new design guidelines for the crp master plan

CUMMINGSRESEARCHPARK

Design GuidelinesDRAFT 05.23.2016FINAL 11.22.16

Design Guidelines

BEYOND ARESEARCH PARK.

11 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.15 CHAPTER 2 PARK ORGANIZATION.21 CHAPTER 3 PUBLIC REALM DESIGN & TRANSPORTATION.31 CHAPTER 4 SITE LAYOUT & DESIGN.41 CHAPTER 5 BUILDING DESIGN.65 CHAPTER 6 ADMINISTRATION.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

This master plan, the first comprehensive plan for CRP in nearly 40 years, carries forward a vision established by Milton Cummings, the park’s namesake, to reserve land for scientific industry adjacent to higher education and linked to the Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Spaceflight Center. The Design Guidelines document describes the organizational strategy of the plan, design standards for public spaces and elements, and recommendations for modifying the park’s zoning regulations to enable development consistent with the master plan’s ambitious vision.

CREDITS

CITY OF HUNTSVILLE

The Honorable Thomas “Tommy” Battle, Jr, MayorJohn Hamilton, City AdministratorShane Davis, Director of Urban DevelopmentDennis Madsen, Manager of Urban & Long Range PlanningJim McGuffey, Manager of Planning Services

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY

Chip Cherry, President & CEOLucia Cape, Senior Vice President, Economic Development, Industry Relations & WorkforceErin Koshut, Cummings Research Park DirectorPammie Jimmar, Small Business & Events DirectorEmma Williams, Small Business & Events SpecialistMike Gillespie, Special Advisor

CUMMINGS RESEARCH PARK BOARD

Charles Grainger (Chairman), CG TechnologiesNancy Archuleta, Retired, Mevatec (BAE Systems)Sheila Brown, Quantitech, Inc., CEORon Gray, Thompson Gray, Inc., PresidentKim Lewis, PROJECTXYZ, Inc, CEOGripp Luther, Samples Properties, PrincipalMike Stanfield, Retired, Ducommun MiltecCouncilman Mark Russell, City of Huntsville,

City Council District 2 John Hamilton, City of Huntsville, Office of the Mayor,

City AdministratorJanet Watson, City of Huntsville, Huntsville Planning

Commission, Chairman

BEYOND ARESEARCH PARK.

11 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.15 CHAPTER 2 PARK ORGANIZATION.21 CHAPTER 3 PUBLIC REALM DESIGN & TRANSPORTATION.31 CHAPTER 4 SITE LAYOUT & DESIGN.41 CHAPTER 5 BUILDING DESIGN.65 CHAPTER 6 ADMINISTRATION.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

This master plan, the first comprehensive plan for CRP in nearly 40 years, carries forward a vision established by Milton Cummings, the park’s namesake, to reserve land for scientific industry adjacent to higher education and linked to the Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Spaceflight Center. The Design Guidelines document describes the organizational strategy of the plan, design standards for public spaces and elements, and recommendations for modifying the park’s zoning regulations to enable development consistent with the master plan’s ambitious vision.

CREDITS

CITY OF HUNTSVILLE

The Honorable Thomas “Tommy” Battle, Jr, MayorJohn Hamilton, City AdministratorShane Davis, Director of Urban DevelopmentDennis Madsen, Manager of Urban & Long Range PlanningJim McGuffey, Manager of Planning Services

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY

Chip Cherry, President & CEOLucia Cape, Senior Vice President, Economic Development, Industry Relations & WorkforceErin Koshut, Cummings Research Park DirectorPammie Jimmar, Small Business & Events DirectorEmma Williams, Small Business & Events SpecialistMike Gillespie, Special Advisor

CUMMINGS RESEARCH PARK BOARD

Charles Grainger (Chairman), CG TechnologiesNancy Archuleta, Retired, Mevatec (BAE Systems)Sheila Brown, Quantitech, Inc., CEORon Gray, Thompson Gray, Inc., PresidentKim Lewis, PROJECTXYZ, Inc, CEOGripp Luther, Samples Properties, PrincipalMike Stanfield, Retired, Ducommun MiltecCouncilman Mark Russell, City of Huntsville,

City Council District 2 John Hamilton, City of Huntsville, Office of the Mayor,

City AdministratorJanet Watson, City of Huntsville, Huntsville Planning

Commission, Chairman

The Cummings Research Park, its base of knowledge, capabilities, high-tech businesses, and ongoing research and development activities is a strategic global asset for handling complex scientific and technological challenges. CRP is the proving ground for the most ambitious goals of our society, from yesterday’s lunar landings to tomorrow’s Mars settlement.

The history and legend of the Cummings Research Park began in the first golden age of space exploration following World War II, spurred by President Kennedy’s vision for human footsteps on the moon and Werner von Braun’s team of elite scientists. However, the long-term success of CRP could not have been possible without the sustained investment of grit and knowhow for 60 years by this small community to make things possible in Huntsville that seem impossible elsewhere. While CRP is driven by science, it is truly powered by the people of Huntsville.

This master plan, the first for CRP in nearly 40 years, carries forward a vision established by Milton Cummings, the park’s namesake, to reserve land for scientific industry adjacent to higher education and linked to the Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Spaceflight Center. This plan extends this vision to further curate an ecosystem of creativity and entrepreneurship in any advanced scientific or technological endeavor, from the simple imaginative spark in the mind of a graduate student to the complex workings of a Fortune 500 company and everything in between.

IntroductionCHAPTER 1

BUILDING THE FUTURE BIT BY BIT.

The Cummings Research Park, its base of knowledge, capabilities, high-tech businesses, and ongoing research and development activities is a strategic global asset for handling complex scientific and technological challenges. CRP is the proving ground for the most ambitious goals of our society, from yesterday’s lunar landings to tomorrow’s Mars settlement.

The history and legend of the Cummings Research Park began in the first golden age of space exploration following World War II, spurred by President Kennedy’s vision for human footsteps on the moon and Werner von Braun’s team of elite scientists. However, the long-term success of CRP could not have been possible without the sustained investment of grit and knowhow for 60 years by this small community to make things possible in Huntsville that seem impossible elsewhere. While CRP is driven by science, it is truly powered by the people of Huntsville.

This master plan, the first for CRP in nearly 40 years, carries forward a vision established by Milton Cummings, the park’s namesake, to reserve land for scientific industry adjacent to higher education and linked to the Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Spaceflight Center. This plan extends this vision to further curate an ecosystem of creativity and entrepreneurship in any advanced scientific or technological endeavor, from the simple imaginative spark in the mind of a graduate student to the complex workings of a Fortune 500 company and everything in between.

IntroductionCHAPTER 1

BUILDING THE FUTURE BIT BY BIT.

Our Master Plan

MAKER-HACKER VILLAGE

BRADFORD CROSSING

MADISON SQUARE MALL REDEVELOPMENT INTERFACE

UNIVERSITY CORNER

WATERFRONT CENTER

LANDMARK SITES

DISTRICT PARKS

INDIAN CREEK GREENWAY LINK

DISCOVERY HUB

EXPLORER HUB

BOULEVARD BRIDGE

SPARKMAN CROSSING

HUDSONALPHA CAMPUS

The Master Plan cultivates interaction and collaboration while simultaneously creating an experientially unique and satisfying place to work and visit.

TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING

LOCKHEED MARTIN

SWIRLL

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE

CALHOUN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SHERWOOD PARK

US SPACE & ROCKET CENTER

BRIDGE STREET TOWN CENTRE

THORTON RESEARCH PARK

ADTRAN

ADTRANCOLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL HUDSON ALPHA

DYNETICS

DIGIUM

LOGICORE

MADISON SQUARE MALL REDEVELOPMENT

INDIAN CREEK GREENWAY

REDSTONE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

CRP APPLICATIONS

REDSTONE ARSENAL

UNIVERSITY DRIVE

MADISON PIKE

BRADFORD DRIVE

HOLMES AVE

WYNN DRIVE

TECHNOLOGY DRIVE

SANDERSON ROADEXPLORER BLVD

EXPLORER BLVD

EAGLE DRIVE

ENTERPRISE WAY

FARROW ROAD

SPARKMAN DRIVE

RESEARCH PARK BLVD

VOYAGER WAY

JAN DAVIS DRIVE

DISCOVERY DRIVE

MIDTOWNE

RAYTHEON

Our Master Plan

BRADFORD CROSSING

MADISON SQUARE MALL REDEVELOPMENT INTERFACE

UNIVERSITY CORNER

WATERFRONT CENTER

LANDMARK SITES

DISTRICT PARKS

INDIAN CREEK GREENWAY LINK

DISCOVERY HUB

EXPLORER HUB

BOULEVARD BRIDGE

SPARKMAN CROSSING

HUDSONALPHA CAMPUS

The Master Plan cultivates interaction and collaboration while simultaneously creating an experientially unique and satisfying place to work and visit.

TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING

LOCKHEED MARTIN

SWIRLL

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE

CALHOUN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SHERWOOD PARK

US SPACE & ROCKET CENTER

BRIDGE STREET TOWN CENTRE

THORTON RESEARCH PARK

ADTRAN

ADTRANCOLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL HUDSON ALPHA

DYNETICS

DIGIUM

LOGICORE

MADISON SQUARE MALL REDEVELOPMENT

INDIAN CREEK GREENWAY

REDSTONE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

CRP APPLICATIONS

REDSTONE ARSENAL

UNIVERSITY DRIVE

MADISON PIKE

BRADFORD DRIVE

HOLMES AVE

WYNN DRIVE

TECHNOLOGY DRIVE

SANDERSON ROADEXPLORER BLVD

EXPLORER BLVD

EAGLE DRIVE

ENTERPRISE WAY

FARROW ROAD

SPARKMAN DRIVE

RESEARCH PARK BLVD

VOYAGER WAY

JAN DAVIS DRIVE

DISCOVERY DRIVE

MIDTOWNE

RAYTHEON

PARK LEVEL DESIGN GUIDANCE

SITE & BUILDING LEVEL DESIGN GUIDANCE

RESEARCH PARKDESIGN GUIDELINES

Organization of the Park into District & Sub-Districts

Site Types & Design to Accommodate a Variety of Research Businesses

Comprehensive Guidance for Modifying Existing Zoning Regulations and Creating a Vibrant, Active Research Park

Design of the Public Realm and its Elements to Bring Continuity & Identity to the Park

Design of Buildings for a Variety of Users and to reinforce the Public Realm

+ =PUBLIC REALM

DESIGNBUILDING

DESIGN

SITE LAYOUT &DESIGN

PARK ORGANIZATION

DESIGNGUIDELINES

CUMMINGSRESEARCH PARK

PUBLIC REALMDESIGN

BUILDING DESIGN

SITE LAYOUT &DESIGN

PARK ORGANIZATION

DESIGNGUIDELINES

PUBLIC REALMDESIGN

BUILDING DESIGN

SITE LAYOUT &DESIGN

PARK ORGANIZATION

DESIGNGUIDELINES

PUBLIC REALMDESIGN

BUILDING DESIGN

SITE LAYOUT &DESIGN

PARK ORGANIZATION

DESIGNGUIDELINES

PUBLIC REALMDESIGN

BUILDING DESIGN

SITE LAYOUT &DESIGN

PARK ORGANIZATION

DESIGNGUIDELINES

The Cummings Research Park Design Guidelines document is an extension of the Cummings Research Park Master Plan that details the nature of the underlying organization of the park and design for projects within it to ensure that future development and redevelopment are consistent with the vision for the park. These guidelines are also the vehicle by which potential changes to the park’s existing applicable zoning districts should be considered.

It is imperative that the needs of research and innovation are of utmost consideration in all design decisions. These decisions should be guided by knowledge of global trends and initiatives in research, general issues pertaining to the development of research communities, and specific research considerations for Cummings Research Park. The ultimate goal is to ensure the creation of a world-class, high-performing research park that facilitates the creation of research and high-technology businesses in an active, high-quality design environment that guarantees long-term value for owners, occupants, and the entire community.

GUIDELINES INTENT

The organization of the design guidelines reflects the master plan’s strategy of reorganizing the park into a series of districts to flexibly accommodate the lifecycle of business while also providing continuity and identity to the park as a whole. The chapters of the guidelines move from the most general elements of the research park’s fundamental organizing strategy and public realm design to more detailed recommendations for site layout and building design that respond to the characteristics of each district. The guidelines address the following sections:

Park Organization (PO) – this section focuses on the organization of the park into a series of districts and sub-districts to create opportunities for the park to support the lifecycle of business from start-up to success. This section also provides clarity on acceptable land uses within the park.

Public Realm (PR) – this section focuses on elements that are common to the entire park and reinforce the park’s organization and identity such as street types, parks and open spaces, and site furnishings.

Site Layout (SL) – this section focuses on the nature of sites within each district, how these sites are to be organized, development intensity parameters, acceptable uses, and parking.

Building Design (BD) – this section focuses on those elements of building design that have the most substantial impact on the overall district and park such as street relationship, articulation and expression, materials, and sustainability.

Administration (AD) – this section addresses the issue of administering both the master plan and design guidelines and provides recommendations for how the park might strategically operate to become a more proactive partner in the development process.

GUIDELINES ORGANIZATION The guidelines move from the most general elements of the research park’s fundamental organizing strategy and public realm design to more detailed recommendations for site layout and building design.

PARK LEVEL DESIGN GUIDANCE

SITE & BUILDING LEVEL DESIGN GUIDANCE

RESEARCH PARKDESIGN GUIDELINES

Organization of the Park into District & Sub-Districts

Site Types & Design to Accommodate a Variety of Research Businesses

Comprehensive Guidance for Modifying Existing Zoning Regulations and Creating a Vibrant, Active Research Park

Design of the Public Realm and its Elements to Bring Continuity & Identity to the Park

Design of Buildings for a Variety of Users and to reinforce the Public Realm

+ =PUBLIC REALM

DESIGNBUILDING

DESIGN

SITE LAYOUT &DESIGN

PARK ORGANIZATION

DESIGNGUIDELINES

PUBLIC REALMDESIGN

BUILDING DESIGN

SITE LAYOUT &DESIGN

PARK ORGANIZATION

DESIGNGUIDELINES

PUBLIC REALMDESIGN

BUILDING DESIGN

SITE LAYOUT &DESIGN

PARK ORGANIZATION

DESIGNGUIDELINES

PUBLIC REALMDESIGN

BUILDING DESIGN

SITE LAYOUT &DESIGN

PARK ORGANIZATION

DESIGNGUIDELINES

PUBLIC REALMDESIGN

BUILDING DESIGN

SITE LAYOUT &DESIGN

PARK ORGANIZATION

DESIGNGUIDELINES

The Cummings Research Park Design Guidelines document is an extension of the Cummings Research Park Master Plan that details the nature of the underlying organization of the park and design for projects within it to ensure that future development and redevelopment are consistent with the vision for the park. These guidelines are also the vehicle by which potential changes to the park’s existing applicable zoning districts should be considered.

It is imperative that the needs of research and innovation are of utmost consideration in all design decisions. These decisions should be guided by knowledge of global trends and initiatives in research, general issues pertaining to the development of research communities, and specific research considerations for Cummings Research Park. The ultimate goal is to ensure the creation of a world-class, high-performing research park that facilitates the creation of research and high-technology businesses in an active, high-quality design environment that guarantees long-term value for owners, occupants, and the entire community.

