HomeMy WebLinkAboutRDA DOWNTN IMPROV'S 09-15-80DATE:
September 15, 1980
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Inter- Corn
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Redevelopment Agency
Community Development Department
Redevelopment Agency, Downtown Area Improvements
DISCUSSION
One of the goals established by the Old Town Task Force was fo itemize public
improvements in an effort fo develop the downtown area theme. Towards this goal,
the Task Force has been researching ideas and forming a preliminary list
provemenfs and phasing. These improvements do not reflect an architectural theme
for privately owned buildings or structures, but only the improvements of public
facilities.
A slide presentation was made fo the Task Force depicting landscape and public
facility improvements in several downtown areas within Orange County. In addi-
tion fo this, several members visited local redevelopment areas. This research
aided the Task Force in formulating a preliminary improvement study for the
downtown area.
These preliminary improvements include, but are not limited fo:
1. Paving, which includes streets, pedestrian crossing, and sidewalks.
ao
Streets - utilize a Bomanife pattern and colors where pedestrian traffic
is anticipated to be slight. Bomanite can be designed to withstand
vehicle and truck traffic. Due fo an indented impression, Bomanife can
be difficult to Walk on, although grouting can improve this problem.
Sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalks. Utilize brick pavers, which is a 1/2
inch thick real brick laid with no grout space between bricks. Due fo
vehicular weight, crosswalks should utilize Bomanite with grout added
to reduce the impression problem.
2. Lighting
Streets. Marbelife street lights with a decorative light fixture. A
preliminary concept was fo utilize a different colored street pole from
the standard used throughout the city, with the mission bell light fix-
ture. These fixtures will be maintained by Southern California Edison.
Street corners. Utilize Iow level lighting fo create an interesting
nighfscape. Although these lights are a desirable amenity, additional
research should be done fo ascertain ~efher maintenance costs are too
high.
City Council
September 15, 1980
page 2.
Street furniture. Street furniture will be a highly visual aspect fo convey
the downtown theme. A preliminary inventory includes: turn-of-the-century
bus benches, decorative concrete trash receptacles, decorative tiled drinking
fountain, concrete barrel flower beds, iron grating around trees, and bicycle
racks. Also included with street furniture is the concept of placing bronze
plaques info the sidewalk, which will indicate an historic location in the
downtown area.
If should be noted that this is a preliminary list and does not represent final
recorr~mendafions. Staff will shortly begin preparing improvement plans in con-
juncflon with the development of the final undergroundlng plans. Prior fo be-
ginning the final plans, though, ~ determination needs to be made by the Agency
indicating fha, these improvements be incorporated in developing the final engineer-
ing plans for the downtown area.
RECOC&,V,,ENDATION
Staff recommends that the Agency approve the preliminary list of public improve-
ments for down,own Tusfin. Staff will utilize the list fo specify to consultants
the type of ideas to incorporate in the final public improvement plans.
EA~K: mm