Streetscape Project

Communications-Related

• Project Information Signage: Design, budgeting, and production of project information signage to be placed at high-traffic pedestrian locations around town to keep the general public aware and informed; signage to be rolled out in March
• Mass Communication Tool: Vetting, selection, and setup of a new mass communication platform to be utilized by Town of Sparta, Sparta Police, and Chamber of Commerce for quick messaging via voice call, text message, email, and social media; system will go live in March
• Website: Design, content development, and buildout of Streetscape page on Town of Sparta website, including Frequently Asked Questions, Project Updates, and Project Overview; website update will go live in March
• Merchant Survey: Development and administration of a survey to gather and verify information from downtown merchants (including hours of operation, priority times to avoid disruption, and access points for customers and deliveries) in order to inform construction contractors and process managers; survey to be completed by April

Construction-Related

• Final Architect Plans: Finalization of landscape architecture and furnishings related to above-ground streetscape elements
• Final Engineering Plans: Finalization of underground waterline and utilities, drainage system design, road and sidewalk design, etc.
• Lighting: Selection of dark sky compliant, energy efficient, size-proportionate light pole and lighting for downtown corridor
• Wayfinder Signage: Design, materials selection, and cost estimation of wayfinder signage to direct motorists and pedestrians to public destinations such as Post Office, Library, Park, Community College, etc.
• Business Directory: Design, materials selection, and cost estimation of a downtown business directory to be placed near the center of town for pedestrians
• Trees: Selection of tree type
• Furnishings: Selection of material and style for benches and trash bins

Timeline-Related

• To be updated following meetings with USDA the week of June 4

Pedestrian-Scale Street Lights

These lights, which will illuminate the sidewalk and on-street parking, will feature:

• Height of approximately 16 feet
• Light fixtures casting light downward to preserve dark skies (as opposed to traditional lantern-style lights which cast light in all directions)
• Energy-saving LED lights, which last 25 times longer than an incandescent source emitting an equivalent amount of light
• Double-mounted light fixtures (two lights coming from one pole) attached with a bishop's hook style cross arm
• LED color temperature not to exceed 3000K, per recommendations made by the American Medical Association (AMA)

Color temperature (CT) is a measure of the spectral content (how much blue, green, yellow, and red) of light from a source. A higher CT rating generally means greater blue content, which makes the light appear whiter. Many urban cities use white LED lights, which have a color temperature of 4000-5000K. This unnecessarily intense lighting can cause discomfort and glare. Sparta will use a much softer light that is sufficient for visibility and safety, and standard enough to be cost effective.

Street Trees

Thornless Honeylocust (Gleditsia Triacanthos variety Inermis) trees will be planted in grates along the sidewalk. Features include:

• Grows relatively quickly and can reach heights of 30-40 feet
• Open, airy canopy (will not significantly block business names or attract bird nesting)
• Tolerant of various harsh environmental conditions such as salt and soil compaction that can kill other trees
• Non-messy (the cultivar Sunburst, which has been specified, does not develop the seed pods of other locusts)
• Beautiful foliage

This tree is slow to leaf out in the Spring, but, when it does, the foliar display is a sight to behold as described by one botanist. The new foliage starts out yellow, then morphs to a still attractive greenish-yellow, before assuming a light green shade in summer. When it is time for the fall-foliage display, the leaves return to the yellow color that marked them in the Spring.

Pole-Mounted Traffic Lights

The traffic light at Whitehead and Main will be transitioned from a wire-mounted light to a pole-mounted light with a mast arm. (The actual traffic light will reside overhead on the mast arm, as opposed to the pole.) Street names will also be mounted overhead on the mast arm.

Benches

Benches will be placed at key locations along the downtown sidewalks and will have the following features:

• 6 feet long with a back
• Style is called Everett by Keystone Ridge Designs
• Color will match the metal of the light poles, receptacles, and sign poles
• Wide slats, broad arms, and tapered legs form a clean, contemporary look while offering strong, supportive comfort

Signs

In addition to street signs, the streetscape will include:

• 3 wayfinding signs (directing motorists and pedestrians to significant landmarks)
• Business directory (to help pedestrians find particular businesses)

Both types of signs will be custom designed for Sparta. The shape will coordinate with the county branding package, mimicking the Blue Ridge Parkway stone underpass.