Brady Dorman

Author: Brady Dorman (page 17 of 22)

CR Transit Update

Cedar Rapids Transit resumed fare collection November 1, following five months of free bus rides since the June flood. An article in the Gazette reported noticeable ridership increases during that time and suggested it could decrease now that it is no longer free. Another cause could have be reduction in service during this time – only hourly trips for many routes all day, rather than the pre-flood 30-minute headways. Eight GMC RTS buses were lost in the flood, along with the Ground Transportation Center and maintenance facility.

Initially when transit service returned about a week after the flood hit, a temporary transit site was set up about 10 blocks from the GTC a city parking lot at 4th Ave and 12th Street SE. A few weeks later when downtown became less restricted, a more permanent temporary transfer site was set up at “park and ride” Lot 44 south of downtown at 12th Ave SE, along the riverfront. Since then it has been determined that buses will not be returning to the GTC. A new bus station is proposed with a new intermodal transportation facility that has been in the works for years now, with three or four different sites and programs. The latest location was somewhere by 3rd Street SE close to 8th Ave – only a few blocks from Lot 44.

Trailers have been set up at Lot 44 to provide information, shelter and restrooms for passengers in the coming winter months. Meanwhile the bus garage is being used for fueling and storage only with maintenance being done by the city fleet department.

Eight used 40 foot 1992 TMC RTS buses will be arriving from California in December to replace the eight buses that were lost. Additionally, four brand new 35 foot Gillig Lowfloor buses will be joining the fleet in April. The Gillig purchase – Cedar Rapids’ first actual new buses in many years – was planned for before the flood, just as CyRide, Iowa City Transit, and Cambus have purchased new Lowfloors in the past year.

As Cedar Rapids Transit was rebranded from “EAGL” about a year ago (read post) when transit and parking split in the city reorganizing, the new buses will bring a visible rebranding with a new livery. The new used RTS’s and new Gilligs will be painted green (shade of city logo, not the old teal color) below the windows with some striping and the city logo added. “We are switching to the city’s green because we want to be recognized as a city department, and because we want to promote the green (environmental) benefits of public transit,” according to Transit Manager Brad DeBrower.

I expressed to Brad my desire to see big improvements at Cedar Rapids Transit into a great system with expanded service. However, it’s clear they are facing many setbacks. In addition to the flood, the transit department is plagued with budget restraints, too many old buses in the fleet, and insufficient manpower. For example, all transit planning is done by Brad, on top of his regular duties as department manager. He says he’s hopefully the system’s impediments will be addressed.

The new used buses arriving in December – which are in better shape than the eight lost – will allow for increased peak service. Additional 35 or 40 foot Gillig Lowfloors will be purchased over the next few years to modernized the fleet.

GOBAMA!

November 4, 2008 / Brady Dorman / Comments Off

Congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama! Finally this country can unite and move on to a brighter tomorrow. I commend John McCain for his gracious concession speech and asking his supporters to set aside their differences in the best interest of the nation. This is truly an exciting night. I have uttermost confidence in President Obama’s ability to successfully lead our country in a new direction and bring progress and respect again to our nation.

Go Vote Today!

November 4, 2008 / Brady Dorman / Comments Off

Today is Election Day. I just voted in my first presidential election. Do your part and go vote for your candidate today!

Solar D on 88.3

November 2, 2008 / Brady Dorman / Comments Off

My father George Dorman recently interviewed Iowa State’s Solar Decathlon team on “Clean Up Your Act” for KCCK radio in Cedar Rapids. Team leaders describe the challenges and benefits of designing a solar home for the general public.

Designing the Solar Home of the Future

> Full interview (11:09)
> ISU Solar Decathlon 2009
> U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon

Happy Halloween from the Armory

October 31, 2008 / Brady Dorman / Comments Off

Pumpkins

Carving pumpkins today in studio. (photo from Stephanie Johnson)

Constraint Based Architecture

October 31, 2008 / Brady Dorman / Comments Off

A few weeks ago (Thursday, Oct. 9), I attended Iowa State’s Architecture Advisory Council Lecture Series with Joshua Prince-Ramus, president of REX Architecture and founding partner of OMA New York (REX’s predecessor). He was partner-in-charge of the Seattle Public Library at OMA New York and current projects under construction include the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, and Museum Plaza in Louisville.

While presenting these major projects his lecture focused on constraint-based design and judging architecture on performance rather than subjective aesthetic taste. He was also critical of the current profession of architecture and contemporary architecture education system. Josh’s arguments were certainly interesting and compelling.

His critique of the profession concentrated on liability and the contract for architectural services provided. He explained that architects used to be master builders, but now most tasks of building are carried out by engineers and construction contractors. Architects bear less liability, but also have less authority. They are also underpaid and, according to Josh, are the laughingstock of other professionals because they essentially do not stand up for themselves. He argued architects should be demanding higher compensation for their services like other professions do (example, lawyers). Likewise intern architects should also be paid and paid decently – why should even an intern provide architectural services for little or no compensation?

