Lovett Park Final Report

Lovett Library ParkConceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan6945 Germantown Ave. | Philadelphia, PA 19119February 2012 | Project Number 2011-11

© Community Design Collaborative, 2012

Lovett Library Park Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan6945 Germantown Ave. | Philadelphia, PA 19119

February 2012 | Project Number 2011-11

Prepared for

Mt. Airy USA6703 Germantown Ave., Suite 200

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19119

Anuj Gupta, Executive Director

Elizabeth Moselle, Program Director for Commercial

Corridor Revitalization

Prepared by

Volunteers of the Community Design CollaborativeAri Miller, Landscape Architectural Designer

Alexa Bosse, Architectural and Landscape Designer

Ashton Jones, Planner

Taylor Boyd, Cost Estimator

About Us

The Community Design Collaborative is a community design

center that provides pro bono preliminary design services to

nonprofit organizations, offers unique volunteer opportuni-

ties for design professionals, and raises awareness about the

importance of design in community revitalization. Founded in

1991 as a program of AIA Philadelphia, the Collaborative is an

independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a network of

more than 1,000 volunteers.

The Collaborative awards grants of preliminary design ser-

vices to over 30 nonprofit organizations each year. Its service

grants are tailored to meet the specific facility and community

development needs of each nonprofit recipient. Through these

service grants, design professionals—volunteering their ser-

vices pro bono—help nonprofits communicate their goals for

rebuilding their neighborhoods through smart, innovative de-

sign. The Collaborative also brings together diverse partners,

stakeholders, and design disciplines to investigate important

themes in the revitalization of communities through its Infill

Philadelphia initiative.

The Collaborative relies on a variety of resources to achieve

its goal of assisting nonprofits in need of preliminary design

services. Our programs are supported through grants from

the William Penn Foundation, City of Philadelphia’s Office of

Housing and Community Development, City of Philadelphia’s

Department of Commerce, PNC Bank Foundation, Wells Fargo

Foundation, Connelly Foundation, and AIA Philadelphia.

The Collaborative also relies on the generous support of indi-

vidual and corporate donors for operational support. The Col-

laborative’s signature annual event is the Bowling Ball, which

raises funds through a night of bowling fun for firms, friends,

and fans. In addition, the Collaborative’s volunteers donate

hundreds of hours of in-kind services each year. To learn more

about the Collaborative, visit our website at www.cdesignc.

org or contact us at [email protected].

The Community Design Collaborative’s products are intended to provide visu-alconcepts and to assist in the preliminary phase of project design and planning. All drawings and construction budgeting figures are limited to conceptual de-sign and are neither intended nor may be used for construction. The Community Design Collaborative and our project volunteers assume no responsibility or li-ability for our services including the recommendations of our volunteers, the technical accuracy of our work product or for any unauthorized use.

Board of Directors

Mami Hara, ASLA, AICP, Co-Chair

Paul Sehnert, Co-Chair

Alice Berman, AIA

Brian Cohen

S. Michael Cohen

Cheryl Conley

Tavis Dockwiller, ASLA

Patrycja Doniewski, AIA

Daryn Edwards, AIA

Eva Gladstein

Jeff Goldstein, AIA

Eric Larsen, PE

Paul Marcus

Joe Matje, PE

Darrick M. Mix, Esq.

Michael J. Paul, PE

Kira Strong

Paul A. Vernon

Richard W. Winston, AIA

Pam Zimmerman, AIA

John Claypool, AIA, AICP Ex-officio

Staff

Elizabeth K. Miller

Linda Dottor, AICP

Robin Kohles, AIA

Heidi Segall Levy, AIA

Christopher Mohr

Table of Contents Lovett Library ParkConceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan2011-11

IntroductionOverview

Project Location

Context

Existing ConditionsSite Plan and Photos

Conceptual DesignProposed Drawings

Proposed Maintenance Plan

Opinion of Probable Cost

Preliminary Options

Description of ServicesValue of Services

Letter of Agreement

Client Application

Lovett Library Park Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan2011-11

Introduction

The Lovett Library on the corner of Germantown Ave and Sedgwick Streets serves the community of Mt. Airy and sits

on just over an acre of open space. Throughout the library’s history, which has included various expansions in facilities

and shifts in neighborhood dynamics, this space has remained part of the public domain and is dear to many long-time

residents. However, in recent history, the landscaped area of mostly lawn and mature trees and the plaza on the corner

have gone largely unnoticed and unused mostly due to lack of activity programmed for the space.

