Reconnecting Communities ACTION PLAN FOR LOGAN CIRCLE

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1 Reconnecting Communities ACTION PLAN FOR LOGAN CIRCLE Project for Public Spaces, Inc. May 2003

2 Reconnecting Communities

3 ACTION PLAN FOR LOGAN CIRCLE VINE STREET EXPRESSWAY, PHILADELPHIA, PA Prepared by: Project for Public Spaces, Inc. 153 Waverly Place New York, NY and Center City District 917 Filbert Street Philadelphia, PA May 2003

4 This action plan is an excerpt from the VINE STREET: RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES report where overall long term goals for improvement and revitalization are outlined. The full report is available in PDF format at

5 3 Logan Circle Turning Logan Circle into one of the best public spaces in the world It is not an exaggeration to say that Logan Circle could become the greatest, most recognized and popular public space and attraction in Philadelphia and one of the best in the world. The Swann fountain is probably the grandest in the country and its location, as the centerpiece of the city's most prominent institutions, makes it unique and perhaps unparalleled anywhere. However, the existing situation couldn't be much worse. The fountain is nearly inaccessible to pedestrians, being cut off by five lanes of fast moving traffic. It is surrounded by unused parkland. The institutions themselves seem to be hiding as well, and very few of them have banners, outdoor activities or other attention grabbers on their exteriors. Yet there is a great opportunity to make changes very quickly and without a lot of money given the existing characteristics of the users and spaces in Logan Circle. The clientele for using public spaces is already in the area. Together the institutions around Logan Circle attract an amazingly large number of people to the area every year (1.6 million). The Free Library of Philadelphia reported 5,934,080 turnstile counts for 2001; the Franklin Institute - 877,741 visitors for 2001; the Academy of Natural Sciences - over 250,000 annual visitors. Moore College of Art and Design has over 600 students and faculty who are in the area daily, while the Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul holds 10 regular weekly masses. This clientele is not only numerous but extremely diverse from college age students at Moore College of Art, to schoolchildren visiting the Library, the Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences, to tourists and business people staying at the Four Seasons Hotel, to families appearing in the Family Court, to employees from all of the surrounding institutions. This impressive number and variety of people could provide a continuous source of users for the public spaces if there were accessible attractions. The public space exists for new attractions and activities. There is approximately 8 acres of land between the institutions, including the fountain that could potentially become usable public space while still maintaining an adequate roadway around the circle and in front of the institutions. Now, the roads are wider than the volume requires and could very quickly be re-striped to narrow the pedestrian crossings and to slow the traffic down.

6 4 Logan Circle Action Plan TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS Logan Circle Sydney, Australia

7 5 The people/institutions that could potentially implement changes are already there and it is in their best interest to make themselves more visible and prominent. The institutions around Logan Circle, all of whom are trying to attract customers, have an exceptional opportunity. Rarely are there so many institutions in one place with a remarkable public space in front of them. And rarely a public space has a focal point of a grand fountain at the center such as the Swann Fountain. If a process for evolving a vision for each of the institutions were developed in cooperation with CCD, the City and Fairmont Park, these institutions and this space could become truly great. RECOMMENDATIONS MAKING LOGAN CIRCLE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY. Currently, Logan Circle is difficult to navigate due to fast moving traffic, lack of safe crossings and a roadway that is severely overdesigned. This creates a very dangerous situation for pedestrians. People cross randomly and without caution because traffic volume is light during non-rush hours and existing crosswalks do not match up with pedestrian routes. In certain areas, pedestrians are forced into the middle of traffic because the road is too wide to get across in one light cycle, and median strips lead them to traffic triangles with no crosswalks. The circle itself reduces the visibility for both pedestrians and vehicles making the situation even more unsafe. The two existing crosswalks are poorly striped, are not ADA accessible, and do not line up with paths within the circle area. The existing pedestrian light signals are poorly timed. In addition, pedestrian connections between the surrounding institutions are generally lacking, and where existing are very weak. Making the circle safe for pedestrians is crucial if Logan Circle is to fulfill its potential as a great public space. People are already drawn to the green space, and the fountain, and should be allowed to enjoy these attractions without risking their lives in traffic. Pedestrian connections to the circle could be made safer with a number of improvements that are designed to make the curb to curb distances shorter. To do this, sidewalks should be extended at intersections (bulb outs) wherever possible; Timing of lights for pedestrians should be extended; Existing crosswalks should be re-surfaced; New raised crosswalks should be added following existing pedestrian routes and replacing existing traffic triangles; Mid-block crosswalks could be installed in front of all major institutions; The median should be extended and stop lines should be moved back to improve crosswalks at 20th Street and the Parkway.

