Worthington, Ohio: Central Business District Streetscape

By Edsall & Associates LLC and Stephen Kelly, editor

Above and Below: Worthington, Ohio’s central business district had an aging infrastructure that city officials felt was inhibiting economic growth along historic High Street. To help rejuvenate the commercial center, the city commissioned Edsall & Associates LLC, landscape architects, land planners and urban designers based in Columbus, Ohio to develop streetscape guidelines and a unifying master plan. Precast concrete pavers, 1 ft. by 1 ft. (tan areas) are interspersed with 4-in. x 8-in. pavers (red crisscross areas) to create interest and maintain the district’s historic charm, but also allow seamlessly repairable access to the site’s numerous underground utilities (telephone, gas and sewer lines).
Photo/Illustration: Worthington, Ohio

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As so many suburban communities and real estate developers are spending tens of millions of dollars to create a town center, other communities are reinvesting in their centers of commerce.

When the aging infrastructure of the central business district in Worthington, Ohio began to inhibit its economic growth, city officials recognized the need to revitalize their two block first-ring suburban historic corridor along High Street. To help rejuvenate the heart of their commercial center, the city turned to Edsall & Associates LLC, landscape architects, land planners and urban designers based in Columbus, Ohio. With the charge of developing streetscape guidelines and a master plan that would unify the downtown area, the landscape architects set out to garner strong community support for the redevelopment plan.

The masonry seat walls are veneered in brick (Belden Brick Co.) and capped with limestone. The walk is a 4" x 8" herringbone pattern of brick pavers (Glen-Gery Brick), edged with a 4" x 8" paver rowlock course. The teak benches (Smith & Hawken) offer comfortable lounging to people watch.

To reinvest in a district that the citizens could be proud of, the cooperation of Worthington’s business owners, residents and community members was crucial to the planning. By working closely with representatives from the Worthington Architectural Review Board, Worthington Historical Society, Merchants Association, Shade Tree Commission and Worthington citizens, the landscape architects assisted all parties in making informed choices on every aspect of the streetscape restoration.

The ADA-compliant ramp has brick walls capped with stone and a finish grade of pavers, supported by CMUs and concrete footers.

Working closely with the city engineer and through a series of citizen charettes, consensus was reached and Edsall & Associates LLC prepared preliminary and final streetscape master plans, guidelines and construction cost estimates for the Central Business District. Enhancements would involve earthwork, electrical improvements, irrigation, lawns, pavements, walls and related site amenities. Above all, accessible routes for pedestrians were determined vital to the commercial success of the corridor.

Limestone steps with masonry unit cheek walls accommodate changes in the existing grades.

Central to the streetscape guidelines for Worthington’s walkable community was the creation of people spaces. Intimate seating areas were recommended to accommodate occasions for gathering, including the Arts Festival and Farmer’s Market.

Seat walls interspersed along the corridor could serve visitors engaged in the district’s shopping, dining and entertainment. The designation of off-street parking would allow for safer pedestrian travel to the district’s many cafes, banks, specialty shops and historic buildings. The Worthington Inn, notable for its distinction on the National Register of Historic Places, would serve as a basis for the basic character of the commercial downtown.

Above and Below: To improve pedestrian safety the existing traffic control poles were drilled and tapped to mount luminaire arms and wiring. On the recommendation of the landscape architect, the city engineer constructed a series of lighting fixture mock-ups for review and selection by residents and business owners. The overwhelming choice was color-corrected high-pressure sodium lamps that closely replicate incandescent lighting, but with greater efficiency. Based on the lamp mock-ups and photometric studies, the existing Worthington streetlights were relocated and relamped.

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The landscape architect proposed curbside walks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act to accommodate all people. By using textured precast concrete paver units, the hardscape could maintain the district’s historic charm while allowing access and maintenance of the site’s numerous underground utilities, including telephone, gas and sewer lines. The design of crosswalk line striping and the relocation of existing benches, bicycle racks, traffic signs and waste receptacles were reincorporated into the plan to allow for better pedestrian maneuverability.

