all three concepts being incorporated from the community design char- rette. The design team of Arup and Landscape Architect RIOS had a larger palette to express the design after the plaza was incorporated into the project by the client team. The design team strategized to combine the planting, shade and stormwater elements into the project corridor and challenged the conventional design of Los Angeles’ alleys. The existing sidewalk was removed, the central v-gutter (a City standard) was also challenged, and the alley sloped in one direction to a series of stormwater planters on the south side to provide initial filtrations. A subsurface infiltration trench and dry well system was designed to drain the planters and infiltrate the runoff along the alley to replenish the aquifer. The project treats stormwater from a 4.5-acre watershed far exceeding any City requirements. Agreements were made between the City (Department of Sanitation) and a low-income housing authority which abuts the south side of the alley to locate stormwater best management practices (BMPs). This in- cluded many of the stormwater planters, within their right-of-way but with a commitment from the Sanitation Department to maintain them. Shared street signage and traffic controls were incorporated along the alley to avoid the need for large speed tables and promote the European shared surface concept, a first for the City of Los Angeles. The plaza was totally transformed with the project team taking the op- portunity to utilize this area for community gatherings, performances, and a nature classroom to promote outdoor learning. A large shade structure and “social stacks'' for community seating are the centerpiece of this space and provide what the community demanded: a safe and shaded area for gathering, performance and meeting. A wall along the alley has also been given over to local artists for a large mural, which is part of Pacoima’s recent heritage and community with a passion for art and expression. Looking Forward but Remembering the Past The project is groundbreaking in several ways and provides a new tem- plate for transforming Los Angeles’ 900+ miles of alleys. However, the heritage of Pacoima was not forgotten, and as a gesture to the indig- enous Tataviam Band of Mission Indians that put Pacoima on the map,
Tataviam symbols were designed and incorporated into the custom salvaged timber amenity elements throughout the project. The alley’s bonded asphalt surfacing and pattern provide a further link back to the City’s heritage through its depiction of running water as large streams of water used to flow through the area from the surrounding mountain canyons. These refer to this project as a stormwater mitigation project at heart but also so much more in its finished form. The project has transformed a standard and downtrodden service alley into a Place for People and, over time, will help reconnect the community to this space and the heritage of the City. As structural engineers, we have a unique opportunity to contribute to the improvement of resiliency in our cities. Without being restricted by the minimum building code requirements, having clear communica- tion on project specific seismic performance objectives with our clients at the onset of a project would allow us to deliver resilient buildings that would remain functional even after rare earthquake events. This, in conjunction with making digital investments in the industry, will help us achieve resiliency in our communities.
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January 2021
csengineermag.com
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