Vestal Main Street
Revitalization
This was a consulting project under the course Design Connect, where I took on a role as Project Manager and worked in a team of eight with the Town of Vestal, to create a conceptual proposal of how to revitalize Front Street that was once the community's main street.
Background of Project
Target Audience
Deliverable / Objective
Being one of the towns in Upstate NY affected by the move of IBM, Vestal's economy has slowed down and relied on the education industry and is being served by chain stores. The town needs a main street that houses local businesses and become the center where community can come together, engage, and flourish.
For the first stage, the target audience for this proposal is the rest of the Town Board. Once the Town Board is in agreement of pushing this agenda forward, this proposal serves as a conceptual base for the street.
Our team came up with a conceptual proposal of how the Town of Vestal may revive its Front Street to again become its town's main street and the center of economic and community activities. Our report groups the solutions into sections (according to the approach) and phases, to suggest to the town which actions are short and long-term plans.
Approach
Street Facilities
Recreational Zone
Land Use Repurposing
Business/Economics Development
The street housed multiple buildings that were vacant, and a few empty lots. We propose how the community can maximize land-use on the street
During our visit, we noticed cars with high speed passing by, with lack of safe infrastructure for pedestrians. We look at ways to improve street safety
The main street is in close distance to existing trails and creek. We look into ways this street can integrate into the existing ecosystem
A busy street often drive foot traffic by having interesting offers that drive economic incentive. We propose ways the town can create iniatiatives that bring local businesses
Our team went to visit and walked the Front street to understand what exists on the street and to experience the street. This experience informed us to focus on these four categories to ensure the proposal is comprehensive and all-encompassing.
Method
Step 1: Initial Site Visit
Step 2: Team Site Visit
Step 3: Community Engagement Meeting
Step 4: Client Check-In
Step 5: Final Presentation to Clients and Academics
Step 6: Final Report
Resulting Solutions
Recreational Zone
Phase 1
1. Create signages with overarching design concept to signal a theme (Front/Main Street). In our report we elaborate further that some themes to consider include outdoor recreation / art path or zone.
Phase 2
1. Establish trails to connect the city and create a natural way of exploring areas surrounding main street; a. through nature and the nearby creek, b. through proposed art installations that will be incorporated into basic street facilities
Street Facilities
Phase 1
1. As part of and in conjunction with the recreational zone strategy of creating trails and signage theme, increasing pedestrian safety through fixing sidewalks and assessing and changing speed limit will encourage higher foot traffic to the street. We also suggest considering adding bike facilities as bike is a low-cost and sustainable option to visit the street
Phase 2
2. Upgrading the street facilities like benches and trash can by incorporating art, unusual (yet still practical) designs, and working with local schools and artists
Land Use Repurposing
Phase 1
1. Utilize landscape and facade to differentiate between residential and commercial sections
2. In working on commercial facades, launch a partnership with the school and artisans
Phase 2
3. Identify empty buildings and consider land repurposing
Business/Economics Development
Phase 1
1. Negotiate moving Farmer's Market from the library's parking lot to a parking lot at Front Street's strip mall to drive traffic
Phase 2
2. Along with the strategy to repurpose buildings, reconsider zoning different parts of the streets (consider mixed-use buildings)
3. Ensure the current regulations and permits to establish new businesses are easy to understand and navigate
Image Source: personal stock