GUIDELINES INTENT

The organization of the design guidelines reflects the master plan’s strategy of reorganizing the park into a series of districts to flexibly accommodate the lifecycle of business while also providing continuity and identity to the park as a whole. The chapters of the guidelines move from the most general elements of the research park’s fundamental organizing strategy and public realm design to more detailed recommendations for site layout and building design that respond to the characteristics of each district. The guidelines address the following sections:

Park Organization (PO) – this section focuses on the organization of the park into a series of districts and sub-districts to create opportunities for the park to support the lifecycle of business from start-up to success. This section also provides clarity on acceptable land uses within the park.

Public Realm (PR) – this section focuses on elements that are common to the entire park and reinforce the park’s organization and identity such as street types, parks and open spaces, and site furnishings.

Site Layout (SL) – this section focuses on the nature of sites within each district, how these sites are to be organized, development intensity parameters, acceptable uses, and parking.

Building Design (BD) – this section focuses on those elements of building design that have the most substantial impact on the overall district and park such as street relationship, articulation and expression, materials, and sustainability.

Administration (AD) – this section addresses the issue of administering both the master plan and design guidelines and provides recommendations for how the park might strategically operate to become a more proactive partner in the development process.

GUIDELINES ORGANIZATION The guidelines move from the most general elements of the research park’s fundamental organizing strategy and public realm design to more detailed recommendations for site layout and building design.

The master plan builds on the existing characteristics of CRP, particularly its form, structure and land use. If properly planned and managed, with efficient use of space, Cummings Research Park can yield unlimited development potential over the next 60 years. The question isn’t when will the CRP reach its capacity; it is how will the park optimize the use of undeveloped parcels, underutilized and vacant buildings, and the vast parking lots and deep buffers that exist between buildings. This plan anticipates healthy quantities of both new development, principally in the west, and urban redevelopment, in the east.

Through development and infrastructural investment, CRP will strengthen its connections to the City of Huntsville and its neighbors, linking to the Indian Creek and regional greenway network, surrounding street corridors, neighboring commercial centers, and importantly to CRP’s anchors at Redstone, NASA and the University of Alabama Huntsville. Connections outward will be facilitated by transforming the open spaces of Cummings Research Park into healthy, active landscape. This transformation will convert public and private lawns, buffers and driveways into trail networks, parks, plazas and walkable streets. CRP’s connected, human-oriented landscape will be further animated in each district by a dense development node with signature public spaces and mixed uses. The nodes will provide critical business and lifestyle services that support the diverse needs of the research park residents and visitors.

Park OrganizationCHAPTER 2

ORGANIZING FOR BUSINESS AT

DIFFERENT SCALES

The master plan builds on the existing characteristics of CRP, particularly its form, structure and land use. If properly planned and managed, with efficient use of space, Cummings Research Park can yield unlimited development potential over the next 60 years. The question isn’t when will the CRP reach its capacity; it is how will the park optimize the use of undeveloped parcels, underutilized and vacant buildings, and the vast parking lots and deep buffers that exist between buildings. This plan anticipates healthy quantities of both new development, principally in the west, and urban redevelopment, in the east.

Through development and infrastructural investment, CRP will strengthen its connections to the City of Huntsville and its neighbors, linking to the Indian Creek and regional greenway network, surrounding street corridors, neighboring commercial centers, and importantly to CRP’s anchors at Redstone, NASA and the University of Alabama Huntsville. Connections outward will be facilitated by transforming the open spaces of Cummings Research Park into healthy, active landscape. This transformation will convert public and private lawns, buffers and driveways into trail networks, parks, plazas and walkable streets. CRP’s connected, human-oriented landscape will be further animated in each district by a dense development node with signature public spaces and mixed uses. The nodes will provide critical business and lifestyle services that support the diverse needs of the research park residents and visitors.

Park OrganizationCHAPTER 2

ORGANIZING FOR BUSINESS AT

DIFFERENT SCALES

The Cummings Research Park Master Plan leverages the phased organization and development of the park over the previous 50 years to shape and transform the park for the next 60 years and beyond. Through the master plan, the park is organized into four overarching districts. Each district is focused on accommodating research and high-technology businesses at different points in their lifecycles of growth and development. This organizational strategy is aimed at accomplishing the master plan’s main goal: to unify the research park - which currently exists as CRP East and CRP West with different rules, standards, and quality of development – into a single, cohesive research park where businesses grow from inception to maturity and success.

CUMMINGS START-UP

The Start-up District is a dense, active R&D center designed to promote the growth of new high-technology businesses during their earliest stages and cultivate a culture of grassroots experimentation and entrepreneurship in Cummings Research Park.

The district leverages proximity and access to existing intuitional assets such as the University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) and Calhoun Community College. Redevelopment and new development within this district that are driven by opportunities for adaptive reuse of existing structures and facilities. Central among the redevelopment opportunities in this District is the transformation of the former Chrysler plant into a catalytic Maker-Hacker Village with facilities, equipment, and programs to incubate creativity around cyber-physical endeavors, fabrication, and prototyping.

The Start-up District is the most flexible, nimble, and experimental area of Cummings Research Park. It should also remain the most affordable, with a predominance of warehouse conversion to office and fabrication space. Simple, affordable space will allow the Start-up District to continually respond to the changing needs of the dynamic companies in their infancy.

DISTRICTS

CUMMINGS SCALE-UP

The Scale-up District is a dense, active and urban district designed to promote the growth of small, medium and large scientific and high-tech companies in single or multi-tenant buildings. Although limited new development opportunities exist, the long-term development of this district relies on the redevelopment of aging, outmoded and/or underutilized parcels and buildings along Bradford Drive, Wynn Drive, and Research Drive. The Scale-up District benefits from its proximity to UAH and the anchors of Teledyne Brown Engineering, Lockheed Martin and the Severe Weather Institute and Radar & Lightning Laboratories (SWIRLL).

Two mixed-use nodes are planned within the district, one at the corner of Bradford and Wynn and the other in the far northwest corner of Technology Drive, adjacent to Madison Square Mall and its eventual redevelopment. In these nodes, business and lifestyle services, cafes and restaurants, and limited housing will be located to support the primary science and technology focus of business in CRP. The Scale-up District will follow an urban framework of streets and blocks which are given preliminary layout by this plan and parcel by parcel redevelopment will occur incrementally at the pace of the market.

CUMMINGS CORPORATE

The Corporate District carries on the successful legacy of CRP West as a low-density, park-like environment for the orderly growth of medium to large stable high-tech industries. The distinct and managed environment of the Corporate District has made it a premier address, synonymous with success, in Huntsville. This District counts among its residents some of the most important high-tech businesses from around the world.

For the most part over the coming years, new development will be on previously undeveloped parcels that dot the District but are also in high concentration on the western edge of CRP. Multi-tenancy of buildings is allowable but restricted with the District and a network of parks, trails activate the landscape and a small mixed-use node is proposed near Bridge Street Town Centre.

RESEARCH PARK BOUNDARYCUMMINGS START-UP DISTRICTCUMMINGS SCALE-UP DISTRICTCUMMINGS CORPORATE DISTRICTCUMMINGS LANDMARK DISTRICT(S)

DISTRICT LOCATIONS DIAGRAM

BRADFORD DR

HOLMES AVE

UNIVERSITY DR

WYNN DR

RESEARCH DR

CORPORATE DR

SANDERSON RD

TECHNOLOGY DR

MADISON PIKE

FARROW RD

DISCOVERY DR

MOQUIN DR

MARK C SM

ITH DR

EXPLORER BLVD

CUMMINGS LANDMARK

The Landmarks are existing buildings and parcels that are reserved for apex high-tech businesses – large corporate campuses – in the most prominent locations of Cummings Research Park. Landmark campuses, such as those for Adtran, Teledyne Brown, and Lockheed Martin, already anchor CRP’s landscape. New Landmarks are positioned at each entry point into the Cummings Corporate District.

