38th Street Corridor

Connecting Maple Road Neighborhoods

Volume 1: BRT & Land Use Charrette

CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

38th St Corridor

BRT & LAND USE CHARRETTE

Table of Contents
4
5
6
12
16
22
27

Foreward
Introduction
Team 1: Connecting Neighborhoods
Team 2: Fairgrounds Neighborhoods
Team 3: Fairgrounds Neighborhoods
Team 4: Keystone TODs
Acknowledgements

CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

38th St Corridor

BRT & LAND USE CHARRETTE

Forward

Introduction

Design Questions

The proposed 38th Steet bus rapid transit

(BRT) line will have a transformational influence
on adjacent communities. Enhanced regional
access and street design will attract added
investment. The adjacent neighborhoods and
stakeholders have taken a great interest in
the charrette outcomes. This bok summarizes
some of the key results from the three-day
charrette held on September 26-28, 2013. Ball
State University especially appreciates the
creative energy to the charrette teams by Kent
State University and Lawrence Tech University
students and faculty. In addition, the participation
of the following organizations was key to the
success of the charrette: the MLK Community
Center, North United, Methodist Church, Butler
Tarkington NA, Meridian Kessler NA, Meridian
St Foundation, Crown Hill NA, Watson McCord
NA, Meridian Park NA, Mapleton Fall Creek NA,
Indiana State Fair, United Northeast CDC, Jay
Rickers from BP, Doug Day, Cindy King, Tow Lot,
Chris Piazza, Derek Sublette Norfolk Southern,
Watson McCord NA, Mapleton Fall Creek NA,
and NE Corridor QOL.

Historically, 38th Street has been seen as a

divider between neighborhoods to the north
and south. This charrette looks to address
stakeholders' vision for the area as a unifying
address while incorporating Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) routes, creating an identity for the
neighborhoods, and embracing sustainability.
The process took place over a three day period.

How do we design a cohesive 38th

Street corridor that connects rather than
divides?
How will BRT service transform the
existing neighborhoods?
How can existing land use and vacant
land create opportunities?
How do the demographics and density
inform the neighbohoods' characters?
What are the current environmental
conditions and how can we implement
sustainable practices?

The participating students and faculty were

divided into four teams. Team 1 looked at
the overall framework of 38th Street and how
connections between neighborhoods could be
made. Due to the complex nature of the area,
two teams, Team 2 & 3, looked at the area
surrounding the Indiana State Fairgrounds and
along Fall Creek. Team 4 then looked at the
area along Keystone Avenue, where several
key transit stops are proposed.
After meeting with stakeholders and exploring
the study areas, the teams sketched out initial
ideas and concepts. By the second day,
production was well under way. Students were
working ardently all day and into the evening,
creating drawings that brought the community's
vision to life. On day three, students presented
ideas to stakeholders.

CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

Team 1

CONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS
Design Issues
Team 1 explored how to better connect 38th
Street transit and uses to neighborhoods. The
team identified neighborhood centers or nodes
that could be connected, including:
- Keystone Avenue
- the Indiana State Fairgrounds
- Midtown & Tarkington Park
- the IMA
- Lafayette Square.
Students focused on the design of 38th St. transit
and pedestrian enhancements. They tested
alternative traffic and transit lane configurations.
The team particularly studied the node at
Tarkington Park, near 38th St., considering it
of higher significance. Some design solutions
the they explored were connecting the pieces
together instead of redoing them, understanding
how development influences the park,
addressing how the Park connects to 38th St.
and Meridian St., addressing the south side of
38th St., and looking at the market strategies.

The team analyzes the connections along 38th Street BRT and
trail routes.

Proposed R.O.W. Study Section

CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

Section of Proposed BRT Lines

Team 1

CONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS
Design Concepts & Principles
The 38th Street Framework Plan integrates a
Bus Rapid Transit system and transit-oriented
development (TOD) as part of a boulevard
strategy. Designated bus lanes were placed
along the center of 38th Street.
A new bike route was planned to run east to west
along the corridor, connecting the Fairgrounds,
the IMA, and Crown Hill Cemetery. This route
runs along streets to the north and south of
38th Street to create a safe route connecting
the neighborhoods. A portion of the bike route
passes over the White River and continues to
run beside the I-65 and 38th Street section.

Current & Future Places

Comprehensinve Framework Master Plan

The boulevard strategy offers new mixed-use

buildings at infill sites, with trees lining the
streets and the neighborhood districts. This
strategy enforces human-scale conections over
the length of the corridor.
The intersections along the corridor will be
strengthened as key destinations for the
neighborhood, providing more intensive
commercial uses and more dense residential
opportunities.

