Skywalk Improvements Study
Des Moines City Council Workshop
August 23, 2010
Agenda
1. Process
2. Condition Assessments – Report & Areas Needing Attention
3. Signage & Wayfinding – Recommendations & Implementation Scenarios
4. Vertical Connections – Recommendations & Priorities
5. Public Involvement
6. Next Steps
Design Consultants
CALVIN LEWIS
RDG - Main Consultant
• Overall Study
• Condition Assessment
• HVAC Assessment
PUSH Branding – Signs and Wayfinding
• AVI Systems – Interactive Kiosks
Calvin Lewis, Architect – Vertical Access
Shuck-Britson – Structural Assessment
Process
Past 6 Months…
Outstanding Technical Committee Participation
Well Managed Expectation
Great User Feedback
Creative Thinking
Condition Assessment
Assessment Categories
1. Structural
42 City Owned Bridges and Structures
2. Mechanical
42 City Owned Bridges and Structures
3. Interiors
Approximately 3.5 Miles of Entire System
Condition Assessment
Final Report & Conclusions
3 Volume - 520 Page Electronic Assessment Document
•
Individual Assessments by Category and Skywalk Segment
•
Criteria Driven Rating of All Segments
•
Electronic “Linked” Document for Ease of Use/Navigation
•
Summary Map of “Areas Needing Attention”
Areas Needing Attention
Structural (Rated 5 and Below on scale of 1 – 9)
Mechanical (Rated 2 and Below on scale of 1 – 5)
Interior (Rated 2 and Below on scale of 1 – 5)
Signage & Wayfinding
Types of Signs - Why They are Necessary
Overhead
Street Crossing
- Navigation through system
- Names your current location
- Provides orientation within system
- Represents current street/bridge crossing
- Provides orientation within system
Maps/Directories
- View of entire system
- Displays current location in the system
- Shows access points
- Amenities
- Building/tenant index
Vertical Access
- Clear access point to/from street level and skywalk
- Visible/recognizable from a distance
- Consistent throughout system
Directional
- Used In areas where a standard vertical access sign is visible
Informational
- For use with all secondary, non-wayfinding signs
- No Smoking
- "Doors to remain unlocked..."
- Restrooms
Advertising
Overhead Signs
- Direction to buildings
- Current building name
- Distance to each building (matching the existing street level pedestrian system)
- Icons corresponding to amenities (need to check the feasibility of alterations if
icons need changed)
- Position/Direction Code
- Shows heading direction (eg East)
- Emergency responder locator (eg. 6E)
Vertical Access Signs
- "Circle S" to symbolize the skywalk system throughout
- Street Level
Hours of accessibility
Position code which relates to code on overhead signs
- Skywalk Level
Hours of accessibility
Names of street accessed by exit
Street Crossing Signs
- Help provide orientation
- Similar in design to street level
pedestrian signage
- Positioned at the center of each
bridge/street crossing
Directional Access Signs
- Same red color as the vertical access
signage
- Directs to skywalk accessible areas not
immediately located on skywalk
Informational Signs
- Incorporate skywalk wayfinding
brand into other signage
- Relates information to the system
- Consistency
Directory Kiosk
- "Circle S" Symbol
- Incorporate arch detail of bridges
and street level signs
- Skyline art to reflect design of
street level signs
- East Village/Capitol removed
- Bridges replaced by illuminated
red strip representing skywalk
Interactive Directory
Building Index
- Categorical sorting (food, retail, entertainment, lodging)
- Walking routes with mileage
- Touch a name to highlight on map
Detail View
- Street Level Access, Escalator, Elevator, Public Phones,
Bus Stops
- May also show category icons (food, retail, etc).
Emergency Screen
- Automatically displays detail view with emergency exits
- Emergency information and instructions
Other
- Upcoming Event/Advertising space
- News Feed
- Current time and temp
Signage and Wayfinding
Signage and Wayfinding
Partnership Opportunity
Des Moines Register has proposed they could provide, manage and update
all content needed for the kiosk, website and mobile applications.
Having a consistent and constantly refreshed source of content will provide
users on all platforms a more unified and richer experience.
Des Moines Register brand would bring consistency and enhance the
content.
Partnership Opportunity
Content and Data
- Business and restaurant listings
- Events
- News (headlines, stories, restaurant reviews, photos and video)
- Weather
Interactive Experiences
- Daily news coverage
- Special events (State tournaments, RAGBRAI)
- Sustainable non-news and public service products
Opportunities for Generating Revenue
- Large sales force with deep community connections
- More local volume and better targeted advertisements
Signage and Wayfinding
Implementation Scenarios
1. Initial Investment
Hard and Soft Options & Costs
2. Ongoing Investments
Maintenance and Operations Costs
Implementation Scenarios
All Scenarios: New Overheads/Vertical Access/Street Signage
Scenario #1
Replace Graphics in Existing Directories
Scenario #2
New Kiosk Directory “Body” – with Static Graphics
Scenario #3
New Kiosk Directory “Body” – ½ Static Graphics & ½ Touchscreens
Scenario #4
New Kiosk Directory – All Touchscreens
Vertical Access Connections
Existing Type 1 Access
Existing Type 1 Access
High Upgrade Potential Access
Criteria:
•
•
•
Equal Distribution
Ease of Upgrade
Supplementary Issues:
•
Other Improvements Needed
•
High Pedestrian Traffic
Prototypes and Priorities
Locations to Consider
Prioritizing for Upgrade
Methods of
Identity
Prototypes and Priorities
Locations to Consider
Prioritizing for Celebratory
Development
Celebratory Examples
Celebratory Examples
Public Involvement
Preliminary Survey Results
Online Survey during March 2010
Over 2,800 responses
65% - Marked access to/from street
45% - Updated features (lighting, carpet, etc.)
45% - Better maps (directories)
45% - Better signage
Very useful input
Used to guide study process and recommendations
“Mock Up” Survey Results
• Set up in Skywalk – May 11
• Electronic Directory, Overhead
Sign, Vertical Access Sign
• Over 100 survey responses
• Very Good Input
Next Steps
Next Steps
Prioritize study findings and project scope
• Condition Improvements
• Signage
• Enhanced Vertical Access
Determine budget and how to fund (public/private?)
• Partnership / advertising revenue opportunities
• Safety, health, transportation, business benefits
Select consultant to prepare detailed plans & specs
Select “Content Provider” – Register, other?
Questions?