assumed to follow the current traffi c pattern in the area as listed below:From/to the south on Delaware Avenue:45%From/to the north on Delaware Avenue:25%From/to Frankford Avenue:10%From/to Spring Garden Street:20%Trips were all assigned to the major roadways,although 100%of trips w232、ill not use the major streets listed above but will fi lter through on other streets such as 2nd Street,Brown Street and Fairmount Avenue.Since site plans and specifi c access locations were not available,these estimates are very approximate.However,the estimates show that weekday peak hour volumes 233、on Delaware Avenue could increase by about 120%in the morning and 80%in the afternoon.43Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan The proposed SugarHouse Casino will have a different trip distribution.In the longer term,after completion of the Girard 234、Avenue Interchange,approximately 80%of casino trips are expected to approach from the north,with 5%on Frankford Avenue,10%on Spring Garden Street,and 5%from the south on Delaware Avenue.This information was obtained from the casinos traffi c study.Given that some level of service F conditions alread235、y exist at Delaware and Spring Garden Street,some intersection improvements will be imperative.Also,at Delaware and Frankford Avenue,improvements almost certainly will be needed,as the number of additional trips will transform the currently operational intersection into a failing intersection.The ac236、cess locations are not known for the two largest developments,Bridgemans View and the World Trade Center.Access location and design will be critical at these developments.The traffi c study indicates that if everything indicates that if everything indicates that ifis built according to existing plan237、s,the non-casino developments will add almost 42,000 cars daily to Delaware Avenue.More concerning is the projected number of peak hour trips generated,which amounts to between 3,600 and 4,800 additional cars passing through the area during morning and evening rush hours,respectively.There is no sim238、ple solution to this issue,nor can we,or should we,widen Delaware Avenue to accommodate more cars thereby widening the gap between the Rivers edge and the community.44orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.For the waterfront to be successful,overl239、apping strategies will be needed that emphasize alternative modes of transportation.45Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan A Comparison to Other Waterfronts Many cities have accepted the challenge of planning and implementing real change along th240、eir waterfronts with pride,commitment and creativity.We spent some time in research to review good examples that might help to enlighten the approach for Northern Liberties waterfront.We collected information on national models such as Louisville,Chattanooga and Chicago as well as international mode241、ls including Amsterdam,Singapore,Toronto and Glasgow.Although each plan is different and none echoes all of the challenges facing Philadelphias riverfronts,they do offer examples of cities overcoming a range of extreme challenges.Chattanoogas waterfront is particularly interesting as a model given t242、hat a highway and multiple barriers inhibited clear and easy access just as I-95 does in Northern Liberties.Much can be learned from simpler examples too,such as the treatment of the West Side Highway in New York City,which separates the Citys block system from the Hudson River.Although the West Sid243、e Highway is the same width(approximately)as Delaware Avenue,crossing it is far less intimidating than doing so at the open and unprotected intersections along Delaware Avenue.L-R:New piers refl ect industrial history of riverfront in Portland,West 8s proposed new pier system for Toronto,Proposed la244、ndscaped boulevard accommodating multiple modes of transportation in Toronto,Chicagos Lake Shore Drive separates high rise development from public open space.Hargreaves Associates Waterfront Park in Louisville,Kentucky blends natural settings with hardscape elements.46orthern Liberties Neighborhood 245、Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Chattanoogas waterfront faces similar challenges posed by elevated infrastructure.New York Citys Battery Park City Park and continuous trail along the Hudson River give people good reason to cross the West Side Highway.Low-rise waterfront 246、development in Amsterdam treats the water as a quiet residential street.High-rise waterfront development in Singapores Boat Quay and in Chicago takes a seat behind low-rise waterfront frontages.47Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Comparison of247、 waterfront plans:percent open space versus percent developed.48orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.One of our primary interests was to assess how each waterfront plan balanced open space with development.We collected information on a number of248、 plans and determined how many acres were planned for development and how many acres were planned for park space.The results vary signifi cantly.Brooklyn