River Acc at Manayunk|Venice Island

AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

THIS REPORT WAS PREPARED FOR THE SCHUYLKILL PROJECT IN THE SUMMER AND FALL OF 2006 by Brown & Keener Bressi, with assistance from Urban Engineers

Thank you to the following people for their help and input: Gina Snyder, Executive Director of the East Falls Development Corporation Kay Sykora, Executive Director of The Schuylkill Project Joanne Dahme, Watershed Program Manager of the Philadelphia Water Department Mike Blundetto, Manayunk Dragon Boat Team Gwen Cohen, Programs Manager of The Schuylkill Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS Background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Purpose of this Document. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Initial Evaluation Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Comparative Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Two Access Design Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Preferred Site: Technical Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Appendix A: Cost Estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Appendix B: CAD Sketch in Plan View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Appendix C: Early Prototype Designs and Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . 17

RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS

RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

BACKGROUND

anayunk is an urban miracle. A thriving river-side center of workshops and textile mills through the 19th and 20th centuries, its stout stone buildings and narrow streets now host a bustling array of shops, restaurants and galleries with sought-after condos on the upper oors above. As Manayunks Main Street upscaled its oerings in the 80s and 90s, long-time residents advocated for a public waterfront that provides locals as well as visitors opportunities for riverfront recreation. This tension between the desire for a publicly accessible urban riverfront and the inclination of developers to secure waterfront property for the exclusive use of project tenants is part of a bigger story. Throughout the city, rejuvenated interest in city living has brought profound changes to the skyline, to the neighborhoods, to shopping streetsand most recently to the way Philadelphias two rivers are occupied and experienced. The latent potential of our waterfronts is an unturned key to the citys destiny. As more and more people nd that Philadelphia is the place they want to live, to shop, to do business and to have fun, rejuvenated interest in city living has brought profound changes. An ongoing study by the Planning Commission will result in consensus principles that should apply to development along the DelawareAND will investigate strategies to connect new civic river places to neighborhoods, elevating and stabilizing property values. It will also broaden awareness of a couple of fundamental truths: 1) All Philadelphians have something to gain as responsible stewards for the economic potential of urban land near rivers. 2) We all have a shared stake in the beauty of riparian ecologies. In cities especially, people truly cherish places to be next to nature, to see the sky, and be near the water. A number of improvements continue to make the Schuylkill river-side experience a more hospitable and fun part of city life. The Schuylkill River Heritage Corridor, a 130-mile corridor stretching from Schuylkill County through Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties down to Philadelphia celebrates the outstanding cultural, recreational and historic resources along the river. The Schuylkill Banks project in Center City brought trail improvements from Locust Street up to the Art Museum, attracting an even greater number of people to the river. An excursion vessel based at Walnut Bridge arms that the Schuylkill River is tour-worthy and of interest to residents and visitors alike. Further up-river, Lower Venice Island will be transformed through a Philadelphia Water Department initiative to create a new park, court sports, play facilities and performing arts venue.

RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS

Looking at the canal between Manayunk and Venice Island

RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT

his document, Water Access at Manayunk |Venice Island, an Illustrative Memorandum describes site selection process, technical considerations, preliminary design solutions and construction costs for a boat landing and/or overlook on Manayunks Venice Island.

The Venice Island Landing is an element of the 2005 plan for the Lower Venice Island Park. Other planned recreational and cultural features include a community center, a performing arts venue, a pool or water play facility, as well as accommodations for basketball, street hockey, and ice skating. Park activities are arrayed linearly between the river and the canal. The park is being constructed over a 15 million gallon state-of-the-art stormwater/sewer retention facility that will eliminate overow into the river. The landing is proposed at the tip of the island where the river and a restored canal converge. A river access facility here will be a landmark attraction for the Schuylkill River Heritage Corridor, a 130-mile corridor linking the outstanding cultural, recreational and historic resources along the river stretching from Schuylkill County through Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties down to Philadelphia. The project goals are to create a River Access Facility that will: Make the river and canal locks a more integral part of the Manayunk | Venice Island experience. Expand opportunities for river-related recreation, educational opportunities and activities further up the river. Currently all activities are concentrated in the area below East Falls to the Fairmount Dam. Enhance economic development by integrating/connecting river-related activities with the areas other recreational, entertainment and retail oerings.

RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS

Church & School The Canal Pedestrian Bridge Senior Housing

School

The Retaining Wall

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RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

INITIAL EVALUATION SUMMARY

he project kicked o on July 29 with a meeting and tour of the study site by the project team, composed of Gina Snyder from East Falls Development Corporation, Kay Sykora of The Schuylkill Project, Mike Gabor from Urban Engineers, and Mark Keener with Veronica Polo from Brown & Keener Bressi. It was agreed that the ideal arrangement would: Provide ADA compliant access for people get close to the water for the simple pleasure of being there. Create a platform for watching wildlife and passing boaters or for shing. Provide a permanent landing structure to launch canoes and kayaks that are light enough to be hand carried from the parking lot to the water. The potential for a rental concession should also be considered. Establish a place for dragon boats to land. This could support growing popularity of the sport in a number of ways. Provide for the future possibility of an excursion service that might operate on this reach of the Schuylkill linking the Water Works, East Falls and Manayunk attractions. The team looked at the canal area, the tip of the island, the shore at the southeast of the island, and the area below the retaining wall. The island tip forms a natural beach area where boaters currently access the river. It is also fairly sheltered from the river current. It has a moderate grade from the Lock Street parking lot. The south-eastern shore is thick with vegetation and the slope of the bank drops steeply to the water. It has the advantage of deeper waters and good panoramas. Disadvantages are direct river currents and accessibility diculties due to steep grade. The retaining wall area which is part of the southern shore shares the same advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, the retaining wall itself forms an additional barrier to access the water.

Lower Venice Island southern shore

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RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS

Floating dock with gangway in Richland, WA

Overlook in Milwaukee, WI

RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

COMPARATIVE PLACES

he project team reviewed water access projects and structures in other cities. Waterfront projects in New York City; Portland, Oregon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Baltimore; and Richland, Washington each include welldesigned small structures that enable access to the water. Although some of these projects are on a much larger scale, certain concepts are transferable and various elements are applicable. Below is a short summary of highlights. Milwaukee and New York (Battery Park City) each have interesting lookout structures along water. Along Chattanoogas riverfront, access ramps are a visually powerful landscape feature. Portland, Oregon and Varanasi, India provide elegant examples of steps transitioning to the waters edge. A oating dock in Richland, Washington generated discussion for how best to accommodate the changing level of the Schuylkill. A landing in Baltimores Inner Harbor also hosts a concessionaire, which could serve as a model here as well. Public art as part of landing or overlook structures was also of interest. In Melbourne, Australia lighting solutions were integrated in creative ways. Interpretive educational and environmental components of Baltimores waterfront, where native ora was displayed next to illustrative display panels, was also of interest.
Baltimore Waterfront

Ramp in Chattanooga, TN

RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS

Early prototype scheme included a set of steps and an ADA ramp with overlook/switchback leading to a platform with gangway and oating dock.

SCENARIO 1 A short ADA ramp leading to a shing

platform, and a trail leading to the island tip.

SCENARIO 2 A longer ADA ramp leading to a shing

platform and a trail leading to the island tip. A future oating dock could extend from the platform.

RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

TWO ACCESS DESIGN SCENARIOS

rown & Keener Bressi and Urban Engineers worked together to identify the most suitable location of a water access structure. Early designs assumed that a dock structure parallel to the shore would be accessed by a long ramp with a switchback/overlook (See Appendix C and image on the left). This creates an accommodating and interesting approach to the river, but from an engineering perspective there were several concerns. First, a dock and its structural anchorage may be susceptible to damage from currents and debris. Second, the access ramp necessary to reach the waters edge could be expensive. In response to these concerns, a more modest alternative proposal was developed (see Scenario 1) focusing on the trail improvements combined with overlooks and a shing platform. SCENARIO 1: VENICE ISLAND OVERLOOK The less costly approach proposes a short ramp connecting the parking area to a shing platform overlook 18 feet over the water. Also recommended is a paved trail leading from the parking area to the tip of the island. The cost estimates (see Appendix A) for this conguration includes lighting, street furniture and landscape improvements, as well as an allowance for some special feature marking the entrance of the trail. The natural beach area at the island tip could serve as a sometimes muddy put-in location for small paddle craft. However, such an arrangement would not enable dragon boaters to disembark here. SCENARIO 2: VENICE ISLAND LANDING A longer ramp connects the parking area to the island tip. It would end at a shing platform/ overlook 4 feet above the water. A paved trail could also give people access to the beach area at the island tip. A gangway from the shing platform connects to a dock, for landing and putting in small boats such as canoes and kayaks. Properly designed and sited, the dock would enable dragon boaters to land and disembark. Given adequate depth, the landing could accommodate a shallow draft excursion vessel; though, as noted elsewhere in this document, it may be dicult to get permitting for an excursion service operating motorized craft on this reach of the river. Scenario 2 cost estimates (see Appendix B) also include an allowance for artwork or some other special feature at trail head as well as lighting, street furniture, and landscape. Additional costs for the gangway, dock, and debris barrier are included as well.

RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS

Rocky outcroppings limit navigation for larger vessels.

However, in the past, big boats plied this reach of the river regularly. Fare on the comfortable steamer pictured above, was 12 1/2 cents to go from Fairmount to Manayunk.

10 RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

PREFERRED SITE: TECHNICAL SUMMARY

WATER DEPTH

he river around the Venice Island study areaexcept around the canal outfallis deep enough to accommodate boats with shallow drafts such as canoes and kayaks. Though the water might be deep enough, it is unlikely that an excursion service could operate motorized vessels herefor political, navigational, economic, infrastructure and operational reasons. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission limits motored boats in this area to 10 horsepower or less, and there is little chance that these regulations will change. Additionally, in the area around Venice Island there are places where shallow waters, rapids and outcrops will make this a navigationally dicult or dangerous area for shallow draft (2 to 4 ft) vessels. However, it was noted that a pontoon party boat operated here just a few years ago and that in the more distant past steam powered tour vessels operated seasonally along this reach of the river. Dragon Boats can also navigate in this area, but they should proceed with caution due to rock outcroppings. FLOATING DEBRIS Any water access structures built in the study area should be weary of ood, ice and debris hazards. The sites on the river side of the island are particularly vulnerable to the full force of the rivers current, which is particularly fast on this narrow portion of the river (about 65 yards wide here versus 150 yards at East Falls). Any built structure, such as an overlook platform, would have to withstand fast moving ice and debris. A oating dock would be particularly vulnerable, although the vulnerability could be mitigated to some extent by providing a oating boom to deect ice and debris away from the dock. PERMITS Because the project is in a oodway, a range of permits and regulatory approvals would need to be obtained from various agencies such as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the Philadelphia Water Department, the Philadelphia Art Commission, the Philadelphia Streets Department, and the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. ACCESSIBILITY ADA access is an important consideration due to the costs involved. Reasonable accommodations need to be made. Fishing platforms and boating facilities need accessible handicap routes.

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RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS

This drawing illustrates how a river access facility might look

12 RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

CONCLUSION

This investigation, completed in the summer and fall of 2006, was initiated to propose design concepts, explore technical considerations, and dene probable costs for the proposed new Venice Island Landing. The results are promising: The rendered illustrations show that the landing can be an accessible, fun place to be. The technical memorandum describes criteria such as current, water level, obstructions, and regulatory matters that should be considered in siting the facility and proposes solutions responsive to each of those issues. A line-item budget clearly lays out the cost to build the landing, conrming that the resources necessary are in line with similar recently completed projects. The proposed new Venice Island Landing will certainly require further detailing and design, as well as the continued support of funding and public agency partners. Now, with answers to many of the initial questions in-hand, The Schuylkill Project is prepared to begin the next steps committing the necessary resources, getting in place the necessary permitting and agreements, and completing design and construction documents.

