Concepts for post-removal of Ceresco Dam

7/29/2019 Concepts for post-removal of Ceresco Dam

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CerescoA landscape for the bowl

and a proposal for re-use of the dam and powerhouse

CerescoA landscape for the bowl

and a proposal for re-use of the dam and powerhouse

0overview

Intentions

Recognize the context of Ceresco and the

Kalamazoo River

Explore ways of re-connecting the

community and the riverfront

Consider ways to populate the site and

powerhouse building with a long termoccupant


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1context: evolution of a riverfront

Cues from context

History is a key consideration, but were

looking beyond buildings and structures

Evolution is a part of Cerescos characterthe

community is not an artifact

The dam is no longer serving its original

purpose, but what remains after its removal

can be made useful and attractive


1825 Ceresco area, excerpt from records of Public Land Survey, 1825.

1858Ceresco, excerpt from Map of Calhoun County, Michigan. Published

by Geil, Harley & Silverd, Philadelphia; compiled by Beychler & Wenig,

1858.

1873 Ceresco, excerpt from Atlas of Calhoun Co. Michigan. Published byF.W. Beers & Co.: New York, 1873.


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1894

Ceresco, excerpt from Illustrated Atlas and Directory of Free Holders

of Calhoun County Michigan. Published by The Atlas PublishingCompany: Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1894.

1910Commonwealth Power Co. Dam between Marshall & Battle

Creek, Michigan, 1910.

Bridge over the Kalamazoo River at Ceresco, c. 1910.

1context: evolution of a riverfront2013 Ceresco area, aerial photograph. Google Maps, 2013.

Ceresco dam and powerhouse. Site photographs, 2013.


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2concept: bowl landscape

Key ideas

Consider what the land will become

More than restoration, but a landscape drawn

from the patterns of river landscape

communities

Creating a designed place



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3concept: dam area

Key ideas

The dam area is a series of

related riverfront places

and experiences north bank access and overlooks

river meadow

building renovation

The riverfront is a publicly

accessible amenity forCeresco and the region


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3concept: dam area

North bank access and

overlooks memorial/upper river overlook

elevated walkway/overlook at

dam remnant

River meadow river terrace/pavilion

portage walk

Building renovation renovated/reconstructed

powerhouse building

teaching lawn/river overlooks

3concept: north bank access/overlooks

North bank

access/overlooks memorial and overlook lawn

upper overlook

aggregate path

prairie slope

riverside lawn

elevated walkway

lower overlook at dam

remnant


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3concept: river meadow

River meadow river pavilion

riverside lawn

prairie and wet meadow

river access

3concept: building renovation

Building renovation renovated building over

former turbine bay

new construction on existing

foundation

teaching lawn and interpretive

markers

tailrace lawn

river access


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4concept: populating the site/building

Site and building use retain elements of the portage improvements and making

use of remnants of the dam

facilitate access to the river

renovation and reconstruction of the existing building

sensitivity to historic qualities

use of alternative energy strategies

4concept: populating the site/building

Site and building occupancy non-profit entity and mission-driven organization

embracing the idea of restoration and a free-flowing

Kalamazoo River

orientation to environment and education

commitment to maintain the site and allow public access to

the river

occupy and maintain the building and site


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5next steps: engaging the community

Ideas shared tonight are concepts onlynot

definitive plans

Without removal of the dam, there is no

purpose behind these ideas

Refinement of concepts will occur through

discussions with the community and a

potential building occupant

Concepts for post-removal of Ceresco Dam

Documents

Transcript of Concepts for post-removal of Ceresco Dam