A presentation of the Clemson University's Architecture Department vision for the dilapidated but historic region of Spartanburg known as the Rail Trail.

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2. The Spartanburg Light Rail System will use
electric rail cars that rely on a power system
that reduces operating costs. The streetcars
used will be Electric Railway President's
Conference Committee (PCC) cars that were
originally built in the 1930’s to the 1950’s and
are currently being restored for use in major
cities across the U.S.

3. Two bridges crossing Union Street
and Pine Street are also proposed.
Both bridges would connect to the
Rail Trail in the Central Crosspoint
area and provide safe access to the
trail, Duncan Park, Pine Street
Elementary, and surrounding
neighborhoods.
The bridge crossing Pine Street will lead down to
the existing bike path that connects to the
elementary school, allowing students and parents
an easier way to get to the school.

4. To provide a safe atmosphere, emergency
phone booths will be place strategically
throughout the two-mile site. Each of the four
zones will have at least one emergency phone.
Signage is important when considering safety.
It is important that the community knows
where they are and what they are close to
while using the trail. Signage will be color
specific to each zone, as well as,
special lighting in the zones will be the same
color as the signage.

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6. Union Square is a diverse gathering point for the city of Spartanburg. It’s distinct
terraced levels create unique spaces which encompass retail, restaurants, small
businesses, housing, ice skating rink, and numerous public plazas and gardens. In
response to this increase of activity , the existing Rail Trail is no longer a small jogging
path but transforms into a large boulevard supporting increased pedestrian traffic.

7. A new ice skating rink is fully integrated into the redesigned site sitting
both above and below ground. The green roof acts as another public
garden and its skylight windows provide unique views for both garden
dwellers above and ice skaters below. Terraced levels connect the roof to
the existing Rail Trail, and sustain a living machine water recycling system
that not only serves as a water feature for the gardens, but also supplies
useable water for the ice skating rink

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9. Union Square is named as such because it is lively fusion of restaurants, housing, retail,
businesses, and public space. A main boulevard runs through the middle of the square
supporting pedestrian traffic as well as vehicular traffic. Parking for Union Square is
located in an integrated underground parking deck which also connects to the Rail
Trail’s light rail system.

10. Spa
Retail
Housing
Square

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Housing hill Square

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Housing hill interior

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Spa lobby

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PIN E STREET 4-1,-,,"1"9
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16. The early childhood education
center will provide pre-
kindergarden, preschool and
daycare services to children up
to age 5. The school can serve up
to 75 children living in the area.
The school will contain:
•Five classrooms
•Art room
•Media room with computers
•Multipurpose area for daily use
and special events
•Kitchen
•Offices and a conference room

17. The early childhood
education center is
centrally located on
the trail, to provide
parents with a
quick access to a
light rail stop,
parking, and Pine
Street Elementary.
This location will allow people
from the community to use the
multipurpose space inside for
activities after school hours. It
will also allow for community
members to come in and
volunteer at the school.

18. The central crosspoint area is
highlighted by a series of multi-
leveled plazas that connect to
the Rail Trail, gardens, the early
childhood education center,
and many other public places.
There is also a Rail Trail Facility
with lockers, restrooms, and an
information center.
The central crosspoint area is
one of two spaces on the Rail
Trail that the light rail line is on
trail level. A rail stop is located
off the main-level plaza. This
space also serves as a link to
Pine and Union Streets, with a
pedestrian bridge crossing
both streets.

19. The sensory garden will consist
of five different areas that
correspond with each sense, as
well as a central space.
•Sight: colorful flowers and
plants, elements to create light
and shadows
•Sound: waterfall, wind chimes,
bird feeders
•Touch: continued waterfall,
water lilies, soft flowers,
springy moss, herbs
•Smell: fragrant plants and
herbs, incense
•Taste: edible plants such as
fruit trees, vegetables, and
herbs
•Central Area: covered seating
area, items made from
elements in garden

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21. Plan of Open Market

22. Open Market
•floor plan provides
flexibility in building uses
•Elevated pedestrian
bridge, small restaurant,
children’s play area, and
market area create a
dynamic space
View of Market Interior
Transverse Section Through Market

23. Longitudinal Section Through Market
View From Pedestrian Bridge Inside Market

24. Community Education Center
Goals:
•To teach the community, young and
old, about horticulture
• To give the community the tools to
grow their own crops and create
beautiful landscapes
Section of Community Education Center and Gardens

25. Community Gardens with Education Center and
Greenhouses in Distance

26. •The Community Education Center, Greenhouses, and Community Gardens Give users:
•a sense of responsibility
•respect for the environment
•pride in what they are doing
Crops grown in the community gardens and greenhouses will be sold in the open market. Gardeners
may also grow crops for themselves in designated garden areas.

27. Meditation Garden
View of Multi-Use Rail Trail
Facility with Open Market in
Distance

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Shopping Complex

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Section Perspectives and Plans of 25'x50' Shops

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Section Perspectives and Plans of 50'x75' shops

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View Of Main Pedestrian Pathway

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View Of Shopping Complex From the Rail Trail

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Rail Station Entrance Beside the Shopping Complex

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36. Single bedroom floor plan
The Active Adult Housing complex features a variety of livable spaces.
Each Single bedroom plan is 660 square feet with the opportunity for
bedrooms to be added. the complex also includes an activity center
where residents can participate in various sports and competitions. The
front of the complex faces union street.
Longitudinal section

37. Perspective views from the back of the
active adult housing
The back of the complex has a large water feature to add a serene
feeling to the otherwise busy pine street. in order to gradually descend
nine feet to the street level, a terrace garden has been added. The
garden features 3 descents: the first is more of a private area, the
second is a shrub garden, and the final level is a public garden space
on street level of pine street.
Cross section

38. The above ground
light rail tram stop is
in front of the active
adult housing. Closer
to the housing is a
plaza area that can
be used as a meeting
place or an area
Perspective of plaza where users of the
trail can stop and eat.
Section through plaza showing tram stop

39. Golf Complex:
1. Street level parking off of
4 union street
3 2. Ten hole putt-putt course
2 3. Putt-putt golf building
4. Retail store with golf
simulator
1 5. Test holes with putting
5 green
Site Plan for the golf complex Across the trail from the
active adult housing will be a
golf complex. This features a
small ten hole putt-putt
course, four test holes
(consisting of one par five,
two par fours, and a par
three), and a retail store
with a golf simulator for
equipment purchases and
tests.
Perspective from union street looking towards the trail and housing

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