Although Lovett Library Park currently is underutilized, it does possess many assets and unique features that lend the

space a great deal of potential. The Library has a rich history beginning in 1887 when the original library building was

constructed. Many of the historic landscape features remain including schist walls that enclose and frame the park, a

large boulder in memoriam of Mt. Airy residents who fell in WWI, and several massive oak trees that are over one hun-

dred years old. The library addition constructed in 1961also has architectural interest and and was designed to highlight

rain events by cascading stormwater into splash pads on the ground but this feature no longer operates as designed.

The design team worked to retain, restore and capitalize on these assets.

One of the biggest assets to both the library and park is the Friends of Lovett Library. Many of the members of this or-

ganization made up of Mt Airy residents have been active since its founding in 1982. Since that time the group has im-

proved the grounds by creating gardens and planting native trees and has been the parks primary advocates.

Most recently, the potential of this underused park has come to the attention of Mt. Airy USA (MAUSA), a nonprofit com-

munity development corporation whose mission is “is to revitalize Mt. Airy through community development that is re-

sponsive to local needs”. A placemaking and streetscape study, comissioned by MAUSA in the spring of 2008, identified

opportunities for improving the Germantown Avenue Corridor and singled out the Lovett Library green space as a “Prin-

cipal Special Project” holding transformative potential for improvement of the neighborhood and community by provid-

ing a passive public space which links the two more vibrant areas of the Germantown commercial corridor. MAUSA

laid the ground work for the rejuvination of this space by organizing a series of successful public events that proved that

the park could become a vibrant community hub. This visioning project is a testament to MAUSA’s commitment to the

neighborhood and it’s guidance toward making better places for the community.

The Community Design Collaborative (the Collaborative) provided a service grant to Mt. Airy USA for this project. The

Collaborative’s design team’s proposal, as laid out in this document, is the distillation of the imagination and desires of

a community. The design team gathered information and insight through an initial meeting with a task force of com-

munity leaders and then through two public community meetings. Through these interactions and through analysis of

the site and context, the design team was able hone a clear concept of a versatile destination park that serves the current

and potential future needs of the library and the neighborhood. The Collaborative has provided MAUSA and the com-

munity with a document that will help gain support to realize this vision that includes conceptual site plans, illustrative

renderings, a long term maintenance plan, and an opinion of probable costs broken into four phases.

With this document MAUSA can continue to illicit excitement over this project and identify potential funding partners

to help make the vision a reality. The next milestone in the project will be to secure funding to hire a design team that

should include a Landscape Architect and Civil Engineer to generate construction documentation. The conceptual

design of the park provides an opportunity to implement the park in phases so that aspects of the design can be con-

structed while fundraising for the remaining improvements can continue.

Overview

IntroductionProject Location

$


Lovett Library Park6945 Germantown Ave | Philadelphia, PA 19119

Upper Northeast, Philadelphia, Mt. Airy

Client Category: Housing and Community Development

Project Category: Open Space


IntroductionIntroductionContext

View looking northwest on Germantown Avenue

View looking northeast on Sedgwick Avenue

View looking southwest towards Germantown Home at intersec-tion of Germantown and Sedgwick Avenues

View looking north toward Mt. Airy Playground

View looking southeast on Germantown Avenue

View of Acme on west corner of Germantown and Sedgwick

Germantown Ave

DowntownMt. Airy

Commercial Center

Sedg

wic

k St

Mou

nt A

iry

Ave

Sloc

um S

t

Pelh

am R

d

Cresheim Rd

Cre

shei

m V

alle

y D

r

Chew Ave

Boyer St

Mou

nt P

leas

ant A

ve Acme

Pleasant Playground

Bryan St

CONTEXT MAP

Legend

Bus H

Bus 18

Bus 23

Park

Lovett Library

Regional Rail

Train Station

250 ft500 ft

750 ft1000 ft

DOWNTOWN MT AIRY- 5 MINUTE WALK

Legend

Park

Commercial

Residential

Civic

Bus Route

Land Use

Building

Lovett Library

250 ft500 ft

750 ft1000 ft

Ari and Alexa

Rectangle

AREA POPULATION

Legend

Park

1321 - 3080

Population by Census Tract

3081 - 4560

4561 - 7118

0 - 1320

Building

Road

Lovett Library

Rail

250 ft500 ft

750 ft1000 ft

Ari and Alexa

Rectangle

Existing Conditions Lovett Library Park Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan2011-11

Existing Site Plan and Photos

NTS

Mature oaks

Vehicular Access

Concrete paving

Boulder memorial and engraved bricks

Historic schist wall

Flowering trees planted by friends of Lovett Library

Historic horse trough

Short site wall

SED

GW

ICK S

TREET

GERMANTOWN AVE.

