Last week, The City of Cleveland, City Architecture and Zaremba, Inc. released renderings for the East 12th streetscape redevelopment, a joint venture more than three years in the making. The East 12th streetscape project, slated to begin in late 2007, is designed to enhance The Avenue District.
Paul Volpe of City Architecture - the urban design consultant for The Avenue District and the infrastructure project on East 12th Street – recently discussed the details of the project.
View north on East 12th Street at the St. Clair Avenue intersection. Building One is on the right.What is the purpose of the East 12th streetscape project?
The East 12th streetscape project is a crucial component of The Avenue District and a great opportunity to tie together existing businesses and retail establishments, with the new development, to create synergy and momentum for Cleveland’s revitalization.
What are the main features of the streetscape?
The streetscape will provide new residents with a compelling and beautiful environment in which to live. By narrowing the cartway, this true multi-modal street offers integrated public transportation, bicycle lanes and new on-street parking to service the existing and proposed retail components of the district.
Traffic will be calmed by utilizing narrower lanes. The new landscaped median eliminates the uncrossable nature of the existing street and will force drivers to be more aware of the pedestrian quality of the district.
Amenities including benches, smaller-scaled light fixtures, public art and abundant landscaping provide a “soft” public street. Using the wide sidewalks to our advantage, the design team incorporated “outdoor living rooms” nestled between planting areas. These rooms are defined by special paving areas we call “area rugs,” constructed out of unit pavers to create variety by alternating colors and textures throughout the district.
In addition, a secondary sidewalk is incorporated to connect the on-street parking to the primary sidewalk. This passageway also provides a dogwalk for the residents of the District. By carefully placing custom designed ornamental fencing on the primary side of the sidewalk, the secondary sidewalk has pet access into the “dog friendly” planters.
