Design firms unveil gateway plaza designs

At a City Council luncheon Tuesday, Portland, Ore.-based GreenWorks PC and Springfield design firm Hagerman New Urbanism presented three designs for the Jordan Valley gateway plaza, to be built on the former quarry site at National Avenue and East Trafficway Street. The plaza will serve as an entrance to Jordan Valley Park.

GreenWorks principal Jim Figurski said the three concepts – based on “natural,” “events” and “play” themes – came from a combination of design ideas and public comments collected during a series of events in 2007.

Click here to view renderings of each of the design concepts: naturalistic design | events design | play design.

The public is invited to view each design at an open house 5:30–8 p.m. today in the upper lobby of the Jordan Valley Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway. The public also may view the designs and take an online survey about them starting Wednesday at the city’s Web site, www.springfieldmo.gov.

The natural-themed design is the most minimalist, featuring a large portion of open green space sloping away from the southeast corner of the nearly 10-acre site. A mound would be built near the center of the site with short stone walls, reminiscent of the original limestone bluffs on the site. That space could be used for amphitheater-style seating.

The events-themed design also features a large open area, which could include a running track, as well as a more pronounced amphitheater space for public gatherings and a playground area.

The play-themed design features small hills to separate the space into outdoor rooms, along with a focal pavilion for gatherings and a large, playful water feature.

Figurski said all three designs incorporate low-impact building techniques, such as marshland areas for on-site water handling and pervious concrete for parking.

The project is funded through $2.2 million in earmarked federal grants, according to city Redevelopment Director Mike MacPherson, who reminded council that the money could not be shifted for other uses.

MacPherson said the quarry project is essential for the continued development of center city.

“Here you have a part of our town where millions and millions of dollars have been invested, and you have, to be frank, this eyesore right in the middle of all that,” he said. “This is a worthy project for that reason.”

Figurski said the next step is to gather council and public input on the design ideas and return to council in May or June with a final design incorporating the suggestions.