4% United States
Environmental Protectio
\r ^1 Agency
May 2015
www.epa.gov/sma rtg ro wt h
Greening the Allegan and Ottawa Parking Lots in the Capitol Complex
Lansing, Michigan
GREENING
AMERICA'S
CAPITALS
-------
GREENING
AMERICA'S
CAPITALS
Lansing, Michigan
Greening America's Capitals is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program to help state
capitals develop an implementable vision of distinctive, environmentally friendly neighborhoods that
incorporate innovative green infrastructure strategies. In collaboration with U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) through the
Partnership for Sustainable Communities, EPA provides design assistance to help support sustainable
communities that protect the environment, economy, and public health and to inspire state leaders
to expand this work elsewhere. Greening America's Capitals will help communities consider ways to
incorporate sustainable design strategies into their planning and development to create and enhance
interesting, distinctive neighborhoods that have multiple social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Lansing, Michigan, was chosen in 2013 as one of four state capital cities to receive this assistance along
with Madison, Wisconsin; Montpelier, Vermont; and Olympia, Washington.
More information is available at: www2.epa.pov/smart-prowthbreeninp-americas-capitals.
Smart Growth
GREENING
AMERICA'S CAPITALS
Cover image courtesy of Parker Rodriguez
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
FEDERAL PARTNERS
Melissa Kramer, EPA Office of Sustainable Communities
Clark Wilson, EPA Office of Sustainable Communities
Christopher Choi, EPA Region 5
Tony Martin, Department of Housing and Urban Development Detroit Field Office
Terri Sanchez, Department of Housing and Urban Development Detroit Field Office
Andrea Dewey, Federal Highway Administration Michigan Division
STATE OF MICHIGAN
Joel Gordon, Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget
Bob Hall, Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget
Keith Paasch, Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget
Larry Scates, Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget
Jamie Uphaus, Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget
CITY OF LANSING
Bob Johnson, City of Lansing Planning and Neighborhood Development
Andy Kilpatrick, City of Lansing Public Service Department
Bill Rieske, City of Lansing Planning and Neighborhood Development
Sue Stachowiak, City of Lansing Planning and Neighborhood Development
CONSULTANTS
Greg Weykamp, Edgewater Resources
Suzie Fromson, Edgewater Resources
Dennis Carmichael, Parker Rodriguez
Mila Antova, Parker Rodriguez
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I. INTRODUCTION
II. WORKSHOP
III. PROJECT AREA ASSESSMENT
IV. STUDY AREAS
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
VI. NEXT STEPS
APPENDIX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
iv
I
3
5
13
15
35
40
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Page iv
A 10-acre parking lot currently breaks up the continuity and grandeur of Michigan's capitol complex
while creating a large area of impervious surface that contributes to water quality problems in the
Grand River. The city hoped to build consensus around a vision for the site that incorporates green
infrastructure to reduce flooding and water pollution; improves walkability and transportation options
for residents, visitors, and workers; and spurs investment in nearby vacant and neglected property.
In 2013, the city of Lansing applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for technical
assistance under EPA's Greening America's Capitals Program to help realize this concept. Based on the
city's goals, EPA created a design team of federal agency staff and consultants to help the city and state
create a vision for the site.
This report provides the city and state with a comprehensive vision for the project site based on
community input gathered during a three-day workshop in Lansing to develop shared goals and explore
design options. The report includes an analysis of the project area's existing physical conditions, which
was used to inform potential site improvements. It illustrates potential improvements to the study area
that could help realize the shared vision developed at the workshop. Finally, the report offers a series of
steps the city and state could consider taking to implement design changes.
The design options in this report include:
• The use of green infrastructure to capture and manage rainwater where it falls, improving water
quality and reducing flooding while offering other environmental, economic, and social benefits.
• The design of streets so that people walking, biking, driving, or using public transportation can
get around safely and efficiently.
• The use of native plantings and landscapes to provide habitat and create natural areas for people
to enjoy in the city.
Together, these design solutions could create a public space that improves the environment and public
health and helps revitalize the surrounding area. As envisioned, the Michigan State Capitol Complex
could become a model of environmental sustainability for the city and other communities throughout
the state.
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I. INTRODUCTION
Figure I: Capito! Building
Figure 2: Hall of Justice
Lansing is the capital city of Michigan. The downtown area lies astride the Grand River. The Michigan
State Capitol Building, about three blocks west of the river, was completed in 1878. Its classical dome is
the central axis of a pedestrian promenade that extends west to the Hall of Justice. The city of Lansing
has hoped to develop the area between the capitol building and the Hall of Justice as a public park since
1921. The city envisioned it as a green space surrounded by civic buildings, collectively creating an elegant
campus in the center of the capital. However, a 10-acre parking lot in this area currently breaks up the
continuity and grandeur of the capitol complex while creating a large area of impervious surface that
contributes to water quality problems in the Grand River. Stormwater runoff from the parking lot and
surrounding streets carries trash, road salt, gasoline, motor oil, heavy metals, and other pollutants. In
addition, it can raise water temperatures to dangerous levels for fish and aquatic organisms, and heavy
flow can erode river channels.
City planners applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for technical assistance under
the Greening America's Capitals Program to realize the long-term vision for the site as a green and
sustainable public space.
The city's goals were to:
• Build on previous work to create a space that is uniquely Michigan.
• Buiid consensus among stakeholders, including the state government, which owns the land.
• Deploy green infrastructure that absorbs and filters rainwater where it falls to reduce flooding and
improve water quality in the Grand River.
• Enhance walkability and transportation options.
• Provide an open space that would support the continued revitalization of nearby neighborhoods.
• Identify options for managing parking that could accommodate the needs of state workers and
visitors while promoting more sustainable neighborhood design.
Based on these goals, EPA created a design team of federal agency staff from the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Highway Administration and landscape architects from
Edgewater Resources and Parker Rodriguez to develop design options for the Capitol Complex.
Page I
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I. INTRODUCTION
Vietnam
Memorial
West Ottawa Street
Hall of
Justice
'owntown
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Figure 5: Pedestrian Promenade Leading to
Hall of Justice
Page 2
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II.WORKSHOP
Figure 6: Residents Gathered at the Capital Area
District Library to Share Ideas for the Capitol Complex
On November 12-14, 2014, the city of Lansing and the state of Michigan hosted a design workshop to
present preliminary design options for the capitol complex to the community to get input and help
refine the options. Attendees included representatives from the Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality, the Capital Area Transportation Authority, the Michigan Department of Transportation,
the Lansing Board of Water and Light, the Meridian Township Planning Commission, the Michigan
Environmental Council, the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, local military groups, local design
and planning firms, the Eaton Conservation District, the Saginaw/Oakland Commercial Association,
neighborhood groups, and property owners and residents.
Some of the challenges and opportunities that attendees discussed include:
• State employees who drive to work want a convenient place to park near their workplace.
• The existing bus service is not frequent enough and does not serve enough areas to attract a
significant number of state employees to use it to commute to work.
• Many city and state employees in downtown Lansing have long commutes because of a real
and perceived lack of appealing housing options close to downtown. Improving downtown
neighborhoods and increasing the number and variety of housing units could increase the
number of state employees who could walk, bike, or take transit to work and reduce the need
for parking.