To create a safe and popular destination for visitors, shop owners and employees, the need for improved lighting was important. Upon the recommendation of the landscape architect, the city engineer constructed a series of lighting fixture mock-ups for review and selection by local residents and business owners. The people’s choice was overwhelming in favor of the color-corrected high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps, closely replicating incandescent lighting but with greater efficiency. Based on the lamp mock-ups and photometric studies, the existing Worthington streetlights were relocated, relamped and lights added to existing traffic control poles.

The expanded walk areas (an 8' wide paver pattern between the rowlock course) better accommodate pedestrian movement and the Farmer’s Market displays during the summer.

Upon acceptance of Edsall’s streetscape master plan and guidelines and the authorization of the city council, the city also retained Edsall & Associates LLC for the second phase of redevelopment, which included the preparation of construction documents, bidding and construction observation for planting, irrigation, street signage, walks, ramps, walls, layout and grading. Upon receipt of successful bids, the landscape architects reviewed shop drawings and assisted Worthington inspectors with construction observation for the project.

The new site walls and steps tie into the city’s historic Worthington Inn.

As the project site was occupied by business/office facilities, the maintenance of vehicular and pedestrian access throughout construction was imperative. While restorative efforts were underway, contractors kept the premises clear of all debris, equipment and materials at all times to accommodate business hours of operation and special events. The landscape architect worked with the city and local property owners to obtain construction easements for streetscape improvements where grading was necessary for the improvements.

Above and Below: The serpentine wall separates the outdoor dining areas from the pedestrian walks. The detail includes the plan view of the wall’s stone caps and the acute angle geometry of the serpentine wall.

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Construction was completed in December of 1997. The $1,000,400 project has done much to reinvigorate Worthington’s sense of community. The aesthetic upgrade of the streetscape has played an important role in attracting and retaining quality businesses, visitors and residents to the Worthington town center. The unified and revitalized central business district has spurred economic growth in the area and is today a vibrant cultural town center.

Worthington, Ohio

Welcome to Worthington, Ohio, crossroads of the state, suburb of Columbus, the state capital. Founded in 1803, Worthington followed the New England model—a town formed in a grid pattern around a village green.

“Settlers were required to own at least one town lot and a rural tract for farming,” according to this historical marker.

“Many of the city’s original commercial buildings and churches still stand proudly,” notes the Worthington website. “Beautiful tree-lined streets, American flags on every downtown lamppost and quaint charm greet every visitor to Worthington and continue to attract families and businesses who call Worthington home.”

LIST OF VENDORS/MATERIALS

Precast Concrete Pavers
Hanover Architectural Products
Hanover, Penn.

Korda Nemeth Engineering, Inc.
Survey/Site Utilities/Electrical Engineering
Columbus, Ohio

Plant Collage - Plant List

Malus: Cinderella flowering crab tree (Malus ‘Cinzam’)—hybridized by Lake County Nursery, Perry, Ohio.

Henry garnet: Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’

Taxus: Taxus media ‘Densiformis’

Hummingbird: Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’

crispa: Stephanandra incisa ‘Crispa’

liriope: Liriope spicata (perennial)

Cotoneaster: Cotoneaster apiculatus

Buxus: Buxus ‘Green Velvet’

Green mountain: Acer saccharum ‘Green Mountain’

Shade Trees
• Acer saccharum ‘Green Mountain’
• Green Mountain Sugar Maple
• Fraxinus pennsylvanica ‘Cimarron’
• Cimarron Green Ash
• Gleditsia triacanthos inermis ‘Imperial’
• Imperial Honeylocust
• Quercus shumardii
• Shumard Oak

Ornamental Trees
• Malus ‘Cinzam’
• Cinderella Crabapple

Shrubs
• Buxus ‘Green Velvet’
• Green Velvet Boxwood
• Buxus sinica insularis ‘Wintergreen’
• Wintergreen Boxwood
• Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’
• Hummingbird Summersweet
• Cotoneaster apiculatus
• Cranberry Cotoneaster
• Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’
• Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire
• Stephanandra incisa ‘Crispa’
• Cutleaf Stephanandra
• Taxus media ‘Densiformis’
• Dense Yew
• Taxus media ‘Flemer’
• Flemer Compact Yew
• Taxus media ‘Wardii’
• Wards Yew

Perennials
• Liriope spicata
• Creeping Lily Turf