Florida Market proof of concept wayfinding signage

The links of the signs that Christopher and I have created have been down for awhile. They've been restored:

- Florida Market Map & Directory
- Florida Market History Sign

We are still doing some tweaks and changes, but the changes to come aren't too significant from what's in the current version. But if you have any comments they'd be appreciated.

One of the reasons that DC has been reticent about creating directory signs of this type is that they have to be updated frequently, and this is costly.

While I haven't priced it out yet, it turns out Takoma Park's directory signage is done in vinyl appliques and is meant to be updated and replaced. I expect this is less expensive than the DC signs (about $6,000 including the base).

Speaking of wayfinding, Christopher writes:

That book on Wayfinding just gets better and better. I just love the way it combines our thinking I also like that it confirms many of the steps that we've done. I think our own project is especially interesting as we've done a prototype and testing phase -- something that seems to be completely missing from all wayfinding projects.

He's referring to this book, Wayfinding Handbook by David Gibson, which masterfully covers the topic.

Walking Town Tour of Florida Market this Saturday

From CulturalTourismDC:

WalkingTown, DC Spring Edition 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009 - Sunday, May 31, 2009
Location: Across the City
Enjoy a weekend of more than 120 free walking tours (and a few bike tours) in neighborhoods across DC. Discover the cultural capital's vibrant street life and little-known historic treasures with professional and volunteer neighborhood guides!

Too much information? Check the overview schedule.

Explore Florida Market / Capital City Market
Saturday, May 30
10 - 11:30 am
Meet outside New York Avenue Metro station (Florida Avenue exit)
End at Litteri’s Italian Deli, 517 Morse Street, NE

The Florida Market is the city’s major wholesale food distribution center. The tour will stop at restaurants and vendors selling at retail, including the DC Farmers Market building, and address development issues that threaten the market. Led by Richard Layman and presented by Citizens Planning Coalition, Frozen Tropics weblog, Capitol Hill North Neighborhood Association, and Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space weblog.

Outside MS3000, Florida Market tour, Saturday 2/23/2008.

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For the first 100 people, we have black and white 11x17 copies of the suggested Florida Market wayfinding signs that Christopher and I have created:

- Florida Market Map & Directory
- Florida Market History Sign

Florida Market Tour, Saturday April 4th

tour guide and FL Market enthusiast
Originally uploaded by emilygoodstein

From the Capitol Hill North Neighborhood Association:

Explore Florida Market
When: Saturday, April 4, 2009
Where: Meet at the SW corner of 4th and Morse Street.
Time: 10 AM
Cost: Priceless/Free

Explore Florida Market. The tour pairs the historical significance of the market with visits to shops selling produce, food and other hard to find goods. The tour ends at A. Litteri’s the oldest continuously operating Italian deli in the city serving some of the best Italian sub sandwiches in the city!!!

Led by urban revitalization advocates, this tour is a partnership with Capitol Hill North Neighborhood Association, Trinidad Neighborhood Association, Frozen Tropics weblog, and Rebuilding Place in Urban Space weblog. Be prepared for cash only purchases and the spirit of the city’s largest wholesale market.

Flickr photo by emilygoodstein of a past Market tour. The photo features a shot of the "guerrilla wayfinding and interpretational signage" that was created by Christopher Taylor Edwards and myself. While we haven't erected actual signs (yet), we will be passing out copies.

Pdfs of the signs are here:

-- Florida Market Map & Directory
-- Florida Market History Sign

although they are in the process of being updated for next week's tour.

Putting industrial uses and residents in close proximity can be a problem

One of the concerns expressed about the New Town redevelopment plan imposed on the Florida Market District through DC City Council legislation is the fact that by putting residents and industrial uses in close proximity, you add all the elements necessary to create significant conflicts.

This is an issue in lower Manhattan, with the conversion of industrial buildings into housing, and an industrial business district into a hotspot of clubs, galleries, and other uses, in places like the Meatpacking District. But it's an issue in other places too.

The New York Times has a story about this kind of interaction occuring in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, "When the Feathers Really Fly."

From the article:

MOST urban dwellers might expect their interactions with chicken, if any, to occur exclusively on a lunch or dinner plate. So when Kate Coats and her husband moved into their apartment in a new condominium building on Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn three months ago, they were surprised to be awakened before sunrise by what she described as screeching chickens. It’s not a fun sound at 5 a.m.” ...

The screeching apparently comes from the building next door, the 86-year-old business with the “Live Poultry Slaughter” sign and graffiti that say, “This Place Stinks” on the door of the garage. In the early morning, Ms. Coats said, chickens are delivered to the slaughterhouse in metal crates that crash to the ground, a sound echoed by chickens lustily protesting their fate...

To some, the juxtaposition of a slaughterhouse and a new residential building where condos sell for up to $675,000 is an amusing effect of gentrification. To others, it is grotesque. Several local residents have complained about seeing blood and bird parts on the sidewalk, along with feathers floating in the breeze. Calls to 311 have been numerous, and on a Greenpoint blog, a commenter described the smell emanating from the slaughterhouse as a mix of “death and ammonia.”

For what it's worth, my girlfriend always admonishes me about the romantic idea of backyard poultry, commenting about the early crowing of roosters.

This also happens in more rural areas, where housing developments on former farms bring constituencies with different ideas about what constitutes appropriate land use to "rural" "agricultural" districts.

Ironically, in Baltimore County, non-farming residents are suing a farm which put agricultural land conservation easements on its land, because they opened a farm store to sell the farms products, which is in line with the idea of increasing the revenue to local farmers instead of distributors, and "buying" and "eating" local. Is a farm just land for crops or is it a working business with a variety of revenue streams.

It makes sense to limit these kinds of conflicts, or put into place for reconciling and resolving these conflicts more equally.

Updates

This blog is definitely not dead, we've just been busy, and not much legislative action has occurred. Please use the archives for all that they are worth. We'll update you as things happen. Please check the early posts for a guide to the Market.

WBJ: Florida Market Follies

I missed this Washington Business Journal editorial when it came out in August, but you can still catch it online. It's short, but touches on most of the reasons that, as the author makes clear, the New Town legislation stinks big time. Yes, let's redevelop the Market, but let's do it right. You can also read the letter written in response by Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas. Check out these other recent Biz Journal articles on New Town.

New Town Hearing Tomorrow

In 2006 the Council passed the New Town legislation that gave New Town Development Partners LLC exclusive rights to develop the 23 acre parcel currently occupied by the Florida Market / Capital City Market. The legislation required that before a final blessing was given to move forward the developer had to obtain [within 180 days of the legislation taking effect] the consent of the owners of at least 50% of the land in the Market. At that point the city would force the other landowners to go along with the developer's plan. The developer was unable to obtain the necessary level of consent. In fact, they still are at 50%. In part, this is because Gallaudet and J Street own large parcels of land in the Market. Combined, Gallaudet and J Street own over 25% of the Market land east of 4th Street. This is more land than is controlled by any other owner in the Market, including New Town Development Partners LLC.

Basically, your pal and mine Mr. John Ray, who is the lobbyist for New Town [you might remember him from such quality projects as the Shell Station at 14th and Maryland, or the slot machine initiative] convinced Councilmember Harry Thomas that the Council should reward the developer for failing to meet the consent threshold. By which I mean that the Councilmember has this new legislation [which he was going to try to get through as emergency legislation, but then he backed off that idea] that excludes any parcels owner by Gallaudet or J Street. So it basically just makes it easier to get the required consent because it eliminates the two largest objectors.

Read the legislation yourself here- http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/images/00001/20080919131328.pdf.