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APPENDIX A: COST ESTIMATES

Fax

: (215) 922-8082
Unit Price x Quantity $ $ $ $ 10,000 12,800 10,000 10,000

SCENARIO 1: MINIMAL Scheme 1 Minimal

Item No. Description Unit allow sy allow allow Unit Price Quantity $ 10,000 $ 40 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 1 320 1 1

A Major Materials & Subcontracts 1 Artwork or fountain at the entrance area 2 Paving at entrance area 3 Lighting 4 Street furniture

Subtotal, Major Materials & Subcontracts

42,800

B Construction & Installation 1 Mobilization, Demobilization, Erosion Control 2 Clear, Grub, rough grade 3 River Overlook / Fishing Platform (inc. approach walk) 4 Lighting Installation 5 Landscaping

Subtotal, Construction & Installation

Contractor overhead & profit

allow allow sf allow allow

$ 10,000 $ 5,000 $ 120 $ 15,000 $ 30,000

1 1 800 1 1

$ $ $ $ $

$ $ $ $ $

156,000 198,800 238,560 286,272 343,526

10,000 5,000 96,000 15,000 30,000

Subtotal, Materials, Subcontracts, Construction & Installation Estimated Construction Cost Project Cost
Contingency Design, Permitting, & Construction oversight

20% $

39,760

20% $ 20% $

47,712 57,254

Project Cost including Contingency Fax : (215) 922-8082

SCENARIO 2:2ENHANCED Scheme Cadillac

Item No. Description Unit allow sy sf allow allow lf Unit Price Quantity $ 20,000 $ 40 $ 45 $ 20,000 $ 15,000 $ 60 1 320 828 1 1 80 $ $ $ $ $ $

Unit Price x Quantity 20,000 12,800 37,260 20,000 15,000 4,800

A Major Materials & Subcontracts 1 Artwork or fountain at the entrance area 2 Paving at entrance area 3 Aluminum Gangway 12' x 31' & Floating Dock 12' x 38' 4 Lighting 5 Street furniture 6 Debris Barrier

Subtotal, Major Materials & Subcontracts

109,860

B Construction & Installation 1 Mobilization, Demobilization, Erosion Control 2 Clear, Grub, rough grade 3 New walkway to dock abutment (including landing area) 4 Lighting Installation 5 Landscaping 6 Gangway & dock install 7 Debris Barrier installation

Subtotal, Construction & Installation

Contractor overhead & profit

allow allow sf allow allow days days

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

15,000 15,000 120 30,000 30,000 4,000 4,000

1 1 2100 1 1 4 2

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

$ $ $ $ $

366,000 475,860 571,032 685,238 822,286

15,000 15,000 252,000 30,000 30,000 16,000 8,000

Subtotal, Materials, Subcontracts, Construction & Installation Estimated Construction Cost Project Cost
Contingency Design, Permitting, & Construction oversight

20% $

95,172

20% $ 20% $

114,206 137,048

Project Cost including Contingency

14 RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

APPENDIX B: CAD SKETCH IN PLAN VIEW

SCENARIO 1: MINIMAL

15

APPENDIX B: CAD SKETCH IN PLAN VIEW RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS

SCENARIO 2: ENHANCED

16 RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

APPENDIX C

EARLY PROTOTYPE DESIGNS AND VISUALIZATIONS

Drawing in Perspective

Drawing in Section

17

RELATED MAPS , IMAGES AND DRAWINGS

APPENDIX C

EARLY PROTOTYPE DESIGNS AND VISUALIZATIONS

Drawing in Plan

18 RIVER ACCESS AT MANAYUNK|VENICE ISLAND: AN ILLUSTRATIVE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM