Setting the Theme IN GRANDVIEW
by Dennis A. Randolph
T
elling a positive story
about a community and
its people is one way to
gain and keep interest in
the community. Gaining interest can in
turn result in economic development
and growth. Over time, positive stories
can morph into themes that help define
a community.
Themes can be represented not
only by words and ideas, but in physical
“things.” For example, many communities pride themselves in their connections to natural water features – rivers,
lakes or oceans. Using a water “theme”
becomes a natural starting place for
community pride and promotion. Likewise, features created by people can
be significant theme points helping to
define a community. Many people automatically think of New York City when
they see a silhouette of the Empire State
Building; similarly, the Golden Gate
Bridge is associated to San Francisco.
Infrastructure Projects
Transportation infrastructure
projects also can introduce people to
the collective values of a community.
One valuable, yet often under-stated
benefit of infrastructure projects is that
they can make big statements about
a community. Thus, designing infrastructure to tell a positive story can be
an important tool for community and
economic development.
For example, people like to shop
and live in communities that appear
inviting. Unadorned, utilitarian infrastructure can lack the spark that invites
people to linger and stay in a community. On the other hand, carefully
planned and designed infrastructure
helps make a community appear inviting. It also can act as a focal point for
community activities.
Town squares are one recurring
element that has created traditional
themes for hundreds of communities
over the years. Town squares are “spot”
themes and mark a special place in a
community. While making a comeback
in some new communities, the linear,
street-centric layouts of many communities make it difficult to develop new
town squares.
However, street-centric layouts
provide new opportunities to develop
themes that conform to and take advantage of “stretched-out” features.
Linear themes can journey through a
community, taking on subtle changes
that reflect the characteristics of different neighborhoods. Most significantly,
linear theme elements can link parts of
a community previously separated by
highways or other physical obstacles.
Finally, linear themes provide connections between “spot” themes and
lead people from
point-to-point.
Grandview
Themes
For the city
of Grandview, the
expansion of US
71 (now I-49) has
resulted in a physical separation of
the community.
However the City
is now planning
to extend linear
theme elements
across and along
the highway to
Sweeping curves of patterned and colored concrete representing rails travel
along each side of Main Street in the City of Grandview.
20 / May 2012
The Missouri Municipal Review
Grandview logo.
take advantage of its linearity and
overcome the separation. As Grandview
works over the years to rebuild itself
for the future, the idea of setting both
linear and spot themes has been a part
of continued planning discussions. One
theme in particular that the landscape
architects have picked up is railroads
and Grandview’s tie to them.
In last year’s Main Street Phase 1
project, designers incorporated a rail
and tie motif into the new sidewalks
built in historic downtown. Sweeping
curves of patterned and colored concrete representing rails travel along
each side of Main Street. While adding a unique decorative flair to the
streetscape, we also have found the patterns are directly affecting pedestrians.
Casual observations have noted many
people following along the curved
“rail” part of the sidewalk, rather than
simply walking in a straight line. While
a small result, the “wandering pedestrians” testify to the success of the landscape architect’s design influencing the
streetscape. It also shows the subtle way
in which people casually interact with
something as mundane as a sidewalk
and highlights the importance of thinking about sidewalk designs rather than
simply building a standard walkway.
The Truss
Another theme that will take
shape this year in our Main Street Phase
2 project and our Farmer’s Market Place
project is the truss. Long associated
with railroad bridges, truss forms come
in various materials and types. Different truss types from Pratt to Warren
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to several dozen more provide a variety that designers can tailor to every
situation. Trusses are the epitome of
railroad architecture – a reminder of
Grandview’s history along railroads.
This year on Main Street Phase 2,
the City will place a truss over Main
Street in front of City Hall. Designed
to be both functional and decorative,
the truss will include programmable
lighting for use on special occasions.
Engineers also designed the truss to
carry the load of temporary banners
for special events. Finally, the truss
will support traffic signals for a school
crossing.
Carrying the truss theme a bit
further down Main Street to the west,
Grandview will place a truss as part of
the new gateway to the City’s Farmers’ Market Place. Besides marking the
entrance, the truss and its supports will
provide a framing element for a new
water feature in the center of the space.
The truss and water feature together
make an interesting play on the common use of truss bridges to cross rivers
and streams.
In the Farmers’ Market Place, the
railroad theme will continue with further use of curved sidewalk elements, in
this case representing a railroad siding.
New Clock
A third item playing on the railroad theme is a new clock in front of
City Hall just to the east of the Main
Street truss. In this case, our landscape architects have picked up the
importance of timekeeping to railroad
schedules by integrating a timepiece
into Grandview’s streetscape.
This spring we will place a classical, four-face clock on a brick pedestal
along Main Street. The clock pedestal
carries the theme of the streetlight pedestals used along Main Street Phases I
and 2, and ties all the improvements
together. The same brick used to face
the clock pedestal is on the Main Street
truss supports, walls and fountain in
the Farmers’ Market Place.
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City Logo
As a final theme and place-marking feature, designers have incorporated the City’s logo into several of these
features, including the brick pedestals
and the Main Street Truss.
While these features have resulted
in some extra project costs, the costs
are minor compared to the overall outlay. Superbly detailed plans and the
competitive nature of contract bidding
over the past several years have meant
the projects as a whole have come well
within budget estimates. On the other
hand, these small features provide an
accent to what could otherwise be a
sterile concrete and asphalt fix-up. The
value of these themes and the community energy they help generate has
clear benefits.
Not only is it important to remember a community’s heritage, it is critical
to show continuity over time. Because
2012 is the city of Grandview’s Centennial, construction of theme pieces is
especially important since it allows us
to forge that important linage between
the future and the past.
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Truman’s Home
One important aspect in the City’s
past is its claim as President Harry
Truman’s boyhood home. In part, this
link has given rise to a strong patriotic
theme. As a result, plans for decorating
blank storefront windows with patriotic
themes are underway this spring. This
same theme also has resulted in current fundraising efforts for a Veteran’s
Memorial to celebrate all of our service
veterans.
While infrast ruct ure suc h a s
streets and sidewalks, utilitarian structures, we should not forget they influence the aesthetics of a community
even when they are simple and plain.
In Grandview, we move taking a step
past the mundane and using new infrastructure to prepare for a vibrant future.
Dennis A. Randolph, P.E., is the public works
director for the city of Grandview.
May 2012 / 21