A civic center is a prominent area of land within a community that serves as the focal point of that community. It typically contains prominent public buildings, such as a government building. A civic center will also often have touchscreen kiosks and directional signs to help people find what they’re looking for. This article covers some of the key issues in designing a civic center.
Creating a vision for a civic center
When planning a civic center, it is important to determine the goals and objectives of the proposed development. This will help you make decisions about what the center should be and how to make it happen. A civic center should promote efficiency among all government entities and provide a place for orderly growth.
A civic center may include cultural institutions, local businesses, and offices. The goal is to attract local residents and businesses to the area. A fully realized civic center proclaims the mission of its partner institutions and serves as a gathering place for the entire community. It also becomes an expression of community pride.
Creating a vision for a civic centre is a challenging process. The needs of both the building and the community can be very different. The planning process is also complicated by conflicting political agendas. Civic planners must balance the needs of the public and the needs of the center staff. They must also consider city, state, and local regulations.
After considering the needs of the community, the vision for the center should be developed. It should include an overall development pattern that takes into account the existing buildings and a symmetrical street system. This will help ensure that the public space of the Civic Center is unobstructed by buildings. In this way, the center will feel spacious and well organized.
Cost of renovating a civic center
The cost of renovating a civic center is not an exact science. The original estimates were based on a $27.3 million budget, which did not account for the aging infrastructure underneath the building, lighting, and audio/visual equipment. As a result, the total cost has increased. Since then, prices for construction materials have risen.
The study analyzed the cost of different options for a civic center and found that some were more expensive than others. An all-underground model would double the cost of parking on the site. The study also considered the cost of borrowing 405 spaces from downtown garages. While a downtown garage is not required, it would cost around $18.5 million to build.
The current Mobile Civic Center is around 58 years old. City officials are discussing a renovation plan for the building. Populous Architects, a Boston-based consulting firm, has proposed several designs for the Civic Center. The proposals were presented to the Mobile City Council during a Committee of the Whole meeting. The council will have to decide whether to renovate the center or tear it down and build a new one.
The total cost of renovating a civic center is $28 million. The project will be funded through a bond issue that will be approved by voters in November 2011. Construction will begin in 2012, and will take place in phases so that the Civic Center continues to operate while the work is being completed. The county will then need to pay back the $28 million loan, which would be paid back through net operating income of the Civic Center.
Need for directional signs
While directional signs are a necessary element of public spaces, they also serve a practical purpose: guiding pedestrians and vehicles. There are four main types of directional signs, including pedestrian and vehicle directional signs, map kiosks, and gateway signs. Each type has a different purpose, but all are helpful to visitors and drivers alike.
When selecting a directional signage system, cities should keep in mind the type of traffic. For example, if pedestrians are the primary traffic arteries through a civic center, the signage system should be designed to direct them to the appropriate places without causing any confusion. Also, if pedestrians are traveling by bicycle, the signage should be designed to direct people to planned entrances to major bikeways.
The Essential Strategy for Wayfinding identifies the primary vehicle routes, pedestrian activities, and transit nodes in the city. It recommends adding 54 directional signs, with minimum words, to guide drivers to key destinations. These signs can also orient pedestrians, bicyclers, and transit users.
Need for a beautiful courtyard
To attract the public to civic centers, it is important to design a beautiful courtyard. This area should be comfortable and inviting, with trees, local plants and sculptures. It should also provide shade, and should include a soft seating area. Additionally, it should be suitable for outdoor events, such as weddings.