Flexibility within zoning regulations will be granted to these sites to allow each company to design a bespoke campus for their needs; each Landmark site, however, will be required to provide a new publicly accessible and signature open space. Landmark companies are expected to raise the quality of their architectural and landscape design comparable to their stature in industry.

The Cummings Research Park Master Plan leverages the phased organization and development of the park over the previous 50 years to shape and transform the park for the next 60 years and beyond. Through the master plan, the park is organized into four overarching districts. Each district is focused on accommodating research and high-technology businesses at different points in their lifecycles of growth and development. This organizational strategy is aimed at accomplishing the master plan’s main goal: to unify the research park - which currently exists as CRP East and CRP West with different rules, standards, and quality of development – into a single, cohesive research park where businesses grow from inception to maturity and success.

CUMMINGS START-UP

The Start-up District is a dense, active R&D center designed to promote the growth of new high-technology businesses during their earliest stages and cultivate a culture of grassroots experimentation and entrepreneurship in Cummings Research Park.

The district leverages proximity and access to existing intuitional assets such as the University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) and Calhoun Community College. Redevelopment and new development within this district that are driven by opportunities for adaptive reuse of existing structures and facilities. Central among the redevelopment opportunities in this District is the transformation of the former Chrysler plant into a catalytic Maker-Hacker Village with facilities, equipment, and programs to incubate creativity around cyber-physical endeavors, fabrication, and prototyping.

The Start-up District is the most flexible, nimble, and experimental area of Cummings Research Park. It should also remain the most affordable, with a predominance of warehouse conversion to office and fabrication space. Simple, affordable space will allow the Start-up District to continually respond to the changing needs of the dynamic companies in their infancy.

DISTRICTS

CUMMINGS SCALE-UP

The Scale-up District is a dense, active and urban district designed to promote the growth of small, medium and large scientific and high-tech companies in single or multi-tenant buildings. Although limited new development opportunities exist, the long-term development of this district relies on the redevelopment of aging, outmoded and/or underutilized parcels and buildings along Bradford Drive, Wynn Drive, and Research Drive. The Scale-up District benefits from its proximity to UAH and the anchors of Teledyne Brown Engineering, Lockheed Martin and the Severe Weather Institute and Radar & Lightning Laboratories (SWIRLL).

Two mixed-use nodes are planned within the district, one at the corner of Bradford and Wynn and the other in the far northwest corner of Technology Drive, adjacent to Madison Square Mall and its eventual redevelopment. In these nodes, business and lifestyle services, cafes and restaurants, and limited housing will be located to support the primary science and technology focus of business in CRP. The Scale-up District will follow an urban framework of streets and blocks which are given preliminary layout by this plan and parcel by parcel redevelopment will occur incrementally at the pace of the market.

CUMMINGS CORPORATE

The Corporate District carries on the successful legacy of CRP West as a low-density, park-like environment for the orderly growth of medium to large stable high-tech industries. The distinct and managed environment of the Corporate District has made it a premier address, synonymous with success, in Huntsville. This District counts among its residents some of the most important high-tech businesses from around the world.

For the most part over the coming years, new development will be on previously undeveloped parcels that dot the District but are also in high concentration on the western edge of CRP. Multi-tenancy of buildings is allowable but restricted with the District and a network of parks, trails activate the landscape and a small mixed-use node is proposed near Bridge Street Town Centre.

RESEARCH PARK BOUNDARYCUMMINGS START-UP DISTRICTCUMMINGS SCALE-UP DISTRICTCUMMINGS CORPORATE DISTRICTCUMMINGS LANDMARK DISTRICT(S)

DISTRICT LOCATIONS DIAGRAM

BRADFORD DR

HOLMES AVE

UNIVERSITY DR

WYNN DR

RESEARCH DR

CORPORATE DR

SANDERSON RD

TECHNOLOGY DR

MADISON PIKE

FARROW RD

DISCOVERY DR

MOQUIN DR

MARK C SM

ITH DR

EXPLORER BLVD

CUMMINGS LANDMARK

The Landmarks are existing buildings and parcels that are reserved for apex high-tech businesses – large corporate campuses – in the most prominent locations of Cummings Research Park. Landmark campuses, such as those for Adtran, Teledyne Brown, and Lockheed Martin, already anchor CRP’s landscape. New Landmarks are positioned at each entry point into the Cummings Corporate District.

Flexibility within zoning regulations will be granted to these sites to allow each company to design a bespoke campus for their needs; each Landmark site, however, will be required to provide a new publicly accessible and signature open space. Landmark companies are expected to raise the quality of their architectural and landscape design comparable to their stature in industry.

The goal of Cummings Research Park is to create a place that is first and foremost focused on development of uses that further its core research and businesses creation mission. The development of such a place will require supporting uses that are not directly related to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship mission of the district but buoy it nonetheless. Such uses may include retail and business support services for new companies, housing for researchers and their families, and even restaurants and coffee shops that provide valuable, informal meeting spaces. Mixing support functions with core research uses is vital to the success of the master plan’s vision. These uses are more specifically defined in the next section.

While supporting uses are essential to realizing the master plan vision for the research park, it is crucial that development of these uses in relationship to the primary function of the park be organized and controlled. In order to control the location, quantity, and character of supporting uses, several nodes, or mixed-use sub-districts, have been designated. Clustering supporting uses in this manner creates identifiable places within the research park and can contribute to the success of the businesses that are located in these areas by ensuring a critical mass of activity. Five mixed-use sub-districts have been identified by the master plan, although any number of additional sub-districts may be designated later.

MADISON SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT INTERFACE

Located in a northern corner of the park formed by the intersection of Research Park Boulevard and Madison Square Mall, the goal of this sub-district is to establish connections with the anticipated redevelopment of the Madison Square Mall area and leverage the broad diversity of uses and amenities offered by this development as assets to the employees and users of the research park.

UNIVERSITY CORNER

Located in the northeast corner of the research park adjacent to the campus of the University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH), the goal of this sub-district is to create gateway development at

the highly visible corner of University Drive and Sparkman Drive, as well as to create development opportunities that are done in partnership with UAH.

BRADFORD CROSSING

Located at the intersection of Bradford Drive and Wynn Drive, the goal of this sub-district is to create a node of supporting uses and high-intensity development at the core and most accessible point of the east side of the research park.

Located at the southeastern portion of Cummings Research Park around the intersection of Wynn Drive and Technology Drive, this sub-district is intended to leverage the adaptive re-use potential of existing building assets (such as the former Chrysler plant) as well as the proximity to the University of Alabama-Huntsville academic programs (such as those related to cyber security) and Calhoun Community College) to create a node that has a great deal of flexibility to accommodate to numerous new start-up companies in various stages of growth.

WATERFRONT CENTER

Located between Lake 4 and Bridge Street Town Centre along Eagle Drive, this sub-district is a focused opportunity to bring supporting uses and services to the employees and visitors of the research park on the west side. Given its location at the edge of the park, Bridge Street has evolved to serve outside users as much as or more so than employees of the research park. While it is important to maintain Bridge Street’s status as a valuable community asset, the master plan proposes the creation of a core and new connections from within the park in order to increase access and value of this entire area to park users.

