Future Design Guide

-respect existing architecture with mass and scale.
-create site specific designs with visual anchors.
-avoid low solid building planes. ex. every 50 feet there should be a horizontal or vertical shift in the building.
-no false fronts on buildings. the exterior should reflect the interior.
-in the downtown mixed-use district there shall be no residences on ground level. this is a public level.
-create visual depth.
-tax lots by square foot.
-to make winter walking manageable, provide heated public space or covered pathways on ground level (bus stop, open business, etc..) every so many feet.
-a certain percentage of a lot should be occupied to avoid suburban style building.
-each lot should manage its run-off.
-existing parking lots should be upgraded to satisfy today's standards by a certain date.
-new structures should be built to carry the load of 3 additional floors.
-new structures must be built to last many years and the space within must be flexible.
-determine Fargo's height threshold for the renaissance zone.

Specific Stuff I Notice.
-no fake awnings.
-use indirect lighting for buildings exterior. with few exceptions, exposed lighting looks tacky.
-bright colors are for architectural details.

NDSU Master Plan

The master plan for NDSU will infill between the main campus and downtown campus with mix-used and commercial development to eventually serve 4,000 downtown students. To reach this goal, the plan focuses on the 10th Street corridor, public transportation, bike/pedestrian paths, and landscape links.

  

Area Zoning. NOTE: all images retrieved from NDSU Campus Master Plan

Future Bike/Pedestrian Paths

Parking Guides

Fargo needs to adopt quality parking standards.

Zoning Analysis

Renovation
Woodrow Wilson Site = Public Institutional zone
To accommodate uses of a governmental, civic, public service or quasi-public nature, including major public facilities. USES = colleges, health care facilities, schools, and similar uses. CONTEXT = Surrounded by Single Dwelling (SR-4) zone, Downtown Mixed-Use, Limited Commercial space. PROPOSING = as of now...Downtown Mixed-Use District
New
The Northern Block = Downtown Mixed-Use
To preserve and enhance the City's downtown area. The district allows a broad range of uses in order to enhance downtown Fargo's role as a commercial, cultural, governmental, and residential center. In recognition of existing public facility capacity and downtown planning goals, very intensive development is allowed, with high building coverage, large buildings, and buildings placed close together. Development is intended to be pedestrian oriented with a strong emphasis on a safe and attractive street-scape. Current zone suits my needs.
Infill
Current Fire Station = Downtown Mixed-Use (DMU)
Current zone suits my proposal.
Transportation
Proposed bike path also falls into the DMU zone. Setback issues may apply if warming houses are used. 

Zoning