Upper Node: West View

Upper Node: Pergola View Fishing Node: South View Upper Node: North View

PROJECT: Croke Reservoir

LOCaTiOn: Northglenn, ColoradoDEsign: 2006 - 2007COnsTRuCTiOn: Completed Fall 2008COsT: $3.4 Million gRanTs: ~$1.6 Million (ADCO & GOCO)

TEaM:City of Northglenn (Owner & Design)J&T (Engineering)ECI (Site Construction & Management)DHM Design (Landscape CDs)

PROJECT aWaRDs:2009 Columbine Award - CO Parks & Rec. Assoc.2009 Design Merit Award - ASLA Colorado2009 Med. Community Engineering Project of the Year - APWA

DEsCRiPTiOn:DiFrank led design & co-managed the Croke Reservoir Urban Shoreline Project. Duties started early in 2005 with multiple public workshops & concept presentations. The design was developed to enhance social connectivity between the nearby residential areas,commercial core, transit hub, and natural areas within the Reservoir Park Site. The final design enhances the urban flow while providing a major link to the City’s Greenway trail system. The urban catalyst project includes multiple social gathering areas, trail connections, and an urban fishing node for the nearby residential community. These areas are further connected through an expansion of the existing trail into a full loop system around Croke Reservoir. The new trail offers multiple multi-modal access routes and a variety of opportunities to engage with the remidiated aquatic and natural systems. The integration of diverse seating & viewing options provide a varied series of opportunities to experience the Reservoir and Rocky Mountain backdrop.

2Croke Reservoir: Site Plan - Shoreline Enhancements

PROJECT: University of Nebraska - East Gateway & Urban Design - West Gateway & Streetscape

LOCaTiOn: Kearny, NebraskaDEsign: Concept Design DaTE: fall 2015

TEaM: Chroma Design D. Lamson - Project Manager N.DiFrank - Design & Graphics

DEsCRiPTiOn:DiFrank developed a series of design alternatives that were focused on improving the two distinct entry points for the UNK Campus. Work began with the integration of a new identity theme for the West Gateway and streetscape. Primary focus was placed on major intersection locations, pedestrian safety, and integration of new design elements.

The East Gateway and Urban Plan for the University required a more extensive design process. With the acquisition of a significant parcel of land from the City of Kearney, the University was interested in changing the current traffic flows to improve pedestrian safety/access, main entry identity, and vehicular circulation. The series of three alternatives were presented and discussed with the campus architect and Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR). The preferred alternative (C), was developed around the main element of a roundabout and the removal of all direct vehicular access between the adjacent highway and 9th Avenue. This plan celebrated the pedestrian culture of the campus while providing improved parking options for commuters. Sight lines were redeveloped, the arboretum campus theme was expanded, and public art was added to improve the visual experience and cohesion of the design concept.

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Concept Diagram - Alternative C

Concept Sketch - Alternative C

UNK East Gateway & Urban Plan: Alternative C (Preferred)

Alternative C - Northern ApproachAlternative C - SW BirdseyeHWY 30 Streetscape Enhancements & West Gateway - NE Birdseye

RESERVOIR ROAD

EXIT LANEPARK GATES

51ST STREET

GATEHOUSES/PV SYSTEMSANS STATION

TEMPORARY PARKING

BOAT WASHEMPLOYEE

PARKING

FIRE & EMERGENCYACCESS LANE

ENTRY SIGN

AQUATIC NUISSANCE SPECIES (ANS)

INSPECTION AREA

0 100’ 200’

Primary Trail

Secondary Trail

Future/Proposed Trail

Park Boundary

Major Entry Point/Parking Area

Swim

Beach820 Parking Sp.

880 Parking Sp.

124 spaces

200 spaces

400 spaces

90 car spaces

330spaces

CootLake

BoulderReservoir(560-acres)

MainEntrance

55thTrailhead

Coot LakeTrailhead

Private

WildlifeClosure

&SensitiveHabitat

WildlifeClosure

&SensitiveHabitat

WildlifeClosure

&SensitiveHabitat

Park Boundary

Park Boundary

Park

Bou

ndar

y

55th

Stre

et

51st

Stre

et

51st Street

NorthDam

SouthDam

Fire TrainingCenter

WaterTreatment

Facility

119

119

63rd

Stre

et63

rd St

reet

N

Closed Area

Dry Moorings(147)

