Final Draft Concepts
Following the project initiating design charrette held in August 2003 and the first Open House held in October 2003, we now invite you to view the final draft design for streetscape improvement concepts on King Street West (between James Street and Bay Street North), and the final draft design concept for a Downtown Gateway Feature (at King Street West and Hess Street). The proposed concepts evolved from the work presented in October 2003, and address your comments from the Open House.
Please note that these proposals are based on the Council approved future two-way conversion of King Street West commencing at Queen Street and ending at Wellington Street North.
Introduction
In August 2003, a master plan process was initiated to address the future streetscape design for King Street West (between James Street and Bay Street North), and to develop a Downtown Gateway Feature at Hess Street. The existing physical context is heavily focused on vehicular needs. King Street is a large-scale street and one-way traffic promotes high volume and speed of traffic. The buildings do not address the street and there is an underdeveloped public realm.
The King Street West Master Plan presents a great opportunity to invest in the urban landscape and create a prominent urban statement for a Downtown Civic Precinct. The design vision is to create a civic corridor for pedestrians, vehicles, commercial and social activity. By incorporating urban design principles, the master plan creates a distinct sense of place that also addresses the needs of the pedestrian environment.
Creative streetscape design and way-finding encourages an integration of the street and its elements: public space, artwork, street furniture and transit. The Master Plan also seeks to address a positive interface between the private (buildings and lots in general) and the public realm.
The paving pattern that encompasses the street and walkways was inspired by the industrial architecture of Hamilton. The boldness of the paving pattern facilitates way-finding by orienting pedestrians and vehicles to interesting landmarks, spaces and buildings of significance. Hamilton's Urban Braille System will be implemented to achieve a clear, unobstructed path, improving pedestrian accessibility and safety.
The Master Plan Concept embraces the conversion of King Street to a two-way traffic system as outlined in the Downtown Transportation Master Plan. Traffic will flow at a reduced speed and a number of measures will contribute to traffic calming.
Design Objectives
As the study area is an important component of the financial and civic centre of the Downtown, the King Street West (James to Bay) Streetscape Master Plan focuses on making the street environment more pedestrian friendly, and introduces streetscape elements that soften the urban landscape. The strategically located Downtown Gateway Feature (at the corner of King and Hess) is intended to provide an attractive focal feature along King Street West, denoting the entrance into and exit out of the Downtown. In response to some of our community’s comments, we have also prepared a new draft design concept for an entranceway feature at Queen and King. These two design features are connected by means of an unified design theme and material.
The design concepts shown in Open House 2 provide the vision and enhancement direction for the study areas. Besides providing general guidelines for streetscape treatments and broad design direction, the final draft master plan also clearly identifies areas where future in depth, detailed design solutions are required.
See King Street West Design Guidelines
View Panels from Open House 2
Site Analysis
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The Hamilton Downtown Streetscape Master Plan process was initiated with a site inventory and analysis to determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and strengths (SWOT analysis) for the site. Following an examination of the existing conditions along King Street West, a list of opportunities were developed, which provided a basis for developing a series of design concepts. This panel shows the study area in plan view, and highlights key areas with photos and a list of existing conditions and opportunities. |
Overall Vision (Panel 1)
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Following meetings, design workshops and an open house with stakeholders, local business and the public, an overall vision and design concept was developed for King Street West (between James to Bay Streets) and the Downtown Gateway Feature at Hess. Panel # 1 shows the concept in plan view, a perspective view of the proposed King Street West Streetscape and highlights key areas of the study area in section and elevation. A series of Design Guidelines was also produced as part of the master planning process. |
Local Improvement Concepts (Panel 2)
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Several design vignettes were developed out of the Overall Master Plan Vision, in order to illustrate specific areas for design intervention. The Master Plan also suggests possibilities for both public realm and private realmimprovement opportunities, as well as specific improvements for the pedestrian environment, including paving and street furniture. Several examples show "before" and "after" ideas for the site. Many of these ideas arose out of a design workshop with stakeholders and local business. |
Way-finding Principals (Panel 3)
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Way-finding is a key component of the King Street West Streetscape. Way-finding elements were incorporated into a comprehensive signage system and in paving that is inspired by the industrial skyline of Hamilton Harbour. Also, a series of Architectural Gateways were developed to highlight connection to upper level open space along King Street West. |
Gateway Feature at Hess Street (Panel 4)
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The Gateway Feature at Hess Street is a special gateway and public open space located at the southeast corner of King Street West and Hess Street. A series of design options were developed for this site, which were reviewed through a number of stakeholder meetings and at the first Public Open House on October 22, 2003. Panel # 4 shows several of the design options evaluated, as well as the selected preferred Concept. |
Downtown Entranceway at Queen Street (Panel 5)
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Following community input after the October 22, 2003 Open House, it was determined that there should be a physical "announcement" of entry at Queen Street and King Street. The Entranceway Feature will announce the entrance to the Downtown and connect to the design motif of King Street West (between James and Bay Streets). |