Mature oaks

Vehicular Access

Concrete paving

Boulder memorial and engraved bricks

Historic schist wall

Flowering trees planted by friends of Lovett Library

Historic horse trough

Short site wall


Proposed Drawings

Proposed Maintenance Plan

Opinion of Probable Costs

Preliminary Options

Conceptual Design

READING GARDEN

THE “PORCH”STORY RING

AMPHITHEATER

VEHICULAR ACCESS

GREAT LAWN

NATURE PLAYTHE PLAZA

MAIN LIBRARY BUIDING

SEDGWICK

GERMANTOWN

HISTORIC LIBRARY BUILDING

Existing mature oak trees

Proposed flowering trees

Existing trees at park perimeter

Trees Ground Level Planting

Paving Site Features

Proposed canopy trees

Existing flowering trees

Existing young trees

Repave existing access drive

Engraved brick paving

Existing concrete

Stone dust path

Gapped ashlar stone bridge

Alternating stripes of natural stone pavers

Concrete curb

Stabilized turf vehicular access

Shade plants planted in linear pattern

Bioretention planting

Wild flower meadow and flowering shrubs

Lawn

Wild flower meadow

Raised stage

Schist retaining wall with sconce lighting

Terraced lawn amphitheater

Satellite nature play area

Relocated sculptural benches

Moveable adirondack chairs

Moveable cafe tables and chairs

Main nature play area with security lighting

Existing historic horse trough

Existing historic schist wall

Chesstables

Relocatedmemorial

Bench

Loading and back stage access with security lighting

Building mounted security lighting


Conceptual DesignMaintenance PlanLovett Library Park Maintenance Plan

Potential Responsible Parties

Con- Vol- Library /Item tractor unteer City Staff Frequency Annual Cost

Grounds GeneralPick up litter and trash X X 1 Weekly $1,040.00Check for hazards X X 1 Weekly $260.00Inspect all site furniture, light fixtures and portico; make repairs

X X 1 Monthly $960.00

Check for graffiti and remove ASAP X X X As needed $200.00Pull weeds from pavement joints X X 1 Monthly $240.00Check and repair pavement X X Once every 5

years$200.00

Snow removal X X As needed $400.00Rake leaves in fall -shred for plant bed mulch and compost X X 2 Weekly in

Fall$800.00

Stormwater FeaturesCheck all inlets and outlets for potential debris clogs X X 1 Monthly $80.00Remove trench drain grates and clean silt from trench drains

X 2 Yearly $240.00

Check and clean water conveyances to maintain positive flow

X X 4 Yearly $240.00

Planting BedsInitial establishment (first 3 years only) - hand watering X X 2 Weekly* $500.00 - establishment weeding X X 1 Weekly* $800.00Ongoing weeding X X X 3 Monthly $640.00Water (in drought conditions only) X X As needed $200.00Cut dried grasses to the ground before spring X X X 1 Yearly $60.00Remove dead seed and flower heads of desired aesthetic X X X 1 Weekly in

late summer$60.00

Replenish composted leaf mulch to 2" depth X X X 1 Yearly $160.00

Rain GardensInitial establishment (first 3 years only) - hand watering X X 2 Weekly* $900.00 - establishment weeding X X 1 Weekly* $1,500.00Ongoing weeding X X X 3 Monthly $1,280.00Water (in drought conditions only) X X X As needed $300.00Check for and Remove debris and litter X X 1 Weekly $400.00Check riser pipes/outflow devices X X 2 Yearly $80.00Check for excessive sediment buildup; remove sediment as needed

X 1 Yearly $240.00

Check plant health; replace plants as needed X X 4 Yearly $240.00If water remains for more than 72 hours check for silting and

X X As needed $200.00

amend soils as needed

Lovett Library Park, Philadelphia PAFebruary 2012 Maintenance

Page 1of 2


Conceptual DesignMaintenance PlanLovett Library Park Maintenance Plan

Potential Responsible Parties

Con- Vol- Library /Item tractor unteer City Staff Frequency Annual Cost

TreesInitial establishment (first 4 years only) - Install and fill tree gator slow release waterers X X 2 Monthly* $400.00 - Prune to guide growth X X X 4 Yearly* $600.00Conduct hazard assessment X X Every 10

Years$20.00

Conduct visual hazard check X X 1 Monthly $120.00Water in extreme drought (20 days or more of 90+ deg. Fahrenheit with no rain)

