Page 25 - St. Paul, MN Central Station Design Guidelines

3 Design Framework and Key
Design Principles
The design framework diagrams the fundamental
organizational concept for the Central Station
block. It considers historic resources, views, access,
other physical features and the location of future
development.
The key design principles provide direction for future
development of the Central Station block. They
highlight the existing conditions and suggested
features that follow the design principles and
guidelines to create a successful development on the
block. For instance, the topographical change from
Cedar and 4th streets to the corner of Minnesota and
4th streets is noted. The Green Line LRT station and
its queuing platform are key features of the current
Central Station block. The bus transfer station along
5th Street is also a key transportation and circulation
component to the block, as it remains one of the
busiest bus transfer stations in the system.
The design framework map also provides a category
of “Suggested Features” that respond to existing
conditions in order to take advantage of the block’s
opportunities and create a successful development.
These suggested features include a potential tower
location at the corner of 5th and Minnesota streets,
a pedestrian-friendly street edge around the new
building(s) to create an active storefront, and possible
locations for public plazas that acknowledge the LRT
and pedestrian traffic flows. This category also notes
the potential location for parking access to the block,
as well as the importance of retaining service access
along the Saint Paul Athletic Club building. These
suggested features are reflected in the following set
of design principles and are further developed in the
design guidelines in Chapters 4-6.
central station block design guidelines | june 2017 | 21