Bridge Park reserved the highest percentage for open space 90%and planned for high density development on the remaining 10%to help off-set costs.A249、t the other end of the spectrum,the Greenpoint-Williamsburg plan reserved 7%of the area for open space focusing instead on a collection of smaller parks that weave new and existing development together.The existing open space percentage in the Northern Liberties study area is 4%,contained almost ent250、irely in Penn Treaty Park an isolated,yet valuable asset for Fishtown,and one in need of stronger linkages to its surrounding context.Open Space TargetsIf all of the waterfronts open space rests within one isolated park,the question quickly becomes,how much open space is needed?While it may be tempt251、ing to advocate for the entire waters edge to be lined with open space,the Central Delaware Riverfront is 7 miles long,not taking into account the North Delaware Riverfront or the Schuylkill River.Even Louisvilles 85-acre waterfront park,the largest that we surveyed,amounts to only a small proportio252、n of the Citys overall riverfront.In short,strategic choices must be made about where the best locations for open space may be and how best to connect one to another.Our process evaluated how much open space should be made available for every 1,000 residents.The rate in Philadelphia is nearly 7 acre253、s of open space per 1,000 residents.Given that Fairmount Park,the nations largest urban park,skews this number signifi cantly,we looked at New York and Portland target ratios for comparison,which range between 2.25 and 2.5 acres per 1,000 residents.We then collected open space acreage for two separa254、te geographies recognizing that our waterfront study area extends beyond Northern Liberties.o For the Northern Liberties neighborhood boundaries,identifi ed in the NLNA bylaws as extending to Frankford Avenue on the northeast,Girard to the north,6th Street to the west,and Callowhill on the south,the255、 community currently has 1 acre of open space per 1,000 residents,most of which is contained in Liberty Lands.When new development is factored in,this number drops to 0.3 acres per 1,000 residents if no new open space is created.o For the waterfront study area adopted for this plan,the existing rati256、o is 2.5 acres per 1,000 residents.This is due solely to Penn Treaty Park and the small number of people currently living in the study area.Even so,when proposed development is factored in,this ratio drops to 1 acre per 1,000 residents.Both numbers indicate the necessity of more open space to meet t257、he needs of new and existing residents while providing the community with a front door to the River.Comparison of open space ratios:existing and after completion of proposed development.49Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Guiding PrinciplesDue258、 diligence in review of other waterfront plans reveals a clear set of commonly held and overlapping principles.These principles are often present in each Citys vision for its waterfront.They are echoed time and again and have helped to capture the hopes of residents regardless of the City in which t259、hey reside.We refer to these as commonly accepted principles the basis of any good waterfront planning effort.Commonly Accepted Principleso Provide a clean and healthy river water quality is critical;o Ensure public access continuous trails and open spaces are a must;o Connect back to the City a wat260、erfront should be an extension of the surrounding context;o Celebrate local culture a successful waterfront is an authentic one;o Plan for the long-term building value often takes time and commitment;o Build public/private partnerships no government can do it all.Taking these commonly accepted princ261、iples as givens,we asked residents to help us apply them to Northern Liberties in a concrete way.What emerged was a wide range of ideas that fi rmly grounded the waterfront within the character and feel of Northern Liberties.In your words,in rapid fi re:the Waterfront,now:Fractured Potential Unplann262、ed Jeopardy Wasted Resource Under-appreciated Massive Uncoordinated Hot Ugly Inaccessible Desolate Over there Dangerous DirtyIn your words,in rapid fi re:the Waterfront,of tomorrow:Open Accessible Public Green Lush Natural Habitat Escape Active Recreation Multi-functional Continuous Beautiful Leisur263、e Multi-modal FINALLY!a little more concrete now:Delaware Avenue:“Light rail down the center to the Navy Yard.”“Safe and well lit,public art by local artists,no casinos.”“Easier to cross.”“A more enclosed median with crosswalks and decorative barriers at non-crossing areas.At least one direct-access264、 corridor to a public river use.Building at Laurel and Frankford becomes a retail/whole-sale market Reading Terminal,Warehousing.Billboards disappear or share space with giant artboards.”“Fewer cars,more green space along waters edge,cafes and cultural establishments,health of the River is key.“Arch265、aeological park about the history of the old piers.”Fairmount Avenue:“Full of trees,high powered street lights,and bicycle paths.”