State Street Redlands, California

State StreetRedlands, CA

Travis MartinENV 101: Foundations of Design

California State Polytechnic University, PomonaInstructor: Marta Perlas

Fall 2009

Contents

History and Mythology

Walking as an Instrument of Experience

Objective and Subjective Urban Analysis

Constructing a Street Pattern

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Transportation

Land Use

Businesses

Street Pattern

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History and Mythology

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In the late 1870’s two men named Edward Judson and Frank Brown made their way to southern California, settling in what is modern day Redlands. The men founded a settlement which they named after the color of the soil. By the year 1988, the railroad from the east had reached Redlands and the town had become big enough that the people decided to incorporate. The new city of Redlands would go on to absorb the rival settlement of Lugonia to the north. Redlands would use its position as the first major stop on the new rail lines for those coming to California and it’s inviting climate to attract people to the new town.

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Over time the city would develop a reputation as one of the more beautiful towns of the area. Judson, acting as the first mayor of the city, is even said to have cited residents if they allowed weeds of excessive length or debris to over take their property because it did not suit the orderly look of the town.

Downtown Redlands today sits on land originally settled by people coming to escape the unfriendly climate of Chicago. This is reflected in the names of the streets in the downtown, many of which bear the names of prominant streets in the Chicago area. The placing of the downtown is unique among the surrounding towns. Instead of the residential areas growing outward from a newly emerged downtown, the new city was directed where to build its business center by the longstanding residential districts that had existed for years before there ever was a town. The town then, grew from the outward in. The layout of the downtown is also unique in that it is formed by two opposing grid patterns, one running east-west and one running at a forty-five degree angle from the north east to the south west. This was done to follow the natural slope of the land.

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The Mediteranean climate of Redlands, in addition to being a draw for those coming west, also suited itself to the cultivation of citrus. Redlands was originally known for the dried fruits that it shipped throughout the country. With the introduction of the navel orange from Brazil in the 1870’s, things changed dramatically. The navel orange quickly became a favorite and Redlands followed its demand to great prosperity for the young city.

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Walking around Redlands today, one is constantly reminded of the cities past. Much of the turn of the century city still exists in the downtown, from the original buildings that line its main thoroughfares to the old train depot. The people of Redlands seem to have a reverence for their downtown, and it shows. All manners are seen frequenting the shops that line State street during the day, and enjoying the cafes and bars along Orange street in the evening. No matter what time of the day though, Downtown Redlands remains as much a vital center today as it was over one hundred years ago.

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Walking as an Instrument of Experience

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Objective and Subjective Urban Analysis: Transportation

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The primary ways to get to State Street are by bus or by private automobile. Omnitrans, the local transit authority, runs four different bus lines that service the area, the 8, 9, 15 and 19. The only bus stop close to State Street is one block north on Redlands Boulevard. For those coming by private automobile the options are far greater. Interstate 10 runs three blocks north

Coming from Cal Poly Pomona, one would need to take three buses. From the intersection of College Avenue and Tem-ple Drive you would catch bus number 480 from Foothill Transit to the Pomona transit center. There you would need to get on Omnitrans 61 going to Fontana. Once there, you would take Omnitrans 19 to Redlands. The trip would take around three hours and ten minutes.

of the downtown. The is ample parking on and around State Street. Angled parking on the street has limits of anywhere between thirty minutes to two hours. For those wishing to stay longer, there are two parking lots within one blocks walk that allow for at least three hours of parking.

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Commuting to and around Redlands suffers somewhat from the lack of public transit options, but like most of the surrounding areas it accomadates anyone arriving by automobile easily. It takes little time to find parking close to ones destination, even on the busiest of days. Bicycles are also an option for commuting in and around the downtown area.

However, riding ones bike is more difficult because of the lack of dedicated bike lanes, and the limited places to lock up ones bicycle. Transportation into downtown Redlands should only get better in the future because of a plan currently in the works to build a light rail system from the transit center in downtown San Bernardino.

Objective and Subjective Urban Analysis: Land Use

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Downtown Redlands is comprised of four distinct zoned area. State street is zoned only for commercial use, as are the two blocks to the south and everything north to the freeway.

The areas to the immediate south of the downtown shopping district are alloted for administration, open space and multi-family residential.

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The four zones in the downtown are all distinct areas. Unlike many other cities, the residential and commercial area do not mix. But because the tight spacing with which the downtown core is made up, the downtown remains a very functional, walkable area. I addition to the small shops on State Street, there are the buildings of the city government, a library and park, indoor and outdoor theaters, and a tight knit residential community all coexist within a ten square block area.

Objective and Subjective Urban Analysis: Businesses

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The majority of the businesses on State Street fall in the the category of restaurant/bar, and retail. In the first two blocks there are ten different places where one could find something to eat and drink. These places range from coffee shops to fine dining, and even a British pub. The retail stores fall mostly in the categories of casual ware and home furnishings. The majority of the business are single locations that are native to Redlands and cater more to the local consumer than other destination shopping districts. No one type of business takes the spotlight. There are four periods in the average day where different shops find themselves the focus. Beginning in the early mornings people will be found at the coffee shops. The second period begins when the retail shops open, followed by the restaurants, most of which do not open until at least twelve o’clock. The final period is in the evening after most of the retail shops and services have closed. This time belongs to the more of the restaurants and the bars.

State Street

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Restaurants / Bars

Apparel / Accessories

Other ServicesHome Furnishings

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05

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The mix of retail, restaurants and services along State Street provides a place for everyone to enjoy. The area maintains a steady flow of people throughout the day because of the varied clientele that each business draws.

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Objective and Subjective Urban Analysis: Street Pattern

Downtown Redlands is set up along two intersecting grid patterns. The area bound by interstate 10 to the north and Citrus Avenue on the south runs along a traditional north-south axis. Below Citrus Avenue, the streets run primarily on a north-west south-east axis. The center of the downtown lies at the intersec-tion of these two grids, where Orange and Cajon Street cross Citrus Avenue. The unique alignment of the downtown can be traced back to the city’s roots. The original settlers of the area set up the streets to allow for the runoff from the orange groves to fol-low the natural slope of the land.

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Many of the streets in the downtown, including the first few blocks of State Street, run only in one direction. This helps direct the traffic through the area. Some of the cross streets in the area also have parking on alternating sides of the street, creating a sort of chicane which slows down the traffic. The slowdown of traffic makes the area much easier for pedestrians

to navigate. State street has larger sidewalks than the surroung streets, averaging at least thirteen feet at the narrowest point. The street itself has between one and two lane of traffic. This small scale helps to encourage walking throughout the area There are also alleys running east-west on both sides of State Street for delivery access to the businesses.

Constructing a Plan Diagram

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LANDMARKS

NODES

PARKING

PEDESTRIANS

TREES

VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

Angled Street Parking

Augie’s Coffee HouseHosts concerts inadjacent alley.

State StreetHosts weekly Farmer’s Marketon Thursday nights.

Kerry’s Coffee HouseCoffee house and dance studio combination.

Charlie Jewel’sBar & RestaurantLocal hangout

Farm Artisan FoodsFine dining with outdoorseating overlooking the street.

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Bricks from the original construction of State Street. (c. 1892-93)Relaid during 1985 reconstruction.

Ed Hales ParkDedicated to planning commissionchairman of 33 years.

BandstandHosts live music duringweekly farmer’s market.

Redlands Citograph Co.Original Newspaper inRedlands.

CapriceEuropean style, organic dining. Patio looks outover park.