Mallard & HawkDry Moorings (35)

CootDry Moorings (16)

SnapperWet-Moorings

(15) BluegillWet-Moorings

(6)

TroutWet-Moorings

(20)

Dreamcove Dock

Guard Dock

Crew Dock

Boathouse DockADA Dock

Sailboat Dock& Ramp

Fishing DockPowerboat Ramp

Maint. Dock

Aquatic Nuisance SpeciesInspection Station

AdministrationBuilding

Marina

Maintenance

•Lyons-to-Boulder Trail•Front Range Trail

Proposed•Trail Around Boulder

Proposed

Eagle Trailhead & Parking

KestrelDry Moorings (54)

Little Dry Creek

Dry Creek

Dry Creek

Boulder Feeder Canal

Six MileReservoir

200’0’ 400’ 800’Map Scale:

AeromodelingArea

Private

•IBM Connector TrailProposed

•Trail around BoulderProposed

Boat Circulation

Boat Circulation

NoWake

NoWake

NoWake

NoWake

NoWake

NoWake

NORTH SHORE & COOT LAKE (122 ac) - Passive Recreation & Habitat

scitauqA & noitaerceR evitcA - )ca 67( EROHS HTUOS

tnemegana

M/secruoseR retaW

& erutcurtsarfnI - )ca 802( MAD HTUOS & HTRON

WES

T SH

ORE

(329

ac)

- W

ildlif

e Cl

osur

e &

Sens

itive

Habita

t

15

5

5

26

6

6

7

3

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Gateway Project & Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Station Boulder Reservoir: Assessment & Analysis

Entry: Western Approach

Concept Plan

Entry SignGatehousesEntry Sign & Gatehouses

Master Plan Development (2009-2011)

$3,000,000Bond Approval

1.4 million 3.6 million 11.1 million

1 mil. 2 mil. 3 mil.

4 mil.

5 mil.

6 mil.

7 mil.

8 mil.

9 mil.

10 mil.

11 mil.

Funding Plans

Fiscally Constrained Plan Action Plan Vision Plan

2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

GatewayProject

Assessment & Analysis

DockUpgrades

Water Main& Sanitary

Bridge & Overlook

Park Signage& Way�nding

BuildingImprovements

LoopTrail

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PROJECT: Boulder Reservoir - Capital Improvements - Site Management Plan

LOCaTiOn: Boulder, ColoradoDEsign/ManagEMEnT: 2012-2014COnsTRuCTiOn: 2013-2014PROJECT BuDgET: $ 3,640,000 (CIP) $ 160,000 (SMP)

TEaM:

Boulder Parks Planning Group (Owner/ Design/Project Manager)Scott, Cox & Associates (Civil)J2 Contracting (Construction)ERO (Environmental Overview)Fox/Tuttle (Traffic Analysis)Biohabitats (Biological/Mammalian/Avian Inventory & Assessment)

CaPiTaL iMPROvEMEnTs:DiFrank led design and project management efforts for the design, infrastructure, branding, and management improvements for the 1200-acre park site. Primary focus was placed on the new Gateway/Entry project, Aquatic Nuisance Species Inspection Station, South Shore Infrastructure Systems, and Feeder Canal Bridge. These projects have all been highly successful while providing immediate support to the growing number of visitors and needs of the facility. The series of improvements were completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

siTE ManagEMEnT PLan:DiFrank developed a comprehensive plan and set of management actions to support the passive/active recreation needs of the park while protecting its environmental value. Through an extensive public engagement process and site analysis, the preliminary phase of the SMP was completed by DiFrank.

DiFrank built and managed the team of consultants that helped to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Reservoir Park Site.

PROJECT: Luxe Lake - Parcel Y3

LOCaTiOn: Chengdu, ChinaDEsign: 100% Design Development DaTE: winter 2014-2015

TEaM: DTJ Design B. Popadich - Project Manager N.DiFrank - Lead Design S.Heasty - Design

BaCKgROunD:DTJ provides lead design services for a series of developments in the Chengdu, China region (west central China). These Luxe Lake developments focus on responding to the burgeoning upper/upper-middle class that is seeking high-end residences or second homes in this progressive, tech savvy area. The general design intent is to provide a merger of art and intriguing vegetation areas in order to create an experience that is private, and garden-like while adhering to the strict urban guidelines for safety and accessibility.

