The Midtown Development Review Committee (DRC) got another look at The Woodruff Arts Center’s proposed improvements to its campus.
The plan presented at the June 18 meeting included exterior hardscape and landscaping work intended to enhance accessibility and aesthetics between the Memorial Arts Building and High Museum.
The specific proposal includes a new deck with seating around an existing Ginko tree and additional pedestrian connections with stairs, ramping and seat walls.
DRC recommendations include
- Confirm that the proposed wood decking surrounding the tree and terraced area approaching Peachtree Street provides sufficient porosity and root growth opportunity to maintain the Ginko’s vitality.
- Eliminate or redesign the new north stairway to minimize potential tree impacts. DRC suggestions included either relocating, realigning, or bifurcating the stairs to provide less overlap with the tree’s critical root zone.
- Identify the species of plantings along the proposed terraced and sloped areas would be small and not provide a visual impediment to and from Peachtree.
- Maintain a greater amount of the existing useable raised lawn by reducing the size of the planting area. Include a greater variety of vibrant plants concentrated along the High Museum’s south and southeast façades.
- Along the relocated planting edge, modify the serpentine walkway to provide a more linear or gently curving walkway to offer closer access to Rodin’s ‘The Shade’ sculpture and Lichtenstein’s ‘House III.’ At the current walkway termination point, provide a more consistent connection from Peachtree to the rear including adjacent to the ‘decomposed granite paving.’
The DRC also reviewed alterations on the unpermitted addition to the existing Sivas restaurant at the northwest corner of 5th and Juniper streets. The business has been closed and under renovation since a pipe burst more than a year ago.
The current plans include reducing the footprint of the building to meet minimum Midtown setback and sidewalk standards along with a new second level dining area.
DRC recommendations include:
- Extend the clear sidewalk along Juniper Street to 15’ from the curb to the building face. Begin to taper this sidewalk area at the northeast corner of the building to minimize impact to the existing nearby tree.
- Introduce a green landscaped vertical element along the Juniper facing façade below the windows to soften it from the sidewalk.
- Enclose the upper-level dining area with fixed walls & windows, except for one door to access the ‘open rooftop garden.’
- Relocate the proposed bike rack further east to avoid conflict with the existing tree near the northwest corner of the building.
- Submit for a replat or lot consolidation to incorporate the area of the ADA ramp (and landing areas) at the northwest portion of the site. Also, relocate the screened dumpster eastward to be fully located on the lot.
