RODNEY SQUARE INTERIM RESTORATION PLAN

WILMINGTON , DELAWARE

27 OCTOBER 2015DRAFT

This interim restoration plan addresses the conditions of the existing elements of the square and provides improvement recommendations. The current programming by various organizations is listed and proposed improvements are outlined. The numerous tasks, services and programs associated with managing and operating the square are outlined and recommendations for a more effective and efficient process are listed within.

This interim plan addresses the immediate deficiencies that are being addressed now and within the next several months. The plan then outlines longer term improvements to enhance the functions, operations and programming of the square along with cost estimates for the recommended improvements.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Site Condition Assesments and Recommendations

Plantings Historic Lanterns Light Poles Site Furnishings Masonry, Pavings, and Fountains Bus Shelters

2 Programming

3 Managing The Square

4 Future of Rodney Square

5 Cost Estimates

6 Advisory Group

CITY OF WILMINGTON RODNEY SQUAREWILMINGTON, DE

Data Source: Google Map of Wilmington, DE

INTRODUCTION

WILMINGTON IS RODNEY SQUARE

Rodney Square was created in the early 20th Century and is a national historic district. This public Square in Downtown Wilmington is named after Caesar Rodney who was one of Delaware’s signers of the Declaration of Independence. The Square is host to multiple annual events including festivals, parades, and races. The Square is surrounded by prominent state, religious, institutional, and business buildings and is at the intersection of arterial circulation routes.

Rodney Square is a public/urban space that has beautiful infrastructure and active programming, but needs major attention.

Over the years multiple organizations have provided leadership, responsibility, maintenance, programming, fund raising, construction, security and care for the square. Currently multiple groups provide individual components of the square’s operations but there is not a comprehensive plan and leadership team, leaving many of the pieces of the operations and infrastructure to fall into disrepair.

This Fall a group was formed to identify issues and identify stakeholders and chart a path forward for Rodney Square. The first step was to create the Rodney Square Interim Restoration Plan for immediate action to stabilize the square. The next step would be to have public workshops with The Friends of Rodney Square. This group would provide input on the long term operations, maintenance improvements,

funding and programming.

Data Source: Google Map of Wilmington, DE1

RODNEY SQUARE WILMINGTON, DEINTERIM LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS

NO

RT

H

A

B

CD E

K

G

H

SITE CONDITIONS

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Remove Crepe Myrtle treePlant Irish Yew (4 to 5 ft.)Plant Liriope as needed

Plant Liriope as needed

Remove four Oak Leaf HydrangeasPlant three Otto Lukens Cherry laurelsPlant three Gold Sword YuccasPlant Liriope as needed

(see note below about Elm Tree)Remove two Oak Leaf HydrangeasPlant three green Yuccas & Liriope as neededPlant one Sweet bay MagnoliaPlant 30 Neon Flash SpireaPlant 30 Daylilies

(see note below about Elm Tree)Plant one Sweet bay MagnoliaPlant 30 Neon Flash SpireaPlant 30 Daylilies

Remove four Oak Leaf HydrangeasPlant three Otto Lukens Cherry laurelsPlant three Gold Sword YuccasPlant Liriope as needed

Remove English YewPlant Irish Yew (4 to 5 ft.)Plant Liriope as needed

Remove Crepe Myrtle treePlant Irish Yew (4 to 5 ft.)Plant Liriope as needed

Remove and replace four dead street trees along 11th Street

Elm trees are planted at the ends of Bed D & E.Appears that they were planted at the same time as the Swamp Oaks

Inspect existing irrigation system and controls. Replace missing or broken irrigation heads. Repair broken main or secondary supply lines.

PLANTINGS

IRRIGATION

INTERIM LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS:

Pruning of the existing landscaping has begun. This interim plan outlines the next required steps for improving the landscaping.

Park Trees

REVIEW – Security Issue with Downtown Vision

2

K

RODNEY SQUARE WILMINGTON, DEHISTORIC LANTERNS

1

2 11

12

3 10

4

5 6 7

U

9

8

SITE CONDITIONS

METALWORKSClean lantern metalwork – remove rust, biological growth, oxidationProvide new access door hinges and keyRepair bent glazing mullions

METALWORKS FINISHOption 1 – Preserve green patinaOption 2 - Restore to a clean bronze / waxed finish

LENSReplace existing plastic lens with vandal-proof curved seeded acrylic panels

LAMPSProvide new lighting electrical components (LED) in each lanternOption 1 – Upgrade lighting electrical components – match existing lampOption 2 – Install new LED lighting system

Replace electrical service to each of the twelve historic lanterns.

