Ten Principles for Creating A Successful Hemming Plaza
April 17, 2012 30 comments
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In 2005, Metro Jacksonville pointed out to the JEDC and Peyton Administration why the Main Street Pocket Park would struggle to succeed if built. We were ignored and $800,000 later, the chickens eventually came home to roost as our warnings became reality. Now that we're destined to repeat the same mistakes with Hemming Plaza, we'd like to take a step back and examine ten principles needed for a successful urban public space, according to Project for Public Spaces. If the council's committee can embrace and plan from this set of principles, Hemming Plaza will be the centerplace of activity once again.
5. Seasonal Strategy
The west section of Hemming allows for flexibility. Possibly converting this area into a grass lawn could be a simple short term solution that would allow for additional seasonal programming at the park. However, purchasing movable chairs that would only be available at lunch time is where the committee suggests money should be spent.
A successful square can't flourish with just one design or management strategy. Great squares such the plazas of Rockefeller Center, and Detroit's new Campus Martius change with the seasons. Skating rinks, outdoor cafés, markets, horticulture displays, art and sculpture help adapt our use of the space from one season to the next.
The worst thing the Council could do is to approve $100,000 in questionable recommendations for the sake of "just doing something" with the park. Before any improvement plan for Hemming Plaza is approved, it would be a good idea to determine what it's seasonal strategy should become. Knowing this information will be paramount in moving forward with any complementing design considerations to the space.
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