“Small open spaces on each block used for informal gatherings,performances,or art installations(temporary and changing).”“Next to the sidewalk are rain gardens with indig266、enous plants.Small shaded cafes,bookstores,and shops.Neighbors know each other!We can walk straight to the River.”Frankford Avenue:“Wish you were here!We walked down to the River from Johnny Brendas and passed some really neat artist studios.Everything from furniture to punk art-we got to see the ar267、tists at work.The pedestrian traffi c was a little dense,but the eclectic make-up of the crowds made it fun.“Dense,but not high-rise.Terminates at waterfront with some public space,which is the focal point.Maintains historical scale of existing in-dustrial structures(4-5 stories).Provides transition268、 between waterfront and interior neighborhoods,respects the local context.Main gateway links visually and functionally to Girard Avenue corridor.”Spring Garden Street:“The Lukoil station is gone,replaced by a mid-rise commercial building with an open green space plaza and caf-style commercial busine269、sses at ground level.More quality development on the south side of the street with a restoration plan for the Belgian Block surface of Front Street on both sides of Spring Garden and the elimination of all billboards.”“A gateway connecting the new waterfront to the established commu-nity serving as 270、a mixed use buffer between the two-areas.A smorgas-bord thoroughfare.”Quotes from the visioning process postcards:Northern Liberties waterfront,2020.50orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.51Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the N271、orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan MERGEMERGEMerge murj,verb 1.to combine,blend,or unite gradually so as to blur the individuality or individual identity of.2.to become one.52orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.A Lens for Northern Liberties Th272、e perceived(and real)gap between the heart of the neighborhood and the River must be erased,and the distinctive character of Northern Liberties must be imprinted along the water.At the same time,the character of the riverfront must seep into the fabric of the community.Northern Liberties identity wi273、ll evolve as the community re-considers its waterfront and,in that process,the revived riverfront will alter how the community sees itself.The recommendations stem from the following community-driven vision:o An ecological retro-fi t:The next evolution of the waterfront will exemplify the next green274、 City.o Touch the water:The closest many Northern Liberties residents get to touching the water is when a water main breaks.The community needs to re-discover the water itself.o A multi-purpose waterfront:The proximity of industry,entertainment,retail,offi ces,vacancy and housing defi nes an urban g275、rittiness unique to Northern Liberties.Extending the community to the water means putting aside broad land use designations and defi ning a fi ner-grained vocabulary with which to advocate for the broadest range of use and activity.o Diversity:Residents value,above all,the wide range of architecture276、,people and uses that characterize the community.The Northern Liberties riverfront cannot be homogenous.Tension,surprise,and eclecticism must be present.o Active and secluded:The waterfront must provide space for recreation and isolation-recreation to serve the growing needs of an expanding communit277、y,isolation to accommodate the need to escape within nature.o Expressive:Transform the vestiges of previous eras into modern expressions of the community through public art and interpretation.o Decelerate:Speed currently defi nes the waterfront.Cars trump pedestrians.“Slow City”should become a defi 278、ning characteristic of the area.(see:http:/)53Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Source:Field Survey September 200654orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.RecommendationsThe vision was trans279、lated into a public framework,to identify key infrastructure and civic space improvements,and a private framework,to guide investment and development.In both cases,the waterfront is treated as much more than a strip of coastline,but rather as a district that must be seen as an extension of the local280、 community and an integral part of the City as a whole.Discussions with residents of Northern Liberties conveyed a collective appreciation for their mixed use urban neighborhood and a common desire to promote a range of uses along their waterfront.Their comments suggest the need to plan a diverse pr281、ogram of uses for the waterfront so that it develops as the mixed use extension of the community that they envision.55Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan Public FrameworkNine interlocking elements comprise the neighborhoods priorities for the wa282、terfronts public arena:56orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.An Activity Channel:continuous waterfront trailA Natural Rivers Edge:restoration of the riparian edge and habitatAdded Play Space:new passive and active green spaceGreen