SUB-DISTRICTS

RESEARCH PARK BOUNDARYMIXED-USE SUB-DISTRICT(S)

SUB-DISTRICT LOCATIONS DIAGRAM

BRADFORD DR HOLMES AVE

HOLMES AVE

UNIVERSITY DR

WYNN DR

RESEARCH DR

CORPORATE DR

SANDERSON RD

TECHNOLOGY DR

MADISON PIKE

FARROW RD

DISCOVERY DR

MOQUIN DR

MARK C SM

ITH DR

EXPLORER BLVD

MADISON SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT INTERFACEUNIVERSITY CORNERBRADFORD CROSSINGMAKER-HACKER VILLAGEWATERFRONT CENTERBRIDGE STREET TOWN CENTRE

ABCDEF

The goal of Cummings Research Park is to create a place that is first and foremost focused on development of uses that further its core research and businesses creation mission. The development of such a place will require supporting uses that are not directly related to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship mission of the district but buoy it nonetheless. Such uses may include retail and business support services for new companies, housing for researchers and their families, and even restaurants and coffee shops that provide valuable, informal meeting spaces. Mixing support functions with core research uses is vital to the success of the master plan’s vision. These uses are more specifically defined in the next section.

While supporting uses are essential to realizing the master plan vision for the research park, it is crucial that development of these uses in relationship to the primary function of the park be organized and controlled. In order to control the location, quantity, and character of supporting uses, several nodes, or mixed-use sub-districts, have been designated. Clustering supporting uses in this manner creates identifiable places within the research park and can contribute to the success of the businesses that are located in these areas by ensuring a critical mass of activity. Five mixed-use sub-districts have been identified by the master plan, although any number of additional sub-districts may be designated later.

MADISON SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT INTERFACE

Located in a northern corner of the park formed by the intersection of Research Park Boulevard and Madison Square Mall, the goal of this sub-district is to establish connections with the anticipated redevelopment of the Madison Square Mall area and leverage the broad diversity of uses and amenities offered by this development as assets to the employees and users of the research park.

UNIVERSITY CORNER

Located in the northeast corner of the research park adjacent to the campus of the University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH), the goal of this sub-district is to create gateway development at

the highly visible corner of University Drive and Sparkman Drive, as well as to create development opportunities that are done in partnership with UAH.

BRADFORD CROSSING

Located at the intersection of Bradford Drive and Wynn Drive, the goal of this sub-district is to create a node of supporting uses and high-intensity development at the core and most accessible point of the east side of the research park.

Located at the southeastern portion of Cummings Research Park around the intersection of Wynn Drive and Technology Drive, this sub-district is intended to leverage the adaptive re-use potential of existing building assets (such as the former Chrysler plant) as well as the proximity to the University of Alabama-Huntsville academic programs (such as those related to cyber security) and Calhoun Community College) to create a node that has a great deal of flexibility to accommodate to numerous new start-up companies in various stages of growth.

WATERFRONT CENTER

Located between Lake 4 and Bridge Street Town Centre along Eagle Drive, this sub-district is a focused opportunity to bring supporting uses and services to the employees and visitors of the research park on the west side. Given its location at the edge of the park, Bridge Street has evolved to serve outside users as much as or more so than employees of the research park. While it is important to maintain Bridge Street’s status as a valuable community asset, the master plan proposes the creation of a core and new connections from within the park in order to increase access and value of this entire area to park users.

SUB-DISTRICTS

RESEARCH PARK BOUNDARYMIXED-USE SUB-DISTRICT(S)

SUB-DISTRICT LOCATIONS DIAGRAM

HOLMES AVE

UNIVERSITY DR

WYNN DR

RESEARCH DR

CORPORATE DR

SANDERSON RD

TECHNOLOGY DR

MADISON PIKE

FARROW RD

DISCOVERY DR

MOQUIN DR

MARK C SM

ITH DR

EXPLORER BLVD

MADISON SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT INTERFACEUNIVERSITY CORNERBRADFORD CROSSINGMAKER-HACKER VILLAGEWATERFRONT CENTERBRIDGE STREET TOWN CENTRE

ABCDEF

Cummings Research Park should integrate varying land uses and building programs that serve the larger goals of the research and business community. While the primary focus of the research park is on business creation and growth, other uses such as commercial, retail, and residential are necessary to support this mission. The following sections illustrate the range of those uses that should be permitted in the park and how they might be controlled.

RECOMMENDED PRIMARY USES

Primary uses are those that directly further the research, innovation, and entrepreneurship mission of the research park. These uses span the spectrum to include the corporate headquarters, high-performance multi-tenant office buildings, and research and development facilities already found within the park but also include incubator, accelerator, and coworking facilities that accommodate companies during the start-up and scale-up period of growth. These uses receive the highest priority for new development opportunities and should be permitted by right. Additional examples include:

• Research & Development Facilities• Laboratories• Testing Facilities• Engineering / Prototyping Facilities• Icubators / Accelerator / Coworking Facilities• Business / Professional Offices• Meeting & Conference Facilities• Educational Facilities: K-12, colleges/universities,

community colleges, etc• Prototyping / Light Manufacturing Facilities• Government Facilities: federal, state, county, city, or public

utility• Agricultural – as a temporary, transitional use only

RECOMMENDED SUPPORTING USES

Supporting uses are those that indirectly further the research, innovation, and entrepreneurship mission of the research park but buoy it nonetheless. These uses exist to serve and support

the research and business community of the entire research park. Examples of supporting uses may include printing and copying services, accounting and legal services, and even restaurants and coffee shops that provide valuable, informal meeting spaces.

Maintaining the correct balance between supporting uses and primary uses is critical to ensure the park remains first and foremost a place for cutting-edge research and high-technology business development. Supporting uses are limited to designated mixed-use sub-districts within Cummings Research Park. Within these sub-districts, uses are permitted by right with limitations described in this section. Additional examples include:

• Medical / Dental Offices• Financial Services / Banks• Food Services / Restaurants • Commercial Retail Space• Childcare Facilities• Multi-family Housing (by Special Use Permit)• Hotels• Museums• Recreational Facilities

LIMITATIONS ON COMMERCIAL RETAIL

Allowing commercial retail space creates the opportunity to bring valuable businesses and services to the research and business community in Cummings Research Park. Businesses and services allowed in designated mixed-use sub-districts should have a demonstrable direct benefit to district users.

Commercial retail space should be limited to the ground floor / street level of buildings, publicly accessible at the street level to generate the greatest amount of street activity possible, and otherwise integrated into research and other primary use buildings. These spaces should account for no more than 25% of the overall building program by gross floor area. For purpose of these recommendations, restaurants, cafes, and other dining facilities are assumed included in these limitations.

LIMITATIONS ON RESIDENTIAL & HOSPITALITY

The residential program of buildings in mixed-use sub-districts should address research-focused residents and the needs of their families. The goal is to allow researchers and entrepreneurs to be located in close proximity to work, encouraging walking to work as well as to supporting locations of goods and services throughout the district.

Where possible any new residential buildings should be integrated into research and other primary-use buildings but may be allowed to develop separately as needed to support park employees and users.

Residential development should be considered a special use and allowable by Special Use Permit only. Regulating residential development in this manner can provide greater control over the target market, quality of construction, and overall amount of residential development within a mixed-use sub-district. While strict limitations on the amount of residential development within a sub-district should be avoided, generally this type of development should not exceed more than 20-30% of the gross development program within each sub-district.

LIMITATIONS ON MULTI-TENANT BUILDINGS

Multi-tenant buildings in the Start-up & Scale-up DistrictsIn order to facilitate creation of incubators, accelerators, coworking spaces, and other facilities design to accommodate companies in the startup or early stages of growth where flexible space accommodations are a necessity, restrictions on multi-tenant organization or occupancy should be avoided.

