• 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.

  • Sep
    2018
    25
    2018 / Sep / 25

    ASU Greek Village

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    Through a public-private partnership (P3), Arizona State University and American Campus Communities developed the $72 million ASU Greek Village student housing development on approximately 4.5 acres near the ASU campus. Logan Simpson designed the landscape for the 4-story, 240,000 s.f. residential housing/community center, which includes first-floor commercial development. Design elements include an entry plaza, patios, courtyards, monument and wayfinding signage, site furnishings, and landscaping and irrigation. Design aesthetics integrate a curvilinear paving pattern that connects indoor and outdoor spaces and harmonizes the community center with the residential housing. The site/landscape design responds to ASU’s Sustainable Design Guidelines and meets USGBC LEED – Building Design and Construction Development (LEED-BD+C)’s “Silver” rating guidelines.

  • Sep
    2018
    24
    2018 / Sep / 24

    Lincoln Corridor Plan

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    Logan Simpson developed a vision plan for the Lincoln Avenue corridor extending from Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado to Lemay Avenue. The area contains a rich, eclectic mix of industry, breweries, historic neighborhoods, access to the Poudre River, open space, and regional trail systems. Woodward Governor recently chose the corridor for their new 6,000-employee world headquarters, in part because Lincoln Avenue would consist of a unique street design.

    As an emerging district adjacent to Old Town, Lincoln is envisioned as one of the next great places in Fort Collins. The Lincoln Corridor Plan provided specific recommendations on extensive street and bridge enhancements; incorporates best practices for street design including bioswales and permeable pavements; provides multimodal access; includes pedestrian amenities and gathering areas; establishes a cohesive identity for the corridor; recommends implementation strategies for funding and phasing; and prioritizes improvement projects.

    The vibrant street design sets the stage for a mix of small- and large-scale development. Neighboring residents and businesses provided extensive input on the vision through multiple online surveys, project webpage, bilingual project materials, a series of informational events such as barbecues, highly interactive workshops, attendance at local fairs and events, and corridor walks with residents, business owners, and other stakeholders.

  • Sep
    2018
    24
    2018 / Sep / 24

    Erie Parkway Corridor Study

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    Logan Simpson helped develop a vision plan and streetscape design guidelines for the six-mile Erie Parkway corridor in Erie, Colorado. The area contains a diverse mixture of districts including downtown, existing and proposed residential areas, community and regional commercial areas, and a crossing of the Coal Creek open space and regional trail.

    The corridor plan is meant to identify—and eventually implement—multimodal transportation and streetscape improvements to enhance mobility, safety, and aesthetics along the corridor. The streetscape design was tailored for each character district, which provides variety while maintaining consistency between the elements and reinforcing and enhancing Erie’s small town identity.

  • Sep
    2018
    18
    2018 / Sep / 18

    Big Thompson River Restoration Master Plan

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    Logan Simpson developed a post-flood river restoration master plan along an 80-mile corridor. The plan was designed to improve the flood resilience of infrastructure and to restore the river corridor after the massive destruction caused by the flooding of September 2013. Logan Simpson led an extensive stakeholder and multiagency engagement program, and focused on small group discussions using large-format maps of the affected area, website information, interagency meetings, elected and appointed official briefings, and on online map commenting tool called sMap. The lead engineering firm conducted geomorphic and flood risk assessments; ecological habitat assessments; reach prioritization; and developed recommendations that Logan Simpson illustrated in prototypical plans and sections. Logan Simpson went on to prepare “A Bigger Vision for the Big T,” a restoration and conservation plan for restoring and enhancing public recreational opportunities and conserving lands along the river corridor. The plan was designed to prioritize strategic investment, coordinate funding strategies, and facilitate unified decision-making among stakeholders.

  • Sep
    2018
    18
    2018 / Sep / 18

    Mehaffey Park

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    This 69-acre community park is the City of Loveland, Colorado’s premier park for residents in the western part of the city. Logan Simpson developed a master plan and construction documents for the site, which includes a disc golf course, multipurpose fields, natural restored landscapes and drainages, tennis and basketball courts, skate park, dog park, an arboretum, fruit orchards, unique adventure play area, signature bridge, paved and soft surface trails, raw water irrigation and detention pond, picnic lawn and picnic shelters. Located on the route of the Overland Trail, references to this historic route are expressed in the design of site elements, and through art pieces and are sited throughout the park. We also designed a 0.25-mile of streetscape and road improvements near the park, as well as park access roads. We held public workshops in order to meet City standards and maintenance requirements, while respecting adjacency to residential development. The master plan process included programming/visioning sessions with City staff, several workshops, collaboration with a local artist, and a public survey of community preferences. A 3-D SketchUp model was also extremely valuable in showing neighbors what they would see from their residences.