The existing 12 Historic Lanterns are in various stages of disrepair. This plan outlines repairs to the original lanterns.

Restore twelve fixtures:

LANTERNSRECOMMENDATIONS BY KLEMM REFLECTOR COMPANY

LEGEND

U Existing Utility/ Maintenance Building

RODNEY SQUARE WILMINGTON, DELIGHT POLES

SITE CONDITIONS

LEGEND

LIGHT POLES

MARKET STREET(8) double-headed “Wilmington” fixture poles (another set on Hotel DuPont side) Lamp - LED light arrays (cool white) + RSQ sculpture spot fixtures mounted on two poles

11TH STREET(4) old globe fixture poles and (2) single head “Wilmington” fixture poles Lamp – halogen light source(1) cobra head street light poles (+/- 30 ft. high) – in front of bus shelter Lamp – TBD

10TH STREET(6) old fixture poles along 10th Street Lamp - LED light arrays (upgraded during DCH project)(2) cobra head street light poles (+/- 30 ft. high) – in front of each bus shelter Lamp – TBD(4) electric receptacle bollard w/ brass locks in each tree pit City allows Vendors to use one on Wednesday

10TH STREET(6) old fixture poles along 10th Street Lamp - LED light arrays (upgraded during DCH project)(2) cobra head street light poles (+/- 30 ft. high) – in front of each bus shelter

KING STREET(4) cobra head street light poles (+/- 30 ft. high) Lamp – TBD(1) security camera – Downtown Vision controlled New Elm tree probably blocks 11th & King Streets Square entrance(1) electric receptacle bollard w/ brass locks

INSIDE SQUARE(4) old globe fixture poles along King Street (on either sides of each bench bays) Lamp – halogen light source(2) old globe fixture poles at bottom of grand stairs (inside handrail terminus) – Lamp – halogen light source + RSQ sculpture spot fixtures mounted on two poles(4) old globe fixture poles inside Square planting beds on West & East sides Lamp – halogen light source ACTION Replace with “D” fixtures at perimeter and single head “D” fixture inside the square.

D double-head “Wilmington” LED fixtures

W single-head “Wilmington” HPS fixture

SP sculpture spot light

L old globe LED fixtures

O old globe HPS fixtures

C City of Wilmington cobra street lights

B City of Wilmington cobra street lights

DTV Downtown Vision security camera

There are muiltiple types of light poles in the square due to poles being added or replaced over the years. This plan outlines a plan for uniform operational light poles.

EXISTING INVENTORY

RODNEY SQUARE WILMINGTON, DEBUS SHELTERS PLAN

SS

S

SITE CONDITIONSBUS SHELTERS

These current bus shelters were added to the square in 1995. Being exposed to the elements, years of use and vandalism have taken a toll on the shelters. Safety and vagrancy concerns with sighting changed since the shelters were constructed. To help improve the line of sight into the shelters from the perimeter streets, the window panes facing the streets have been removed. DTC has started refurbishing the existing shelters with cleaning, painting, glazing replacement, and replacing damaged or missing pieces.

LEGEND

S Existing Bus Shelter

RODNEY SQUARE WILMINGTON, DEEXISTING AND PROPOSED SITE FURNISHINGS

SITE CONDITIONS

LEGEND

SITE FURNISHINGS

TC Tables and Chairs (Proposed)

CO Containers (Planters)

B Bollards

R Bench to Remove (Red)

M Memorial Bench to Relocate (Pink, new location is Blue with an M)

K Bench to Keep (Blue)

TR Trash Receptacle

ACTION ITEMS FOR FURNISHINGS

TABLES AND CHAIRS Procure and install 10 sets of movable tables and chairsDowntown Vision to store these furnishings along eith the movable tables, benches and umberellas BLANK for the Farmers Market.

CONTAINERS (PLANTERS)Maintain containers throughout the seasons

BOLLARDSMaintain bollards

BENCHESRemove benches as indicated on planRelocate two memorial benches to new locations

TRASH RECEPTACLESReplace old, rusted trash receptacles with Downtown Vision’s preferred models.

