Earlier, I talked about spreading the development around the neighborhood a bit - shorter, more diverse, human scale development. So entertaining a little 'what-if', "What if the Waterfront is dead?"
map (c) Microsoft Corporation. I comply with cease and desists. link to map
The blue buildings are mixed use towers with retail lobbies at ground level a la real city skyscrapers. The two buildings that hug the garage/office tower already there would be terraced up from either direction to provide a little extra shape to the skyline. The two buildings with the Lake St frontage would feature more traditional tower architecture. The red buildings are intended to be brick facade separated by alleys. They would adopt the appearance of the Mizpah Hotel, with the alleys having businesses front into them. These buildings would be 4 - 6 stories tall and would be a mixture of lofts, apartments, and condominiums targeted at a wide mix of income levels.
What is most exciting about this plan to me however is the park space that connects it. All the green areas you see on this map plus the alleys are pedestrian corridors. The green rectangle at the top is a bazaar/pedestrian corridor, providing a place for an outdoor street market. And the network of paths and public plazas that hooks up to the alleys to connect the river buildings to downtown opens up the river in a currently very inhospitable spot, and seeks to provide a sense of neighborhood identity which can be leveraged in many ways. Most importantly, the goal is to do development that looks at a whole neighborhood and put in a mix of styles and uses connected by public space.
I have taken a few liberties here since I have not seen much detailed information on the Freight House project, but I see the East River district defined by squares at its northern and southern reaches - Freight House Square at the northern reach and the plaza by the river at the southern.
That's awesome dude! I wish you were down here to propose stuff like that to developers or planning commission staff.
Today's the big day for the Mizpah decision.
I think that the Waterfront is dead. I hear so many things from so many sources it's confusing. I heard from one source who is close to one of the partners involved tell me the developers got pissed at the city. I have a city council member confirming what I have heard from other people, that design costs have skyrocketed. But then I had a different source tell me he talked to a construction forman at the site who said they are leaving it as is for the winter, and starting construction in the spring, and that they stopped construction on the model only temporarily until they begin ground work again in the spring. So who knows anymore LOL, I give up.
Anyway, I hope the developers end up doing something like your concept, if they can't afford to build a 36-story tower anymore.
Posted by: Mike Van H | December 14, 2006 at 02:08 PM
Thanks, glad you like the plan.
You know, one thing about the internet is that I've just proposed this to any developer with eyes and a net connection; any planning commissioner with a net connection. I should probably send out a couple emails referring to this plan, it seems especially poignant now.
As for Waterfront, Wingfied, et al, I ain't holdin' my breath on any of it. When you've watched Reno as long as I have you know that ideas are fleeting and depend on the whims of people who don't always have the best interest of the community in mind when they want to do something.
That's why I say go small, go realistic, go with a business model that is hedged against things like housing collapses, provide something people need, not just another trophy for a world-reknowned architect.
Posted by: Ken | December 14, 2006 at 06:56 PM