HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-12-16 Work Program for Design Plan 12/16/87
LEXINGTON DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Work Program for Design Plan
INTRODUCTION
The Design Advisory Committee ( DAC) has undertaken the task of
developing a Design Plan for Le' ington Center, working closely with
the Lexington Center Committee (LCC) and coordinating their efforts
with the Histori = Distri :ts Commission (HDC) Because of the large
amount of time necessary to develop the Plan, it will be necessary
to hire a consultant to do the work --under the supervision of the
DAC. The Plan is a response to the recommendations of the Center
Revitalization Committee (whi :h preceded the LCC ) and is intended to
implement the report of the CRC, "Le' ington Center Managing Change"
completed in December 1985 The DAC, CFO, and its successor LCC have
all recognized that although the Center has many attractive
features, on the whole it fails to project a distinctive overall
character and from a design viewpoint can be :onsidered
undistinguished
{ The Design Flan will have several objectives
To maintain the economic vitality of the Center and
insure its competitiveness;
To encourage a distinctive : 'erall chara:ter while
respecting the hist_•ric nature of the Center ;
T: strengthen the Center ' s pleasant qualities without
stifling creative design and marketing innovations
17.-Jr the purp=oses of the Plan, the Lenter is defined as the area
z 'ned CB and the peripheral area e tending down Waltham and Muzzey
Streets and along Mass= Ave to W_'burn Street in the easterly
direction and including the Battle Green in the westerly direction
A map at a scale of 1 "=50' will be prepared by the DAC and the LCC
to provide basic information on the boundaries of the Center and the
location of the streets, parking lcts, and buildings
The Design Plan is not intended to restructure the Center
substantially through major changes, but rather its intent is to
enhance the existing Center through appropriate smaller scale
improvements that will preserve and strengthen the Center ' s pleasant
qualities Public sector changes will include improved landscaping
and planting, paving materials, better signage and crosswalks, more
attraLtive parking lots, and good looking street furniture -- such
as benches, waste receptacles, etc
The Plan will al sr- include guidelines to assist private owners
planning new :onstruction or improvements to e' isting buildings
and guidelines for gifts to the town
7
WORK PROGRAM PHASES AND SCHEDULE
The Work Program will be divided into two phases
Phase I will provide an inventory and analysis Df the
existing framework of the Center and f='rmulate an image for
the Center Phase II will be the development Df the Design
Package The Design Plan is to be completed by September 1 ,
1988 so that implementation can begin in the fall of ' 88
SCOPE OF SERVICES
PHASE I - Inventory and Analysis
1 Using the base plan at 5u scale supplied by the Town,
inventory the existing elements that make up the fabric 'f
Le ington Center ; accurately l :r_ate them Dn a mylar base
Include elements such as e .. ting signs, lights, utility
p:l. es, pavement materials, =resswalks par ing stalls and
meters, street furniture, and trees and planting Alsc note
:n the plan _ther elements such as vistas, special places,
open spaces, building fa:ades, and :cher features which
cDntribute to the positive Dr negative :haracter of the
Center
Evaluate in written form the elements and notatins
defined in the inventory
3 Define rDblems and analyze
P how various elements and
features add to or detract frim the character and efficiency
: f the area or how they prcvide pctential f:r impr :vement Df
the character Pr :vide documentary phot :graphs tD identify
pr :blems Dr opportunities
4 Identify an overall image fDr the Center - i e , the
character that the Guidelines Df Phase II are intended t :
implement
5 Meet with the DAC, LCC, and HDC t : review work t : date
and to incorp:rate C:mmittee recDmmendati :ns
A
SCOPE OF SERVICES ' : ontinued /
PHASE II - Design Guidelines
� Prepare visual design and improvement plans for the
entire district with emphasis on the main streets' but also
considering parking lots and connections such as alleyways
and walkways and what one sees, both vertically and
horizontally, when walking or driving through the area
Think about developing continuity and sequences of visual
experience as one moves through the spaces and corridors,
and how to preserve the unique places and vistas that now
exist The plancs) should be detailed and annotated to
fully explain the proposals
2 For public improvements, prepare illustrative sketch
details or provide ph:tos or catalogue information) showing
proposed elements or components and possible alternatives
that will be financially feasible for the Town This should
include specific de=ign rec 'mmendatizns for street
furniture (waste receptacles, benchesv lights, etc ) ,
street and directional signs, lighting , :rzsswalks, parking,
landscaping, and artworks If the parking study proposed in
the 1988 Town Warrant is approved , the results of the Ftudy
should be considered
J Provide realistic cost estimates for each of the
element or components and their alternatives, listing
advantages or disadvantageof earh
4 Develop a priority list for implementing various
:omponents /f the plan
5 For private improvements, prepare guidelines or criteria
and illustrative sketches for building facades and signs and
improvements to the backs of buildings abutting public
parking lots
6 Review proposals with the DAC LCC, and the HDC as they
are developed, and refine and revise them as directed
7 Present information, findings, proposals, and
recommendations at a public meeting to which Le ington
residents/ neighborhood groups, the business :ommunity, and
property owners will be invited
B Incorporate recommendations and feedback intJ a final
report which clearly defines the proposals and guidelines
and prioritizes them into a development program
FEE - $2V, HNy