• Aug
    2023
    15
    2023 / Aug / 15

    Navigating Farmington’s Future Comprehensive Plan

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    Logan Simpson completed an update to the City of Farmington, New Mexico’s 2002 Comprehensive Plan to reflect the City’s transformation from an economy traditionally reliant on oil, gas, and coal extraction, to one that is much more diverse. Policies within the draft plan highlight an economic future that strengthens key assets such as: outdoor recreation opportunities; a burgeoning film industry; and access to regional healthcare and higher-level education; increased tourism; and becoming an active lifestyle destination for its influx of retirees. The Plan provides recommendations to assist Farmington’s governing bodies in decision-making, moving policy and development forward in a productive way conducive to transforming Farmington into a healthy, sustainable economy. The Plan is reflective of public outreach efforts by integrating what residents and business owners love and the issues they identify. Based on public input, the update includes new elements such as planning for healthy and socially sustainable communities, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and environmental quality.

  • Jul
    2020
    01
    2020 / Jul / 01

    Chandler Fire Administration Building/Servicemen’s Memorial Plaza

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    Logan Simpson’s landscape architecture team developed a comprehensive landscape and hardscape design for this Gold LEED-certified project. Site improvements included staff/visitor parking; a private staff courtyard; and street-front landscaping. The landscape architecture design features a memorial plaza between the fire administration building and the police headquarters. The plaza design merges two circles, symbolizing both departments. Integral colored concrete weaves through the circles toward two memorial sculptures. An arbor shade structure, the backbone of the plaza, helps blend the buildings’ architecture. Circular walls frame the views of the memorials, functioning as buffers and providing private seating. Colorful concrete banding designed within the paving helps to enhance the central focus of the space. A central lawn area softens the hardscape and provides an intimate feel when the plaza is not being used for large events. In addition, to meet CPTED requirements, plants stair-step back toward walls and building foundations to improve visibility. The Memorial Plaza is shared by the Chandler Fire and Police Departments and includes two memorials to the fallen local heroes who lost their lives in the line of duty and those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attacks.

  • Jun
    2020
    17
    2020 / Jun / 17

    ECO PHX

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    ECO PHX is being created to meet an under-served market of environmentally conscientious residents. This purposefully sustainable, infill development of 70 apartment homes that demonstrates what is possible with today’s technology. To accomplish this objective, we approached the design process from the inside out, with sustainability components at the heart of the building’s design. The result is an economically feasible structure integrating sustainable building systems that create a distinctive residential community.

     

    The project integrates biomimicry by imitating the natural processes of our native Sonoran Desert: Curb cuts will bring in stormwater into the bioswales and provide a dual function of cleaning the water through vegetation as well as supplementing irrigation needs. The green wall mimics Arizona canyons and helps to cool the building. Recycled shower water from the building’s residents provides irrigation, vital in this arid climate.

     

    ECO PHX sets the standard for future development in Phoenix. The project is being completed for Habitat Metro and the Fenix Capital Group; team members include WERK | urban design, CCBG Architecture, Ritoch Powell, and Sletten Construction.

  • Residents holding sign
    May
    2020
    08
    2020 / May / 08

    Our Big Sky Community Vision & Strategy

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    Logan Simpson is working with the community of Big Sky, Montana to develop a cohesive vision and implementation strategy for future development, capital improvement projects, and strategic investments. Big Sky finds itself at an intersection–it is transitioning from a resort to a community. Logan Simpson is tasked to answer the following question: “What will Big Sky look like in 10 years?”

    The plan’s foundation identified and articulated the vision and goals that emerged from a robust public outreach process that represented Big Sky as a whole. Stakeholders demonstrated their support and a commitment early in the planning process; therefore, Logan Simpson focused on encouraging engagement from those not already involved–the locals. It was clear a hands-on approach was needed since many were hesitant to participate because they have worked in the community for only a short time, were too busy to participate, or did not want to disrupt their employment status. By offering one-on-one interviews (which broke our records for participation), our goal was to show the local workforce and permanent residents that they represent and reinforce the culture of Big Sky, and that their input truly does matter.

    We learned everyone comes from somewhere else in Big Sky—and have pride in choosing this great place. Likewise, everyone cares deeply about its future. Key issues identified during the initial outreach include infrastructure, road improvements, attainable housing, community gathering areas, and protection of the rivers. It was rewarding to learn that the values of all–the locals, landowners, developers, community leaders, and elected officials–are aligned by the desire to grow environmentally, socially, and economically. The plan will impact interagency collaboration and refocus efforts to address current issues and future opportunities. View the plan here.

  • Mar
    2019
    06
    2019 / Mar / 06

    Greater Phoenix Metro Green Infrastructure/LID Handbook

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    Low impact development (LID), or sustainable stormwater management, is a green infrastructure (GI) technique practiced widely in the US outside the Southwest. This landscape-based technique can help reduce runoff and stormwater flows in existing conveyance systems, reducing nonpoint source pollutant loads and improving conformance with first-flush requirements. LID reduces stormwater peak flows and volumes, helping mitigating flood hazards. LID can also conserve stormwater, allowing it to be used as a supplemental landscape irrigation source that can help mitigate the heat-island effect and improve quality of life by providing vegetated spaces and shade.

    In Arizona, LID is routinely practiced in Pima County. In recent years, Arizona State University’s Sustainable Cities Network (SCN) has fostered dialogue between Phoenix-area communities and agencies about sustainability, including how GI techniques like LID can be more widely implemented. The result was the Greater Phoenix Metro Green Infrastructure Handbook, which provides 10 LID-based technical standardized details and specifications (TSDSs) in Maricopa Association of Governments format. The 10 details were chosen by the SCN core team (cities of Scottsdale and Phoenix and the Flood Control District of Maricopa County), with input from other local communities.

    Data from more than 4,700 Pima County rainfall events and 319 Maricopa County rain gauges was analyzed to establish storm events where LID techniques can optimally mitigate pollution and flooding. The landscape architect conducted research into the geology and soils of the Phoenix area and developed plant palettes and planting concepts that support the LID approach. The landscape architect also worked closely with the engineer to develop TSDS for each LID feature and provided graphic design.

    The Handbook helps agencies meet water-quality regulations and sustainable design policies. It is the only document available that contains guidance and specific techniques for implementing LID treatments in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area’s unique environment.