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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-10-22-Depot Square Study Group-rpt October 22, 1990 To whom it may concern: RE: DEPOT SQUARE,LEXINGTON Depot Square and Emery Park have been the subject of great interest for many years. Every study involving Lexington Center has identified the need for improvement. "Guidelines for Commercial Districts"now being prepared by David Dixon&Associates will be the latest. To give further focus to this area, the Lexington Design Advisory Committee established a study group under my direction. We have been asked to outline an approach for developing a program for design improvements and potential methods for implementation. To this end our group believes it is important for the various Town boards,departments, committees and concerned organizations to first provide their insights regarding the unique role of this space and resultant requirements for its use. A clearly defined and broadly supported "purpose"is necessary before a specific program of improvements can be formulated, budgets established and funding methods identified. Therefore this initial contact with you requests your views on both broad and detailed concerns potentially affecting the planning, programming and design for Depot Square and Emery Park. This letter is being sent to others requesting input from each of their areas of responsibility or interest. When all responses are received,a composite list of comments will be assembled and recirculated for further input. The goal is to identify areas of consensus or perhaps to reveal conflicting objectives which need resolution before specific program for improvements can be defined. Attached is a list of questions on a variety of issues. It will be obvious that some questions are directed at particular areas of responsibility or knowledge. However,rather than sending specific questions to a given board or committee, the study group felt that it may be more instructive to let each recipient respond to as many of the questions as they wish, Comment by referencing the question number. A sketch plan is also provided to assist you in orientation and to make any specific notes. We would appreciate receiving your comments within three weeks or no later than Thanksgiving. Responses should be send directly to me at my home address to simplify compilation. Thank you in advance for your insights. Bes4gards, on H. Ols4)tr 30 Forest Street Lexington, MA 02173 617/862-0816 DEPOT SQUARE/EMERY PARK QUESTIONNAIRE October 22, 1990 1. Depot Square historically was and currently is an important transit hub. Do you feel this role is appropriate? If so,are there any actions that can be taken to enhance this role,i.e.,shelter, safer pedestrian access,signage,etc.? 2. Is the current traffic pattern optimal? If,for example, traffic were changed to a clockwise direction around Emery Park in order for the Lexpress buses to open directly to the curb-what ramifications (good and bad)would there be? 3. Is the presence of taxi waiting positions important to this space? Could they function equally well if waiting elsewhere but with a call box in Depot Square? 4. Do you feel there are any specific access and egress problems associated with the parking lots adjacent to or passing through Depot Square? • 5. Are there any plans or outstanding proposals to change any of the street curb lines or parking areas edging this space? Are there any such changes that you feel would make this space more useful or attractive? 6. Are there any utilities (particularly underground) traversing this space? Are there any plans for change or improvement to these utilities? Can data please be provided. 7. Please mark on the attached sketch plan what you feel are the most important pedestrian circulation ways or destinations. Rank 1, 2 or 3. There can be more than one of any given rank. 8. Are there any changes and additions to the pedestrian crosswalks that would make the space work better and/or be safer? 9. Do you feel that lighting (primarily from a pedestrian point of view) is adequate in Depot Square -particularly in the winter when it is dark early? Any specific problem areas? 10. Are there any specific maintenance problems involving surfaces,drainage,snow clearance,etc.? 11. What is the health status of the various key trees in Emery Park. Mark on the attached sketch plan. Are there any special maintenance obligations required of any of these trees? 12. Are the tree plantings in Emery Park and along the Depot appropriate to this space? Are there specific problems? • - Depot Square/Emery Park Questionnaire Page-2- 13. Over the years,Emery Park has become the focus for a number of civic and commercial events. Is this a good role for this space? Are there any events that might be better located elsewhere? Are there others that should be located here? 14. If these events are appropriate to Emery Park,are there any improvements that would make them more effective? 15. Of the commercial faces surrounding the Square(Depot, Giroux,and old Hunt Block),are any at a disadvantage because of the current design of the streets,sidewalks,open space and plantings? How so? 16. From a commercial point of view,what are some broad goals for Depot Square/Emery Park? What specific improvements can you suggest? • 17. What architectural,landscape or design features of Depot Square do you feel are especially attractive and should be retained or enhanced? 18. Are there significant vistas or views that should be enhanced or screened? Consider views to the space from surrounding streets and views outward from the park. 19. What do you feel are the least attractive aspects of Depot Square and Emery Park? •-A 20. Please offer any additional experience,observations or suggestions regarding the character and use of Depot Square/Emery Park that should be considered as this study proceeds. Return comments by Thanksgiving to: • Don H. Olson " 30 Forest Street Lexington,MA 02173 617/862-0816 mgm/l-Depot • SUMMARY OF RESPONSES TO TIIE OCTOBER 22, 1990 DEPOT SQUARE QUESTIONNAIRE 1. There was general support that Depot Square is a logical transit hub. Reduced use for parking and greater safety for pedestrians was suggested. A shelter was supported but the needs of both"T'"and Express users was noted. The use of the Depot colonnade was suggested for a shelter. Access to the park perimeter was mentioned by several returns. (Twelve responses) 2. The notion of reversing the traffic to a clockwise pattern was assumed to be confusing,although there were some supporters. From the answers, it was evident that the ramifications were not fully understood. (Eight responses) 3. There was a split reaction to the idea of having taxis waiting in the Square. The feeling seemed to be that they were an undesirable necessity. (Eleven responses) 4. There was nearly universal recognition that the northeast corner is a problem area for both drivers and pedestrians. Most recommended that the Meriam lot have access and exit only to Meriam Street. (Ten responses) 5. Most returns didn't answer this question. There was support for less parking and greater emphasis on pedestrians. (Five responses) 6. This was a technical question to which there was no response. 7. This was a graphic question regarding pedestrian circulation priorities and was not answered by many. Massachusetts Avenue was given the highest ranking with the outer edges second and access to the parking lots third. (Four responses) 8. Regarding crosswalks,several people suggested a central (Muzzey) crosswalk replace the two existing ones. The police favor"non striped"walks on Massachusetts Avenue. Most favored less vehicular pavement and a perimeter walk on Emery Park. (Seven responses) 9. There was general consensus that lighting should be improved. (Five responses) 10. Maintenance issues include the need for more trash containers and improved drainage in the old railroad right-of-way. (Three responses) 11. The health of the trees was difficult to determine at this time. (Four responses) 12. General agreement that the planting is unsatisfactory and without design effect, particularly the shrubs. There was also a desire to see the Depot in particular as well as the surrounding buildings. Removal of the Hemlocks was suggested by several persons. (Eight responses) 13. Universal consensus that this is a good location for civic events of a commercial nature. It was pointed out that Emery Park is now more of a backdrop rather than focus. (Eight responses) 14. There should be greater emphasis on pedestrians,opening of the space(remove bollards and chains and shrubs)and greater provision for seating. (Six responses) Summary of Responses to the 10/22/90 Depot Square Questionnaire Page 2 15. It was emphasized that there are too many obstructions between the surrounding buildings, i.e., trees, shrubs,chains, cars,street space etc. (Seven responses) 16. The only answer that addressed the commercial question pointed out that most of the windows were dead, i.e.,banks, restaurants, travel agencies, liquor store etc. (Four responses) 17. There is consensus that the bank building is a visual asset. There should be greater use of brick sidewalks. The space lacks focus. (Seven responses) 18. There is support for emphasizing the depot building and general openness to all sides. This was countered by the need to eliminate or screen the parking. (Seven responses) 19. The least attractive features include: cars, buses,bollards and chains,bad benches, poor trash containers, newsvending machines and generally the absence of a unifying design concept. (Eight responses) 20. There is a consistent desire for a focus (the Depot or a feature in the park);greater accessibility;better materials;and a more unified design. It was also noted that the public and organizations must be involved and that seed money may be available from the Trustees of Public Trusts. (Six responses) mgm/z-dptsqr