DEsCRiPTiOn:DiFrank’s initial concept studies for the west and east axes were chosen by the Partners at DTJ to lead the design aesthetic and program for the 14-acre, Y3 development. A focus on ‘hide and reveal’, private access to entry/exit areas, lush gardens, art, and grade change were encouraged. A futuristic and organic paving/planting synthesis was developed to respond to resident movement patterns while also disguising the expansive fire-pad system within this elevated community (parking garages are below the site footprint). The final DD submittal was successfully completed with overwhelming praise.

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Central Plaza: Shade Structure Perspective

Y3: Overview

West Axis: Concept Sketch

Main Axis: Concept Sketch

25m 50m0mY3: Urban Plan

Flat IronsMall

Low DensityResidential

Low DensityResidential

Low DensityResidential

Medium DensityResidential

Medium DensityResidential

Waste WaterTreatment Plant

Commercial

Parking

Parking

Dog 1 Dog 2

Disc Golf/Open Space

Rock Creek

BikePark

MainVehicular

Entry

MainPedestrian

Entry

MainPedestrian

Entry

Ped.Entry

Ped.Entry

Ped.Entry

Ped.Entry

Rock C reek R egional Trai l

Detention PondsHilltop

I - 25

Sout

h 88t

h Str

eet

West Flatiron Crossing Drive

Shamrock Drive

Enterprise Street

PROJECT: Autrey Park LOCaTiOn: Superior, ColoradoDEsign/ManagEMEnT: Spring 2010COnsTRuCTiOn: Spring 2011COsT: $375,000gRanTs: $150,000 (GOCO)

TEaM: The Town of Superior (Owner)Studio Urbanista (Design)Lee Likes Bikes (Pump Track Design)Big R Bridge (Bridge Design)

BaCKgROunD:During Phase I (2009), DiFrank worked with the Town of Superior by leading a visioning process that outlined various possible programming components & costs for the 36 acre site. The top components that were selected for the Phase II design were an entry/parking area, a dog park, a mtn. bike skills course and a 9-hole disc golf course.

DEsCRiPTiOn (Phase ii):A formal entry area with approx. 50 parking spaces allows larger groups to be supported at the 3 programmed event areas. The disc golf & mtn. bike areas respond to the natural landform of the site which maximizes the intrigue of each activity. Drainage for the dog & bike areas are carefully focused through bio-swales before exiting into Rock Creek. A 50’ buffer is provided on both sides of the creek to protect it’s natural systems while also guarding against erosion. In addition, trail connections and signage have been added to improve user experience and accessibility. The final design integrates the park with the established Rock Creek Regional Trail system, as well as the eastern connection to the Flat Irons Mall.

Section B: Central Section - Dog Park/Disc Golf/Water Quality Ponds

Autrey Park: Master Plan

View A: Entry Perspective - Parking & Bridge Crossing

Concept/Massing Diagram

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Dog Park

Bike Park

Disc Golf

Preliminary Park Program

ProgramExploration

FinalMaster

Plan

PROSTAC Concerns(Park, Rec, Open Space, and Trails

Advisory Commitee) Program Review

Program Exploration

Space CostSite

Flow

Min. Program Requirements

Initial Costs

Longterm Maint. Costs

1 2 3

1 2 3

1 2 3

Residents

School Groups

Special Interest Groups

Town Sta�

Selection Process

Modi�ed Program

ProgramCompromise

A A

A

PROJECT: Dakota Square ConversionLOCaTiOn: Boulder, ColoradoDEsign: Fall 2011TEaM: Urth Studios & Native Edge Assoc.

BaCKgROunD:During the construction of Dakota Ridge, in North Boulder, it was determined that the market would not support the mixed-use plan for this location. As a result, the developer built the 18 town homes that now make up Dakota Square. The existing central parking lot has since been deemed extraneous. The project intent is to convert the existing parking area into a pedestrian square and green-space for the local residents.

DEsCRiPTiOn:DiFrank teamed up with Native Edge to manage & design a trio of concept designs for the Dakota Square HOA. The final of three concept drawings focuses on maintaining existing sidewalks and entry grades. The design uses the 12’ of grade change (between west & east ends) to create a series of plazas that are all ADA accessible. These areas allow different gathering opportunities that range from large group to small family/individual spaces. Large berms, minimal outside access points, and a single full bisecting sidewalk help deter outside pedestrian traffic. Shade tree plantings, ornamental grasses and shrubs provide winter interest and privacy between different nodes and upper balcony views. In addition, shade structures, benches, boulders & BBQ items were included to support community activities.