Multi-tenant Buildings in the Corporate DistrictIn limited capacity, multi-tenant office buildings are advantageous in the Corporate District because they provide space for medium to large companies whose space needs cannot be accommodated in the other districts but do not necessarily warrant a standalone facility. These mid-growth companies may desire to construct standalone facilities where multi-tenant space is a gateway to establish a presence in the research park.

In order to accommodate these instances, multi-tenant facilities should be allowed in the Corporate District provided that the companies, as potential tenants, are in line with the park’s vision as a place for research and high-technology businesses.

Additional limitations could be placed on the number of tenants allowed within a building such as limiting the number to the total gross floor area divided by 25,000. In this example, 25,000 square feet is assumed to be a typical office floor plate. In this way, tenants are virtually limited to one per floor although specific arrangement and configuration within the building would be left to the discretion of the end user. There should be no requirement or limitation on the maximum/minimum floor area per tenant, provided that the maximum tenant amount is not exceeded.

If a standard of conformance with the park’s vision and multi-tenant structures is required, the construction of speculative office buildings for multi-tenant use may be considered where pre-leasing commitments for a proposed speculative office building have been obtained at the time of permitting. For example, a percentage of pre-leased gross floor area may be required.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS & TEMPORARY USES

Special programs and temporary uses are those that activate the park and are amenities to park users. These programs and uses are not necessarily developed as part of a building project but rather are hosted at regular intervals in the public / common spaces of the park’s districts and sub-districts. Examples of encouraged uses include:

• Mobile Food Vending & Sites (Food Trucks)• Outdoor Performance / Concert Spaces• Pop-up Cafes, Beer & Wine Gardens• Temporary Farmers Markets• Festival / Special Event Spaces• Other Recreational Programs

Cummings Research Park should integrate varying land uses and building programs that serve the larger goals of the research and business community. While the primary focus of the research park is on business creation and growth, other uses such as commercial, retail, and residential are necessary to support this mission. The following sections illustrate the range of those uses that should be permitted in the park and how they might be controlled.

RECOMMENDED PRIMARY USES

Primary uses are those that directly further the research, innovation, and entrepreneurship mission of the research park. These uses span the spectrum to include the corporate headquarters, high-performance multi-tenant office buildings, and research and development facilities already found within the park but also include incubator, accelerator, and coworking facilities that accommodate companies during the start-up and scale-up period of growth. These uses receive the highest priority for new development opportunities and should be permitted by right. Additional examples include:

• Research & Development Facilities• Laboratories• Testing Facilities• Engineering / Prototyping Facilities• Icubators / Accelerator / Coworking Facilities• Business / Professional Offices• Meeting & Conference Facilities• Educational Facilities: K-12, colleges/universities,

community colleges, etc• Prototyping / Light Manufacturing Facilities• Government Facilities: federal, state, county, city, or public

utility• Agricultural – as a temporary, transitional use only

RECOMMENDED SUPPORTING USES

Supporting uses are those that indirectly further the research, innovation, and entrepreneurship mission of the research park but buoy it nonetheless. These uses exist to serve and support

the research and business community of the entire research park. Examples of supporting uses may include printing and copying services, accounting and legal services, and even restaurants and coffee shops that provide valuable, informal meeting spaces.

Maintaining the correct balance between supporting uses and primary uses is critical to ensure the park remains first and foremost a place for cutting-edge research and high-technology business development. Supporting uses are limited to designated mixed-use sub-districts within Cummings Research Park. Within these sub-districts, uses are permitted by right with limitations described in this section. Additional examples include:

• Medical / Dental Offices• Financial Services / Banks• Food Services / Restaurants • Commercial Retail Space• Childcare Facilities• Multi-family Housing (by Special Use Permit)• Hotels• Museums• Recreational Facilities

LIMITATIONS ON COMMERCIAL RETAIL

Allowing commercial retail space creates the opportunity to bring valuable businesses and services to the research and business community in Cummings Research Park. Businesses and services allowed in designated mixed-use sub-districts should have a demonstrable direct benefit to district users.

Commercial retail space should be limited to the ground floor / street level of buildings, publicly accessible at the street level to generate the greatest amount of street activity possible, and otherwise integrated into research and other primary use buildings. These spaces should account for no more than 25% of the overall building program by gross floor area. For purpose of these recommendations, restaurants, cafes, and other dining facilities are assumed included in these limitations.

LIMITATIONS ON RESIDENTIAL & HOSPITALITY

The residential program of buildings in mixed-use sub-districts should address research-focused residents and the needs of their families. The goal is to allow researchers and entrepreneurs to be located in close proximity to work, encouraging walking to work as well as to supporting locations of goods and services throughout the district.

Where possible any new residential buildings should be integrated into research and other primary-use buildings but may be allowed to develop separately as needed to support park employees and users.

Residential development should be considered a special use and allowable by Special Use Permit only. Regulating residential development in this manner can provide greater control over the target market, quality of construction, and overall amount of residential development within a mixed-use sub-district. While strict limitations on the amount of residential development within a sub-district should be avoided, generally this type of development should not exceed more than 20-30% of the gross development program within each sub-district.

LIMITATIONS ON MULTI-TENANT BUILDINGS

Multi-tenant buildings in the Start-up & Scale-up DistrictsIn order to facilitate creation of incubators, accelerators, coworking spaces, and other facilities design to accommodate companies in the startup or early stages of growth where flexible space accommodations are a necessity, restrictions on multi-tenant organization or occupancy should be avoided.

Multi-tenant Buildings in the Corporate DistrictIn limited capacity, multi-tenant office buildings are advantageous in the Corporate District because they provide space for medium to large companies whose space needs cannot be accommodated in the other districts but do not necessarily warrant a standalone facility. These mid-growth companies may desire to construct standalone facilities where multi-tenant space is a gateway to establish a presence in the research park.

In order to accommodate these instances, multi-tenant facilities should be allowed in the Corporate District provided that the companies, as potential tenants, are in line with the park’s vision as a place for research and high-technology businesses.

Additional limitations could be placed on the number of tenants allowed within a building such as limiting the number to the total gross floor area divided by 25,000. In this example, 25,000 square feet is assumed to be a typical office floor plate. In this way, tenants are virtually limited to one per floor although specific arrangement and configuration within the building would be left to the discretion of the end user. There should be no requirement or limitation on the maximum/minimum floor area per tenant, provided that the maximum tenant amount is not exceeded.

If a standard of conformance with the park’s vision and multi-tenant structures is required, the construction of speculative office buildings for multi-tenant use may be considered where pre-leasing commitments for a proposed speculative office building have been obtained at the time of permitting. For example, a percentage of pre-leased gross floor area may be required.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS & TEMPORARY USES

Special programs and temporary uses are those that activate the park and are amenities to park users. These programs and uses are not necessarily developed as part of a building project but rather are hosted at regular intervals in the public / common spaces of the park’s districts and sub-districts. Examples of encouraged uses include:

• Mobile Food Vending & Sites (Food Trucks)• Outdoor Performance / Concert Spaces• Pop-up Cafes, Beer & Wine Gardens• Temporary Farmers Markets• Festival / Special Event Spaces• Other Recreational Programs

RECOMMENDED PROHIBITED USES

The following uses are examples of those that are incompatible with the mission of Cummings Research Park and should be prohibited:

• Single-family Housing (except where grandfathered such as on Holmes Ave)

• Warehouses (other than structures accessory to a primary research and development use)

• Logistics / Distribution Facilities• Outdoor Storage & Operations• Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance Facilities• Heavy Manufacturing & Assembly Facilities• Loading• Lay Down Yards• Gas Stations• Adult Entertainment Establishments

While the primary focus of the research park is on business creation and growth, other uses such as commercial, retail, and residential are necessary to support this mission.

