The City has a variety of tools available through which these
goals can be implemented so that the vision for Greater Downtown can
materialize and eventually be realized. This plan represents the first
phase of implementation and includes the basic implementation strategies
of designating future land use designations, zoning properties accordingly
as needed, amending development standards of the zoning districts
through a zoning overlay and establishing goals and policies for future
phases of plan implementation such as economic (re)development strategies.
(Ord. 4571, 3-20-13)
The community desires to improve the visual character of the
Greater Downtown areas that are most visible along major public corridors
or from the major public spaces. Consequently, the plan promotes a
higher quality built environment through improved architectural character,
reduced visual clutter and enhanced streetscape. These elements are
addressed through the Greater Downtown zoning overlay detailed in
a companion document to this plan. The elements of the overlay are
intended to augment the zoning district standards in the Zoning and
Development Code.
(Ord. 4571, 3-20-13)
Important intersections in the street network offer opportunities
to develop a unique theme and identity for the Greater Downtown area.
The primary intersections vary in scale and include entries to the
Downtown, Rail and River Districts. Each of these should be developed
according to general concepts and criteria that are appropriate for
their scale, function and importance.
(a) Downtown District Entryways and Signage.
While the Downtown
District has a strong base of local and regional users, approaches
to the District offer no distinguishing features or directional signage
that orient first time visitors. When approaching or traversing perimeter
streets, visitors have no sense that they are within eyesight of the
historic town site or even that they are headed in the right direction
toward downtown. Creating gateways at key entry points, as well as
simple perimeter identifiers, will orient visitors, as well as strengthen
and celebrate the heritage of the Downtown Districts. Because of the
diversity of uses and neighborhoods within the Downtown District,
the design of entryways should include a range of sizes, poles and
ornamentation of signage and varied landscape elements, lighting and
other features that are integrated with the signage. The primary gateways
to the Downtown District and between downtown and the Rail District
include the following intersections:
(1) 7th Street and North Avenue.
(2) 1st Street and Grand Avenue.
(3) 1st Street and Main Street.
(4) 5th Street and South Avenue.
(5) 7th Street and Pitkin Avenue.
In addition, the distinctive public sign palette already started
in the Downtown District should be continued and expanded to include
street signs and directional signs that have recognizable poles, ornamentation,
colors, fonts and logos. The City, together with the DDA, will further
develop sign standards and guidelines for private signage placed on
buildings or as freestanding signs.
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(b) Rail and River District Entryways.
(1) 5th Street/Riverside Parkway.
There are opportunities
to celebrate the entry into Grand Junction and the Rail and River
Districts at the 5th Street bridge and Struthers Avenue area in conjunction
with the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens with attractive low scale
signage and sculpture. In addition, there are smaller monuments at
various points along the Riverside Parkway that indicate to motorists
that they are approaching or traveling on the Riverside Parkway. Due
to the scale of the 5th Street/Riverside Parkway intersection and
the publicly-owned area around it, this intersection affords the opportunity
to create a monument/sculpture of a much larger scale to mark the
entrance and give identity to the Rail and River Districts and/or
to this “Grand Junction.”
Another possibility in this vicinity is if a pedestrian overpass
is desired/needed near the 7th Street/Riverside Parkway intersection
it could serve several purposes: pedestrian access across the Parkway,
include design elements that give a distinct character to the Rail
and River Districts and integrate with surrounding open space, pocket
parks and/or water features at the landings on each side of the Parkway.
(2) South 7th Street/Railroad Tracks.
There is an existing
silo on the Mesa Feed property that identifies the Rail District as
you travel south on 7th Street. It is of a scale that is visible from
the southern perimeter of downtown and represents the historical agriculture
and industrial base upon which the Rail and River Districts have developed.
Such a structure could be enhanced and/or replicated to become an
even stronger element at this major entrance to the area.
(3) 28 Road/Riverside Parkway.
This intersection is a smaller
scale than the others, but a neighborhood entry could be created,
particularly along the north side. The sense of arrival at this location
could be created through a water feature, public art, an architectural
feature with signage paving patterns and/or landscaping. The design
of the entry feature should be of the same character of those that
might be created at the other major entry points.
(Ord. 4571, 3-20-13)
The City completed an initial planning analysis for the City-owned
property on the west side of 5th Street between the Colorado River
and the Riverside Parkway known as the Jarvis Property. The property
is constrained by natural features and the encroachment of the Parkway,
but does have approximately 43 acres of developable land.
The initial study was to chart a direction for revitalization
of the property. It summarized the key assets, identified some important
issues and potential impediments to development, analyzed current
market conditions and outlined a concept for organizing potential
development of the property. The property and potential project are
viewed as a unique opportunity for the City to chart the future of
a rare property type, a place where it may be possible to provide
a mix of uses, including residences, along the bank of the Colorado
River. The major opportunities and constraints identified for potential
development of the Jarvis Property were to: continue the riverfront
greenway through the property, restore habitat, relocate the high
voltage power facilities that run through the site, and provide flood
protection for the property.
(Ord. 4571, 3-20-13)