HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-09-20-Depot Square Study Group-rpt Don H. Olson
September 18, 1990
DEPOT SQUARE IMPROVEMENTS
Discussion Agenda for September 20, 1990
The following draft checklist of items is provided to help define a
more complete statement of issues, questions, goals etc. which may
then be circulated for broader input from town departments,
committees and organizations. It is anticipated that conflicting
viewpoints or priorities will emerge which will help focus key issues
and strategic town decisions. These must be sorted out before a
program statement and potential budget for the redesign of Depot
Square and/or Emery Park can be described. There is little point in
beginning design until there is general agreement on the
program/budget parameters. It is particularly wasteful of consultant
time. At some point in the process it may be desirable to engage in
a town-wide questionnaire or "idea" competition focused on program -
not design, but both need careful preparation to be of practical
value.
General Issues:
1. Emery Park versus Depot Square. Park only island interior?
2. Public versus Private Property. Depositors Trust ownership?
3. Circulation. Problems, needs, changes, services, fire.
4. Parking. Cars, buses (Mass. Ave. and interior) taxis .
5. Maintenance. Who is responsible for what? Special problems?
6. Tree Assessment. Memorials? Condition, etc. ?
7 . Utilities. Does DPW or any utility anticipate major
construction in near future?
8. Events. Band, Discover Lexington, 19 April, other? What
problems? Who coordinates?
9. Retailers. What are their views and goals?
10. Role. Versus Battle Green, Promenade, Belfry Park, etc. Why?
11. Others?
Design Issues:
1. Visual Relationships. From Mass. Ave. , from Muzzy Street axis
and view of station cupola.
2. Architectural Relationships. Station colonnade, retail
buildings.
3. Transit Role. What and how much? Taxis?
4. Curb Lines. At Mass. Ave. (indented) , Emery Park edge, retail -
edge, station edge; changes needed?
5. Activities Role. What, how often, support needs, shelter?
Depot Square Improvements
Discussion Agenda for 9/20/90
Page -2-
6. Enclosure. Open versus closed; are streets visually included?
On what edges?
7. Character. Traditional versus contemporary, formal versus
informal.
8. Materials. Hard versus soft; how much of each? Paving:
concrete, brick, stone dust etc.
9. Planting. Unified versus diverse, high versus low, formal
versus informal etc.
10. Lighting. Street, pedestrian, crosswalks , buildings, features.
11. Furnishings. Benches, litter, news machines, etc.
12. Budget. How much should cost temper all of the above?
13. Other?
Procedural Issues:
1. Responsibility. What is the process by which any physical
change can take place in Depot Square, i.e. , role of selectmen,
town meeting,departments, committees, utility companies,
authorities, etc.?
2. Funding. What funding sources (public or private) are there
that can be tapped to contribute to a redevelopment budget? Who
will be the advocate and manage a fundraising effort?
3. Other?
NEXT STEPS
More time may be needed if the agenda is rushed or not completed.
Discussion resulting from the above needs to be recorded and
organized in a manner that will facilitate input from others. This
task may need to be shared. A distribution list of appropriate
persons, departments, committees, etc. needs to be assembled.
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