Thursday, November 12, 2009

Pretty impressive





Found it following a link of Eureka Now! Now we just need a real world flyover of what it really looks like now - derelict property that it is. Would be a pretty stark contrast if you ask me.

I have a weakness for architectural renderings and these are also pretty impressive.






21 comments:

  1. fine with the project but can't you make it look good/ how about a victorian or native america theme

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  2. More suitable for Macktown than Old Town.Why does Arkley hate those up there so much that he wouldn't allow them the opportunity to have this disaster,oops,I mean wonderful economic opportunity in their backyard?

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  3. Wow, you have some incredibly bad taste Rose

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  4. Actually, I think it is beautiful. 6:33, you don't have much taste do you?

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  5. I think it is absolutely beautiful and absolutely wonderful. Restored wetlands, trees lining the street, beautiful buildings.

    I always loved Portland, with the beautiful trees and building, sculptures and paths. I always supported cleaning this area up and making it useful. Now I am really in support of it.

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  6. Portland is very beautiful. So is Victoria.

    As for the idea that we are a Victorian seaport - pffft, c'mon, we have a few nice examples, but if you have ever taken relatives from the East Coast around showing them these fine examples, you do come to realize we are far from the crown jewel in that area.

    Nothing wrong with a new look. Sure beats the derelict buildings of recent years.

    And c'mon, we all remember Lazio's fondly, but you couldn't even see the bay/water from inside the place.

    This is much more what people expect in a seaport town...

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  7. Good point, Rose. The Victorian theme can easily become dull, even reactionary. I like the modern approach here and the bike paths would open Eureka up to cyclists. However, I don't see any bike facilities within the complex itself. Parking appears to be for cars only, echoing the Eureka of today. We can do better, especially if we're staring from scratch.

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  8. It seems to me that people miss the point that a rendering is not a final product. Colors and even some design aspects can vary. And bicycle racks can be added - I think they will be.

    But Eureka itself is not a bike friendly town, unlike say, Davis.

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  9. With Dave Tyson doing his best to dig the city 1.4m further into the hole,I sure hope that the powers that be make much more an effort to ensure that the economy draining Home Depot continues to stay away from entering into the proposal.This city is entering into one messy,ugly phase.

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  10. Davis is in a class of its own, when in comes to cycling. But Eureka has made some progress lately. We've certainly got a more beautiful setting and better cycling weather (most of the time) than Davis. I'd welcome the open, modern approach shown in the renderings. Sure, we've got some quaint Victorians and we should take care of them. But Victoria was an English queen in an era known for repression and imperialism. What is the point in slavishly paying homage to her memory in Eureka, California every time we build something new? This is California, for God's sake! We are innovators, not imitators.

    When it comes to bikes, the adage "build it and they will come" holds true. I'd guess that for every dollar you spend on bike infrastructure you get back several in health benefits. Our students and workers could easily commute by bike, if we make it safe for them to do so.

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  11. That's always a noble goal, Gordon, and I am surprised, really, that it hasn't been done already. Bike lanes are vital, and especially so around schools.

    Our rainy weather does dampen (no pun intended) most people's enthusiasm for riding during the winter months, but no more than snow would, I suppose.

    It does seem that bike lanes are finally being incorporated into most road projects, and that's a good thing.

    By bike facilities at the Marina Center, I assume you mean bike racks or parking areas - am I correct? I would imagine a bike shop could also move in to any of the retail spaces. If they are well patronized they can afford the rent.

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  12. mresquan - So we're supposed to believe that a City Manager who was looking into her (Tawnie something's) allegations, and indeed even broadened the scope of the investigation, was somehow trying to thwart her complaints?

    And further to believe that a City Manager would be working against the new Police Chief, who was calming the waters of turmoil the City had been through the past few years?

    It makes no sense. All the whisperings aside, there is no reason a City Manager would be upset about a department that is functioning well.

    Or maybe it isn't functioning well....

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  13. Rose,

    Well, along with bike parking/racks and the multi-use path that's already included, I'd hope to see well-marked bike lanes. Then the bikes will come. It's a small step with a potentially huge payoff.

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  14. Agreed, and it would seem, easily done. I would assume a covered area would be nice. Keep the bike seats dry and all.

    Given all that has been included in this design, it would seem to me that the biking community talked to the Arkley's you might be surprised.

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  15. Good idea, Rose. I will talk with some of the cycling organizations around here about putting together a proposal. Needless to say, I'd be grateful for any contacts or further suggestions that you might have.

    One obvious concern would be how to get people to put down their political axes--on both the right and left-- and simply work together. I'm not the one for that job. I'm easily outpointed in political arguments.

    BTW San Francisco's lovely Ghirardelli Square, which everyone now adores, was fought tooth and nail when in was in the planning stages.

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  16. I could be wrong, Gordon, but I have heard that Rob Arkley is an avid bike rider himself - specifically I remember hearing about the "MS 150" bike marathon in Houston. You may be surprised.

    I agree with you, putting people in boxes just because of the party they chose when they registered to vote is a terrible thing.

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  17. Rose,

    Thanks for this exchange. I will follow up on it.

    Perhaps you can pass this link along to Rob Arkley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HgLqts3qJs

    Holland in the 50's...guaranteed to melt the heart of any cyclist.

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  18. I wouldn't expect to see alot of people biking in to pick up some bricks or drywall.

    If however, Home Depot failed in a few years, bike lanes and such would be good to have if they decided to make the building into a mega church or something like that.

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  19. I still don't see why they want Old Town Eureka to look like Anaheim without the money.

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  20. "I still don't see why they want Old Town Eureka to look like Anaheim without the money."

    ...as opposed to Hansel and Gretel without the dwarfs?

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  21. Tom, you see it so one-dimensionally. Home Depot, if in fact it ends up there, is only ONE piece. Do you not see the other shops and offices? Perhaps little sidewalk cafes'? There will be plenty there to walk in, or bike in for if people like you open shops and cafes in the new spaces that will be created.

    So bring your pickup if you're picking up lumber or a new TV (grin), but if you work in Old Town or elsewhere in Eureka's center you can walk or bike.

    Gordon, despite the rumors, which will of course be fueled by this post, I have no 'in' with the Arkley's. This post will cause certain people to say, "See, she is working for them." That is simply not the case. I have met Rob a few times, and I have found him to be very nice when he had no occasion or need to be. I simply look at the situation - I see what he has done with his other projects, and they are all top notch. And they improve the look and conditions of the City without asking for handouts. They are gifts freely given. Even the land in question here was offered to the City, and they turned it down because they could not afford to deal with it. He can, and is. And like the other projects; the Boardwalk, the Starbucks building, the Zoo entrance, the Theatre, buildings a re a gift that lives long past the person in question - look at the Carson Block Building, the Carson Mansion, the Fuerwerkers building in Arcata, Jacoby's Storehouse...and many more. Who's to say that someday people won't be asking that other project aspirants design their buildings in keeping with this new style.

    It's nothing to fear, as I have said before - Home Depot may be here for a few years, maybe even a decade, but the building will remain for new tenants, new businesses, new entrepreneurs...

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