report on signs in downtown saratoga springs

7/29/2019 Report on signs in downtown Saratoga Springs

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A WAYFINDING PROGRAM for t

SARATOGA SPRINGS DOWNTOWN SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRIC

PhASE 2 REPORT: DESIGN CONCEPTS & WAYFINDING INITIATI

DRAFT FOR REvIEW 5/26

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Design Concepts & Wayfinding Initiatives A Wayfinding Program for the Saratoga Springs Downtown District MAY 2010

A WAYF INDIN G P ROGRAM f or te S ARATOGA SPRINGS DOWNTOWN S PEC IAL ASSESSMENT DIS TRI

Introduction to the Second Phase of the Pro

There are elements of wayfinding already in

in Saratoga Springs. These elements are of v

types and designs and thus may create

conflict and confusion when the intent is cand guidance. These photographs highlight w

in place and the disparate approaches to gr

communication and wayfinding.

WHAT IS WAYFINDING?Waynding literally means nding ones way to

destinations.

Wayfinding systems can include or

incorporate:Signs and information components -

from street signs to kiosks;

Architectural & landscape elements

(such as gateway structures and the use

of landmarks in wayfinding);Pedestrian, bicycle and transit

infrastructure and amenities;

Maps & websites to include printed and

electronic media;

People as guides, such as the Visitor

Center staff person or the bus driver, or

even a local resident assisting a visitor.

Project StatementTe initial ocus or this project, as stated in the

Request For Proposals, was to plan, design and

implement a waynding signage system throughout

the Saratoga Springs Downtown Special AssessmentDistrict (SAD). Tis system should address the needs o

visitors and residents using all modes o transportation.

Street level vitality, legibility, saety, maintenance and

replacement costs are all major concerns in creating an

inormation signage and wayfnding system.

SAD has identied multiple goals or this project. Tese

include promoting a distinct downtown community

identity and raising awareness o Saratogas Springs

unique character. Tis initiative also seeks to enhance

visitors and resi dents navigation throug h the distric t

to key destinations, and decrease trac congestion

by improving navigation to key destinations and

parking, including the removal o redundant and

unnecessary signage. An additional goal is to establisha maintenance plan or signage which identies the

various agencies responsible or impleme ntation and

maintenance.

Tis initiative seeks to achieve these goals through a

community oriented process, working cooperatively

with all involved stakeholders.

IntroductionTe initial phase o this project ocused on an

inventory o existing conditions and an analysis o

the current state o the visual landscape, signs and

waynding in downtown Saratoga Springs. Te reportidentied a number o critical issues, but also provided

some insights as to the opportunities associated

with implementing a coordinated waynding, sign,

branding and inormation system or the city.

Te intent o this second phase o the project is to address

those opportunities and provide some initial concepts

and options to consider in developing a comprehensive

waynding program. Tis program can/should embrace

a wide range o considerations, as indicated in the

original project statement set orth by the Saratoga

Springs Downtown Assessment District members.

Tese can and should include developing a consistent

sign and inormation system, web based mapping and

guidance, banners and branding, parking sign graphicsand parking lot identication, and gateways to the City.

Eventually bicycle system graphics and guidance, as well

as cultural and historical interpretation elements can

also be included in this approach.

Te next step or the project will be to develop

consensus or a design and system approach and to

prepare specications and a sign and waynding

element location map. Te option also exists to urther

develop the brand or Saratoga Springs and to prepare

detailed designs and content or banners, kiosks.


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May 2010 A Wayfinding Program for the Saratoga Springs Downtown District Proposed Wayfinding Elements2

A WAYF INDIN G P ROGRAM f or te S ARATOG A SPR INGS DOWNTOWN SPE CIAL ASSES SMENT DIS TRICT

Design Concepts & Wayfinding Initiatives

Information

Maps, directories, symbols.

Directional

Signs which guide drivers

& pedestrians.

Branding

Gateway signs or banners.

Identification

Parking, shopping centers,

districts, regions, etc.

D R A F T F O R R E V I E W 5/2 6/10

Overview of Initial

DESIGN CONCEPTS &

WAYFINDING INITIATIvES

LandWorks has developed a series o wayndingelements and recommendations or waynding

initiatives that are presented in this design report.

Included in this presentation are the ollowing topics

and design concepts:

1. Design Principles

Tis is an introduction to the outline o the elements

which could/should comprise an holistic waynding

system or Saratoga Springs, including the amily o

proposed signs and related elements.

2. Design Concepts

wo options are presented or an initial amily o

waynding elements or review as part o developing

a nal design or a waynding program in SaratogaSprings.