Linkages:conn283、ections between the neighborhood and the waterfrontCivic Incisions:investment in the areas major corridorsA Multi-Modal Waterfront:convenient and fl exible access for allI-95 Insulation:thoughtful treatment to soften the edgeApertures:installations that encourage perception of the community and wate284、rfront in new waysAn Adaptive Environment:fl exible spaces for community interaction and City-wide celebration of the riverfront57Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan 1.Activity Channel/Waterfront TrailContinuous public access along the riverfron285、t via a linked waterfront trail is a basic right.Unfortunately,development practices to date have effectively removed some piers and other parcels from what could have been a continuous 50 right-of-way at the Rivers edge.Our approach is to treat the trail as one public amenity comprising three very 286、different physical conditions and experiential characteristics:o Trail as expanded sidewalk:There are moments when the trail must operate as an active part of Delaware Avenue.Embrace these moments and ensure that the sidewalk is designed to handle active bicycle lanes and other necessary amenities.R287、e-capture the empty and fenced off spaces that sit along the Rivers edge for small plazas and nodes along the trail.o Trail along the Rivers edge:Where possible,require new developments to provide at least a 50 public right-of-way in perpetuity.Where properties are deeper,advocate for a 150 right-of288、-way.Minor roadway realignmentTrail as expanded sidewalk.Source:Reclaiming the Delaware Waterfront,WRT for CCDTrail fl oating along the water.58orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.o Trail fl oating along the water:Where opportunities to build a289、 50 trail are lost,bypass them.Create a fl oating trail that allows people to experience the feel of the water.The benefi t is that the trail encloses safe water inlets,each of which can take on a distinct personality.Larger inlets should be used for active uses(recreational boating,etc.)and smaller290、 ones for passive escapes,natural ecosystems and habitats.Designs for these trail types can be engineered to open in specifi c locations to allow boats to pass through if necessary.The current proposal stretches the trail along the coastline south from Penn Treaty Park to the proposed SugarHouse Cas291、ino site after which it arcs across the water connecting Waterfront Square,Trump Tower,Events Pier and Pier 24.From there,the trail follows Delaware Avenue south past the Ben Franklin Bridge.The design of the trail should adhere to PCPC guidelines.More detailed guidelines for the incorporation of th292、e waterfront trail into private development projects are provided in the Private Framework section on Site Design and Use,pages 86-88.Existing:fenced off green space with hard urban edge along the water.Proposed:restored riparian edge,publicly accessible and landscaped plaza at waters edge,and fl oa293、ting trail allowing people to experience the water.59Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan 60orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Existing:view of waterfront and Festival Pier surface parking 294、area.Proposed:new park space and restored riparian edge along Festival Pier plus fl oating waterfront path bring people to the River in new ways.61Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan 2.A Natural Rivers Edge A natural riparian edge along the rive295、r can bring enormous benefi ts-rebuilt natural marine habitats,improved storm-water management and enhanced water quality through wetlands and marshes.Portions of the rivers edge,however,are man-made constructions,elevated above the water line.We have identifi ed a number of areas where the riparian296、 edges can and should be improved.At times,this natural edge is separate from the proposed waterfront trail and at other times they overlap.Final designs for the waterfront trail should seek to capitalize on these different conditions as a means of celebrating the coexistence of an urban,civic trail297、 with a passive,natural one.62orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Proposed:riparian edge restored to create a small,passive green space along a softer waters edge.Proposed:riparian edge restored adjacent to a narrow public plaza along the water298、,which creates a node on the proposed activity channel and an exchange between the urban and natural character of the Rivers edge.63Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Plan 3.Play Space The study area has but one green space overlooking the River Pen299、n Treaty Park.Northern Liberties community members clearly expressed that the waterfront should consist of multiple parks,linked to one another and the adjacent neighborhoods.The waterfront must be infused with play space a collective front yard for the community.o Transform the existing parking lot300、 that occupies the northern half of Festival Pier into park.This caps the major east-west Spring Garden corridor with an important and centrally located open space.Initial conceptual ideas