TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN PAGE 2-3

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Loren Gilmore
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1 Entertainment District With a continuing increase in population, the potential development of entertainment amenities in Queen Creek s Town Center is important for the future of the town. Queen Creek currently has two major shopping centers and a limited selection of restaurants. The proposed entertainment district at the Queen Creek Town Center will blend retail, dining and other family amenities, offering local residents and others from the surrounding communities an exciting venue. This district will also bring in more employment and business activities. With the success of the proposed entertainment district, residents from Queen Creek are expected to develop a strong community, not only interacting with their own neighbors, but with surrounding community residents. Over time, this district will create a heightened sense of pride and public involvement, thereby, encouraging many residents to stay, play and spend in their own community. Image 2.1 Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre The Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre provides two arenas, special events locations, and concessions stands. This Center is a unique element for the Town of Queen Creek. The various events hosted by the Center range from family rodeos to horse shows to roping competitions. Queen Creek s equestrian lifestyle makes this a valuable asset to the community. Many visitors coming to these events are currently leaving the town for shopping, dining, and lodging. The San Tan Historical Society is another valuable feature located near Queen Creek s Town Center. The San Tan Historical Society helps preserve, restore, educate and collaborate Queen Creek s history with local residents and others. The town recently constructed a library in the Town Center that is a focal point for Queen Creek residents and provides essential services. This modern library will complement future activities from the planned communiversity nearby. TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN PAGE 2-3

2 Queen Creek also has multiple shopping centers, with one of the largest being Queen Creek Market Place. Though the shopping center is in close proximity to the proposed entertainment district, the lack of diversity in retail, dining and public and open space currently limits its potential for success. Queen Creek loses sales tax revenues to neighboring communities, such as San Tan Village, because residents choose to visit more diverse shopping destinations. The lack of daytime uses, such as offices, leaves the existing Town Center empty during business hours. In addition, the large amount of vacant land detracts from an overall sense of place. Unifying Elements Image 2.2 Vacant space, Queen Creek (Balck, Scott, 2011) Connectivity Vehicle Access Pedestrian Access Friendly Corners The design of the entertainment district will connect both people and vehicles. Pedestrian access is essential to the functionality of the Image 2.3 Friendly Corners space; therefore, the proposed district will include various access points between the district and adjacent uses. The main vehicle entrances to the district will be from Ellsworth Loop Road and Rittenhouse Road, while the pedestrian access will be from Old Ellsworth Road and Maya Road. Each area incorporates pathways that promote pedestrian activities. Safe and comfortable pedestrian uses in and surrounding the district, will inform potential users that they are in the entertainment district. Building orientation will also emphasize connectivity as buildings will be designed to allow for pedestrian movement between different uses at various intersections. CHAPTER 2 - ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT - TOWN OF QUEEN CREEK

3 Image 2.4 Shade Structure Design Features Lighting Shade Structures Pavers Landscaping Image 2.5 Shade Structure The entertainment district will combine design elements to create a cohesive setting in the entire district. Some of these elements include lighting features, shade structures, pedestrian friendly pavers and landscaping. Lighting features will be compatible in design to shade structures and seating. These features should have a more modern design, similar to that of the new library. Increased lighting will promote more night activity and maintain Queen Creek as a safe community. Proposed lighting features will be LED or solar powered to promote energy efficiency and will be shielded to point downward, as to reduce light pollution for the scenic night skies of Queen Creek. Shade structures will vary in individual appearance, but will maintain a common design element throughout the Entertainment District. Shade structures may be stand-alone or built into buildings in the form of gallerias or arcades. Images 2.4 and 2.5 are examples of the types of shade structures that will be integrated into the design of the entertainment district. TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN PAGE 2-5