• Although the parking lot has an east-west sidewalk down the middle, people walking and biking
lack good options for moving north-south through the site.
• Visitors leaving the Michigan State Library and Visitor Center want to cross Allegan Street
directly outside the building where there is no crosswalk. The crosswalk on Allegan, east of the
State Library is heavily used but long and poorly marked.
• The capitol building currently forms the western edge of downtown Lansing. Mixed-use
development on Ottawa Street could bring more people west of the capitol, helping to revitalize
the neighborhood and serving as a transition area between downtown and a nearby residential
area.
• Residents would like a four-season park that has activities in both warm and cold weather.
Page 3
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II.WORKSHOP
Figure 7: The Design Team Works to Incorporate
Public Input Into Preliminary Sketches
• State employees currently use the pedestrian corridor through the parking lot for exercise
during lunch breaks and would welcome better options for outdoor recreation opportunities,
such as marked walking loops.
• Convenient and covered bike parking at street level would encourage more people to bike to the
site, whether to get to work or to visit the park.
• Flexible outdoor spaces that could serve a variety of uses would help enliven the park. Attendees
suggested creating space for picnicking, outdoor meetings with Wi-Fi, festivals, performances,
public art, adult exercise, children's play areas, and a farmers market.
• Ottawa and Allegan streets are wider than necessary to accommodate existing traffic flow. The
wide lanes and lack of traffic encourage drivers to speed.
• Many Vietnam Memorial visitors need handicapped-accessible parking next to the memorial.
• Designs need to allow frequent snow plowing and salt use in the winter.
After the public sessions on the first day of the workshop, the design team spent the second day
discussing options for implementing improvements and revising and refining the plans and sketches to
reflect community input. On the third day of the workshop, the team presented the revised design
options in an open-house session attended by federal, state, and local government agency staff and
members of the public. The workshop closed with a general consensus that the revised design options
would meet the city's goals for the site.
Page 4
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III. PROJECT AREA ASSESSMENT
Page 5
To understand the site's opportunities and constraints, the design team produced project area
assessment diagrams, or base maps of existing conditions, including:
• Prior Park Plans: These images show past plans envisioning the project site as a public park.
• Future Land Use Plan: This map shows the future vision for the project site according to Lansing's
2012 Comprehensive Plan.
• Circulation: This map shows patterns of pedestrian and vehicular flow to help determine
important corridors and areas of potential safety issues.
• Existing Parking: This map provides an overview of existing parking options for the entire
downtown for visitors and state employees.
• Impervious Surface, Overview: This map shows areas of impervious surface throughout the
downtown area, which affects runoff to the Grand River.
• Impervious Surface, Detail: To show greater detail, this map shows areas of impervious surface
on the project site.
• Hydrology: To determine how stormwater flows through the site, this map shows general runoff
direction and where drains are located.
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III. PROJECT AREA ASSESSMENT
PRIOR PARK PLANS
As early as 1921, the city of Lansing
envisioned the site as the location for a new
Capitol building surrounded by public green
space. The city's Comprehensive Plan noted,
"Lansing lacks downtown open spaces
bearing a distinct relationship to both city
and state properties. ...The intervening
blocks between the present capitol
grounds and the new site (Hall of Justice)
should be developed as a mall, with
subsidiary state buildings ranged on either
side....Such a treatment would provide
Lansing with a capitol setting of which the
entire state would be proud."1
The Michigan Capital Park Master Plan 1987
Update, prepared for the state of Michigan,
also envisioned the site as a park showcasing
Michigan culture and landscapes. The intent
of the design was to "make the park a
people's place, tied into the fabric of the city,
expressing the character of Michigan, and of
a high quality."1 The plan noted that, "[t]he
Michigan State Capitol Park should enhance
and stabilize surrounding neighborhoods,
contribute to the economic vitality of the
State and downtown Lansing, and attract a
great number of visitors."3
The state's most recent master planning
process for the Capitol Complex (not yet
published at press date) explored options for
this parcel, one of which is developing the
property as a park.
I FGFND
Project site
Aerial viewpoint
Figure 8: Prior Park Plans
I Bartholomew, Harland. The Lansing Plan, A Comprehensive
City Plan Report for Lansing, Michigan. City of Lansing. 1921,
Page 55. www.lansingmi.govlmedtalviewfTHE LANSING
PLAN A COMPREHENSIVE CITY PLAN 1921 CREATED
OCTOBER 12 1921/3638.
1 Minoru Yamasaki and Associates. Michigan Capital Park
Master Plan 1987 Update. State of Michigan. Page 52.
3 Ibid. Page 59.
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Page 6
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III. PROJECT AREA ASSESSMENT
FUTURE LAND USE PLAN
Lansing's 2012 comprehensive plan designates
the project site, along with the entire capitol
complex, for institutional uses. The plan
envisions the adjacent area to the north
as a transitional, mixed-use zone between
downtown and single-family residential
neighborhoods to the west and north.
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LEGEND
Scal^n feet
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Institutional
Public and private institutions
Downtown mixed-use center:
core
Mix of uses, compact and
walkable character, carefully
managed parking, historic
buildings
Downtown mixed-use center: edge
Mix of uses, enhanced pedestrian
environment, historic buildings, transition
in building height and use intensity
Residential corridor
Medium-density residential in variety of
urban formats along high-traffic streets/
transit routes
Medium-density residential: urban
Protects existing single- and
multifamily dwelling units in
downtown's edge zone
Medium- to low-density residential
Medium- to low-density single-family
detached, single-family attached, and
two-family units
Project site
Figure 9: Future Land Use Plan
Page 7
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III. PROJECT AREA ASSESSMENT
CIRCULATION
The site is bounded to the north and south
by one-way streets that connect downtown
Lansing to 1-496. These one-way routes are
each three lanes wide and carry 3,000 to
5,000 vehicles per day.
The project site is within a 5-minute walk
of the entire capitol complex. However,
pedestrian crosswalks are lacking at
important intersections, and others are at
mid-block crossings that lack traffic signals.
The east-west walkway through the site
and the sidewalks along Allegan Street
are important pedestrian routes for state
employees and visitors. Multiple entries to
the parking lot and service access roads
break up the continuity of the sidewalks
around the project site. In addition, these
driveways provide few visual cues reminding
drivers they are crossing a sidewalk and
should use caution.
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III. PROJECT AREA ASSESSMENT
EXISTING PARKING
Within one-half mile (or a 10-minute
walk) of most state employees, there are
approximately 5,800 employee-designated
parking spaces and 4,000 public parking
spaces, excluding on-street, metered parking.
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Public parking
structure
Public surface
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- Walking distance: each ring represents I /4 mile or a 5-minute walk
— Project site
Figure 11: Existing Parking
Page 9
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III. PROJECT AREA ASSESSMENT
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE, OVERVIEW
The project site is on the edge of downtown
Lansing, an area with very little pervious
surface. It is one of many surface parking
lots in the Capitol Complex. Adjacent areas
of green space are predominately lawn
with some landscaped areas. Green space
to the north of the project site is vacant
land that the city would like to redevelop.
Impervious cover generates large amounts
of stormwater runoff that carries trash,
bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants
into the storm drain system and ultimately to
nearby waterways, degrading water quality.