include extending Spring Garden into the water as a grand,pedestrian esplanade.This more formal portion of the 301、park could be fl anked with a wide range of active uses including fi elds for baseball,frisbee,and soccer,courts for tennis and basketball,unprogrammed fi eld area for fl exible play and reading the Sunday paper in the sun,hardscaped plazas intended as a skate park,but designed to function as gather302、ing spaces as well,and safe,interesting play equipment for one of Northern Liberties fastest growing demographics:kids.The edge of the park,including Festival Piers event space,must be reclaimed as a natural riparian edge that gradually brings the community to the water and the proposed waterfront t303、rail.New parking to serve Festival Pier is proposed one block away west of Front Street between Spring Garden and Callowhill and adjacent to I-95.o Create a new park under I-95 between Richmond Street and Frankford Avenue.What was once a gulf that perceptually expanded the dividing line of I-95 is n304、ow the center of a growing residential community that is fi lling the gap between Northern Liberties and Fishtown.Bridgemans View,700 N.Delaware,Trump Tower,Hancock Square,a new proposal on the northeast corner of Front and Richmond Streets and upcoming projects by Tower Investments promise to add s305、ignifi cant numbers of new residents,all within a 5-minute walk of I-95.The park should serve many functions from active recreation to community gardening-building upon the rich The waterfronts play space program should include,but not be limited to:-picnic space and amenities(pavilion and grills)-a306、 weekly farmers market-a new location for the horse stables,bioswales for stormwater management,community gardening plots-interpretive spaces for education and art installations-sports spaces for basketball,tennis,baseball,and unprogrammed fi eld space for frisbee,soccer,and reading the newspaper in307、 the sunshine-fl exible hardscaped plazas for gatherings and performances as well as skateboarding,rollerblading,and roller dance-play equipment and water features for a fast growing population in Northern Liberties:kids-plenty of opportunities to sit and take it all in.Play space program.Major deve308、lopment projects surrounding the intersection of I-95 and the El.64orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.history of gardening in both Fishtown and Northern Liberties.At grade parking and new space for the horse stable that will soon be relocated 309、from its home in Northern Liberties are also possibilities.All of these uses should be nestled within an ecological framework engineered to manage storm-water naturally and to generate its own power through solar cells and LED lighting.This proposal was documented in the Neighborhood Plan and update310、d during this design process.With increasing development,upcoming PennDOT investment in I-95 and a renewed,City-wide interest in the waterfront,this is an excellent time to signifi cantly transform how the highway meets the ground.o Create a Fishtown gateway plaza at Frankford and Delaware Avenues.T311、he current intersection of Frankford Avenue,Delaware Avenue and Laurel Street can be hazardous to your safety depending upon what turn you may be trying to make.The vacant gas station on Frankford Avenue provides a large opportunity to re-imagine this intersection.Frankford Avenue as it descends tow312、ard Delaware Avenue should be re-routed through this vacant site.The advantages of this approach are fourfold:Details of proposed park space under the elevated infrastructure of I-95 and the El.Vacant gas station at Frankford and Delaware.65Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the North313、ern Liberties Neighborhood Plan -Frankford Avenue will meet Delaware Avenue at a 90 degree intersection,improving safety;-Frankford Avenue and Laurel Street will become separated,improving use of the intersection;-The abandoned gas station structure,unique for its streamlined moderne design,should f314、i nd new life as an incorporated element of the redesign,perhaps as a snack bar for people coming and going to the River;and-A new plaza will be created that will greatly enhance the view toward the water and provide an active,civic space for the community at the focal point of historic Frankford Av315、enue,formerly the Kings Highway,which connected Philadelphia and New York City.o Enhance and re-program Penn Treaty Park.While Penn Treaty Park is an important community asset,it should be re-evaluated in terms of its use and design to maximize its potential.Fishtown should work with the developers 316、of the three parcels between Penn Treaty Park and the site designated for the proposed SugarHouse Casino to create additional green space as an extension to the Park where possible.The program for Penn Treaty Tower,located immediately to the south of the Park includes public restroom facilities for 317、park-goers as well as an outdoor museum space along the buildings northern wall featuring a permanent display about William Penn.o Create small,passive open spaces along