Site/Program Comparisons

I realize that I was supposed to focus on either site or program but instead I briefly delved into both. While I was planning on starting to look at the site, it became apparent to me that one way in which to understand the site better was to compare it to other sites and since the time of being a professional sports arena has faded, I started looking into sites that host different programs.

While it may sound absurd for many reasons some of the programs I looked at would almost be an insult to the Mellon Arena but could serve very practical purposes for the area: namely a Walmart, and a grocery store with a third option as a recreational facility.

I chose the comparison sites from examples in my hometown in the suburbs of Buffalo. This may speak less to the urban context of Pittsburgh, but it was helpful to me to compare with sites that I am intimately familiar with and have experienced many times...I know what it's like to go to this Walmart, to shop at this grocery store, and to practice at the sports fields.

These site/program comparisons focused on parking, connections to major roads and building mass/void. All sites are to scale with each other and the numbers refer to the number of parking spaces in each lot, since parking seems to be a major issue for the Downtown users.

This is the Mellon/Civic Arena. Comparatively is has the most parking spaces with approximately 2,225 spaces.

This is an area in Buffalo suburbs that has a Super Walmart (bottom right) as well as a number of other businesses including: gas station, McDonalds, jewelry store, Applebees, bowling alley and strip mall among others. The total parking spaces depicted are approximately 1,389.

This area of Buffalo has one of the area's largest grocery stores (center right) as well as a number of neighboring strip malls and a US Post Office. The visible parking spaces in this instance are approximately 1,388.

This last area is a recreational facility. Within the building are 4 ice skating rinks and the surrounding fields have football, soccer, softball and baseball fields where local leagues can play. The building also hosts an after school daycare for elementary-aged children. The total parking spaces serving this facility are approximately 660.

This final image is a simple building section and surrounding site section to get an idea of the slope leading up to the Hill District. The larger flat area is the larger parking lot. Both will be updated with more context.