4 Pedestrian friendly pavers in pedestrian intense nodes will vary between grass and permeable pavers. Grass pavers will be placed throughout the district as an alternative paving material. Grass pavers are hollow pavers used for the construction of permeable pavements. They are installed using plastic grid systems, concrete grids or soil enhancement technologies as the base. Image 2.6 is an example of these grid systems. The selection of grass type used for these pavers is crucial, because of the harsh summer weather. It is believed that the best selection would be Bermuda and Rye grass. Bermuda would bloom during the hot summer months, and then become dormant during winter, a period when Rye grass blooms. Image 2.7 Pavers Image 2.6 Grass Pavers Grass pavers provide the strength of pavement with the natural beauty of grass, while simultaneously eliminating soil compaction, mitigating the heat island effect, leading to a reduction in energy consumption. The grass pavers will create green spaces and ultimately enhance the beauty of the district. Where grass pavers are not appropriate, permeable stone pavers will be used. Image 2.7 is an example of what type of stone paver will be included in the design. High traffic pedestrian areas across intersection or streets, outdoor dining areas, and store sidewalks will be ideal places for stone permeable pavers. Both types of pavers are more pedestrian friendly, and will be used to indicate that pedestrian traffic is preferred. CHAPTER 2 - ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT - TOWN OF QUEEN CREEK

5 The landscape standards in the district will add consistency and environmentally friendly aesthetics. Due to the hot arid climate, native and low water dependent plants will be used for landscaping, shading, screening and as buffers. Growing native vegetation is important because they are more likely to thrive under the local conditions and will require less water. Parking Surface Parking Parallel/Diagonal Screened parking Surface parking lots will be the primary parking facility throughout the entertainment district. These lots will be surrounded by vegetation in order to screen parking from other uses in the Town Center. Parking structures will also be constructed and surrounded by various retail and eating establishments. Structure parking will be located primarily in the family oriented area. In a limited capacity, parallel and diagonal parking will be designated for select streets and will act as a buffer between pedestrians and automobiles. Additional Amenities Plazas Pocket parks Plazas and pocket parks will be implemented throughout the Entertainment District. These areas will include amenities such as a carousel and small splash pad. Seating and benches will be included in the parks and plazas and be moveable to accommodate different uses. Additionally, the plazas will be designed to be used throughout the year by incorporating fireplaces and misters. Plazas and pocket parks will help create a sense of place within Queen Creek (See Image 2.8). Image 2.8 Community Fireplace TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN PAGE 2-7

6 Family Uses Location and Inventory One of the largest areas of the entertainment district will be the family entertainment uses, which is located south of Rittenhouse Road between Old Ellsworth Road and Ellsworth Loop Road. This location has direct access to the proposed transit center (see Chapter 4: Transit Center) through a pedestrian bridge. The proposed family entertainment uses is a vital component for the Town Center plan. Due the large percentage of families in Queen Creek, this area will mainly stress family friendly uses. This parcel is over 800,000 square feet, or roughly 20.3 acres of vacant land. There are no development plans currently in place for this site. With the future development of a variety of family friendly uses in this area, the newly proposed Town Center serves as a prime destination location for visitors and residents. Features Image 2.9 Theater Plaza / The main attraction in this parcel will be a movie theater. The theater will be located in the northwest section of the parcel. This location will allow for advertisement of both the theater and the overall entertainment district, which will be facing Ellsworth Loop Road. Also, there will be a plaza outside of the theater making it an ideal place for people to gather. It is recommended that the theater plaza incorporate shade structures, misters, seating and a water fountain. With these additions, the plaza will provide a year round experience for residents and visitors alike. The movie theater can also provide economic stability through the creation of jobs and increased tax revenues. Presence of the movie theater will draw people into the area, and add to other business uses, thereby creating economic development opportunities. CHAPTER 2 - ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT - TOWN OF QUEEN CREEK

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Tab III: HOUSING DESIGN CRITERIA

Tab III: HOUSING DESIGN CRITERIA The Harris County Community Services Department (HCCSD) uses standards of design and construction to implement its programs in order to develop safe housing that will serve