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LEGEND
J Impervious rooftop
Highly impervious surface
Asphalt and concrete streets,
parking lots, and urban streetscape
I p^i
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Scale in feet
Moderately impervious surface
Mixture of paving, compacted soil,
and residential lots
f I Moderately pervious surface
Lawn and planting areas with
minimal paving and hardscapes
Project Site
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Figure 12: Impervious Surface, Overview
Page 10
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IMPERVIOUS SURFACE, DETAIL
Between the parking lots and the Ottawa
and Hannah buildings are small areas of
turf, and the central promenade has narrow
planting beds with shade trees. The Ottawa
and Allegan sidewalks have planting beds
with ornamental grasses and perennials
running east-west. Aside from these areas,
the project site is almost entirely impervious
surface, either concrete or asphalt.
iwm\
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Justice
LEGEND
Impervious -
surface
Impervious rooftop
Page 11
. PROJECT AREA ASSESSMENT
W Ottawa St
Vietnam
Memorial
N U
W Allegan St
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Ottawa
Building
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Building
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Sea e in feet
Project site
Figure 13: Impervious Surface, Detail
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HYDROLOGY
The parking lots in the site generally drain to
inlets along the central corridor. Stormwater * _
from streets and parking lot entry driveways
flows to drains in the below-grade parking
structure. This stormwater is piped,
untreated, to the Grand River.
Heavy downpours now occur twice as
frequently in the Midwest than they did a
century ago. Climate change will likely cause Hail of
this trend to continue, with precipitation Justice
becoming more intense throughout the year.
Periods between precipitation events are
also likely to increase, making both floods
and droughts more common. These changes
could strain the existing drainage and
wastewater infrastructure and increase the
likelihood of property damage.4
•
4IEPA. "Climate Impacts in the Midwest."
www.epQ.povldimatechanpelimpacts-adaptationl
midwest.html. Accessed March 23. 2015. LEGEND
—~ Surface flow
• Storm drains
Page 12
III. PROJECT AREA ASSESSMENT
• 1
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Project site
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Figure 14: Hydrology
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IV. STUDY AREAS
Page 13
Figure 15 shows five areas in the project site that the design team selected in consultation with city and state staff
to represent the site as a whole and demonstrate the chosen design strategies. These areas include:
1. West Ottawa Street (Figure 16)
The majority of Ottawa Street adjacent to the project site has three 12-foot lanes of westbound traffic and a
metered parallel parking lane on the north side of the street. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour. Sidewalks on
both sides of the street are fragmented by multiple residential driveways to the north and parking lot driveways
to the south. The intersection of Sycamore and Ottawa streets has no pedestrian crosswalks. This study area
was chosen as it represents a typical streetscape in the area, with potential for design modifications to improve
pedestrian safety.
2. West Allegan Street Crosswalk (Figure 17)
Allegan Street adjacent to the project site has three 12-foot lanes of eastbound traffic and no parallel parking. The
State Library and Historical Center has no designated crosswalk at the north entrance on Allegan Street. The
speed limit is 35 miles per hour. This study area was chosen because there is currently no safe crosswalk here, yet
many visitors and employees travel between the Capitol Building and the State Library and Historical Center every
day.
3. Retaining Walls (Figure 18)
The concrete retaining walls to the east of the project site extend around the entire city block, and a similar
retaining wall also surrounds the next city block to the east, creating a barrier between the state office buildings
and the site around them. The walls vary in height and reach up to 15 feet tall. Stormwater along these walls drains
to adjacent streets, which drain to inlets in the underground parking structures. These inlets carry the untreated
water to the Grand River. This study area was chosen because design improvements to one section of wall could
serve as a model elsewhere in the capitol complex, treating stormwater and creating a more inviting pedestrian
experience.
4. Central Pedestrian Corridor (Figure 19)
The existing pedestrian corridor is 20 feet wide and approximately 1000 feet long, connecting the Hall of Justice
and the Capitol Building. This corridor, an attractive combination of brick pavers and concrete, is heavily trafficked
by pedestrians during normal business hours. The corridor is lined with shade trees of varying condition and has
numerous benches and trash cans, but there is no discernible standard for type or style. Within the project site,
the Ottawa and Allegan parking lots drain to inlets along this central corridor. Untreated stormwater is then
carried to the Grand River. This study area was chosen because a park here could create a more inviting area
for pedestrians while improving stormwater management, It could also create an incremental improvement to
the parking lot that generates support for a larger vision while the state identifies long-term solutions to manage
parking needs.
5. Allegan and Ottawa Parking Lots (Forever Park) (Figure 20)
These parking lots cover over 6 1/2 acres of asphalt and contain approximately 850 parking spaces, 130 of which
are visitor parking spaces. The parking lots have no sidewalks or shade trees outside of the pedestrian corridor.
This study area was chosen because the site is strategically located between the Capitol Building, Hall of Justice,
and the State Library and Historical Center. A park here could benefit state employees, visitors, school children,
and local residents. During the charrette, the design team referred to the design option for this site as the
"Forever Park" to suggest a long-term vision for the site.
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¦
IV. STUDY AREAS
Page 14
Figure 19: Central Pedestrian Corridor Looking
Toward State Capitol Building
Figure 20: Allegan and Ottawa Parking Lots (Forever Park)
Figure 18: Retaining Wall Looking Northeast
Figure 17: West Allegan Street Crosswalk Looking West
Figure 16: West Ottawa Street Looking East
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Figure 15: Detail Study Areas
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V. DESIGN OPTIONS
Figure 21: Streetscape with Rain Garden
Figure 22: Outdoor Meeting Space with Porous
Flooring
Figure 23: Plaza with Twining Vines on
Architectural Features
INTRODUCTION
After assessing the site, the design team developed options that could meet the city's goals for a
transformative park that showcases the city and state's efforts to create an environmentally sustainable
civic space.
Central to these strategies is the use of green infrastructure, an approach to stormwater management
that protects, restores, or mimics the natural water cycle. The natural processes of soils and vegetation
can capture, slow down, and filter runoff, often allowing it to recharge ground water. Impervious
surfaces from buildings and pavement prevent these natural processes from occurring. Instead, the rain
and snowmelt run off often flowing untreated into streams, rivers, and other water bodies. Runoff can
carry pollutants such as oil, chemicals, and lawn fertilizers. In addition, the quantity and speed of flow can
cause erosion, flooding, and damage to aquatic habitat, property, and infrastructure.
Green infrastructure includes strategies such as rain gardens, which are shallow, vegetated basins that
collect and absorb runoff from rooftops, sidewalks, and streets (Figure 21). Porous paving and other
surfaces infiltrate, treat, and/or store rainwater where it falls (Figure 22). Trees and other vegetation
can be incorporated into almost any unpaved surface and help to intercept precipitation and filter the
air while providing food and/or habitat for wildlife (Figure 23). Vines can grow in areas with limited
space for root growth and can cover vertical surfaces with greenery. All of these techniques could be
incorporated into the project site to help manage stormwater and provide other benefits that help
meet the community's goals. For example, the community wants flexible, outdoor spaces that could
accommodate outdoor meetings (Figure 22).
Green infrastructure can help the city of Lansing reduce flooding, increasing resilience to climate
change impacts; manage stormwater to improve water quality in the Grand River; reduce summertime
temperatures; and create an attractive and appealing public space that attracts new residents and
development to the area.
