This document discusses the Urban Design Framework (UDF) for the CATS Lynx Blue Line Extension (BLE) rail project in Charlotte, North Carolina. The UDF provides guidelines for integrating public art and design treatments to mitigate visual impacts of the rail infrastructure. It describes different treatment levels for walls, bridges, fencing, and other system elements based on factors like land use and visibility. Examples of proposed art treatments are provided for various infrastructure components like segmental walls, pile panel walls, and bridges to follow the UDF. The document also discusses community engagement efforts like a project where local residents provided materials for a mosaic wall art piece and shared personal stories with the artist.

1. INFRASTRUCTURE + ART+ COMMUNITY:
PUTTING THEM IN CONTEXT
Focus on Urban Design Framework (UDF)
for the
CATS LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE)
Rail~Volution
September 22, 2014
Kathy Cornett,
City of Charlotte
Planning Department

2. CATS LYNX Context & Ridership

3. LYNX Blue Line
LYNX Blue Line
• 9.6 miles
• 15 stations
• Opened 2007
• +26,000 daily riders
• Connects south side at
Interstate 485 to Uptown
Charlotte
LYNX Blue Line
Extension (BLE)
• 9.3 miles
• 11 stations
• Implementation 2017
• +25,000 daily riders
• Connects Uptown
Charlotte to UNC Charlotte

4. Lynx Light Rail line
South Blvd

6. • 11 Stations (7 walk-up / 4 park-and-ride)
• Accommodates 3-car trains
• Approximately 3,100 parking spaces
• Congestion-free commute
• Connecting bus services
BLE Profile
• Convenient and safe station amenities
for customers
o Security features
o Bicycle parking
o Public art
o Shelters, garbage cans, benches
o Trees
o Lighting
o Ticket vending machines (TVMs)
o Maps and schedules

7. BLE Update
Milestone Date
State FFGA Executed March 2012
Request to Enter Final Design March 2012
FTA Approval to Enter Final Design July 2012
Federal FFGA Signed October 2012
Advanced Utility Relocation Begins May 2013
Right-of-Way Acquisition Complete January 2014
Complete Final Design May 2014
Start Construction November 2013
Initiate Revenue Service March 2017
*Schedule subject to change

8. • What is the UDF?
– Incorporated into LYNX BLE Design Criteria
• Provides broad guidance to mitigate visual impacts
• Recommends design treatments for highly visible
areas outside the transit station

9. Urban Design Framework (UDF)
• Designed to:
– Integrate public art to mitigate visual impacts.
– Leverage public art dollars with infrastructure
funding.

10. UDF Guidelines Include:
Walls and Bridges Fencing and Barriers
Trackway/Pedestrian Crossings Embankments System Elements

11. Visibility
Treatment Levels Based On:
Land Use
Adjacencies
Pedestrian Proximity

12. APPLICATION OF THE URBAN DESIGN
FRAMEWORK (UDF)
CATS
LYNX BLUE LINE EXTENSION
TREATMENT EXAMPLES

13. Systems: Catenary System
Galvanized
Outside of Uptown,
except at Stations
Powder Coated and
Galvanized
Station Areas outside of
Uptown & in Street
Right of Way
Powder Coated and
Galvanized w/ finials
Uptown Only

14. Systems: Traction Power Substations, Signal Houses &
communication cabinets
Standard - No Treatment
Not visible from right of way

15. Systems: Traction Power Substations, Signal Houses &
Communication Cabinets
LYNX Blue Line
Actual mitigation Treatment
Proposed BLE Art Treatment
Visible from Station Areas or
Right of Way traffic
© 2012 Joann Sieburg-Baker © 2010 Sharon Dowell

16. STRUCTURES: FENCING
Chainlink
Black Vinyl Chainlink
*Between Freight and LRT tracks
*On top of tall walls (MSE) and outside
street ROW
Orsogrille Vertical Railing
*In Station areas/ on top of high visibility walls *On top of Tryon Street sidewalk

17. STRUCTURES: FENCING
Proposed BLE Art Treatment
Old Concord Station Area
© 2012 Chandra Cox & Susan Cannon

18. Structures: Segmental Block Walls
Segmental Block walls are typically used for
low walls (less than 5 ft). Mostly supporting
the sidewalk along Tryon Street.
Standard
Colored Block and Coping
Vertical Rail

19. Structures: Pile Panel Walls
Pile Panel walls are used for many different
applications where walls are between 5-16 ft tall.
Secondary
Art Treatment
Standard
Class 2 Surface Finish
Chainlink fence
Primary
Art Treatment
Calico
Orchid

25. Structures: Cast in Place walls
Secondary
Art Treatment
Standard
Class 2 Surface Finish
Primary
Art Treatment
Trap Plant
Cast-in-Place Pattern
20’ X 20’
Cast In Place (CIP) walls are used for many different
applications where walls are over 12 ft, such as walls
supporting sidewalks and ramp approaches.
Calico
Master Mold
5’ X 5’

27. Structures: MSE Walls
Secondary
Art Treatment
Standard
Class 2 Surface Finish
Standard Precast Finish
Primary
Art Treatment
Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls
are typically used on larger walls
supporting the LRT.
Leaf
Trap Plant
Location: Craighead
53’ x 1,120’

29. Structures: Bridges
Primary
Art Treatment
Harris Blvd Bridge
Leaf Railing Detail Pitcher Plant
Bridge Pier

30. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
CATS
LYNX BLUE LINE EXTENSION

31. INFRASTRUCTURE + ART+ COMMUNITY:
PUTTING THEM IN CONTEXT
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Artist: Tom Thoune
Infrastructure: 360’ Concrete Retaining Wall
Public Art: Hand assembled Mosaics in the
Trencadis Method
Engagement: Members of the community were
invited to bring broken dishes, marbles, glass
and ceramics to the artist as source material for
his mosaic “cogs”.
With these materials, they often brought their
own stories which the artist recorded.

32. Thank You!
www.charlotteplanning.org