Project Element Descriptions
Community Event Space (North of Depot)
Shared community event spaces can serve as the heart and soul of downtown. Either through the active programming of specific events, or through spaces tailored for individuals and small groups, a reimagined community area to the north of the existing Depot building will be one of the primary objectives for this plan. The community of Palmer already hosts several annual celebrations such as Colony Days during the summer and Colony Christmas in December. Subsequently, it will be important to develop a conceptual design for the community event space that is both flexible to varying sizes of gatherings and responds to the changing needs of the seasons.
As a northern climate community, Palmer has the unique opportunity to embrace outdoor activities that celebrate the coldest and darkest months of the year. Just as winter sports require adequate equipment and clothing for the winter elements, outdoor spaces also require specific design adaptations to create an environment that is welcoming, warm, and interesting during a season that may otherwise keep residents indoors. Winter City Design Guidelines provide a design framework for how these spaces can be developed. Considerations such as prevailing winds, solar exposure (or lack thereof), snow storage, heating elements, vegetation, lighting, and color are all aspects that can be integrated into the design of a community event space to help downtown thrive.
Parking Enhancements on Colony Way and Valley Way
Additional Community Event Spaces will attract both residents and visitors to Downtown Palmer. To accommodate increased activity in the area, as well as ongoing activities that are currently programmed, it will be necessary to address parking improvements on Colony Way and Valley Way. For both roadways, one-way pairs may be considered to improve traffic flow and to introduce a more efficient angled parking scheme for additional stalls. Additional parking areas may also be considered north of the Depot building (which can encroach into the existing railroad ROW) and may be integrated into parking improvements to be considered for the adjacent gravel parking lot. Through paving this surface and expanding it into the area to the north of the Depot, a more efficient and specific parking configuration can be delineated for additional stalls. This expanded parking area could be extended as far east to the existing trail as possible.
As advances in EV technology increase the number of electric vehicles in the community, EV charging stations should also be included at key locations in parking lots. While parking will be a priority in these areas, the design of these improvements should also address pedestrian connectivity and include opportunities for landscaping, signage, and artwork to tie in with the aesthetic and character of downtown.
Motorized and Non-Motorized Connectivity
Connectivity to spaces within downtown, for both motorized and non-motorized activity, will be important to support active use of these spaces. While this plan will keep Dogwood intact, it should consider reorienting Colony and Valley Way into complimentary one-way pairs to support circulation as well as parking for the area. Currently, existing railroad crossings (especially at Evergreen Avenue) are particularly cumbersome and visibility, along with pedestrian accessibility, is an issue at this intersection.
Improvements to this intersection, either through improving the tracks or filling them in, will need to be considered.
Given the long, linear configuration of the community spaces adjacent to the Depot (between Colony Way and Valley way) it’s necessary to consider how pedestrian connectivity can also be supported. The current pedestrian trail that extends along the entire eastern edge of this area should continue to remain, and additional pedestrian crossings between proposed parking areas as well as across major roadways, should be addressed to promote connectivity and walkability to surrounding neighborhoods. The existing trail should also be extended over Fireweed to provide greater connectivity to outdoor spaces that host Friday Fling events during the summer months. Just as winter city design guidelines play a role in the design of outdoor gathering areas, they will also need to be considered for pedestrian improvements to support a comfortable and safe walking environment.
The railroad is a key feature of the Palmer that plays homage to the history of the community as well as to the visual identity of the area. However, long-term viability is questionable and should be considered as improvements are addressed. While the existing ROW may remain, it is imperative that the City consider whether it’s feasible to maintain the existing tracks in their current capacity. Full removal is an opportunity to completely address improvements, and integration into proposed design elements is another way to maintain the character of the area while also improving the pedestrian experience.
Park and Playground Improvements in Downtown
Park and playground spaces can be very complimentary to community gathering areas like those under consideration for the space north of the Depot. While public plazas and gathering spaces often need specific programming or events to garner activity, green spaces (such as parks) and playground areas are attractive amenities regardless of other activity happening within the vicinity. In downtown spaces, particularly, parks and playgrounds can support patronage of downtown businesses by young families who may increase the duration of their trips to downtown businesses if there are other destinations and features to visit. Similarly, park areas can serve a similar purpose by including elements that incorporate artwork, signage and character elements that are authentic and unique to the community of Palmer.
Branding and Signage Recognizing Palmer’s History
Just as artwork can contributes to the authenticity of a place, branding and signage are just as important to establish and reflect the identify of a community. Building on the wayfinding plan that was established for the City of Palmer, opportunities to include monument signs, vehicular wayfinding signs, pedestrian wayfinding signs and orientation kiosks will be identified within these concept plans for the downtown depot area. Orienting visitors to key locations such as points of interest, public venues and parking will be the primary goal of wayfinding signs, while ‘announcing’ a specific point of interest will be the objective of monument signs. Signage can also play a critical role in identifying social media opportunities through photos and tagging via social media. All these wayfinding opportunities should reflect the agricultural and indigenous heritage of the Palmer community which should be reflected by font, color, form, materials and symbology.
