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Midtown Specific Plan . Views from streels were assessed to define locatiOlls where positive views exist Street fronlages were reviewed and nolated according 10 their positive or negative appearance. Buildings that are nol well maintained and frontages that are visually overwhelmed by a conlusion of signs are examples of factors contributing to a negative appearance. Positive factors include well maintained frontages, buudings and setbacks, or mature landscaping along the street. . Based on the inventory review and field surveys, elemenls that strengthen or weaken Midtown's visual qualities were identified and mapped. A discussion of the visual strengths and weaknesses of Midtown foUows. Strengths Aesthetic Street Views The faclors that innuence these views are the architecturally signifICant buildings along Civic Cenler Drive and the view east OIl Eighth Slreel, which is tenninated by an attractive residential structure. Views along Bush Street are enhanced in the blocks that have mature street trees on both sides of Ihe street Buildings of Character These include the buildings identified in the Survey of North MalnINorlh Broadway Corridor, dated March 22, 1992 and prepared by the Historic Resources Review Committee. In addition, individual structures and groups of structures that add to the characler and scale of various streets in Midtown are shown, Mature Street Trees Bush ,Street and Broadway have large numbers of mature street trees, although several blocks have only a few or none. Some of the east.west cross streets also have segments with matur~ street trees, including Eighth Street, Tenth Stree~ and Washington Street Open Space Several significant open space areas make a positive contributiOll 10 Midlown, These include the church at Tenth and Main and the financial institution al Main Streel and Washington. Positive Street Image Exhibil 4 shows several street segmenls throughout Midtown which exhibil an overall posWve image due to the qualily of landscaping, well-malnlained and attractive building facades, and signage thai is in scale and character with the buildings. Chapter 2: Existing Conditions Weaknesses Large Ex¡nnses of Unscreened Parldng The negative impact from unscreened parking areas is exhibited primarily along Sycamore Street and Broadway between Civic Center Drive and Tenth Street Many of these parking lols lack landscaping that provides visual buffering. This lack 01 screening magnifies the adverse impacts of large expanses of parking. Negative Street Image AJso shown on Exhibit 4 are various segmenls of Midtown's street frontages which are visually unallractive. This is due 10 a combination of faclors, including vacant buildings, deleriorating buudings, unkempt grounds, loud colors, blank wans, and unattractive signs. Ordinance NS-2671 Page 9 of 51 15