Posted by jcohen71

PedPlazas

A Ped Plaza is composed of semi-permanent interlocking platforms that sit on top of the street, level with the curb of the adjacent sidewalk. Each platform contains features such as benches, planters, bike racks, and public art that create a unique public mirco-park in the middle of a commercial district. Ped Plazas transform one or more on-street parking spaces into a small public plaza where pedestrians can meet, socialize, and enjoy the neighborhood.

Walklet components, designed by Rebar Group, can be combined to create a Ped Plaza

The project was inspired by the “pop-up parks” created by San Francisco’s Pavement to Parks project. The concept is a natural fit for Portland, where the thriving pedestrian scene is often constricted by narrow sidewalks and a lack of “stopping points” along the most popular commercial avenues. Creating pockets of public space along the Historic Mississippi Avenue, the Alberta Arts District, and Hawthorne Street would allow the vibrant, people-centered nature of these communities to flourish. Installing Ped Plazas in newly emerging commercial districts such as N Killingsworth, Williams Ave, and SE Clinton St will help establish these streets as destinations for Portland residents.

Work is already under way to bring these urban microparks to the Rose City. In March 2010, RetROW members hosted a design charrette to gather ideas from local artists, non-profit organizers, planners, engineers with the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), and interested citizens. Inspired by the enthusiasm and creativity generated by the charrette, they started discussions with PBOT to lay out a foundation for a pilot Ped Plaza installation.

In May, RetROW members teamed with Umbrella to submit an application to the Portland Development Commission (PDC) Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area Community Livability Grant to fund three Ped Plaza installations in North Portland. The proposal was not selected, but other funding options are being investigated.

The Ped Plaza project has received positive feedback and generous support from numerous small business owners, non-profits, planning and design firms, and city agencies:

If you’d like to learn more or add your name this list, please contact Rebecca Hamilton, Ped Plaza project manager.