CO-WORKING SPACES HOUSING FOR RESEARCHERS

WET & DRY LABS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL & PROTOTYPING

SERVICES & RETAIL SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

MAKERSPACES

INCUBATORS & ACCELERATORS

CORPORATE FACILITIES

RECOMMENDED PROHIBITED USES

The following uses are examples of those that are incompatible with the mission of Cummings Research Park and should be prohibited:

• Single-family Housing (except where grandfathered such as on Holmes Ave)

• Warehouses (other than structures accessory to a primary research and development use)

• Logistics / Distribution Facilities• Outdoor Storage & Operations• Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance Facilities• Heavy Manufacturing & Assembly Facilities• Loading• Lay Down Yards• Gas Stations• Adult Entertainment Establishments

While the primary focus of the research park is on business creation and growth, other uses such as commercial, retail, and residential are necessary to support this mission.

CO-WORKING SPACES HOUSING FOR RESEARCHERS

WET & DRY LABS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL & PROTOTYPING

SERVICES & RETAIL SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

MAKERSPACES

INCUBATORS & ACCELERATORS

CORPORATE FACILITIES

Connectivity of people and ideas is at the heart of innovation. An emphasis in planning needs to be placed on improving connectivity within Cummings Research Park and to the surrounding community, particularly Redstone, Bridge Street, UAB, Downtown and the amenities along University Drive.

The design of the public realm is critical in creating a powerful first impression to users in Cummings Research Park. The public realm binds the public space to the private development. Through the meticulous design of parks, plazas, pedestrian spaces, and other open spaces as well as a comprehensive approach to streetscape design, Cummings Research Park can provide a public realm that balances the daily requirements of vehicular traffic and an enhanced pedestrian setting.

This section of the guidelines identifies smart transportation alternatives, public amenities and street types within Cummings Research Park and the minimum elements that should be required of private development to enhance the public realm and contribute to the landscape network within the park.

Public Realm Design & Transportation

CHAPTER 3

ACTIVATING THE RESEARCH PARK’S

LANDSCAPE

Connectivity of people and ideas is at the heart of innovation. An emphasis in planning needs to be placed on improving connectivity within Cummings Research Park and to the surrounding community, particularly Redstone, Bridge Street, UAB, Downtown and the amenities along University Drive.

The design of the public realm is critical in creating a powerful first impression to users in Cummings Research Park. The public realm binds the public space to the private development. Through the meticulous design of parks, plazas, pedestrian spaces, and other open spaces as well as a comprehensive approach to streetscape design, Cummings Research Park can provide a public realm that balances the daily requirements of vehicular traffic and an enhanced pedestrian setting.

This section of the guidelines identifies smart transportation alternatives, public amenities and street types within Cummings Research Park and the minimum elements that should be required of private development to enhance the public realm and contribute to the landscape network within the park.

Public Realm Design & Transportation

CHAPTER 3

ACTIVATING THE RESEARCH PARK’S

LANDSCAPE

The street framework plan, based on the Cummings Research Park Master Plan, indicates the preferred locations and layouts of new streets in the research park. The locations of new streets are based on an existing street network, driveway locations, and property lines, and are optimized to create site flexibility and maximize connectivity throughout the park.

Additionally, the goal is to provide a hierarchy of street types that will provide circulation alternatives and disperse traffic effectively and balance the need to accommodate pedestrians and bicycles to create a street environment appropriate for all users. The street master framework plan establishedss the proposed locations of all street types within the district. New streets will be constructed gradually and strategically over time as properties redevelop.

STREET FRAMEWORK & TYPES

RESEARCH PARK BOUNDARYENTRY STREET, URBAN TYPEENTRY STREET, NON-URBAN TYPEPRIMARY STREETS, URBAN TYPEPRIMARY STREETS, NON-URBAN TYPESECONDARY STREETSEXISTING STREETS

HOLMES AVE

UNIVERSITY DR

WYNN DR

RESEARCH DR

CORPORATE DR

SANDERSON RD

TECHNOLOGY DR

MADISON PIKE

FARROW RD

DISCOVERY DR

MOQUIN DR

MARK C SM

ITH DR

EXPLORER BLVD

STREET FRAMEWORK DIAGRAM

STREET DESIGN FOR ALL USERS

In addition to automobile transportation, this plan recommends enhancing the ability for people to walk, bike and use public transit in Cummings Research Park.

Although pedestrian movement across the long distances within CRP are challenging, pedestrian connectivity within proposed mixed use nodes and around UAH are critical. Additionally, long-term planning should consider comprehensive pedestrian space planning around the university, which may include measures such as skybridges and/or tunnels as traffic and pedestrian volumes increase.

A bike share program should be considered to complement this plan’s trail network proposal. Bike share locations may be placed across the park in kiosks and at mixed use nodes, such as near Bridge Street, Bradford Crossing and the Maker/Hacker Village. This form of on-demand transportation can also be supplemented with car share programs, such as zip car, to allow employees who commute via alternate modes of transportation to make convenient business trips during the day to Redstone or Downtown.

Public transit is essential to the long-term vitality of Cummings Research, making a hardwired connection between the park and Downtown. However, in the near-term, mobility within the park and the surrounding community can be improved with a hop-on/hop-off shuttle system. The shuttle system could run on a loop and serve the heart of Cummings Research Park, UAH and amenities in Bridge Street and along University Drive.

The street framework plan, based on the Cummings Research Park Master Plan, indicates the preferred locations and layouts of new streets in the research park. The locations of new streets are based on an existing street network, driveway locations, and property lines, and are optimized to create site flexibility and maximize connectivity throughout the park.

Additionally, the goal is to provide a hierarchy of street types that will provide circulation alternatives and disperse traffic effectively and balance the need to accommodate pedestrians and bicycles to create a street environment appropriate for all users. The street master framework plan establishedss the proposed locations of all street types within the district. New streets will be constructed gradually and strategically over time as properties redevelop.

RESEARCH PARK BOUNDARYENTRY STREET, URBAN TYPEENTRY STREET, NON-URBAN TYPEPRIMARY STREETS, URBAN TYPEPRIMARY STREETS, NON-URBAN TYPESECONDARY STREETSEXISTING STREETS

HOLMES AVE

UNIVERSITY DR

WYNN DR

RESEARCH DR

CORPORATE DR

SANDERSON RD

TECHNOLOGY DR

MADISON PIKE

FARROW RD

DISCOVERY DR

MOQUIN DR

MARK C SM

ITH DR

EXPLORER BLVD

STREET FRAMEWORK DIAGRAM

STREET DESIGN FOR ALL USERS

In addition to automobile transportation, this plan recommends enhancing the ability for people to walk, bike and use public transit in Cummings Research Park.

Although pedestrian movement across the long distances within CRP are challenging, pedestrian connectivity within proposed mixed use nodes and around UAH are critical. Additionally, long-term planning should consider comprehensive pedestrian space planning around the university, which may include measures such as skybridges and/or tunnels as traffic and pedestrian volumes increase.

A bike share program should be considered to complement this plan’s trail network proposal. Bike share locations may be placed across the park in kiosks and at mixed use nodes, such as near Bridge Street, Bradford Crossing and the Maker/Hacker Village. This form of on-demand transportation can also be supplemented with car share programs, such as zip car, to allow employees who commute via alternate modes of transportation to make convenient business trips during the day to Redstone or Downtown.

Public transit is essential to the long-term vitality of Cummings Research, making a hardwired connection between the park and Downtown. However, in the near-term, mobility within the park and the surrounding community can be improved with a hop-on/hop-off shuttle system. The shuttle system could run on a loop and serve the heart of Cummings Research Park, UAH and amenities in Bridge Street and along University Drive.

Entry streets facilitate movement, provide places for activity to occur, define edges and open spaces, and connect major destinations in the research park to the surrounding area.

