Bluebonnet Circle Renovation Proposal By Grant Moore

Identified Problem

• Job of a park is to provide internal comfort• Two main ways to help increase use of the park– Happiness “provides a sense of pride and attachment”

which is clearly absent through lack of TLC at BBC, more upkeep shows more pride

– “Sensory gratification” provides internal comfort, so why not make the space more of an interesting area with activities for all of the senses?

Identified Solution

• Proposal will make the park an “icon” of the surrounding area, uniting the area under a common symbol.

• Businesses have closed due to a “lack of distinct direction”• No one can agree on what to do with the space because

everyone wants something different, so why not appeal as widely as possible with the limited space?

Site Overview and Description

• Located just three blocks south of TCU’s campus on University Drive.

• Created in 1929 originally, but did not see commercial / recreational development until the 1950’s

• Circle has been largely untouched since it’s creation• Recent times have taken their toll on the park, with

several large trees dying, damage to park structures and empty planting edges that used to be full of life

Proposed Changes• Proposal is split in to two parts, construction and

refurbishment• First new structure is a circular multi-purpose stage for the

middle of the park. – Plugs in the stage would allow for concerts, theatre lighting, etc.– Electricity could be regulated by reserving the location

Proposed Changes• Second new structure is a permanent outdoor restroom

– Would allow visitors to stay longer for concerts and shows– Encourages people to spend the day at the park– Gives the park a building to make it’s aesthetic theme off of– Will be work to maintain and build (water, electricity)

Proposed Changes• Third new structure is a permanent concrete base with a

big awning over it to provide shelter– To encourage the use of the park as a “market”– Provide the park with shelter (currently absent)– Make use of the massive amount of space

Proposed Changes• Install lighted crosswalks at four diagonal points in the

park to help encourage foot traffic– Also simultaneously make the vehicle traffic slower– Cheap solution to building a structure of some sort– Currently, there are no crosswalks

Proposed Changes• Renovatation of the current visual problems in the park

– Removal of tree stumps– Replace old benches with new, modern ones– Painting the wall around the park to match the restroom

Address Costs• Growth of TCU has only attributed to the land value of the

area and it will continue to rise. • Remodeling the park would capitalize on this growth and

bring in more “tent pole” businesses. • Costs of construction would be short term but moderate.• Long term costs include electricity to the park, water to

the restrooms, cleaning the restrooms, locking the building and replacing awnings and lights

Dimensions of Urban Design• Biggest potential to be improved under the Functional

Dimension• “How urban designer can make ‘better’ places or, more

precisely, increase the potential for them to develop”• Bluebonnet Circle is wasted potential• Park serves not just as a destination but also a “go-

through” place• Passive Engagement was encouraged, with new additions

also involve Active Engagement

Conclusion• Increasing the use of the park will help the existing area

achieve it’s maximum potential• Location is unique mix of college, community, business

and education• Needs to better “support a sense of identity”• Everyone feels entitled to the land so something needs to

be built that can be used by everybody