Page 15
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V. DESIGN OPTIONS
OVERALL DESIGN CONCEPT
The design concept incorporates green
infrastructure to manage stormwater from the
parking lot by draining it through a central green
corridor (Figure 24). Native vines on the walls
surrounding the Ottawa and Hannah buildings could
filter the air, reduce ambient air temperatures, and
provide wildlife food and habitat while beautifying
the area. A rain garden along the base of the wall
could absorb stormwater from the adjacent parking
entry. These improvements could help cleanse
contaminated stormwater and reduce flow to the
Grand River, helping the city and state achieve their
goals for a more environmentally sustainable site.
Changes along Ottawa and Allegan streets could help
the city and state achieve their goal for improved
safety for people walking or biking. A bicycle lane on
each street would provide cyclists with safer options
for east-west travel. Removing one travel lane in
each direction could add parking and slow speeding
vehicles without increasing congestion because the
roads have relatively little traffic. A new crosswalk
on Allegan Street and a pedestrian connection
through the parking lot would make walking around
the Capitol Complex safer and more convenient.
Widening the central park space with landscaping
that showcases Michigan landscape types could make
the site a more attractive public open space and help
the city achieve its goal to catalyze residential and
mixed-use development.
The design options could also be used elsewhere
throughout the city and state at places with similar
challenges. The following pages show existing
conditions and design options for five study areas in
the project site.
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1/5
CO
Westbound bike lane
2 lanes westbound traffic
1 lane parallel parking
Ottawa
Lot
Drain to rain gardens
in central corridor
Expand width of
central corridor
oo
Ne
v!
e
o
W Ottawa St
C
-------
WEST OTTAWA STREET
West Ottawa Street next to the project site is
a state highway. It has three westbound traffic
lanes and one lane of parallel parking to the
north (Figure 25). The speed limit in this zone
is 35 miles per hour. The street has no bicycle
lanes, and sidewalks across driveways are not
very visible to drivers.
The design concept could make this streetscape
safer and more appealing to people walking
and cycling (Figure 26). A westbound bicycle
lane to the north has a 2-foot-wide buffer
that separates cyclists from traffic. Moving the
parallel parking to the south side of the street
prevents drivers from opening their car doors
into cyclists using the bicycle lane. The design
option removes a travel lane that is not needed
given current traffic volumes. This space could
be used for an expanded tree lawn on the south
side of the street that could be graded to accept
stormwater that would enter through curb cuts
and drain to rain gardens. Curb extensions at
parking iot driveways could provide additional
pervious areas to treat stormwater. New shade
trees could help improve air quality, make
walking more pleasant, and reduce temperatures
during hot months. Where driveways cross
sidewalks, paving with different colors and
textures could signal to drivers that pedestrians
might be present.
Page 17
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
Tree lawn with parking meters
Parallel parking
3 westbound lanes
Tree lawn
Driveway crossing the sidewalk
Figure 25: Existing Conditions
shade trees
aration zone
2 westbound lanes
Expanded tree lawn
Rain garden
Sidewalk connection
r
Figure 26: Design Option
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
WEST OTTAWA STREET
The existing street has three 11-foot-wide
westbound lanes plus a 7-foot-wide parking
lane on the north side for a total street width
of 40 feet (Figure 27). Average daily traffic
counts, according to Michigan Department of
Transportation data, fall within the range of
2,001-5,000 vehicles. The 2013 annual average
is 2,300 vehicles per day, so the street is wider
than necessary for the amount of traffic. While
both sides of the street have generous sidewalks,
there are no dedicated bicycle lanes.
The street could be reconfigured to allow
more transportation options by creating two
11 -foot-wide travel lanes plus a 4-foot-wide
bicycle lane separated from the travel lanes by a
2-foot-wide painted strip (Figure 28). Placing the
parking lane on the south side of the street puts
cyclists against the curb and away from opening
car doors. Moving the south curb 5 feet north
increases the size of the tree lawn on the south
side of the road to create more pervious area
and allow more space for tree roots to grow.
Traffic lane
Tree lawn 1 Sidewalk
I '-6" Curb and gutter
Parking 1 Traffic lane
I '-6" Curb and gutter
Traffic lane
Sidewalk
Figure 27: Existing Section
2'-0" Separation Zone
Bioretention in
curb extension
Sidewalk
Traffic lane
Traffic lane
Parking
Sidewalk Tree
lawn
I '-6" Curb and gutter
I '-6" Curb and gutter
Figure 28: Section of Design Option
10 feet
Page 18
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
WEST OTTAWA STREET
Ottawa Street's three travel lanes provide more
capacity than needed to carry existing traffic
(Figure 29). People biking must share a lane with
moving cars and travel beside parked cars, where
they could be hit by opening doors. A parking
lot entry driveway on the south side of the road
disrupts the sidewalk, and drivers have few visual
cues to look for people walking across it.
The design concept removes one travel lane,
adds a dedicated bicycle lane on the north side,
and relocates the parking lane to the south side
of the road (Figure 30). A safe and appealing way
to bicycle on Ottawa Street could encourage
more people to bike, improving their health,
lowering pollution levels, and reducing the need
for parking. The design option shows a wider
tree lawn on the north side as the pavement
width is reduced from 40 feet to 35 feet. Rain
gardens on both sides of the parking lot entry
driveway could provide a visual and physical
buffer to the on-street parking. They could
collect stormwater runoff and cleanse it before
releasing it into the storm drain system.
Figure 29: Existing View Looking East
Figure 30: Design Option
Page 19
-------
WEST ALLEGAN STREET
CROSSWALK
West Allegan Street next to the project site is a
state highway. It has three eastbound traffic lanes
and no parallel parking or bicycle lanes (Figure
31). The speed limit in this zone is 35 miles per
hour. There is no crosswalk at the State Library
and Historical Center's north entrance, where
many employees, visitors, and school groups
would like to cross the street.
The design option could make this streetscape
safer for pedestrians and cyclists (Figure 32).
An eastbound bicycle lane to the south with a
2-foot-wide buffer separates cyclists from traffic.
New parallel parking to the north provides
additional spaces for visitors.
Moving the entry driveway to the visitor parking
lot to the west would allow a crosswalk at the
State Library and Historical Center entrance and
provide space on the north side of Allegan for W Alleran St
groups to gather as they cross the street, before
continuing north to the site's central corridor.
Curb bump-outs with rain gardens could both
treat stormwater and reduce the width of the
pedestrian crosswalk. An on-demand traffic
light (activated by pedestrians) could make this
crosswalk even more efficient and safer.
20 feet
Page 20
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
a Ik
No crosswalk
Visitor parking
entry drive
Tree lawn
3 eastbound lanes
No crosswalk
Concrete egress
space
State Library and
Historical Center
entrance
ro
ro
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
WEST ALLEGAN STREET
CROSSWALK
The existing street has two 11-foot-wide and one
12-foot-wide eastbound travel lanes for a total
street width of 34 feet (Figure 33). Average daily
traffic counts, according to Michigan Department
of Transportation data, fall within the range of
2,001-5,000 vehicles. The 2013 annual average
is 3,100 vehicles per day, so the street is wider
than necessary for the amount of traffic. While
both sides of the street have generous sidewalks,
there are no dedicated bicycle lanes.