  • Sep
    2018
    14
    2018 / Sep / 14

    New Mexico Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

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    Logan Simpson led the development of Viva New Mexico: A Statewide Plan for Outdoor Adventure, which will serve as New Mexico’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) for 2016 – 2020. The SCORP provides strategies for strengthening New Mexico’s outdoor heritage.
    The SCORP evaluates supply and demand for outdoor recreation resources and facilities, identifies outdoor recreation trends and issues, and quantifies economic impacts of outdoor recreation. It documents benefits associated with existing outdoor recreation activities and lands, as well as potential benefits that could be realized with changes in programs, facilities, access to recreation, education, marketing efforts, and other actions. Benefits include tourism revenue, attracting high-quality employers, reduced crime, employee retention, reduced health care expenditures, increased property values, shifts in transportation from driving to bicycling and walking, and other factors that can be translated into real dollars. This analysis is critical to understanding the cost/benefits of investments and developing additional public support for funding capital, operations, maintenance and life-cycle replacements of facilities and infrastructure. Public involvement included public opinion surveys targeted to residents, out of state visitor, and other stakeholders, such as government agencies and recreation-oriented organizations.

  • Sep
    2018
    14
    2018 / Sep / 14

    Western Maricopa Education Center

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    The Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) Northwest Campus provides career and technical education to high school students and adults in the automotive, computer technology, construction, health and beauty, and medical industries. Logan Simpson provided siting and landscape architecture design for Phase I, which includes energy, STEM, administration, and IT/cyber buildings. The campus provides open and flexible spaces to allow programs to overlap, including outdoor labs/work areas; an amphitheater; and student social gathering areas. An assembly space called “The Lightbox” serves as a student gathering space and hosts staffing events and academic conferences by day. By night, the outer shell lights up and serves as a beacon for public awareness. Sustainability measures include low-water-use plants and sustainable stormwater management practices (LID), which capture rainwater where it falls, reducing the need for irrigation and capturing pollutants that would otherwise enter the stormwater system. An east-west orientation controls solar exposure while providing large expanses of shade for outdoor activities and gathering. An outdoor courtyard creates a microclimate by providing a sheltered space with native plant material while the buildings utilize energy-efficient glass and energy modeling to reduce dependency on active systems to cool interior spaces. See a video of the project here.

  • Sep
    2018
    14
    2018 / Sep / 14

    Wellspring Park Conceptual Master Plan

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    The City of Goodyear has a strong commitment to its citizens’ health and welfare and intends to convert a two-mile, 120-acre strip of land adjacent to I-10 into a world-class health and wellness park. Wellspring Park is being developed through a private-public partnership (P3) made up of the City of Goodyear and the Wellness Park Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) organization.

    Bordered by three medical facilities and with few site constraints, the master plan for Wellspring Park grew organically, based on City, stakeholder, and the public input. Inspired by the emphasis on human health, Logan Simpson’s landscape architecture team developed three conceptual plan alternatives: “Mind and Body,” “Human Nature,” and “Nature/Nurture.” These alternatives drew inspiration from human life cycles, body systems, and the effect of nature on human health, leading to the final conceptual master plan: “Mind, Body, and Spirit.” The master plan approaches health holistically. It proposes a health-oriented conference center and commercial spaces as sustainable revenue generators. The outdoor opportunities are geared toward fitness, adventure, gathering, physical recuperation, meditation, remembrance, environmental education, and healthy habits, all while immersed in an enriched landscape setting. Because of the scope and scale of the project, and the anticipated build out over several years, the master plan divided the Park into “precincts,” each of which has a different wellness focus and aesthetic character suitable for individual development.

  • Sep
    2018
    14
    2018 / Sep / 14

    Cambria Hotel

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    This 127-unit hotel includes meeting rooms, a restaurant, small retail opportunities, and a street-side patio space in downtown Phoenix. The hotel will offer a unique rooftop lounge/bar with outdoor seating areas and a semi-private group area surrounding a fire pit. The rooftop experience includes landscape pockets with a variety of small trees and shrubs that will enhance the overall essence of overlooking the Phoenix skyline. The rooftop landscape areas will utilize a locally blended lightweight growing media. Landscape pockets located on the roof will make use of industry-standard deck assemblies that will include a combination of monolithic membranes, hydroflex sheeting, styrofoam insulation, and filtration/drainage systems. Unique site furnishings complement and reflect both the exterior architecture and the interior spaces. The overall design maximizes pedestrian shade on the adjacent street level sidewalks via both vegetative cover and custom designed awnings and structures.