HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-13-041 - New City Entrance - Update on Fairway Road Streetscape
REPORT TO:
Community &InfrastructureServices Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
May 6, 2013
SUBMITTED BY:
Alain Pinard, Director of Planning
PREPARED BY:
Brandon Sloan, Manager, Long Range & Policy Planning
Lenore Ross, Urban Designer (519-741-2200 x7427)
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
Ward 2
DATE OF REPORT:
April 24, 2013
REPORT NO.:
CSD-13-041
SUBJECT:
NEW CITY ENTRANCE
UPDATE ON FAIRWAY ROAD STREETSCAPE
RECOMMENDATION:
That report CSD-13-041, New City Entrance Update on Fairway Road Streetscape, be
received for information; and
That the Fairway Road entrance to Kitchener be considered an approved banner program
location under Council Policy I-
That City of Kitchener Special Events staff coordinate the installation and removal of any
banners from the Fairway Road entrance under Council Policy I-
).
BACKGROUND:
The extension of Fairway Road North andthe new bridge over the Grand River provide a new
entrance to the City of Kitchener. The City and the Region of Waterloo have collaborated in the
preparation of streetscape designs to help create a prominent and memorable gateway to our
City. This report provides an overview of the streetscape design, the timing of future
improvements and an explanation of the successful partnerships that were developed to
achieve this remarkable entrance to Kitchener.
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REPORT:
Fairway Road Extension and Bridge
The Fairway Road North extension and bridge provides a new connection
between the cities of Kitchener and Cambridge over the Grand River. This
Regional Road project offers better access to the Waterloo Regional Airport
and an alternate route to and from Highway 401. The bridge is the first
vehicular crossing of the Grand River in over 40 years and the long-span
design allows for a clear crossing without piers in the river. The architectural
design incorporates
stonework, pedestrian lookout plazas and enhanced pedestrian and cycling
facilities. There are a number of significant views and vistas of the river valley,
woodlots and the surrounding community. The Region has made a significant
financial investment in the design of the Fairway Road extension and bridge.
Gateway marker
Gateway
Lookout
marker
plaza
Sculptural Tapered profile/
View from Cambridge looking north towards Kitchener
piers railings river span
Conceptual Bridge Design (Fairway Extension) Region of Waterloo | DTAH
Streetscape/Landscape Plan
In conjunction with the main engineering project, the City and the Region have collaborated in
the preparation of a streetscape design for the Kitchener portion of the project stretching
approximately 1200m from Pebble Creek Drive and Upper Mercer Street to the Walter Bean
Trail connections and the bridge. This streetscape design will help create a
entrance and gateway to our City that is reflective of, and connected to, the Grand River.
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The design incorporates native trees and blocks of native ornamental grasses planted in the
boulevards, centre median and roundabout. In addition to the sidewalks and cycling lanes, trail
connections are provided on both sides of the bridge embankment. The bridge incorporates
lookout plazas and opportunities for seating, interpretive panel(s) and opportunities for public
on the main
roadway will have banner arms and infrastructure to allow for pedestrian-scale lighting (if
desired in the future). This streetscape design will be incorporated into the site and landscape
design of the adjacent subdivisions.
Lookout plaza
Gateway marker
Conceptual Bridge Design (Fairway Extension) Region of Waterloo | DTAH
City Component
Many aspects of the proposed streetscape design go beyond the basic level of landscaping that
is provided on Regional road projects.These enhancements are primarily concentrated in the
bridge embankment/lookout area at the entrance to the city. The streetscape components that
the City is funding include connections to and surfacing of the Walter Bean Trail on both sides of
the bridge towards the river;low-maintenance landscaping using native species; seating areas,
interpretive panel(s), public art and other small design components. A section of the proposed
design is attached to this report.