Plan from College to Meridian, showing

new infill, internsections, and BRT routes.

View of housing facing park, street-scaped

live-work street.

CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

Team 1

CONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS
Street Systems

Transit Sytems

38th Street neighborhoods will benefit from

improved pedestrian and transit access. The
charrette team explored how to improve
retail continuity, add streetscape amenities,
incorporate bike lanes, and build a pedestrian
bridge over the White River. Street level store
fronts will activate buildings and streetfronts.
Increased tree canopyalong streets will enclose
the streetscape and strengthen a sense of
human scale. The spanning of the White River
proved to be a major design barrier. A pedestrian
bridge was proposed to separate people from
the vehicles on the existing bridge. This bridge
was designed as a programmable space the
IMA can use for events such as art shows.

The proposed BRT system is an important

catalyst for the redevelopment of 38th Street.
The BRT system provides an alternative
transportation option for transforming 38th
Street into a cohesive corridor.
It would
connect the community to employment centers,
community service, recreation opportunities,
and institutional anchors--including the IMA and
the State Fairgrounds. A main BRT station is
proposed at the intersection of Central Avenue
and 38th Street, providing a centrally-located
hub within the neighborhoods. Several other
BRT stops are located along the length of the
corridor for accessibility.

Section across 38th Street at the

Fairgrounds.

Section across 38th Street between College

Avenue and Meridian.

Perspective of IMA overlook bridge.

10

Section across 38th Street along Crown Hill

Cemetery

Option of BRT station, located at Central

Avenue.

Section across 38th Street as it crosses the

White River.

Perspective of bus stop opportunity at

Meridian Street.

CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

Possible character of a BRT station.

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Team 2

FAIRGROUNDS NEIGHBORHOODS
Design Issues

Design Concepts & Principles

Team 2 focused on the area around the Indiana

State Fairgrounds, including the parking lot to
the south and Fall Creek. Unique geometry and
distinct land uses created some of the design
issues. Due to the Fairgrounds' relationship
to the site, the design called for a mixed-use
transit-oriented development vision. It also
still needed to address the State Fair's parking
demands. With the renovation of the Coliseum,
the community felt that structured parking and
the introduction of an event hotel would be
fitting. Due to the geometry, transit flow was
difficult to configure so as to maximize flow
and connection. The design problems should
address a long-range plan and vision. The
team focused on creating a bio-district as part
of the design solution.

The neighborhood is divided by the fairgrounds, 38th Street, and Fall

Creek. The team employed the design to stitch the neighborhood back
together. This strategy brought jobs to the area and increased the density.
An agro-research park would initiate a partnership between industry and
the Fairgrounds, capturing revenue from fairgrounds visitors throughout
the year. The proposal created opportunities for residents and improved
access by providing a new transit station. It also enhanced interaction
with the waterway.

Initial concept map of proposed land uses.

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Overall urban design and land use diagram.

CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

BRT Boulevard south of Fall Creek - redid boulevard with BRT stop at MU
stadium - redestrian bridge to Fairgrounds.

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Team 2

FAIRGROUNDS NEIGHBORHOODS
Current & Future Places

Street Systems

An agro-research park will enhance the biodistrict plus compliment the events and activities
of the fairgrounds. It would create jobs that
would support a commercial base, providing
amenties for visitors to the Fairgrounds and
nearby residents. Increased activity will create
a destination neighborhood.

Street systems incorporate the new BRT

routes, providing connections to the State
Fairgrounds for local neighbors, the people of
Indianapolis, and the larger region around the
city. Local transit promotes inter-neighborhood
connections, mending that 38th Street divide. It
also supports commuter transit to the area.

Character sketch & infill proposal for existing

railroad yard & Fall Creek.

Open Space Systems

Shows the research park campus, transit

station & Fall Creek looking east on
38th St.

One of the main goals in the open space system

was to increase visibility of Fall Creek from the
street. The system connected a proposed trail
system to an existing one. Preserving natural
areas along the creek, stormwater management
practices, and development of eco-friendly
businesses enhance the goals of a bio-district.

Proposed bridge on Fall Creek.

14

Shows development along Coliseum Ave.

with addition of bike lanes, lighting, signage,
greeney & townhouses.

CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

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Team 3

FAIRGROUNDS NEIGHBORHOODS
Design Issues

Design Concepts & Principles

Due to the unique circumstances surounding the

Fairgrounds neighborhood, another charrette
team provided an alternative design solution.
The team addressed parking needs, BRT
incorporation, and the relationship between
the Fairgrounds and Fall Creek through an
economic lens. They focused on designing a
neighborhood-scale market-based strategy that
could support future development.

These two diagrams illustrate how the charrette

team's ideas took form and how they could be
implemented. The activity diagram illustrates
amenities such as a hotel, restaurants, parking,
and commercial uses to benefit fairgrounds
visitors and complement existing development.`
The phasing diagram then breaks down the order
of development to ensure financial stability. The
park along Fall Creek is considered continuous
development due to the brownfield clean up
as it progresses into a usable formal park and
potential future development.

This diagram illustrates lines of connection and movement across the

proposed design, including transit, bikeways, and walking radii.

This diagram illustrates proposed activity, use of

development, and lines of movement.

Overall phasing diagram.

Existing Section through the entire site from north to south.

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CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

17

Team 3

FAIRGROUNDS NEIGHBORHOODS
Urban Design Schemes
The charrette team explored two options
through which to achieve their goals. Option
one focuses on improving the fairgrounds as
a destination while preserving Fall Creek as a
natural recreational area. The area south of the
fairgrounds would include a hotel, community
center, and other commercial uses to provide
amenities to the fairgrounds.
It proposes
1,577 residential units and 955 jobs. Option
two looks at turning Fall Creek into its own
neighborhood. The plan incorporates new
residential and commercial development at a
higher density. This would provide an additional
1,830 residential units and 1,514 jobs, but would
detract from the natural recreation of Fall Creek.
It would require further remediation to become
developable, suggesting that it could be a much
later development phase.

Overall urban design plan showing existing and proposed

development, with new transit and bike routes and new buildings.

Alternative development plan for Fall

Creek and adjacent railyard reflecting
higher density.

Overall bird's eye perspective of final group proposal, showing relationship between
Fairgrounds, added convention center and amenities, proposed Fairfield Park along Fall
Creek, and transit hub on east side of park.

Site Section across Fall Creek into the neighborhood to the southeast.

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CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

19

Team 3

FAIRGROUNDS NEIGHBORHOODS
Current & Future Places

Transit Stops

The charrette team explored architecture that

compliments the high level of pedestrian and
bicycle activity from the Monon and Fall Creek
trails. As a destination for drivers and transit
users, the area should allow users to easily
traverse the site on foot once they have arrived.

Transit stops create a central point of activity.

The stops proposed at the old candy factory
just east of the Fall Creek Trail and the main
south entrance to the Indiana State Fairgrounds
provide dynamic locations for transit stops.
Higher density surrounding these stops will
ensure active, safe locations throughout the
year.

View from 38th St. showing mixeduse development & street across from
Fairgrounds.

The new Fairfield Landing Transit Center is designed based

on the old candy building, becoming a new hub on the site.

Close-up site plan showing proposed intersection

of 38th St. with BRT lines and expanded "State
Fair Blvd." running south into Fairfield Landing
development

Perspective showing the proposed intersection

between 38th St, with new BRT line and entry to State
Fairgrounds, with boulevard extending south into
Fairfield Landing development.

Open Space Systems

The riverside restaurant and bar design to bring people to hang out around
the riverside and engage with the park. The bike route also passes by here.

Street Systems
The introductin of a BRT lne along 38th
Street will grealty influence the experience
of traveling to the Indiana State Fair. The
BRT line encourages transit use, allowing
reduced parking and expanded commercial
development. Through offering a center-load
BRT stop , the street allows easier access to
the fairgrounds entrance. Enhanced access
across Fall Creek will support the greater 38th
Street corridor connection.

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After remediation of the brownfield along Fall

Creek, the area could become a destination
for outdoor recreational activities.
Option
one proposes keeping this natural area for
recreational enjoyment. Option two suggests
developing the area into a unique neighborhood
shaped by the creek.

View of people interacting with and

experiencing Fall Creek.
New traffic with BRT next to the Fairgrounds
and retail & parking grage.

Artistic seating within the park along Fall Creek.

BRT route over bridge and new

pedestrian walkway.

CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

21

Team 4

KEYSTONE TODs
Design Concepts

Design Concepts & Principles

Team 4 explored the area bordered by Keystone

Avenue, 38th Street, and the proposed green
line BRT route. Each corner of this triangle is
intended to be a major transportation node and
BRT stop. The node at Keystone and 42nd St.
has the potential to be a major transfer hub with
the intersection of the regional green line and
the orange line that runs along Keystone. The
orange and purple line intersect at Keystone and
38th, and the purple and green lines intersect at
38th Street and Fall Creek. Due to the transit
routes and stops, the charrette team explored
appropriate the land use and development within
the "triangle" to facilitate economic growth and
create a new neighborhood.