The Commitee on Economic Development is holding a public hearing tomorrow 2 October 2008 at 1:00PM. Those wishing to testify should contact John Adams at jadams@dccouncil.us or by telephone at 202-727-6683 by 5:00PM on 1 October 2008. Those testifying should bring 15 copies of their written testimony and also submit them electronically.

Tomorrow's New Town Hearing

I wanted to share the following email recently sent out by Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, and a point by point response from J Street Development and Gallaudet University. Enjoy-

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From: Thomas, Harry (COUNCIL) [mailto:HThomas@DCCOUNCIL.US]
Sent: Mon 9/29/2008 5:06 PM
To: Thomas, Harry (COUNCIL)
Cc: Leonard-Chambers, Victoria (COUNCIL)
Subject: CALL FOR ACTION TO TESTIFY AT OCTOBER 2 HEARING ON FLORIDA AVENUE MARKET

September 29, 2008

RE: Request for Ward 5 Civic and Business Leaders to Testify at October 2, 2008 Hearing on Legislation Affecting the Future of the Florida Avenue Market

Dear Ward 5 Leaders:

I am calling upon you to testify in support of B17-0931, the "New Town Geographical Amendment Act of 2008." With the projected FY09 budget deficit of $131 million, it is imperative that we take the steps necessary to ensure Ward 5 projects are in line to receive TIF, PILOT, and other types of public financing. Passage of this bill forward is critical to the moving forward with redevelopment of the Florida Avenue Market and maintaining its place in the public funding pipeline.

The hearing on the bill will be Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 1 pm at the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 412. To sign up to testify, please contact Vicky Leonard-Chambers at vleonardchambers@dccouncil.us or 202.727.8204 by 3pm on Wednesday, October 1, 2008.

The bill excludes properties owned by Gallaudet University and J Street Development along the Sixth Street corridor from the New Town footprint for several reasons.

1. Development plans for these properties are on a slower track than development plans for the rest of the site. Gallaudet has indicated that the University must complete an internal development review process that has already been underway for several months. The University also has acknowledged that its process will likely take many more months, with no definitive date as to when it will conclude.

2. Gallaudet and J Street do not offer an ownership interest to the Market's merchant tenants, whereas the New Town Plan does. In fact, in a September 26, 2008 letter to me, the University and J Street outline the importance of maintaining an equity stake for the Market's property owners, but don't mention the tenants at all. For me, providing equity participation to the tenants is a must.

3. Gallaudet and J Street have not fully embraced the public benefits that the Act requires, including affordable housing, recreational facilities, and a public library, among other things. These public benefits represent amenities that the community has indicated it wants at the site.

4. Gallaudet and J Street have no plans to maintain the wholesale functions that make the Florida Avenue Market so unique and important the fabric of Ward 5.

Redefining the New Town boundaries is a win-win for everyone. It allows both Gallaudet and J Street to develop their properties as they see fit and on timetables that work best for them. It also allows New Town Development Partners LLC, the city's designated master developer, to move forward more quickly with the project and bring to reality the vision of the New Town law enacted by the Council in 2006. If Gallaudet and J Street successfully complete their discussions with the Deputy Mayor and the developer, the Council may still include these parcels in the Final Conceptual Plan it approves.

We cannot perpetuate the status quo of flagrant health code violations and pedestrian unfriendliness that currently define the market experience. The New Town plan accomplishes the District's revitalization goals for the market and creates a unique destination venue for residents and visitors.

And as you know the New Town Plan has had broad community support and has been vetted through numerous community meetings and City Council hearings. And as the Plan moves forward, all stakeholders will have many more opportunities to provide input before the Executive Branch, the City Council, and the Zoning Commission.

As a Ward 5 civic leader, your voice on this matter is very important. I ask that you testify on behalf of B17-0931, the "New Town Geographical Amendment Act of 2008."

Sincerely,

Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr.

Ward 5 Councilmember

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Response to Statements Made to Community by Councilmember Harry Thomas


Statement: The bill excludes properties owned by Gallaudet University and J Street Development along the Sixth Street corridor from the New Town footprint for several reasons.