The urban type entry street is urban in character, with wide sidewalks for pedestrian activity, such as providing appropriate space to move park traffic while enhancing the experience of the pedestrian and bicyclist.

Main entrances should front on these streets and open directly onto sidewalks. Pedestrians on the street should be able to see the activities inside the buildings through transparent windows and doors. The sidewalks should provide a variety of seating options.

Street trees should be spaced no further than 30 feet on-center (in a 6-foot tree planting zone). Streetscape furnishings should include pedestrian-scaled light fixtures, signage, seating, bicycle parking, waste receptacles, and public art.

These streets are also an opportunity to incorporate signage and wayfinding elements that are common to the entire research park. Additional information is included in the Site Furnishings section. Special paving at a major intersection of two entry streets should be used.

ENTRY STREET, URBAN TYPE

The non-urban entry street is suburban in character. Existing vehicular roadways are maintained for anticipated future traffic flow and to provide access to specialized/large vehicles. Shared-use paths are proposed to be located in existing medians to provide safe access for pedestrian, bicyclists, and other non-vehicular users. Shared-use paths in medians should follow existing topography but be graded down for smooth, gradual transitions at street crossings.

Main entrances of buildings should front the street. Direct access to the shared-use path system should be provided.Site furnishings should include pedestrian-scaled light fixtures, signage, seating, bicycle parking, waste receptacles, and public art.

ENTRY STREET, NON-URBAN TYPE

Entry streets facilitate movement, provide places for activity to occur, define edges and open spaces, and connect major destinations in the research park to the surrounding area.

The urban type entry street is urban in character, with wide sidewalks for pedestrian activity, such as providing appropriate space to move park traffic while enhancing the experience of the pedestrian and bicyclist.

Main entrances should front on these streets and open directly onto sidewalks. Pedestrians on the street should be able to see the activities inside the buildings through transparent windows and doors. The sidewalks should provide a variety of seating options.

ENTRY STREET, URBAN TYPE

The non-urban entry street is suburban in character. Existing vehicular roadways are maintained for anticipated future traffic flow and to provide access to specialized/large vehicles. Shared-use paths are proposed to be located in existing medians to provide safe access for pedestrian, bicyclists, and other non-vehicular users. Shared-use paths in medians should follow existing topography but be graded down for smooth, gradual transitions at street crossings.

Main entrances of buildings should front the street. Direct access to the shared-use path system should be provided.Site furnishings should include pedestrian-scaled light fixtures, signage, seating, bicycle parking, waste receptacles, and public art.

ENTRY STREET, NON-URBAN TYPE

Urban type primary streets are defined by the buildings that line them. Main entrances should front on these streets and open directly onto sidewalks. Pedestrians on the street should be able to see the activities inside the buildings through transparent windows and doors. The sidewalks should provide a variety of seating options.

Street trees should be spaced no further than 30 feet on-center (in a 6-foot tree planting zone). Streetscape furnishings should include pedestrian-scaled light fixtures, signage, seating, bicycle parking, waste receptacles, and public art. Primary streets are also an opportunity to incorporate signage and wayfinding elements that are common to the entire research park.

PRIMARY STREET, URBAN TYPE

Non-urban primary streets connect internal building sites to the entry street. Main entrances of buildings should front the street. Direct access to the shared-use path system should be provided.Site furnishings should include pedestrian-scaled light fixtures, signage, seating, bicycle parking, waste receptacles, and public art. These streets are also an opportunity to incorporate signage and wayfinding elements that are common to the entire research park.

PRIMARY STREET, NON-URBAN TYPE

Urban type primary streets are defined by the buildings that line them. Main entrances should front on these streets and open directly onto sidewalks. Pedestrians on the street should be able to see the activities inside the buildings through transparent windows and doors. The sidewalks should provide a variety of seating options.

Street trees should be spaced no further than 30 feet on-center (in a 6-foot tree planting zone). Streetscape furnishings should include pedestrian-scaled light fixtures, signage, seating, bicycle parking, waste receptacles, and public art. Primary streets are also an opportunity to incorporate signage and wayfinding elements that are common to the entire research park.

PRIMARY STREET, URBAN TYPE

Non-urban primary streets connect internal building sites to the entry street. Main entrances of buildings should front the street. Direct access to the shared-use path system should be provided.Site furnishings should include pedestrian-scaled light fixtures, signage, seating, bicycle parking, waste receptacles, and public art. These streets are also an opportunity to incorporate signage and wayfinding elements that are common to the entire research park.

PRIMARY STREET, NON-URBAN TYPE

Secondary streets should encourage low-speed traffic. Off-street parking and loading throughout the district should be accessed from these streets only. The number of parking and service points are intentionally minimal to limit impact to the public realm.

SECONDARY STREET

Design streets to balance the needs of pedestrians and bicycles to create environment appropriate for all users.

PEDESTRIAN SEATING AREAS WIDE SIDEWALKS

INTERFACE WITH DEVELOPMENT SEPARATED CYCLE TRACKS

PLANTING & LANDSCAPE AREAS BICYCLE SHARE FACILITIES

Secondary streets should encourage low-speed traffic. Off-street parking and loading throughout the district should be accessed from these streets only. The number of parking and service points are intentionally minimal to limit impact to the public realm.

SECONDARY STREET

Design streets to balance the needs of pedestrians and bicycles to create environment appropriate for all users.

PEDESTRIAN SEATING AREAS WIDE SIDEWALKS

INTERFACE WITH DEVELOPMENT SEPARATED CYCLE TRACKS

PLANTING & LANDSCAPE AREAS BICYCLE SHARE FACILITIES

Trails and paths provide safe and convenient access to parks and open spaces within the research park as well as destinations and other trail systems external to it. Employees, visitors, and residents of the district would benefit from the complete and connected system of sidewalks, trails, and bikeways envisioned for the park.

TRAILS / SHARED-USE PATHS

A shared-use path is a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle way located outside the traveled way and physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space buffer in a street right-of-way or in an independent alignment in an easement or dedicated right-of-way. Shared-use paths may be used by pedestrians, joggers/runners, bicyclists, skaters, manual or motorized wheelchairs, and other non-motorized or authorized motorized users.

Users have differing needs depending on skill levels and purpose for using the path and path system. Paths should be designed for recreation, service, and emergency access as well as alternative routes for a combination of pedestrians and cyclists to move through the park with minimal street crossings.

Additional recommendations for paths include:

• Provide holistic, safe, and integrated path systems accessible for a variety of uses and users

• Design and place paths to reduce trail/human visibility in sensitive areas

• Manage use and vegetation to minimize impact on natural systems

• Design to accommodate occasional maintenance and emergency vehicles

• Connect with existing and proposed future neighboring trails and paths

• Provide adequate and conveniently located bicycle parking to encourage bicycle use

• Design and implement in conformance with American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines

• Refer to the most current version of AASHTO’s Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities for detailed design standards

ON-STREET BICYCLE LANES

Designated exclusively for bicycle travel, bicycle lanes are separated from vehicle travel lanes with striping and are indicated by pavement treatment (material or color), stencils, and signage. The lanes are intended to increase the comfort of bicyclists and remind motorists that bicyclist also have a right to use the street.

TRAIL & PATH SYSTEM

HOLMES AVE

UNIVERSITY DR

WYNN DR

RESEARCH DR

CORPORATE DR

SANDERSON RD

TECHNOLOGY DR

MADISON PIKE

FARROW RD

DISCOVERY DR

MOQUIN DR

MARK C SM

ITH DR

EXPLORER BLVD

RESEARCH PARK BOUNDARYTRAILSON-STREET BICYCLE LANES

TRAIL SYSTEM DIAGRAM

TRAIL CROSS SECTION