8 6 Logan Circle Action Plan STREETSCAPE AMENITIES Existing lights New York, NY New York, NY Wrought iron bench Wrought iron fence

9 7 In addition the road configuration and geometries could be modified to reduce speeds and excess roadway. The number and width of lanes in the circle should be reduced. Turning radii should be tightened where the Benjamin Franklin Parkway meets the circle to reduce speeds and shorten pedestrian crossings. DEVELOP AN OVERALL TEMPLATE FOR STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS AND FOR LANDSCAPING. This should include sidewalk treatments, paving, streetlights, seating, waste receptacles, signage and possibly kiosks and vending carts. Currently, there is no uniform signage telling people where to go or what is available and few amenities, landscaping or other elements that would visually and functionally draw the area together. A signage program that directs people to the various institutions and a map showing where things are in the circle should be developed with the participation of all the surrounding institutions. IMPROVE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS. There are some great opportunities to create not only physical but also programmatic connections between the institutions around Logan Circle. In addition to improved pedestrian linkages through better crosswalks, more direct sidewalk routes should be explored. Both the park spaces between the institutions and the fountain are underutilized as are the front plazas and yards of the institutions themselves. The spaces are not programmed with activities and, other than the central fountain, there are few focal points or destinations. All of the institutions should be encouraged to use their exterior public spaces as a way of creating new destinations in the circle. With an overall vision for how the institutions could "come out" and with a strong management program, the square could, in the short term, come alive. The following preliminary ideas emerged during the placemaking workshop. It is in the best interest of each institution individually, and all institutions as a group to determine the appropriate uses for their public spaces that would reflect the needs and interests of their constituencies.

10 8 Logan Circle Action Plan FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA: Create a Library plaza in Shakespeare Park, with games, play sculptures, picnic tables, etc. Install a temporary stage with a shade structure and movable seating. Take outside activities happening inside the Library when whether permits it - author events, book signings, arts and crafts classes, performance events, etc. Locate book vendors, and library book sales in front (on sidewalk) of the Library. FAMILY COURT Locate food kiosk on sidewalk to serve clientele to court and library; Install a simple playground in open space.

11 9 Book vending, New York Farmers Market, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY New York, NY New Orleans, LA Paris, France Morro Bay, CA

12 10 Logan Circle Action Plan Berlin, Germany New York, NY

13 11 FRANKLIN INSTITUTE: Install café and gifts kiosk on sidewalk in front; Use open space across 20th St. for outdoor exhibits and programs; Install specially designed directional signage and banners indicating destinations within the building. MOORE COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN: Use sidewalk and adjacent open space to exhibit changing sculpture installations; Get students involved in the programming and design of the outdoor space; Improve signage and banners to make college visible to pedestrians and vehicles. ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES: Use outdoor spaces for educational programs; Improve signage; Connect with the rest of the institutions around the circle. San Diego, CA Paris, France Temporary art, New York, NY Washington, DC

14 12 Logan Circle Action Plan THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL Create a sidewalk restaurant or café facing the Circle. CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SS PETER AND PAUL Relocate Sister City Park, redesign space into an attractive cathedral plaza setting for wedding photos; Extend front plaza across 18th Street with a raised crosswalk; Screen parking lot with plantings; Install up-lighting for cathedral and sculptures to enhance historic character.

15 13 Four Seasons Hotel, Logan Circle Paris, France La Paz, Bolivia Baltimore, MD Exising open space, Logan Circle Portland, OR

16 14 Logan Circle Action Plan

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