GEORGIA PLANNING ASSOCIATION . 2009 Chapter Awards 1

PROJECT 15th Street - Arts District Plaza

COMPLETION/OPENING October 27, 2008

LOCATION Peachtree Street at 15th Street, Atlanta, GA

PROJECT TEAM Planning: Midtown Alliance Funding: Midtown Improvement District Design: EDAW, Urban Collage Management: Silverman Construction Construction: Infrasource, and Brooksberry Haynie

The new 15th Street Plaza - Arts District Plaza stands as the centerpiece of the Midtown Alliance City-scape Program (an implementation outgrowth of the community’s master plan Blueprint Midtown), which seeks to improve Midtown’s major corridors with a particular emphasis on the pedestrian en-vironment. The plaza project consists of the four street corners comprising the intersection of Peachtree and 15th Streets. Prior to this in-tervention, the intersection consisted of three free-flowing vehicular “slip” lanes, that threat-ened the safety of pedestrians and motorists alike; 15th Street was misaligned as it passed across Peachtree causing a counter flow of vehicular traffic; and the wide roadways en-couraged traffic to funnel into Ansley Park. At the center stood a historic fountain and mid-century sculpture badly in need of repair, iso-lated amidst of the asphalt.

BACKGROUNDRecognizing the opportunity to simultane-ously recalibrate the intersection for motorists, protect Ansley Park and create a truly great signature space for people, the Midtown Al-liance contacted adjacent property owners in search of cooperation. After securing the support of adjacent owners on all four corners (Colony Square owner Tishman Speyer, Norfolk Southern, Woodruff Arts Center, The First Church of Christ Scientist and the City of Atlanta), the Alliance attained funding for the project from the Woodruff Foundation, the Arthur Blank Foundation and the Midtown Improvement District. With the help of City of Atlanta staff, and the services of the design team, the Alliance set off to transform a hazardous, alienating intersection and leftover City right-of-way into a cherished space for city residents to enjoy for decades to come.

Original Conditions

Intersection Realignment

INTRODUCTIONPublic spaces are valuable tools for economic development and an integral part of vibrant, success-ful, diverse urban communities around the world.

GEORGIA PLANNING ASSOCIATION . 2009 Chapter Awards 2

PLAZA DESIGNPerhaps the most critical move in the design of the 15th Street Plaza was the renovation of the existing historic fountain and mid-century sculpture in its original loca-tion. The once disconnected fountain now serves as the focal point of the project linking Midtown’s past to its fu-ture. Use of the fountain had been discontinued in the wake of a drought. The fountain, along with the plant-ings surrounding it, utilizes reclaimed water pumped from beneath the Woodruff Arts Center underground parking garage for irrigation. This sustainable feature ensures that the quality of this new space is perpetually maintained.

The plaza is surrounded by thirty, mature 40-foot tall Overcup Oak trees circling the plaza on all four cor-ners - creating a green oasis in the heart of Midtown. In addition to the new trees, lighting, granite curbing, and enhanced sidewalk areas were added along with new landscaping. In the plaza space, the fountain is accompanied by an inviting seating area paved in a beautifully textured permeable walking surface of pea-gravel nestled under the mature tree canopy. Inspired by New York’s Bryant Park, the pervious seating area is furnished with 88 movable bistro-style tables and chairs. The intention to create a space that serves as an inti-mate escape from the hustle of the city rings loud and true.

Across 15th Street from the fountain stands the ninety five year old First Church of Christ Science - Atlan-ta. Its strong presence is now enhanced by the new plaza design, creating a promenade leading from the street corner to this prized historic landmark. Across Peachtree from the main plaza is a terraced seating area for picnicking and casual lounging. On the northwest corner, a new granite staircase leads to the main entrance to the Woodruff Arts Center’s Calloway Plaza and Memorial Arts Building. Previously overwhelmed by excessive infrastructure and vehicular dedicated right-of-way, the plaza has successfully pulled together four disparate corners to create a unique urban destination and with a sense of place all its own.

3-D Rendering

Tree Installation

Final Plan Rendering

Fountain Opening Day

GEORGIA PLANNING ASSOCIATION . 2009 Chapter Awards 3

PROGRAMMINGThe goal with the 15th Street Plaza was to create a space that authentically resonates locally with area residents and office workers, and visitors. In order to appeal to this wide range of interests, a variety of entertainment fea-tures have been programmed for the future. The plaza has become an active and vibrant space, with juried live performances and regular involvement from the diverse Midtown arts community. Organizations such as The Liter-ary Center, the Grady High School Arts Department, and the Woodruff Arts Center have expressed great interest in such coordination.

Visitors to the park also have daily access to an on-site mobile reading room, consisting of two custom designed kiosks offering 30 magazines and newspapers, including a collection of unique high-design and cultural publications from around the world. Future plans include kiosks for food and beverage, and free public Wi-Fi. The park space is supervised during official hours by a knowledgeable Midtown Green Legionnaire. The customer-service trained Legionnaire will be on hand to keep the space clean and assist plaza visitors as they traverse the Midtown district.

OPENINGAfter five years of planning and construction, the 15th Street Plaza opened on October 27th, 2008 to a crowd of special guests and dignitaries including Mayor Franklin, community stakeholders, office workers, residents, and visitors. The Plaza stands as a testament of community-driven change: a group of dedicated local citizens and organizations had a vision and stopped at nothing to see that vision realized. A diverse group of stakeholders coordinated to make this park happen–-a model that could be used to transform other parts of the city in the future.

“This intimate park space will become a gathering place for Midtown residents, workers and visitors to enjoy for years to come.”

Opening Day

Conditions TodayOpening Day

- Susan Mendheim, President & CEO Midtown Alliance.