X X As needed $200.00

Maintenance Cost Per year $13,560.00Establishment Period Only (Potentially Donated) $3,700.00Projected Yearly Ongoing Maintenance $9,860.00Value of Potential Labor Donations $5,680.00Annual Cost After Establishment (Less Labor Donations) $4,180.00

Note: All costs are calculated on a wage per hour basis whether the tasks are performed by staff, hired contractors, volunteers or members of outside organizations. The total yearly cost therefore reflects the value of the work associated with

Lovett Library Park, Philadelphia PAFebruary 2012 Maintenance

Page 2of 2


Conceptual DesignOpinion of Probable CostSummary

Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate

Summary Sheet

Site Development & Amenities

Phase 1 "Porch" 28,400

Phase 2 Story Ring / Reading Garden / Nature Play 68,300

Phase 3 Plaza 136,200

Phase 4 Amphitheater & Access 105,300

Construction Total 338,200

Design Fees 60,000

Project Total 398,200

Contingency Work / Replace Addition Roof 3,375 SF 58,000

Lovett Library Park, Philadelphia PAFebruary 2012 Summary

Page 1of 1


Conceptual DesignOpinion of Probable CostDetail Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate

Item Quantity UM Unit Cost Total Div Total$

A. "Porch"

A.1 Misc. Clearing / Cleanup 1 LS 250.00 250A.2 Pavement Demo / Sawcut / Haul 1 LS 1,500.00 1,500A.3 Relocate Memorial & Brick Paving 1 LS 3,000.00 3,000A.4 Mulch / Plantings at Tree Wells 1 LS 1,000.00 1,000A.5 Benches 8 EA 600.00 4,800A.6 Chess Tables / Chairs / Per Set 3 EA 1,500.00 4,500A.7 Lighting / Bldg. Mt. Floods 8 EA 800.00 6,400A.8 0A.9 0A.10 0

Subtotal 21,450General Conditions, OH & Profit 15% 3,250Design / Estimating Contingency 15% 3,700Construction Total 28,400

B. Story Ring / Reading / Nature Play

B.1 Clearing / Demolition / Hauling 1 LS 5,750.00 5,750B.2 Stockpile / Spread Topsoil 132 CY 5.00 660B.3 Sidewalk Demolition 40 SF 5.00 200B.4 Stone Dust / Gravel Paving 1,140 SF 0.65 740B.5 Stone Paving 740 SF 20.00 14,800B.6 Concrete Curb 100 LF 25.00 2,500B.7 Splash Blocks 4 EA 450.00 1,800B.8 Fine Grading 1,430 SY 2.00 2,860B.9 Seeding 1,430 SY 2.50 3,580B.10 Canopy Trees 7 EA 800.00 5,600B.11 Flowering Trees 8 EA 500.00 4,000B.12 Beds / Plantings / Rain Garden 200 SY 15.00 3,000B.13 Adirondack Chairs 8 EA 175.00 1,400B.14 Logs / Allow 1 LS 1,000.00 1,000B.15 Posts 30 EA 125.00 3,750B.16 Willow Tunnel 1 LS - By OthersB.17 0B.18 0B.19 0B.20 0


Lovett Library Park, Philadelphia PAFebruary 2012 Detail

Page 1of 3


Conceptual DesignOpinion of Probable CostDetail

Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate

Item Quantity UM Unit Cost Total Div Total$

C. Plaza

C.1 Clearing / Demolition 440 SY 5.00 2,200C.2 Sidewalk Demolition 60 SF 4.00 240C.3 Stone Paving 4,000 SF 20.00 80,000C.4 Flowering Trees 7 EA 500.00 3,500C.5 Tables & Chairs / Per Group 10 EA 1,000.00 10,000C.6 Lighting / Pole Mounted 2 EA 3,500.00 7,000