The design combined new transportation options with the buzz

of high technology to create a synergystic neighborhood--the
Keystone Circuit. To the north is a major intermodal transit
station that attracts commercial businesses and research
opportunities from the converted 60s office park. It adaptively
reuses these offices as loft housing, infill townhouses, and
mixed-use residences along Keystone.

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This shows how the neighborhood along

Keystone changes when crossing over
Fall Creek.

Overall site plan along Keystone Ave. showing the

development of two TOD nodes & their connections
in between through the integration of technology &
neighborhood.

Mixed-used street - Keystone at 49th St. near the BRT transfer station.

CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

Infill and redevelopment of 60s office park at intermodal station.

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Team 4

KEYSTONE TODs
Current & Future Places

Transit Stops

The North Circuit is a "hip" area that embraces

growing businesses, live/work co-ops, and a
vibrant cultural life with restaurants and bars.
The design boasts a pedestrian walkway near
the regional transit that is surrounded by a
food and nightlife district for passersby. The
commercial districts transitions to a modern
residential neighborhood including townhouses,
a school, and small-scale businesses.

Due to the varying capacities of the BRT lines

through the site, different stop and station
typologies were considered. A large intermodal
transit hub to the north accomodates the
commuter line and transfer to local lines. A
smaller transfer station to the south maintains
a neighborhood scale. Curb-side load stops
are proposed along the remainder of Keystone
Avenue.

Initial intervention porposed at 38th St.

& Keystone.

Commercial character of mid-day

gathering use near Fall Creek.

Proposed BRT Station at Keystone Avenue and 38th St.

Open Space Systems

Shows character experienced at pedestrian

scale in North circuit.

Street Systems
Keystone Avenue was the primary street
studied. A street wall was established by mixeduse buildings with active storefronts. BRT lanes
incorporate center-loading lanes.
Signage,
lighting, and awnings become district identifiers.

The open space system responds to the higher

density of the North Circuit, the neighborhood
scale to the south, and the receation opportunities
along Fall Creek. A Sculpture Garden promotes
the neighborhood's sense of place. Through
improving existing infrastructure, the Keystone
bridge that crosses Fall Creek becomes a
neighborhood identifier and establishes links
to the Fall Creek Greenway. As an aesthetic
improvement, it becomes a critial connection
point between North and South Keystone
Circuit neighborhoods. A repurposed building
turned into a school embraces its connection to
the Fall Creek trail, giving the children access to
recreation and learning opportunities.

Street section study of spatial relationships

at Horth Keystone Circuit.

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CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

Proposed Sculpture Garden.

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Proposed bridge enhancements at the Keystone
Circuit Bridge.

View of elementary school and connection to

Fall Creek.`

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38th St Corridor

BRT & LAND USE CHARRETTE

Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the students and faculty
from Kent State University and Lawrence Tech
University for all the effort, hard work and ideas
that came from their participation. We would
also like to thank the community members and
stakeholders who provided us with insight to the
area, allowing us to incorporate the community's
visions and concerns, as well as gives us
feedback on our results.

LAWRENCE TECH UNIVERSITY

Joongsub Kim

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

David Jurca

Terry Londy
Leslie Wang
Zigan Wang

Julie Whyte
Kristin Zeiber
Anass Abu Sharar
Derek Behm
Erin Carpenter
Jordan Charles
Calvin Corso
Chris Dohar
Pasquale Esposito
Sam Friesema
Ryan Genther
Kevin Goodlett
Megan Haftl
Howie Hayden
Adam Hirsh
Mia Katz
Lauren Konopka
Jeff Kruth
Brittany Malley Lowe
Claire Markwardt
Neil Reindel
Amy Robertson
Caitlin Russel
Nadia Salman
Stephanie Schill
Abigail Warren
Cassandra Warren

BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

Brad Beaubien
Dr. Bruce Race
Julie Barnard
Samantha Bronowski
Kelly Brown
Cheria Caldwell
Bill Giltz
Lourenzo Giple
Travis Glascock
Nick Hoch
Jon Hunsberger
Attaa Jamal
Jessica Kartes
Sitong Li
Anna Robinson
Erin Roznik

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CAP:IC
MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

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