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Washington Avenue Loft District Streetscape
Site Analysis/Opportunities & Constraints Phase I
Environmental Factors
SOLAR
Opportunities
- Awnings and canopies can mitigate glare and provide interesting transition areas from interior to sidewalk environments
- These shading elements should be operable to provide stronger shading in the summer and allow sunlight penetration in the winter
- Strong sun also provides opportunity for sustainable solar-powered elements
 and reflective or light-catching features
- North-to-south variation in solar exposure can render similar streetscape elements differently, providing microclimatic variety.
Constraints
- Summer sun angle causes strong glare from top of street (18th Street) to the bottom (Tucker Boulevard)
- Distinctly different solar / shade environments on north and south side of Washington Avenue
WIND
Opportunities
- Winds provide opportunities to explore kinetic sculpture and wind-powered devices
- Specific plant material can be introduced to either deflect or catch the wind
Constraints
- Strong prevailing winds demand structural stability in potential sidewalk structures and elements (e.g. light/banner poles, awnings)
TOPOGRAPHY
Opportunities
- Grade change provides opportunity to create a dramatic effect of "District on the Hill", a clear and highly visible destination - particularly at night with buildings lit between "gateways", perhaps created with light.
Constraints
- Elevation change of nearly 40 feet from 18th Street down to Tucker Boulevard can seem somewhat daunting
- The need to "climb" the street might be a psychological barrier
- Steep grade can also cause awkward sloping or stepping conditions along building facades
VEGETATION
Opportunities
- Plant material can be used more effectively when concentrated in "green" zones, perhaps relating to cafe or sidewalk display areas or at intersections with green linkage streets such as 14th Street
- A strong vegetated edge could also be established along the sidewalk adjacent to the Market Square Park
- Street trees can be extensively used along all side streets and linkage streets in the District.
Constraints
- Washington Avenue planting is uneven and ineffective, appearing only at occasional building entrances and in deteriorating planters
- Street tree planting along the Avenue is not recommended
Contact Us!
Downtown Now!
588-0458
e-mail:amyr@downtownnow.org
OR
City of St. Louis
622-3400
e-mail:dwntnnow@stlouis.missouri.org
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