3. Kiosks and Directories

It is recommended that Saratoga Springs consider

alternative concepts or developing an eective

means o guiding residents and visitors alike to retail,

commercial, cultural and public destinations and

acilities (i.e. public restrooms, wi- locations, etc.)

within the downtown district. Kiosks are one means

o accomplishing this.

4. Oter Wayfinding Considerations

Tere are a number o interconnected waynding and

circulation opportunities, including the integration

o the system with with bicycle routes and guidance,as well as the notion o smart signs - changeable

messaging that, in many cities provides real time

inormation about parking locations and availability.

5. Branding

An open issue remains as to how to best convey the

brand o Saratoga Springs (beyond the notion o

health, history and horses) through the opportunities

presented by a waynding and inormation system.

Further discussion is warranted regarding what is the

brand and how to convey it.

6. Streetscape

How do waynding elements, signs, street urniture,

landscape, pedestrian circulation all work together

to create order and synchronicity (versus an

uncoordinated set o colors, designs, graphics) How

to integrate the waynding system (and associated

elements) within the context o the location and design

o existing streetscape elements that include regulatory

signs, light posts, specic street and sidewalk widths,

etc.

7. E- Mapping and Electronic Wayfinding

It is urged that Saratoga Springs consider options or

reinorcing and enhancing waynding and inormation

guidance or visitors to Saratoga Springs using current

technology or electronic waynding including cell

phone applications.


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STREETSCA

The Stuff of Saratoga Stre

Existing Wayfinding & Streetscape Elem

The visual clutter at Broadway and Church

Street is overwhelming and confusing. Thi

typical along Broadway.

Te Broadway streetscape presents some orm

challenges or the pedestrian and motorist al

is a rich street and sidewalk environment, bu

that needs some renement and/or reorgani

so as to not risk and overabundance o clutte

uncoordinated elements.

Te key task is to successully integrate the way

system (and associated elements) within the con

the location and design o existing streetscape ele

that include regulatory signs, light posts, v

orms o street urniture taking into account s

street and sidewalk widths, as well as the unctio

aesthetic qualities o this main downtown desti

environment, Broadway. Te drawing and photo

reerenced provide a sense o the existing conditio

the both the challenges and opportunities they pr

One nal and critical consideration is to reduce

sign clutter and numbers - as set orth in the inv

and analysis phase o this project. Tis can and sho

accomplished in concert with the implementation

new waynding signs and elements and typically in

the ollowing three steps: 1) Eliminating unneces

duplicative signs; 2) Co-locating or combining e

or duplicative signs; and/or 3) Relocating existin

to reduce visual conficts. Te primary goal with

to the streetscape is to reduce overall clutter (sig

streetscape elements) and to provide an improve

environment and/or visual landscape that pro

trac and pedestrian saety.

StreetscapeLight Post

Info

Directional

Street Furniture

Decorated Lamp

Landscape

Street Tree

Info

Street Scape

Route

Numbers

Regulatory

Regulatory

Pedestrian Info

Directional

Business

Landscape

Planting Bed

Street Furniture

Receptacle

Street Furniture

Bicycle Rack

Street Furniture

Bench

Street Name


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Section-Elevation at Broadway and Church Street /

Lake Avenue Looking South

Location Map

STREETSCAPE

Existing Wayfinding & Streetscape Elements

One o the key challenges or the waynding system

has to do with the organization o the street and

sidewalk. In particular, the sidewalks o Saratoga

Springs represent one o the key pieces o the citys

inrastructure that serve the visitor and contribute to

the vitality and sense o place or the downtownAn article entitled Essential Elements o Sustainable

Design in the March 2010 issue o Planning magazine

highlights the role o the sidewalk in addressing green

urbanism:

Te public right-o-way should be designed to be used

by the community in a uniquely fexible and social

manner. Sidewalks and plazas should accommodate

a wide variety o activities depending on location,

adjacency, and time o day.

Sidewalks should accommodate a variety o activities

throughout the day. Zoning the sidewalks or window

shopping and dining, strolling, and street inrastructureis an important step toward sustainability.

WiFi access, seating areas, newsstands, bike racks,

public bathrooms, and inormation kiosks are

other important amenities that can be incorporated

into sidewalk designs so that sidewalks are not just

pedestrian movement areas but a third place so

essential or the social lie o the city.

D R A F T F O R R E V I E W 5/2 6/10

PedestrianZone

StreetTree

/

PlantingZone

StreetTree/

PlantingZone

CurbZone

CurbZone

StreetParkin

gZone

PedestrianZone

StreetParkin

gZone

A ALake Avenue Church Street

10 8 5 8 8 5 15 15

0 10 20 40

FeetS C A L E : 1 = 2 0 - 0

N


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STREETSCA

Broadway & Lake Avenue De


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STREETSCAPE

Broadway & Church Street Detail

D R A F T F O R R E V I E W 5/2 6/10


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Museums and the Arts4. - there are 9 museu

cultural heritage resources in an around Sa

Springs including the National Historical P

Skidmore5. - the college as a destination an

resource or the region and city

Broadway and the Downtown6. - the rich h

and current vitality o Broadway and envi

both attractive and memorable or visitors

Elements such as the gateway areas, banner

printed and electronic inormation can presen

promote the brand o Saratoga Springs; the way

system as a whole can convey the brand in more

and indirect ways.

Branding takes many orms. It is the opportunity

to convey the memorable message and/or takeaway

or visitors - it is both expectation and experience.

Saratoga Springs has a good challenge with its

branding - there are a number o elements which can

and do convey Saratoga Springs to the visitor:

Te Spa & Springs1. - the imagery and architecture

o Congress Park

Horses, Racing & the Race Course2. - the horse

sculptures on Broadway are clear evidence o this

heritage

Te Performing Arts3. - the Saratoga Perorming

Arts Center being a nationally, i not internationally

recognized venue

BRANDI


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Tere is great promise or this aspect o communic ating

cultural recreational and retail opportunities in a

downtown or region. Already major destinations

have begun to do this with I-phone applications,

web site options and other interesting programs

and applications. Tis is the wave o the uture butwill never entirely replace the basic and traditional

waynding methods and elements.

Sustainable design methods are also being readily

incorporated into waynding signs and elements.

From audible messaging and tactile signing, to

solar powered kiosks and directories, to selecting

recycled metal and non-VOC paint nishes, there

are a number o green design initiatives that can and

should be incorporated into waynding programs and

downtown and city wide streetscape elements.

E-MAPPING, ELECTRONIC WAYFINDING AND SuSTAINABLE DESIGN

D R A F T F O R R E V I E W 5/2 6/10


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OThER WAYFINDING CONSIDERATIO

Tere are many potential components that s

be considered or a city-wide waynding sy

Saratoga Springs needs to consider ways in wh

integrate inormation, signing and even stru

with regard to bicycle circulation and p

transit to create a seamless system o guidanccommunication or getting around Saratoga S

and or understanding what it has to oer, or

visitors and res idents.

Te examples shown on this page provide a se

some o the dierent components to consider

creating the nal waynding program or Sar

Springs.

Parking lot signs with electronic mes1.

employing LED sign components to be const

during 2010 or the city o Burlington, Ver

Some o these signs will be powered by solar p

A coordinated system o parking signs 2.downtown bike signs) compliant with

provisions o the MUCD (Manual on Un

rac Control Devices) would reduce

clutter and provide a systematic approach t

key element o the downtown.

Church Street Marketplace in dow3.

Burlington, Vt. is identied and branded

system o street signs. Street signs are eect

delineating special districts in a city.

Bus shelters can also become part o a coordi4.

design a approach to transportation inrastru

Tese bus shelters propose d or the Jackson, Wy

public transit system use the same materia

design motis employed in the signs which aro the citys overall waynding program.

FULLOPEN 051

Spaces AvailableSpaces Available


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ogether the aspects o signing and inormation

dissemination can combine to create what has been

reerred to as the Legible City. Bristol, England

has pioneered this approach to a comprehensive

inormation system that is based on the ollowing

premise:

Successful cities will be those that

connect people, movement and places

efficiently. They will be engaging,

welcoming, accessible and easily

understood.

From Building L egible Cities by Andrew Kelly, Bristol

Cultural Development Partnership, Bristol, England,

2001.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGEThER

The Legible City

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MarketplaceGarage

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CorporatePlaza

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Browns Court Lot

Courthouse Plaza

Library/MemorialAuditoriumLot

S Un ion Lot

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City Hall Park

T T

K ING S T

M A I N S T R E E T

BANK S T

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C O L L E G E S TCOLLEGE

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Top Left Map for Teton Village with 3-D views of

building. (LandWorks)

Bottom LeftDowntown map for the city of Burlington,

Vermont, with 3-D views of landmark buildings.

(LandWorks)

Middle Top Legible London wayfinding sign with

overview and detail maps, as well as directional signs,

which have been integrated at the top.Right Top An example of the 3-D map approach

applied to Saratoga Springs.

D R A F T F O R R E V I E W 5/2 6/10

BROADW

AYA

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9

50

CIRCU

LAR

CONGRE

PARK


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DESIGN CONCEP

Overview of Design Appro

Te initial design concepts presented in this ph

the project are intended to provide a sense o

is appropriate or themes, graphics and stru

components that may comprise a coord

waynding and inormation system or Sar

Springs. Te overall design intent is to create a timinnovative and sustainable system that reco

the city and region as a destination environmen

reerences the rich history, architecture and sen

place that distinguishes Saratoga Springs and

apart rom other cities and downtowns. Tese elem

are proposed to be integrated and interconnecte

to encompass web based inormation and way

tools as well as signs and streetscape element

desire is to create an aesthetically appropriat

graphically legible and accessible inormation s

that incorporates current practice and technolo

environmental graphic design.

Te concepts presented represent a design app

that sets orth a timeless, elegant and contextuo graphics, structures and shapes. Note that

typeaces and design or the words Saratoga Sp

are subject to review and that the displayed typ

is a placeholder.


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DESIGN CONCEPTS

Proposed Wayfinding System - Concept A

D R A F T F O R R E V I E W 5/2 6/10


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DESIGN CONCEP

Proposed Wayfinding System - Concep

Other Blvd

Church St

Broadway Ave

Parking

Arts Center

City Hall

Broadway Ave

Parking

City Center

Library

Restrooms

INFORMATION

PUBLIC

PARKING

INFORMATION


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DESIGN CONCEPTS

A Closer Look

D R A F T F O R R E V I E W 5/2 6/10

Arts Center

City Hall

Broadway Ave

Parking

City Center

Library

Restrooms

Concept A Concept B

Reective vinyl lettering Modern, yet classic style seri letteringModern sans-seri lettering

Universal pictograms

Color-coded amenities Double sided aluminum sign blade

with band style attachments

Arrow shaped sign provides

directional guidance

Double sided aluminum sign blade

bolted with tamper resistant hardware

Green powder coated steel post Black powder coated steel post


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As stated in the Overview, it is recommended

Saratoga Springs consider alternative concep

developing an eective means o guiding res

and visitors alike to retail, commercial, cu

and public destinations and acilities (i.e.

restrooms, wi- locations, etc.). Tese alterncan include downloadable maps and guides th

interconnected with a downtown kiosk and dir

system.

In the article en ips or Designing A Con

Friendly Downtown, in the April 2003 e

o Planning Magazine, Mark Brodeur high

the importance o waynding and underline

importance o developing clear, engaging

beautiul downtown waynding programs o

directories, banners and even interpretive elem

and how this adds value to the downtown expe

and encourages destination shopping and dinin

wo options or kiosk designs in Saratoga Spthat have some historic architectural reerence

are meant to be compatible with other stree

elements. Tese kiosks can be built with or wi

roos, and can include solar powered lighting

audible messaging. Tese kiosks are design

replace, in part, current signboards already in

on Broadway.

KIOSKS & DIRECTOR

wo kiosk designs that have been developed by LandWorks

are presented in these photographs above. Te kiosk in the

top photo is a directory or an historic mixed use area, the

Marble Works in the downtown o Middlebury, Vermont. It

provides store listings and locations and has an interpretive

element on the back side o the kiosk panel. Te structure

in the bottom photo is part o the Park and Walk system

developed or Manchester Center, Vermont. Te system is

designed to guide visitors to municipal parking lots so thatthey may walk to all the stores and attractions o this bustling

village, and thereore re duce trac. Te kiosks, located at al l

the parking lots, provide maps with walking distances and

times, listings o all the stores and services in the village,

takeaway maps and brochures, current events in the town

and inormation about the history and culture o the region.

Te kiosk, unded by the town, is maintained and updated by

the local chamber o commerce.

INFORMATION

Kiosk Concept A Kiosk Concept B


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DESIGN CONCEPTS

Gateway Signs - Family A

In the Inventory and Analysis Report developed as

part o the rst phase o this project, the lack o clearly

dened gateways or entries to Saratoga Springs was

highlighted. Gateway principles and locations were

provided to promote this component o the waynding

approach. In this second phase o the planning anddesign process or the project some initial concepts

or gateway elements are provided. Further study (o

specic locations and components) and detail (o

actual sign, structure and landscape elements to be

included in gateway locations) is warranted to nalize

and orward this part o the waynding program.

The ollowing gateway elements include signs,

encing or posts, lighting and landscaping.

D R A F T F O R R E V I E W 5/2 6/10


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DESIGN CONCEP

Gateway Signs - Fami


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DESIGN CONCEPTS

Gateway Banners

D R A F T F O R R E V I E W 5/2 6/10


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As a world-class destination, Saratoga Springs deserves a sustainable,

timeless and eective wayfnding program.

report on signs in downtown saratoga springs

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