the River between Dave and Busters and Festival Pier.Three small spaces,currently shrouded with fences,should be opened for public318、 use and riverfront enjoyment.o Green and program all traffi c“triangles.”These spaces,envisioned as simple green plazas,should be programmed to communicate the rich history and current activities along the waterfront.4.Green Links When residents emerge from I-95,extensions of the waterfront park sy319、stem should greet and lead them to the Rivers edge.The streets perpendicular to the riverfront require investment,creativity and protection.Investment is needed to extend streetfront activity to the water and fi ll the gaps.Creativity in design is required to render these green streets an indelible 320、connective element for each community.In most cases,parking can be selectively removed and replaced with landscaping,infi ltration planters and improved sidewalks.Frequent crosswalks and material changes should form a horizontal rhythm along the street surface,slowing traffi c and promoting pedestri321、an use.Lastly,protection is needed to ensure views to the water remain open and deleterious uses such as remote parking for the proposed casinos are prohibited.The perpendicular streets Callowhill,Fairmount,Brown,Poplar,Laurel,Frankford,Shackamaxon,Marlborough and Columbia must remain active,neighbo322、rhood-serving and green.The cobblestone and macadam surfaced streets near the waterfront should also be recognized as green links to the River.Cobblestones slow traffi c,look beautiful,and offer a tangible link to the past.As such,these cobblestone and macadam streets,among them,Canal,Front,Penn,Pop323、lar,and Ellen,require cleaning,repair,and preservation.In the case of Shackamaxon,Marlborough and Columbia Streets,the former right-of-ways that extended from Delaware Avenue to the River should be recovered providing connections to the waterfront trail system between development sites.The site plan324、 for Penn Treaty Tower does so,effectively re-establishing a clear view and path to the water at the tip of Marlborough Street.Negotiations will be required with other property owners regarding the potential extension of the Brown Street right-of-way to the River.Developers of the proposed SugarHous325、e Casino site should maintain their promise to not only provide for a waterfront promenade(and its construction during the fi rst phase of the project),but also to ensure access back to Delaware Avenue on either edge of the property.Negotiations with the casino developers must also investigate strat326、egies for preserving the Frankford and Laurel view corridors.66orthern Liberties Neighborhood Plan NLNA|Interface StudioLLCwithOrth-Rodgers&Associates,Inc.Proposed site plan for Fairmount Avenues green linkage to Delaware Avenue,showing alternating street parking and densely planted infi ltration be327、ds as well as paving material changes at crosswalks and intersections.Proposed:Fairmount Avenue as green link to the waterfront.Existing:Fairmount Avenue looking toward the River.Proposed:infi ltration beds to aid stormwater management.67Northern Liberties Waterfront Plan:an addendum to the Northern328、 Liberties Neighborhood Plan 5.Civic Incisions The study area is organized around two critical corridors Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue.Both streets carry a heavy traffi c load(over 20,000 cars daily)and play an important role in the regional circulation system.These streets are currently 329、treated,by and large,as highways.The insertion of bicycle lanes and the median plantings along Delaware Avenue south of Spring Garden not withstanding,both corridors are characterized by speed and pass-through movement patterns.Building pedestrian bridges over Delaware Avenue will not only cost larg330、e sums of money but also send the signal that we have given up on reclaiming Delaware Avenue for use by multiple modes and speeds.The community will have accepted that Delaware Avenue is for cars and the Rivers edge will remain disconnected from the fabric of the community.An alternative approach is331、 necessary.Both Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue should be redesigned as a civic gesture of the community,facilitating east-west connections,promoting more pedestrian activity and providing new means of public transit.Early and relatively simple actions can make a big difference.To serve as 332、a true riverfront boulevard,Delaware Avenue needs improved intersections and traffi c signal operation,crosswalks(including electronic countdowns),additional landscapingand turning lanes.Removal of all street parking would provide additional space for landscaping as well as visually narrow the width333、 of the cartway.To more strongly connect the Spring Garden El station to the River,Spring Garden Street between the station and Delaware Avenue should be transformed into a linear park.Planting the median with wild grasses,removing street parking,adding landscaping and enhancing the bicycle lanes will serve to bring the riverfront into the community,forge a new identity for the street and leverage