Josh’s critique on architectural education was similar. Instead of focusing on representational design and the idea of individual creativity, he promoted knowledge of writing a good contract and designing around constraints. He sees the conflict of form verses function as juvenile and nonexistent. Instead judge a building by its performance. Likewise, he asked why we talk so much about what an architectural design supposedly represents? Instead, talk about what it does. This really hit home with me, especially going into a new studio project at that time to design a chapel to “engage nature.” Representing or symbolizing nature would be easy, but creating a space to engage nature and have a meaningful experience would be a challenge.

I found his methodology interesting. He is very adamant about design coming out of constraints – “because of this constraint, this has to happen, so this has to be this way, etc, etc” – almost as if there is no aesthetic design decisions or “creativity” involved. His buildings are clearly the kind that you either love or hate, but unlike starchitect buildings such as Frank Gehry – which he cited a number of times – I believe his buildings perform very well for its users, despite varying aesthetic appreciation. So while I don’t necesarrily like his designs, I do respect them as good architecture. One concern I might have with some of his buildings is their seemingly lack of human scale (Seattle Public Library, Museum Plaza, I’m looking at you) and relationship to the street and pedestrians. His buildings are good individually but I don’t know that they could create a community.

One very intriguing project Josh talked about was Museum Plaza, currently under construction in downtown Louisville. In this project Josh claimed to prove how architecture can solve development issues. Philanthropists wanted to build a new art museum but wanted it to be profitable, therefor this needed to be a mixed-use development. The site specified was very awkward, adjacent to the riverfront freeway and on the wet side of the Ohio River flood wall.

To keep the project up to date with volatile market demands, the whole thing was designed like a stereo equalizer – each tower (each use) could be adjusted at any time. A “bucket” was put in the middle of all the towers to contain the gallery, retail, and public space that would normally be at street level – since this building is outside the flood wall, the lower floors can only be used for parking only. To stay on schedule, details of the bucket space could be designed after construction began.

Groundbreaking took place in October 2007, with the world’s highest shovel drop, five stories high. When completed this will forever change the look of Louisville’s skyline. Half of Kentuckiana might love it and at least half will surely hate it. See the links below for more info and make sure to check out the amazing Museum Plaza proposal animation on YouTube.

> REX – Architecture PC
> Museum Plaza – official site
> YouTube – Museum Plaza proposal

NOW: Driven to Despair

October 11, 2008 / Brady Dorman / Comments Off

NOW

On this week’s NOW, David Brancaccio travels to the exurbs of southern California where the American dream has quickly turned into the American nightmare, with skyrocketing gas prices and little or no alternative public transport available. Millions of Americans today are facing the tough question: fill up the tank or pay the mortgage? Brancaccio investigates how rising gas prices, plummeting home values, and the economy in crisis all go hand in hand. We are in desperate need of modern infrastructure and a huge investment in public transit. Could this be the country’s ticket out of the economic slump? Definitely a worth-while watch and important consideration come November 4th.

> NOW: Driven to Despair (10.10.2008)
> PBS Blueprint America series

Exploring the Cities and Prairies

September 30, 2008 / Brady Dorman / Comments Off

We returned to Ames today from the Twin Cities. Here’s a recap of the past two days since I posted an update on Sunday.

Sunday
That afternoon we checked out the Guthrie Theater with its incredible cantilever that juts out toward the Mississippi River, providing a terrific view at the end. Outside the building was sleek and intriguing, but the inside just felt unorganized and random. The view made the stop all worth it though.

Afterwords two friends and I headed toward downtown St. Paul as the rest of the gang returned to the hotel before dinner. We took the light rail from the Metrodome down to 46th Street Station to transfer to Route 74. I had wanted to stop in the Highland Park neighborhood in St. Paul on the way (otherwise we could’ve just taken Route 16 direct from downtown to downtown) but for lack of time I decided ahead that a drive through on the bus would be sufficient. I was right.

We got off downtown next to the Xcel Engergy Center with a clear view of the Cathedral of Saint Paul sitting high above downtown. We trekked up the hill and went in for the last half of mass. It was interesting to experience both the cathedral and St. Paul and the basilica in Minneapolis. For dinner I met our other friends downtown to transfer to another bus to go to Boca Chica, a great Mexican restaurant hidden away in the District Del Sol neighborhood across the river from downtown.

Monday
Monday morning we checked out the Minneapolis Rowing Club Boathouse along the Mississippi at the Lake Avenue bridge. I left the boathouse early so I had sometime to look around the adjacent neighborhood along Lake Ave. It is a light commercial street that stretches east to west across the city, encompassing Midtown and Uptown. Right by the river where we were, it was predominantly residential just off on the side streets. They were modest streets with modest homes, generally well kept. It felt familiar, like a typical upper midwest, older neighborhood with bungalows and tree lined streets.