The Planning Division is partnering with Arts and Culture staff through the Public Art Working
Group to undertake one or more public art installations as part of the streetscape design. This
may include the design and installation of seating areas at the lookout plazas, thematic
interpretive information about the Grand River andpublic art pieces which will be located on
either side of the road near the trail connections and at suitable locations along the centre
median. The project will follow the typical Public Art process and will begin later this year.
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Street trees and boulevard plantings for the remainder of Fairway Road between the bridge
embankment and Zeller Drive will be the financial responsibility of the adjacent developer(s).
Added Value
There is significant value in having a streetscape plan, as it will provide consistent guidance to
the Region, City Planning, City Operations and adjacent developers for the implementation and
maintenance of a visually coordinated design. The efforts of the Region to implement design
enhancements to the bridge and to consider alternative landscape designs within the Regional
Road right-of-way are significant and appreciated. Combining and leveraging contributions from
ils accounts helps create a new andprominent entrance to our
city. This streetscape project adds further value in the following ways:
Reflects civic pride
Creates a more memorable sense of place
Supports g (adding native vegetation)
Shows commitment to the environment
Improves to the Grand River
Supports quality urban design
Celebrates public art
Implements Official Plan policies,the Multi-use Pathway Master Plan and the direction of
the Parks Strategic Plan (further connecting with the Grand River)
Signals City support and commitment to economic investment
Fosters active partnerships and collaboration
Timing
While theroad and bridge have been open for several months,there is currently nolandscaping
installed. The Regionand contract would include all Regionally-
funded landscaping across the entire project including landscaping in the median. City-funded
components of landscaping near the bridge and the installation of trail connections would also
be included in this contract and would be completed this autumn.
Itmay take several years for the full implementation/installation of the entire streetscape design
as it is partly dependent upon the adjacent developer(s) moving forward with subdivision
development and their required contribution to the streetscape work. The lands on the north
side of the road are draft approved and in progress with the phases requiring implementation of
the streetscape design early in the subdivision staging. The public art component may be ready
for installation in 2014 or 2015. Additional public art pieces could be added over time.
Existing view easterly on north side of road
Existing view towards Kitchener from bridge
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Council Policy I-1185Banner Policy - Municipal
Several light standards within the Fairway Road right-of-way will have the infrastructure to
display any banners that the City may choose to display in the future promoting the municipality
or any events (similar to entrances to many other municipalities). This report includes a
recommendation that clarifies that this location could participate in the banner program and that
the installation would be coordinated through the Manager of Special Events.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This streetscape
assist with other strategic directions, such as creative communities and leadership through
partnerships.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Since Fairway Road is a Regional Road, the Region of Waterloo has provided a significant
portion of the total cost of the new Fairway Road streetscape. Additional streetscape works
which are not typically provided on Regional Roads are funded by the remaining partners in this
project. The breakdown of non-Region landscaping installation is as follows:
City of Kitchener Urban Design $95,000
City of Kitchener Trails $50,000
Adjacent Developer(s) $55,000
Funding is available within current capital budget allotments. The Urban Design account had
funding reserved and a balance carried forward for this specific project.
The costs identified above are based on the detailed post-budget tender level estimates
the associated landscape plans. Along the new streetscape, there will be no traditional turf and
as such, very limited grass cutting will be required. The proposed groundcover mix will likely
require a single spring cut. The Region and City have continuing arrangements for the
maintenance of Regional Road streetscapes.
The City will lead a separate Public Art project(s) for this location. An existing capital budget
allotment of $60,000 will be transferred from the Urban Design account to a Public Art account.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
N/A
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CONCLUSION:
The implementation of the streetscape plan for the Fairway Road North extension and bridge
not only represents a unique opportunity for creating a prominent new entrance to the City, but it
also represents a partnership between the
Divisions, Arts and Culture and adjacent developer(s). This project supports the City of
should be a great example of civic pride.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Michael May, Deputy CAO
Community Services Department
Attachment: Fairway Road Landscape/Streetscape Plan (Sheet L-8)
3239_Streetscape
Kitchener_L8.pdf.pdf
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