1. Development plans for these properties are on a slower track than development plans for the rest of the site. Gallaudet has indicated that the University must complete an internal development review process that has already been underway for several months. The University also has acknowledged that its process will likely take many more months, with no definitive date as to when it will conclude.

EAJ/Gallaudet Response: The University indicated clearly last spring that we would have the conceptual elements of a plan in October of this year. To that end, we have been vigorously engaged in a planning process that has been openly shared with neighborhood residents and owners and merchants in the Market area. Our internal marketing analysis will be completed in a few weeks and the first phase of the land plan has been completed and will be shared with Council Members this week.

The University and EAJ are ready to proceed.

2. Gallaudet and J Street do not offer an ownership interest to the Market's merchant tenants, whereas the New Town Plan does. In fact, in a September 26, 2008 letter to me, the University and J Street outline the importance of maintaining an equity stake for the Market's property owners, but don't mention the tenants at all. For me, providing equity participation to the tenants is a must.

EAJ/Gallaudet Response: Gallaudet does not disagree with Council Member Thomas’ views and welcomes further discussion. We have always believed that to maintain the character of the Florida Avenue Market, we must continuously involve other landowners and merchants in the vicinity. A coordinated effort between EAJ, Gallaudet, New Town and individual property owners is in the best interest of not only the property owners but residents and visitors.
For that reason, our plan has taken into consideration – from our initial foray into the Market – participation and input from tenants. We have been very involved and transparent with the Merchant’s Association via their president, Paul Pascal, and have had countless meetings – one-on-one and in groups – with various tenants and landowners and will continue to do this. We have also tried repeatedly to meet with New Town to discuss ways we could work together with no interest returned on their part.
EAJ/Gallaudet has been the team that has put its money on the table – we have fee simple ownership of over 25% of the Market properties east of Fourth Street. Together we own more land in the Market area than any other property owner. We have shown respect and consideration for the tenants and owners within the Market and have demonstrated total commitment to working as a team with a number of developers, owners, the City and Market tenants.

3. Gallaudet and J Street have not fully embraced the public benefits that the Act requires, including affordable housing, recreational facilities, and a public library, among other things. These public benefits represent amenities that the community has indicated it wants at the site.

EAJ/Gallaudet Response: This team fully supports the valuable role affordable housing and public amenities play in a vibrant community and, in fact, as local residents and investors, have a vested interest in how those amenities would be integrated into any plan for the Market.

We believe the plan we are developing allows for these kinds of facilities be an important part of the market.

4. Gallaudet and J Street have no plans to maintain the wholesale functions that make the Florida Avenue Market so unique and important the fabric of Ward 5.

EAJ/Gallaudet Response: This is inaccurate. The EAJ/Gallaudet team has every intention of maintaining the Farmers Market at Florida Avenue. As owners of this parcel, we have made this clear to tenants and in meetings with various stakeholders over the last 6 months. The Farmers Market is a unique, character-rich feature of Washington D.C. proper and, as such, would be treated as the exciting core of the project, making this a vibrant draw for neighbors and visitors.
EAJ/Gallaudet, along with Williams & Dame, is the ONLY team that brings world class experience and proven results in the development of vibrant public markets to this important community development.

We are excited to share our plans with the stakeholders and begin the process of urban revitalization of the Market.

Market tour this Saturday

In September and April, CulturalTourismDC sponsors WalkingTownDC, an open house of sorts featuring tours around the city. This month, it's on Saturday September 20th and Sunday September 21st.

Richard Layman, Elise Bernard, and Ken Firestone will be doing a tour of the Florida Market. (If you want to meet us for breakfast, meet at K-Young's at 8 am...) The tour meets at the North exit of the New York Avenue (really Florida Avenue) Metro Station at 9 am. Paul Pascal, of the Market Property Owners and Merchants Association, will also be speaking about current development proposals.