Reconfiguring the street could allow more
transportation options. The design option
section shows two 11-foot-wide travel lanes
plus a 4-foot-wide bicycle lane separated from
the travel lanes by a 2-foot-wide painted strip.
A 6-foot-wide parking lane on the north side
adds space for visitor parking while retaining the
existing curb (Figure 34).
J
Sidewalk Tree
lawn
| Traffic1
12'
I I'
l Sidewalk
c lane Traffic lane Traffic lane Tree lawn Sidewalk
I '-6" Curb and gutter
36'
Parking entrance
Figure 33: Existing Section
Bioretention in curb
extension
69 Right of way
I -6 Curb and gutter
I '-6" Curb and gutter
2' Separation zone
Sidewalk Tree
lawn
Parking Tree lawn
Sidewa k
28' Allegan Street crosswalk
Group gathering
place
Figure 34: Section of Design Option
10 feet
Page 21
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
WEST ALLEGAN STREET
CROSSWALK
Three travel lanes on Allegan Street at the
entry to the State Library and Historical Center
provide more capacity than needed for existing
traffic (Figure 35). A sidewalk extension through
the tree lawn on the south or library side at the
building entrance encourages people to cross the
street here, even though there is no crosswalk.
A driveway to the parking lot on the north side
disrupts the sidewalk and gives drivers few visual
cues that people might be walking there. The
lawn along both sides of the road has few trees,
offering little shade for people on the sidewalk.
The design concept for a reconfigured roadway
at the entry to the State Library and Historical
Center includes removing the 12-foot-wide
travel lane and adding a dedicated bicycle lane
and on-street parking on the north side of the
street (Figure 36). A crosswalk aligned with
the main entrance to the library, fitted with a
pedestrian-activated traffic signal, would give
the many visitors and employees who use this
building a safer and more efficient way to cross
the street. This crosswalk could be paved in
a contrasting color to provide a visual cue to
motorists and cyclists that people might be
walking across the road. Rain gardens on both
sides of the crosswalk next to the on-street
parking spaces would reduce the distance to
cross the street from 34 feet to 28 feet and
buffer pedestrians from the parked cars. The
rain gardens could collect stormwater runoff
and cleanse it before releasing it into the storm
drain system. New trees could help improve air
quality, reduce ambient air temperatures, and
shade people walking on the sidewalks.
Figure 35: Existing View Looking West
Figure 36: Design Option
Page 22
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
RETAINING WALL
Figure 37 shows the retaining walls to the east
of the site, near the underground parking entry
driveways. The driveways carry untreated
stormwater down their slopes and into storm
drains at the entrance to the parking garage.
The retaining wall is a concrete structure that
varies in height from approximately 6 to 12 feet,
depending on the grade of adjacent lawn and
sidewalks.
Green infrastructure improvements could help
to cleanse stormwater before returning it to
the storm drain system (Figure 38). Instead of
stormwater flowing down the driveway into
drains that empty into the Grand River, trench
drains located periodically along the driveway
could intercept it. These drains would carry
stormwater under the sidewalk and release it to
rain gardens at the base of the retaining walls.
Planting these walls with native perennials and
annual plants could help reduce ambient air
temperatures and could incorporate public art
into the capitol complex.
This design option could be a template for the
nearly 2 miles of retaining walls throughout the
capitol complex.
20 feet
©
Figure 37: Existing Conditions Figure 38: Design Option
Figure 39
Underground
parking access
Driveway drains to
storm system
Curb and gutter
Sidewalk
Lawn
Retaining wall
Underground
parking access
Driveway graded to a
series of trench drains
m
i t^^w"
t
Stormwater flows to
rain gardens
Curb and gutter
Sidewalk
Rain garden
Retaining wall
with planting
Page 23
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
RETAINING WALL
Figure 39 shows a typical cross section of the
existing condition at the retaining walls to the
east of the site, near the underground parking
entry. This retaining wall is part of a series of
walls in the capitol complex that are about 2
miles long in total, making adjacent sidewalks
uninviting.
The design concept for the retaining wall would
soften its appearance with plants, which would
also improve air and water quality and reduce
ambient air temperatures (Figure 40). A series
of steel cables attached to the wall surface
about every 2 feet would allow native, twining
vines to climb up the cables without affecting
the structure. Another option would be to
replace sections of the wall with integral planting
units that can be filled with soil and perennial
or annual plants. Along the base of the existing
wall is a gentle slope down to the parking garage
entrance. A continuous bioswale, or vegetated
drainage course, along the base of the wall would
capture stormwater runoff and cleanse it before
releasing it into the storm drain system.
+/- 30'
+/- 15'
Parking garage entry
Existing
sidewalk
£
Lawn
{A
Existing concrete wall
» -s- «
w
h — 1
if k
Figure 39: Existing Section
Figure 40: Section of Design Option
0 10 feet
Trench drain added to
existing sidewalk to
allow rain water to enter
bioretention cell
+/- 30
Parking garage entry
Existing
Rain garden
Twining vines on steel
cables, incorporated with
retaining wall
sidewalk
Overflow
inlet
Decorative stone bed to dissipate water
at point of entry and prevent erosion
Organic layer or mulch
Bioretention soil mix
Gravel bed with underdrain
Page 24
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
RETAINING WALL
The concrete podium wall creates a barren base
for the Ottawa and Hannah buildings (Figure
41). The blank sloping lawn down to the garage
entrance is largely unused and contributes to the
stark image of the complex for the thousands of
employees that pass by each day on the way to
and from work.
The design option would add a series of climbing
vines on the concrete wall and a bioswale
along its base (Figure 42). Collectively, these
improvements will create an ecologically effective
landscape that will cleanse the water, oxygenate
the air, provide habitat, and reduce ambient
air temperatures. Vines would twine around
the steel cables and would not be placed in the
immediate area of the entry, so they would not
affect drivers' sight lines.
Figure 41: Existing View Looking Northeast
Figure 42: Design Option
Page 25
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
CENTRAL PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR
The project site has approximately 850 parking
spaces and 6.5 acres of impervious surface (Figure
43). The parking areas have few trees and no
sidewalks except the central pedestrian corridor.
The corridor has several different styles of site
furniture that lack a uniform appearance.
The design concept would widen the central
corridor to create a 180-foot-wide linear park
(Figure 44). The park could showcase Michigan's
various landscapes, which could educate employees
and visitors alike (see Figure 45 for landscape
typologies). Parking management strategies
discussed in Section Vi couid aliow the state to
meet its needs for employee parking without the
approximately 230 spaces (30 percent of current
capacity) that the new pedestrian corridor would
replace.
Figure 43: Existing Conditions
Bioswales running along the north and south edges
of the park could collect runoff from the parking
lots and drain to the detention basin to the east,
cleansing water before returning it to the Grand
River. Bioswales would also pick up litter and
debris from the parking lots in a location with easy
access for maintenance vehicles and space for snow
storage in winter.
An expanded green connector running north-
south between the Allegan and visitor parking lots
couid provide a pedestrian connection between
the park and the State Library and Historical
Center. Crushed stone paths that meet accessibility
requirements would allow people to get to the
park from the parking lots. Benches and light
fixtures along the central corridor could showcase
products manufactured in Michigan and could
define small, flexible spaces that serve various
purposes, such as picnic areas, meeting spaces,
public art displays, or outdoor classrooms. New
bicycle parking could encourage people to bike to
the park or nearby buildings.