D. Amphitheater & Access

D.1 Clearing / Demolition 730 SY 5.00 3,650D.2 Stockpile / Spread Topsoil 180 CY 5.00 900D.3 Asphalt Paving / Topping 150 SY 15.00 2,250D.4 Stabilized Turf Paving 715 SF 12.50 8,940D.5 Meadow Plantings / Seeding 340 SY 7.50 2,550D.6 Canopy Trees 2 EA 800.00 1,600D.7 Amphitheater - Excavation / Hauling 260 CY 15.00 3,900D.8 - Stockpile / Spread Topsoil 80 CY 8.00 640D.9 - Fine Grading 310 SY 2.00 620D.10 - Seeding 310 SY 2.50 780D.11 - Retaining Wall Footings 150 LF 30.00 4,500D.12 - Walls / Concrete 80 SF 20.00 1,600D.13 - Walls / Schist 340 SF 50.00 17,000D.14 - Concrete Steps / Per LF Nose 40 LF 25.00 1,000D.15 - Railings 100 LF 125.00 12,500D.16 - Stone Dust / Gravel Paving 300 SF 0.65 200D.17 - Concrete Pad 400 SF 5.00 2,000D.18 - Stage Framing & Flooring 400 SF 15.00 6,000D.19 - Area Drain 1 LS 2,000.00 2,000D.20 - Lighting / Pole Mounted 2 EA 3,500.00 7,000


Lovett Library Park, Philadelphia PAFebruary 2012 Detail

Page 2of 3


Conceptual DesignPreliminary Options

1/32” =1’

READ/REFLECT

PARTICIPATE

PLAY

WORK

MEET

PERFORM

PROCURE

EXPERIENCE NATURE

LOVETT LIBRARY PARK

PLAN ENLARGEMENTS AND USE MATRIX

2011-11

11/10/11

NTS

BRANCH BENCH

EXISTING TREE

FLOWERING TREE

STUMP SEATS

FIXED BENCH

SPLASH PAD

PLANTED TROUGH

RAIN GARDEN

PAVERS IN LAWN

STEP STONE BRIDGE

STEP STONE BRIDGEFIXED BENCH

FIXED CHESS TABLE

EXISTING TREE

RELOCATED MEMORIAL

BRANCH BALANCE

TANGLED BRANCH CLIMB

STUMP HOP

WILLOW TUNNEL

THE PORCH READING GARDEN STORY RING NATURE PLAY

READ/REFLECT

PARTICIPATE

PLAY

WORK

MEET

PERFORM

PROCURE

EXPERIENCE NATURE

LOVETT LIBRARY PARK


2011-11

11/10/11

NTS

PICNIC TABLE

PAVERSPAVERS IN STONE DUST

TABLE AND CHAIRS

TREE IN STONE DUST

RAISEDAGRICULTURAL BED

FRUIT TREE

PAVERS IN LAWN

CANOPY TREE

THE ORCHARD THE FARM THE PLAZA PICNIC AREA

READ/REFLECT

PARTICIPATE

PLAY

WORK

MEET

PERFORM

PROCURE

EXPERIENCE NATURE

LOVETT LIBRARY PARK


2011-11

11/10/11

NTS

PICNIC TABLE

ROOF VALLEY

PAVERS IN STONE DUST

MOVEABLE TABLE AND CHAIRS

AERIAL GUTTER

FOOD TRUCK

STONE DUST PLAZA

PAVERS

MEADOW

VEHICLE ACCES TRACKS

“BACKSTAGE” PATH

STAGE

TERRACED LIFT

RETAINING WALL

MEADOW

PAVILIONGREAT LAWN AMPHITHEATER CONCESSIONS


Value of Services Donated

Letter of Agreement

Client Application

Description of Services

Value of Services Lovett Library Park Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan2011-11

Billable hourly rates are based on the 2005 American Institute of Architects Compensation Report and a survey of a representative sample of local design professionals. Revised in January 2008.

VOLUNTEER PROFESSION HOURS RATE* VALUE

Ari Miller Sr. Landscape Arch Designer 156 $100 $15,600

Alexa Bosse Sr. Artchitectural Designer 62 $100 $6,200

Ashton Jones Planner 33 $90 $2,970

Taylor Boyd Cost Estimator 12 $125 $1,500

STAFF

Robin Kohles, AIA, Project Associate Senior Architect 50 $100 $5,000

Heidi Segall Levy, AIA, Project Manager Senior Architect 13 $100 $1,300

TOTAL VALUE OF DESIGN SERVICES $32,570

Billable Hourly Rates in the Philadelphia area for 2008Principal ($125 to $220)

Senior Architect/Designer ($100 to $135)

Architect/Designer ($70 to $90)

Intern Architect/Designer ($50 to $65)

Senior Landscape Architectural Designer ($100 to $135)

Landscape Architectural Designer ($70 to $90)

Intern Landscape Architectural Designer ($50 to $65)

Planner ($90 to $115)

Historic Preservationist ($90 to $115)

Engineer ($100 -$150)

Cost Estimator ($100 to $135)

Senior Interior Designer ($90 to $135)

Interior Designer ($50 to $80)

Lovett Park Final Report

Technology

Transcript of Lovett Park Final Report