We will be passing out a black and white 11x17 version of these documents:

-- Florida Market Map & Directory
-- Florida Market History Sign

although I don't know if the map side will be the "final" version as we are still debating some changes, which are in process.

Greater Greater Washington produces a very usable visible schedule of the Walking Town tours. See the entry: Fall WalkingTown DC visual schedule.

Councilman shifts market legislation timetable

From the Washington Business Journal:

Legislation to shrink the footprint of a proposed Florida Avenue Market redevelopment won’t be considered Sept. 16 in an emergency vote, as previously suggested by Councilman Harry Thomas Jr., D-Ward 5.

Though Thomas filed the paperwork for an emergency filing, which would not require a hearing or committee vote on the bill, his spokeswoman, Vicky Leonard-Chambers, said after seeking support from council colleagues he had reconsidered.

“We’re going to introduce it as permanent legislation,” she said. The bill will likely be sent to the D.C. Council’s economic development committee.

New York-based Apollo Real Estate Advisors LP and landowner Sang Oh Choi, were selected by the council in 2006 to transform what is now a 24-acre mix of wholesale food distributors and warehouses into a more dense mix of housing and hundreds of specialty shops, but are required to first acquire 50 percent of the land.

Shrinking the project’s size could help the developers reach that mark, but some of the property owners complained to council members in a letter from attorney Paul Pascal that the issue get a hearing so it could be “thoroughly reviewed and comments received by all those impacted.”

Final version of the Florida Market "Guerrilla" Wayfinding and Directional Signs

It took awhile to correct bits and pieces and strays, but to the best of our knowledge, these signs are now "complete," recognizing that if they are erected, place-specific "you are here" markers would have to be added to the map sides of the signs.

We have added a few services (Hess, Grainger, PNC, Maurice Electric) to the list and map, as well as lodging and nightlife categories. We added a wi-fi icon, not that places in the Market offer such services at this time, but to encourage its offering.

map and directory side
interpretation side

Part of why I wanted to take a crack at producing these signs was to show how [1] intra-district directory information can be provided within the typology of the DC wayfinding signage system--currently this option doesn't really exist; and [2] neighborhood/district history could be communicated thematically through signage, without necessarily having to have a "heritage trail" system. (Larger versions of the interpretation side could be used as a model for neighborhood history interpretation signage in bus shelters.)

We used a hybrid of the Heritage Trail sign system managed by Cultural Tourism DC and the Discover DC signage system managed by the DC Department of Transportation. But we changed the header to "Explore" rather than "Discover" to better reach out to people who aren't tourists, to people who live here and have "discovered" DC already but are still eager to learn about places we don't know.


Another aspect of the map side of the sign that is a breakthrough concerns how transit is depicted on the map. Most non-transit maps in the area use railroad tracks as the graphic element to depict subway lines. Instead, to show the path of the red line subway, we used the same graphic style as the WMATA subway map--likely the region's most recognized map. We extended this idea and depict bus lines using the graphic elements from the WMATA bus maps.
he subway map instead of a railroad track to denote the line. (This isn't a first exactly, but it is still rare. DDOT and DCOP maps don't do this.)


A broader interpretation system could be created for the area from Union Station to the Florida Market. A broader directional and interpretation system could be created for Union Station, NoMA, and the Florida Market, and include specific interpretational signage on the the area's railroad and transportation history. In other words, Explore Union Station, Explore NoMA, and Explore Florida Market could be part of one broader directional and interpretation system.

Additionally, I think it's important to create "transit wayfinding" explanatory signage for Union Station, to explain to visitors the various ways of getting around other than automobiles, since Union Station is the primary hub for all of those other forms of transit.

We will distribute an 11x17 black and white two-sided version at the Cultural Tourism DC tour on Saturday 9/20.

Christopher Taylor Edwards of This is None: Storytelling by Design, served as the art director-designer for this project. (THANK YOU!)