Following the boathouse, we were bussed to Lake Calhoun (couldn’t go to Minnesota and not see a lake now) where we spent an hour or two walking around on the path. Despite a separate “high speed” (as one professor tagged it) bike path and a generous walking path, there were still a number of cowpaths around the lake. For a while I decided to walk on one next to the paved path because it seemed like the thing to do.

Next we were bused back into Uptown along Lake Ave for lunch. My friends and I enjoyed a rooftop lunch at Stella’s Fish Cafe. We decided to dip out of the rest of the day’s planned activities (bussing out of town to see Jackson Meadow and Fields of St. Croix – essentially suburban housing developments planned with open space) and stay in the metro. It was warming up and seemed a shame to leave the city and spend two or three hours on a bus. Unfortunately all we ended up doing was go to the Mall of America, but it was another chance to ride the light rail and it was nice to get away for a bit.

In the evening a few of us met my friend Eric’s friend who goes to the U of M for a campus tour. What a great campus and great urban atmosphere surrounding. We started in Stadium Village (mixed, commercial district in area of original athletic stadium – and UM’s new football stadium under construction) on the east end of campus and made our way toward the mall (central green) by the gopher-shaped Memorial Union and landmark University Avenue bridge over the Mississippi River. The smaller east bank of campus is completely car free so designated bike routes are traverse the plazas and sidewalks. UM’s campus really puts Iowa State to shame – it is so much more dynamic and intricate – and Campustown does not even compare. For supper we enjoyed “Leaning Tower of Pizza” in Stadium Village – good but very small pizzas – conveniently next door to our hotel.

Tuesday
We checked out earlier this morning and bussed over to St. Paul to the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary to the southeast of downtown. It was pretty much just a big swath of prairie grasses but was adjacent to the railroad tracks and had great views of the skyline. An old abandoned depot provided much more interest for the architect students. I again went off early and explored to adjacent residential neighborhood. The houses were well kept – some large and stately, others more modest. Once I crossed a pedestrian bridge over the freeway it was not quite as nice, but certainly not a horrible area. I walked a few blocks further to a corner grocery store for a Dr. Pepper and then headed back to the buses.

Onward to Iowa… we stopped once again a few hours later at – get this – another prairie. We had an hour and a half or so to explore the Fossil Prairie Preserve, 400 acres of native prairie and wetlands. An old fossil quarry was left as is, which was fun to climb down in and explore. We got back to Ames a little before 5pm. Check out all my pictures from the trip on Flickr here.

Update from Minneapolis

September 28, 2008 / Brady Dorman / Comments Off

Day 2 of the field trip. Yesterday morning we stopped in Owatonna to see Louis Sullivan’s bank building, but more enjoyable was the local farmers market going on across the street at the city’s Central Park square. People selling produce, baked goods, and various crafts lined the sidewalks on the outside of the park with the interior green space left open to sit and watch. Their downtown appeared quite active and actually quite sizable for a city of its size. My previous impression of Owatonna – based on the quick drive through on I-35 – has been completely reversed. Downtown and the established neighborhoods are pleasant and the residents are friendly.

Once we got to the Cities we visited Minnehaha Park and Saarinen’s Christ Church. Minnehaha Park was beautify with a wonderful waterfall and paths. Apart of a larger riverside park stretching south from downtown, the park also had a restaurant and was quite active. Also conveniently next to the 55th Street light rail station. Christ Church was interesting to see, but every detail was not as significant as the tour guide seemed to believe.

For dinner we walked up University Ave to Dinkytown, UM’s larger and better version of Iowa State’s Campustown. We walked into campus a bit and checked out the UM College of Design building – also designed by Eero Saarinen, with an addition by Steven Holl. Afterwards a friend and I took Route 16 to downtown Minneapolis and explored for a few hours. Some streets were pretty lifeless while other areas were full of activity. Nicollet Mall near Target as well as further north in the Warehouse District appeared to be the hotspots for downtown nightlife.

This morning we checked out the Walker Art Museum. Another friend and I went across the street to the Basilica of Saint Mary for mass. Neither of us are Catholic but it was amazing to see the massive basilica (first one in the United States) and mass was interesting. The recessional hymn was awesome inside the vast space.

This afternoon, heading to downtown St. Paul and stopping in the Highland Park neighborhood on the way. We also plan to check out the architecture of Summit Ave homes near downtown. Check back later for images and more posts.

Fall field trip to MSP

September 26, 2008 / Brady Dorman / Comments Off

Leaving tomorrow morning for Minneapolis – St. Paul, for the fall ’08, third year architecture studio field trip. Tomorrow we’ll be stopping in Owatonna to see Louis Sullivan’s Farmers Merchants Bank building, and visiting the Saarinen-designed Christ Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, as well as Minenehaha Park. On the side I plan to check out some neighborhoods like Highland Park in St. Paul, Dinkytown by the UM, and Minneapolis’ Uptown. It should be a fun weekend to explore the Cities more intensely beyond just Mall of America or driving through on the way to Fargo. Look for some posts about the trip in the coming days…

URBAN THINKING