While the coronavirus epidemic limits the studio to working from home, it has not prevented strong communication between groups and progress on the project. As the semester draws to a close, the vision study for the East Bottoms has gradually improved and become more refined and in about two weeks, we will present the final design iterations. 
Although we are unable to work face to face, the studio has been using Slack as a platform to discuss  any issues or changes with designs and share progress. Due to the open-ness of the platform, the whole studio is able to see how each focus group is working.

One of our more significant recent changes was to improve and refine the overall structure and details of the Folly and Boardwalk systems after reviewing each groups requirements and comments. After considering the typologies of each focus area, we were able to evolve the Folly’s to better serve the needs of each group while having a consistent design.

Boardwalk structure and sections

Main Folly structure

Each group received positive feedback after the last public meeting, as a result, the studio is in the last detailed design stage and each group has determined their main design direction.  The Working Landscape team has completed the overall design and improvement of the area and is now focused on refining the design of the trail system that runs through their section. The Riverfront Park team is combining different terrain conditions to make the trail design more consistent with the range of human activities that take place. The Industrial District group is now focused finalizing details along Universal Ave and the school area.  The Electric Park team has strengthened the connection between the East Bottoms and the rest of the city and has begun to focus on refining the residential area in addition to creating a connection to Riverfront Park. The whole studio is looking forward to seeing the overall project come together in the next two weeks!

Rendering of the proposed trail and bridge structure traversing a retention basin near Evergy in the design iterations for the Working Landscape area.

With the continued development of the Covid pandemic, the studio hasn’t met in person since the beginning of March but the East Bottoms Project is still constantly advancing. The studio adapted and remote communication has not become an obstacle for us. Using a variety of communication platforms and programs has helped us continue our work, and in some instances has streamlined our process and made us more effective.

Kansas City’s ‘Stay at Home’ order hasn’t stopped our reviewers enthusiasm for participating in the meeting— we had our last project review and and project advisory meeting of the semester this week. We are grateful for all of our advisors that have taken the time to give us valuable advice.

Above: axon of Greenhouse elements, renderings of interior of greenhouse and approach the greenhouse.

During the meeting, each group received feedback on their section of the site. The Trail System proposal has become more detailed, particularly in developing a green house landmark which utilizes vertical farming to allow the site to grow more produce in a smaller footprint. In fact, one acre of indoor greenhouse space offers equivalent production to at least 4-6 acres of outdoor capacity. We found that growing leafy greens hydroponically is the most profitable operation because it has the lowest operational cost per square foot.

Above: two examples of the Riverfront Park during different flood networks.

The Riverfront Park group has proposed the creation of more pronounced topography and a constructed edge in order to introduce different habitats and water levels that the public will be able to experience. The connections between Chestnut Trafficway and the Riverfront have also been strengthened to encourage visitors to travel between the two sites and eventually to the rest of the site. For example, the Working Landscape group, which is the eastern part and least accessible section of the East Bottoms, is becoming more accessible with the incorporation of the trail system.

Above: Rendering of the trail bridge in the working Landscape section, spanning a retention basin.

As we continue to develop more details of the project, we are also understanding different elements that impact people; such as lighting, wind, and topography, and how we can use these elements to provide users with multiple experiences while also protecting the environment. We are confident that we can create a proposal that benefits both the industries in the area and the public of KC. This project has the guidance of advisors and reviewers with a vast amount of knowledge that has made our proposal more realistic, resilient, and innovative.

Despite the recent changes to the studio format due to the coronavirus and extension of spring break, the students have been pushing the designs and research for the East Bottoms Vision Study. Just before Spring Break, the studio had an opportunity to showcase the project development at our first public meeting, which was in our project area at J.Rieger & Co. We had a great turn out of community members and the students were able to speak with them and develop a mutual understanding of a vision for the East Bottoms. They discussed the issues present on the site and how, with some innovative and analytical thinking, the studio can make the East Bottoms a welcoming place that can benefit the everyday lives of those that live and work there. The students received a lot of positive feedback and valuable questions and they continue to include the needs of the community in every step of the planning process. 

The plans for the Chestnut Corridor area received a lot of attention from the community. The proposed plan would connect Riverfront Park to the East Bottoms and Downtown KC, which would make it one of the first phases to be implemented if this project were taken to development stage by the city. Riverfront Park is currently used for boat access for local citizens, but its connection to the downtown area has been neglected. Development of the social public realm and walkability will activate this area, transforming it into an urban mixed-use environment that considers how flooding impacts the East Bottoms.  Another area that received a lot of feedback and discussion was the Working Landscape (the eastern part of the study area that is mostly industry and private ownership) and their plans for future phasing if the industries in this area were willing to open up public space and if the Evergy plant were to shut down due to technological advances. To offset habitat impacts and pollution, the studio employed strategies of flood control and water remediation in this area since it is the first to flood and the water contains the highest amount of toxins on the site. 

As we move into the final stage of the project, we hope to make this project as relevant, realistic, and practical as possible for future implementation while also using innovative new practices that create resiliency and sustainability so the East Bottoms can continue to adapt to the environment. We will continue to move the project towards realization with all of the community feedback in mind. 

Lastly, a big thanks to Andy Rieger, who provided us the opportunity to use their space; our Project Advisory Group who continues to provide critical input, references, and guidance towards creating a thoughtful and thorough project; and lastly, the community who showed up to our public meeting!