PLANTING BED KICK RAILSProvide kick rails around all street tree planters & planting beds inside the Square

The square has multiple styles of each furniture component. This plan will organize the site furnishings into a uniform set of furnishings.

RODNEY SQUARE WILMINGTON, DEMASONRY AND FOUNTAIN RESTORATION

M

1

1 13

12

1 1

4

2a 2

5/6 5/6

F F

SITE CONDITIONS

LEGEND

MASONRY, PAVING, & FOUNTAINS

M Caesar Rodney Monument

F Fountain

MASONRY AND FOUNTAIN SHORT TERM REPAIRS

MASONRY

1 Clean all cast-stone site walls, stair treads , and light fixture columns (metal staining & biological growth)

2 Clean all granite curbing around the lawn area Reset selected curb sections.

3 Clean Caesar Rodney sculpture pedestal

4 Reset cast stone retaining wall section

5 Repair/ replace broken pieces of granite and cast stone FOUNTAIN

5 Repair / replace frogs & turtle sculptures Remove drinking fountain plumbing & patch cast stone Repair cracks to cast stone bas-relief mural

PLUMBING

6 Restore fountain plumbing Add recirculating pump system Add automatic fill system Add overflow standpipe drain system

RODNEY SQUARE WILMINGTON, DEPROGRAM

PROGRAMMING

PROGRAMMING

FARMERS MARKETTEXT

CONCERTS/FESTIVALSTEXT

FOOD VENDORSTEXT

WALK/BIKE RACESTEXT

2

ORGANIZATIONS

RODNEY SQUARE WILMINGTON, DEMANAGING THE SQUARE

MANAGING THE SQUARE

The City of Wilmington has a homeless population and a mentally challenged population that both gather at Rodney Square. This leads to nuisance, public health, vandalism, and security problems that need to be addressed as a part of this plan.

The Department of Health and Social Services is meeting with individuals in the square and is offering assistance with getting the services that these individuals need.

Trash removal was being handled by several organizations for each of their trash receptacles. An organized plan is now in place for Downtown Visions to maintain and empty trash receptacles at Rodney Square.

Power washing is currently performed by DTC and City of Wilmington. It is recommended that DTV perform all of the power washing for the square.

Landscaping needs to be performed on a regular basis per a yearly maintenance plan. It is recommended that _________

The New Castle County Police Department is currently assisting The City of Wilmington Police Department with providing additional officers to patrol Rodney Square and Market Street. Buccini/ Pollin Group is providing private security patrols. DTV operates and monitors security cameras in the area and has security officers patrolling the square and Market Street in the evenings.

A maintenance plan and overall organizational structure needs to be created. Currently DTC maintains the bus shelters and perimeter of the square for transportation functions. The City of Wilmington maintains the interior of the square. The square needs a full time trained maintenance manager.

Improvements are currently led by The City of Wilmington and DTC.

Programming of the square is led by DTV. Managing of the annual _________ is led by __________

A Rodney Square leadership board needs to be created to provide guidance and oversight to the ongoing improvements and long term operations of the square.

Long term improvements, maintenance, operations, and programming need to be determined, scheduled, funded, and put into action

3

MANAGEMENT

FUTURE OF REDNEY SQUAREIMPROVEMENTS

- Proposed newsstand/ kiosk at 10th and Market with security function

- Repair pavings and plantings at 10th street

- Repair pavings and plantings at 11th street

- Introduce tables and chairs similar to Bryant Park in NYC

- DTC is reviewing bus routes and bus stop locations

Bus shelter design improvements and bus shelters on King Street

Summary:

4

LEGEND

S Bus Shelter

K Kiosk

RODNEY SQUARE WILMINGTON, DETREE REMOVAL COST

COSTESTIMATES

5

BUS SHELTER INTERIM REFURBISHMENT

LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS

LANTERN RESTORATION

LIGHT POLE REPLACEMENT

ELECTRICAL REPLACEMENT

MASONRY REPAIRS

FOUNTAIN REPAIRS

PAVEMENT REPAIRS

ADDITIONAL BUS SHELTERS

KIOSK

SITE FURNISHINGS

ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS

New Castle County

Delaware Transit Corporation

Del Dot

City of Wilmington

Downtown Visions

Buccini/ Pollin Group

6