Dakota Square - Concept Plan Concept Sketch

A

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PROJECT: 2401 Broadway Landscape

LOCaTiOn: Boulder, ColoradoDEsign: Spring 2011TEaM: Urth Studios (Design)

BaCKgROunD:The 2401 Broadway property in Boulder was designed and built by the architect, Charles Haertling in 1968 as an eye clinic. Since then, the property has seen only minor attention except for the lower addition. The property owner’s business accounts for about one third of the upper office space. In total, 9 companies share this unique building.

DEsCRiPTiOn:The intent of the design is to maximize the usable amount of ‘community’ space around the building while also providing a definite edge and separation from the adjacent arterial. By raising the existing southeast lawn area, a common space for employees & clients to meet & relax is provided. The elevated space uses clean, minimal lines that mimic the architectural form and footprint. In addition, a plant palette consisting of ornamental grasses and aspen trees respects the minimal design intent & Colorado site. Space is also provided for employee food gardens and fruiting plants. These areas frame a southern access to the lower rooftop which will be modified to asocial green roof as part of a later design phase.

section a

Elevation a

Elevation B

B’

a’

a’

Concept Plan

Concept Perspective: north view

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9

Civic Center Terminal

PROJECT: Kyoto, Japan - Urban Water Chain

LOCaTiOn: Kyoto, Japan & Central Honsu area

uRBan DEsign sTuDiO PROfEssORs: R. Lovinger (Oregon) D. Yoshimura (Kyoto)

DEsign: Summer 2009

TEaM: P. Chiver N. DiFrank A. McQueen

BaCKgROunD:Graduate Students spent a total of 8 weeks living in Kyoto, Japan (Daishin-in Buddhist Temple) while also traveling to neighboring prefectures to study Japanese culture, the Kyoto urban fabric & team directed urban design concepts. In addition to a complex studio project, students were limited to the use of watercolor media.

DEsCRiPTiOn:In response to the developing commercial and social stagnation throughout the urban core of Kyoto, the design team develops a program that would extend flows of water & people into ‘lost’ urban lots. Existing flows from the Horikawa Canal & the Nijojo (Castle) moat are extended through a series of day lit channels that link multiple, gray-water filtering, pocket-parks throughout the Omiya-Dori Street. The main channel acts as a datum to encourage pedestrian movement through forgotten commercial areas. In addition, new mixed-use community areas are connected and activated. The channel culminates at a new civic terminal that celebrates the reception of the water flows and social interaction, while also housing the main railway hub for the City. After the initial activation of Omiya-Dori is complete, further activation of lost urban space will occur through West/East expansion of the project.

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Neighborhood Development & Beautification

PROJECT: Canalscapes Urban Design(in conjunction with Arizona State Univ.)

LOCaTiOn: Phoenix, Arizona uRBan DEsign sTuDiO PROfEssORs: Lori Catalano (UCD) Nan Ellin (ASU)

DEsign: Spring 2009

BaCKgROunD:Graduate students from the University of Colorado at Denver’s Urban Design Program visited Phoenix for a week long data collection and project kick-off meeting with Nan Ellin (Integral Urbanism) and ASU graduate students to examine the City’s distressed canal system.

DEsCRiPTiOn:As a response to the neglected canals, DiFrank considers a municipally activated, micro-hydro energy generation system that uses the collected alternative energy as a catalyst to spur urban and community revitalization efforts. Value from the local energy production is then reinvested in additional green technology and infrastructure. The increased local energy transmission is then shared with prospective new businesses/developments as an incentive for economic growth and beautification efforts. Infrastructure system development, local industry, and subsequent urban Canalscape mixed-use developments create jobs, increase social interaction, and expand commercial opportunities. The final result is a positive context for sustainable new development along the newly appreciated and beautified urban canals.

Commercial/Industrial/Social Catalyst

Social InterfaceSocial Interface/Micro-Hydro Perspective

Catalyst Location & Associated Preliminary Development

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*Current Contact Information:

Kurt Kowar, P.E.Director of Public Workskurtk@louisvilleco.gov303.335.4601

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