May 2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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architecture is a character -defining feature. Thus, the views of the building from various points within the park, even views of the sides and the rear, are to be preserved. . The Water Works Board proposes to install a 9' tall and 21' wide chain link gate across the Pumping Station driveway that is accessible on Michigan Street. To visualize the size of such a gate, it would stand 3' over a tall person's head. A chain link gate, though mostly open, would greatly disrupt a person's view of the north fagade of the North Pumping Station when walking through East or Central Leeper Park. It would also be seen across Michigan Street in Leeper Park Central. The pleasant visual experience of the North Pumping Station and the eastern section of the park would be disturbed by the noncontributing and inappropriate material. To encourage good use of the park, respectful visits to the North Pumping Station, the preservation of the park's views and vistas, and appropriate additions to the park staff strongly recommends against a chain link gate. Chain link is not consistent with the Beaux Arts Style of the Pumping Station, the formal style of the Leeper Park gardens, the rustic elements of the Navarre Cabin and the island, and the park's natural setting. It is more consistent with industrial and construction sites. Though chain link fences surround the tennis courts, the courts are 1960s functional additions and are located in the active portion of the park, which has more flexible standards. Staff understands that the Water Works Board is concerned about possible traffic increases when Bartlett Street closes and traffic is diverted onto Park Lane. Presently, about seven or ten cars use the parking lot as a short cut. In general, this is not heavy traffic flow. HPC staff finds it difficult to recommend approval for an item that will, have an impact on the park and is inappropriate based on inconclusive evidence of traffic increases. Staff does recommend the following as solutions to the traffic problem. Most optimal solutions with the least impact on the park: • Ticketing to discourage those who use the parking lot as a short cut (The existing security cameras could be as used as aids). • Speed bumps to slow short cut traffic through the parking lot (They work well as a traffic deterrent as well!!) • Sign and paint strip to direct delivery traffic where to stop for review. • Blast -resistant window glazing to ease worry of security concerns due to recent events. Less optimal solutions that are less visually intrusive and more consistent with the park than chain link: • Access control gate with a lift arm. (Motors are kept in a compact unit. One company (Amano Cinncinati) has designed a less utilitarian unit (see attached sheets). Arm can be raised and lower and would be less visible than the chain link gate. One unit would cost about the same as the chain link gate.) • A gate that is classically designed could be consistent with the park and the elegance of the North Pumping Station. A shorter gate could be used to save money to pay for the design upgrade. According to Mr. Wiltrout, a decorative gate of the same height would cost only $200 more than the coated chain link.) However, a gate of any style would still disrupt to current views of the park and the North Pumping Station. Staff recommends a balanced and reasonable response to traffic concerns that takes into account the overall experience of the park and the preservation of its important views and vistas. Staff recommends the observation of a traffic increase after Bartlet Street closes to ensure a gate or other access control gates are needed devises. Staff recommends the use of visually non -intrusive strategies mentioned above.