Storm drains™
flow to Grand River
: f y-'l S&HtM
44' pedestrian corridor with
20' paved promenade
§ Ottawa
2P parking lot
Ottawa
Building
Vietnam
Memorial
Allegan
parking lot
Hannah
Building
Visitor
parking lot
W Ottawa St
5 Ottawa
W3
j_ parking lo1
Bioswales to retention area
Ml'' ¦ 1 r * ***" ^
180' linear park with 20'
paved promenade
Vietnam
Memorial
Allegan
parking lot
Hannah
Building
Visitor
parking lo;
Ottawa
Building
- w Allegan.St c
Figure 44: Design Option
200 feet
Page 26
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
CENTRAL PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR
The landscape types include:
A. Boreal forest: Dense evergreen forest with
benches carved of stone and boulders native to
Michigan.
B. Terminal moraine: Masses of rock and
sediment in shapes reminiscent of Michigan
landscapes that were formed by ancient glaciers.
C. Orchard: Grid of fruit trees with crushed
stone paths.
D. Agriculture: Bands of plants that reflect major
Michigan crops such as corn, blueberries, wheat,
and beans.
E. Hardwood forest: Mixture of maples, oaks,
beech, and other trees with spectacular fall color.
F. Grassland:Turf and ornamental grasses, with
some small trees creating a transition from forest
to wetland.
G. Wetland: Ornamental grasses and perennials
able to accept overflow from marsh landscape.
H. Marsh: Detention basin (low point at end of
rain gardens) water feature with a hard edge on
the east side, next to a sidewalk.The west side
would be a soft edge where water can overflow
during storms.
I. Sand dune: Berms in shapes reminiscent of sand
dunes, planted with native grasses to evoke the
dune grass landscape on Michigan's west coast.
W Ottawa St
Ottawa parking lot
Vietnam
Memorial
Visitor
parking lot
Allegan parking lot
W Allegan St
psrj
Figure 45: Landscape Types
Page 27
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
CENTRAL PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR
Figure 46 shows a cross section cut north-south
through the existing parking lot, with the existing
brick walkway in the center. This walkway is
heavily used by state employees and visitors daily.
Although it is wide and framed by shade trees,
the pedestrian realm is so narrow compared to
the parking area that moving between the Hall of
justice and the main part of the capitoi complex
feels like walking through a parking lot.
The design concept would create a park along
the central pedestrian corridor in the parking lot
(Figure 47). Widening the pedestrian realm by
70 feet on either side of the walkway creates a
broader landscape zone that can support trees,
shrubs, berms, and seating. This improvement
would reduce the visual and environmental
impact of the parking lot while decreasing its
capacity by 30 percent (approximately 230
parking spaces). The pedestrian experience
would be significantly improved, with natural
areas for relaxation and play. The landscape
improvements include a pair of bioswales along
the edges of the parking areas that would direct
stormwater runoff from the parking areas to the
constructed wetland, cleansing it before releasing
it into the storm drain system. The bioswales
would provide measurable benefits to air and
water quality, while making the pedestrian realm
more attractive.
& i
M LftJ# .#
jfj ^
.a- .-Jff-
300'
44'
300'
|.
Allega
street:
1
>cape
Parking
F
edestria
corrido
n
Parking
Ottawa
streetscape
Figure 46: Existing Section
0 100 feet
T^g,J
1 a ^ ¦,
ngure -to
r
i:1
232'
rri
180' 232'
1 \ " »
^ A
Allegan
streetscape
Parking
Promenade ancT Parking
Linear park
Ottawa
streetscape
Figure 47: Section of Design Option
0 100 feet
Hardwood forest:
seating, space for relaxation
and play in a natural setting
Rain
garden
Figure 48: Section of Design Option, Enlargement
«'
J „20' I-
Paved
promenade
Hardwood forest:
seating, nature-based play
Page 28
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
CENTRAL PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR
Figure 49 shows the existing view looking east
toward the state capitol from the pedestrian
walkway that bisects the parking lot. The
pathway is generous and well paved, but even
with the flanking rows of shade trees, the
impression is one of an expansive parking lot
with a slender pedestrian realm.
The landscape concept envisions a series of
bands of plantings that epitomize Michigan's
various landscape types to capture, in effect,
a journey through the state (Figure 50). These
bands are set perpendicular to the walkway, so
that a pedestrian would experience the variety
of Michigan landscapes in a five-minute walk.
Besides providing a point of pride for employees
and visitors, this type of narrative landscape
could become an educational tool for visiting
school children as they make their way through
the capitol complex. The landscapes would
provide biodiversity and habitat but would be
figurative rather than fully functioning, distinct
ecosystems, as they are so small. A variety of
seating and gathering areas in the clusters of
trees could allow employees to have meetings
or meals outdoors in good weather. A detention
basin at the low point of the parking lot, on its
eastern edge, could receive and cleanse the large
quantities of stormwater runoff that flows from
the parking area.
Uauyt
snoae-u
Figure 49: Existing View Looking East
Figure 50: Design Option
Page 29
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
FOREVER PARK
Figure 51 shows the central pedestrian corridor
park concept as described on page 26. The state
could implement this plan while it seeks funding
for a larger park and pursues strategies to
address the existing parking needs.
The final Forever Park concept (Figure 52)
illustrates how the central pedestrian corridor
park could be expanded after the state
acquires additional funding, implements parking
management strategies that reduce the need for
parking, and identifies other parking iots with
available space that employees could use.
Expanding the central pedestrian corridor park
to Allegan and Ottawa streets could make
the site a truly grand public space with many
flexible open lawn areas for various events, areas
for outdoor meetings, and natural areas for
relaxing and enjoying nature. Trails could provide
quarter- and half-mile loops that employees
could use for exercise. Civic Center Park in
Denver, Colorado, exemplifies how a public park
around the State Capitol can become the center
of civic life for a city (see Appendix).
Parking along the west edge of the site, adjacent
to the Vietnam Memorial (and planned future
memorial sites), could accommodate memorial
visitors and event parking. Bicycle parking near
existing office buildings could serve park visitors
and encourage state employees to bike to work.
Continued on next page.
L n b a a;
Ottawa
parking lot
Ottawa
Building
180' pedestrian promenade
and linear park
Vietnam
Memorial
Allegan
parking lot
Hannah
Building
Visitor
parking lot
m •'« $
W Ottawa St
Visitor
parking lot
Vietnam
Memorial
Visitor
parking lot
VIS* VV Allegan St
Figure 52: Forever Park Design Option
Hannah
Building
Hall of
Justice
200 feet
Ottawa
Building
Page 30
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
Continued from previous page.
The underground access drives at the east end
of the site could duck below grade under a green
roof structure, which would gradually raise the
grade of the park to the levei of the adjacent
office buildings. A continuous landscape would
provide employees easier access to the park and
further reduce the amount of impervious cover.
The addition of a vibrant public space could
help encourage revitalization by attracting new
businesses to vacant land on Ottawa Street and
new residents to the surrounding neighborhood.
New development that would increase the
variety and number of housing options and
create amenities for residents that could
encourage state and city employees to live closer
to work, letting them walk or bike to their
jobs. For example, Centennial Olympic Park in
Atlanta, Georgia, has spurred $1 billion in private
investment within three blocks of the site. At 25
acres, it is less than twice the size of the Forever
Park (see Appendix).
W Ottawa St
Original Interim Park
Vietnam
Memorial
I FGFND
A Visitor parking
Shade trees and native plantings
Cj Detention basin
W Allegan St
Figure 53: Forever Park Design Option, Enlargement
D Bicycle parking GJ Flexible-use lawn spaces
E J Existing 20' promenade to remain Crosswalk
F j Green roof over parking access drives
Page 31
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
Figure 55
To memorials
landscape
landscape landscape landscape landscape landscape landscape landscape complex
Terminal moraine landscape ,
Figure 54: Forever Park Section
100 feet
FOREVER PARK
Figure 54 shows a longitudinal section, cut east-
west, through the park promenade, illustrating
the concept of the Michigan landscape types
along the walkway. West of the grassland, the
elevation drops slightly and gradually to form
the wetland and marsh landscapes, then rises
gradually to form the dune landscape and merge
into the green roof to the east. This sequence
of spaces would epitomize the state's various
landscapes, while also providing a variety of
seating and recreational spaces for employees
and visitors. The landscape types include dunes,
wetlands, hardwood forest, agricultural fields,
orchards, moraines, and coniferous forest. The
area devoted to each landscape type would be
larger than in the central pedestrian corridor
park plan, increasing each one's ecological value
and allowing people to better experience each as
a separate space.
Sand dune landscape
Grass and
Wetland landscape
Marsh landscape
landscape
To capital \ i
I oi
complex t;
Figure 55: Forever Park Section, Enlargement
50 feet
Page 32
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
FOREVER PARK
The existing parking lot is a vast expanse
of impervious surface that sends polluted
stormwater to the Grand River (Figure 56). A
park could transform the site, first as a smaller
central corridor (Figure 57), and later as a larger,
grander showcase of Michigan landscapes (Figure
58). The landscape bands that were part of the
central pedestrian corridor park could expand
to embrace the entire site, providing a new open
space for recreation, events, and gatherings. This
ambitious vision could catalyze the revitalization
of this part of the capitol complex and the
surrounding neighborhood. The park's ecological
benefits include reducing impervious area,
cleansing stormwater runoff, lowering ambient
air temperatures, sequestering carbon dioxide,
and increasing biodiversity. The park envisioned
for the capitol complex site could become a
transformative landscape that reshapes the
destiny of its locale while improving the health of
its residents.
43
i
w
1)
"Hh
o
o
O
Figure 56: Existing Bird's Eye View
Figure 57: Bird's Eye View of Central Pedestrian Corridor Park
Page 33
-------
V. DESIGN OPTIONS
Figure 58: Bird's Eye View of Forever Park
LEGEND
A Visitor parking \Dj Bicycle parking G Flexible-use lawn spaces
Shade trees and native plantings EJ Existing 20' promenade to remain Crosswalk
CJ Detention basin F J Green roof over parking access drives
Page 34
-------
VI. NEXT STEPS
Page 35
IMPLEMENTATION
The design options for the capitol complex vary from modest improvements to the public streets
to profound changes to the character and use of the parking lots. A variety of strategies and funding
sources could help implement the plan in stages over time as available resources allow. While the state
of Michigan owns the streets and parking lots at the project site, both the state and the city of Lansing
have much to offer to help implement the vision and much to gain by creating a better public space that
helps protect the environment and improve public health. A collaborative partnership will be critical for
setting priorities, identifying policy approaches and resources, and implementing the community's vision.
The following steps could help the city and state advance implementation:
Near-term steps (2015 to 2016)
• The city and state could establish a working group that meets regularly to establish priorities,
discuss strategies for implementation, gather additional community input, and pursue funding.
Close working relationships would facilitate implementation of the full plan because of the
project's scale and complexity.
• The bicycle lane improvements involve restriping road pavement, with no changes to existing
curbs, utilities, or street lights, making this change one of the least expensive and easiest to
implement. Beginning with a small, easily achievable step could help build enthusiasm and
momentum for implementing the plan while strengthening working relationships among city and
state staff.
• The city could further explore the idea of allowing state employees to park on city streets in the
neighborhoods surrounding the capitol complex during the work week. City representatives
offered this suggestion during the workshop as a possible way the adjacent neighborhood could
help meet state employee parking needs in exchange for a new public park open to residents.
A temporary pilot project could help state employees and neighborhood residents understand
potential impacts of a longer-term change and help the state evaluate the feasibility of removing
up to 200 parking spaces from the existing parking lots to create the space for the central
pedestrian corridor park concept.
• The state could implement the first phase of green walls by installing steel cables with twining
vines on the complex walls facing the parking lot. This "living wall" could be installed with rain
gardens at the base to serve as a model and provide a budget for greening walls throughout the
capitol complex.
-------
VI. NEXT STEPS
Page 36
• The state could study the feasibility of a new crosswalk at the library entrance on Allegan
Street by examining traffic counts, turning movements, and parking lot entry and exit counts to
determine how traffic would be affected by the elimination of a traffic lane and addition of curb
bump-outs and a traffic signal for pedestrians.
• Working in partnership, the state and city could explore options to reduce parking demand
within the capitol complex. These options could include supporting mixed-use development
on property adjacent to the downtown area, to provide housing options for employees who
want to live closer to work. In addition, employee incentives for public transit and bike use
and improvements to existing bus service could help reduce parking demand. Raising the cost
of parking permits and eliminating any existing incentives (pre-tax pay deductions for parking)
to better reflect the true cost of providing and maintaining parking would also help to reduce
parking demand.
Mid-term steps (2017-2020)
• The state could begin implementing additional projects as the city and state identify funding
sources. The state might begin construction of the central pedestrian corridor park if it
concludes that it could remove 200 parking spaces from the parking lot. The state could
also implement smaller projects. For example, green infrastructure funding might enable the
state to begin greening the retaining wall around the Ottawa and Hannah buildings. Funding
for streetscape improvements might enable the Michigan Department of Transportation to
construct the crosswalk on Allegan Street and/or make other road improvements.
• The state could study how parking needs are changing as it implements new parking demand
management strategies and as the workforce turns over. The state could begin studying the
feasibility of removing all of the existing employee parking in the Allegan and Ottawa surface
parking lots based on reduced demand and/or identification of available parking in other locations
to enable construction of the Forever Park.
Long-term steps (2020 and beyond)
• Implementation of smaller projects should help generate community support for the longer-term
vision and increase the chances of successfully competing for grants. Construction of the Forever
Park could begin once the state has identified how to meet its needs for employee parking and
how to fund the project.
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VI. NEXT STEPS
FUNDING SOURCES
Federal Sources
EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 Grants can be applied to demonstration projects that reduce
stormwater pollution. The rain gardens and living wall concept could be eligible for this funding. The
grants are administered through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. More information
is available at: www.michipan.povldeql0.456l.7-135-3307 35l5-3l4500~.00.html.
The Michigan Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund provides low-cost loans and additional grant
money for the planning, design, and construction of green infrastructure projects like the rain gardens
and bioswales in the design options. More information is available at:
www.michipan.pov/deqlO.1607.7-135-3307 3515 4l43-.00.html.
Multiple Federal Transit and Federal Highway programs offer funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects
that could be applied to the bicycle lanes and crosswalk projects on Allegan and Ottawa streets. For
example, Michigan typically receives approximately $26 million annually in Transportation Alternatives
Program funds, which can be used for non-motorized transportation projects. Information about
programs and potential eligibility is available at:
www.fhwa.dot.pov/environment/bicYcle pedestrian/fundinp/fundinp opportunities.cfm and
www.fhwa.dot.pov/map21/factsheets/tap. cfm.
Community Development block grants through HUD could also provide potential sources of funding to
develop affordable housing close to downtown Lansing for single employees and young families. Eligibility
information is available at:
portal.hud.pov/hudportal/HUD?src=/propram officeslcomm planninp/communitydevelopment/proprams.
The Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Loan Program is provided by EPA in conjunction with
the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. This program provides competitive awards for
communities with an approved 319 or Clean Michigan Initiative watershed management plan and also a
State Revolving Fund project plan for a specific project. Information is available at:
water.epa.pov/prants fundinp/cwsrf/cwsrf index.cfm.
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State Sources
Both Ottawa and Allegan streets are state roads and would qualify for road improvement funding from
the Michigan Department of Transportation. Those dollars are typically budgeted years in advance, but
the city and state could begin now to plan for future improvements. Having a solid plan developed with
community input puts the project in a better position to compete for funding as it becomes available.
More information is available at: www.michipan.pov/mdotlO.1607.7-151-9621 17216 18231—.OO.html.
Act 51, the Michigan Transportation Fund, promotes safe and efficient travel for motor vehicle drivers,
bicyclists, pedestrians, and other legal users of roads, streets, and highways. This program might have
funding for road improvements. More information is available at:
www, legislature, mi.povldo c. aspx?mcl-Act-51-of-1951.
The Stormwater Asset Management and Wastewater grant program is provided by the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality to accelerate the statewide use of asset management practices
that improve Michigan's water quality and public health. More information is available at:
www.michipan.povfdeqf0.456l.7-135-3307 35l5-3l45l3-.00.html.
The National Endowment for the Arts has grant programs that support creative, economically
competitive, healthy, resilient, and opportunity-rich communities. It might be a source of funding for
public art. More information is available at: arts.povlprants-orpanizationslour-townlintroduction.
City Sources
Various local departments could be partners for the development and maintenance of the project,
including Lansing's Public Service Department and the Parks Department. These departments have
designated funds for services such as sanitary sewer and road maintenance. The city of Lansing's general
fund might also be a funding source.
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VI. NEXT STEPS
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Private Sources
The Kresge Foundation is a Michigan-based foundation with a mission to support sustainable solutions
in cities. In 2013, it awarded $122 million in grants to cities and entities across the country. It has a
particular interest in supporting issues around climate change and green infrastructure. The rain gardens
and other landscape elements that reduce impervious surfaces might be eligible for funding for design or
implementation. More information is available at: krespe.orp/propramslenvironment.
Michigan companies such as Landscape Forms, Knoll, Dow Chemical, General Motors, and others in the
areas of furniture design, solar power, and automotive technologies might be a source for funding, in-kind
services, or product donation. In particular, these companies might be interested in funding the park
concept of highlighting local Michigan products in the landscape as a source of state pride.
Global ReLeaf is a program through American Forests that helps communities with tree-planting
projects. More information is available at:
www.americanforests.orp/our-proprams/plobal-releaf-projects/plobal-releaf-prant-application.
The Parks with Purpose Program is run through the Conservation Fund with the goal of addressing
challenges facing urban conservation efforts. More information is available at:
www.conservationfund.orp/type-of-place/parks-with-purpose.
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Program strategically donates orchards that will best serve
communities for generations to follow, at such places as public schools and city parks. More information
is available at: www.ftpf.orp/accomplishments.htm.
The Alliance for Community Trees offers grants to support local tree-planting projects. More
information is available at: actrees.orp/what-we-do/prants-and-awards/plantinp-trees.
Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project by raising contributions from a large number of people
via the internet. Over $770 million has been raised using sites such as gofundme.com and kickstarter.
com. Crowdfunding might be an appropriate way to raise money for specific program items within a
larger project, such as a recreation facility or public art. More information is available at:
www.crowdfundinpmi.com/#CrowdfundinpMl.com.
The National Association of Realtors has a grant program for community placemaking (i.e., projects that
make communities better places to live and work by transforming public spaces into vibrant community
places). More information is available at:
www.realtor.orp/topics/smart-prowth/smart-prowth-proprams/placemakinp.
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APPENDIX
COMPARISON COMMUNITIES
Figure 59: Centennial Olympic Park
Atlanta, Georgia
Centennial Olympic Park is a 25-acre park that serves as the centra! public space for downtown Atlanta. It hosts
countless festivals, events, and programs every year and is a daily respite for recreation and relaxation. It was
the central meeting place for the 1996 Olympic Games and features artwork and fountains that commemorate
the games, crystallizing the image of Atlanta as an Olympic city. The park was designed to pay homage to the
Olympic theme, "Quilt of Leaves," with a grid of pathways and gardens that create a monumental quilt form in
the landscape. These elements include a great lawn for performances, intimate water gardens for small gatherings,
and perennial gardens for habitat.
The park, formerly an industrial area that was largely blighted and vacant, is now a green oasis in the city.
Extensive tree canopy and porous surfaces for infiltration of rainfall replaced asphalt and rooftops. Many of
the paved areas and walls in the project use locally sourced materials. The park has spurred a renaissance in
downtown. In the 15 years following the Olympics, there has been over $1 billion in private investment within
three blocks of the site, including new museums, an aquarium, hotels, and residential towers embracing the edges
of the park. The park's lasting legacy is as a place for residents and visitors to come together and enjoy a healthy
place for people in the middle of the city.
Figure 60: Denver, Colorado Capitol
Denver, Colorado
Civic Center Park, a 23-acre park with classically symmetrical sidewalks and lawn spaces, is known as the heart
of civic life in Denver. Located just south of the central business district, the park connects the state capitol to
the east and Denver's City and County Building to the west. The park is bordered to the north and south by
numerous art and government institutions, as well as offices and restaurants. The park itself hosts numerous
festivals, parades, and protests throughout the year. The park includes a Greek amphitheater, a war memorial,
and the Voorhies Memorial Seal Pond. Flexible spaces in the park contain a variety of public art, a fountain, and
formal gardens. Parking in the area is accommodated in several surface lots and parking structures within two
blocks of the park, but the park itself has no parking.
The park was completed in 1919. Currently, city and county officials are studying proposals to make the park
more accessible to pedestrians from surrounding neighborhoods, with improved crosswalks into the park
and new bus stops. Food trucks park regularly at a plaza space in the park, providing lunch options for state
employees and visitors. The adjacent area continues to see new development with recent additions such as the
Denver Newspaper Agency, home of the Denver Post, just northeast of the park.
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GREENING
AMERICA'S
CAPITALS
Smart Growth
GREENING
AMERICA'S CAPITALS
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