Lyon street Plaza

Grand Rapids, Michigan

This project seeks to re-establish human and ecological connections with the Grand River. The proposed design creates a shared corridor conditions where pedestrian traffic to the adjacent open space. 

The proposal takes an underutilized transportation corridor and transforms it into a flush graded, curb-less pedestrian plaza. Transportation and vehicular access to bay and loading doors is maintained and issues of water management are negotiated through sheet flow and sustainable permeable site surface treatments.

The plaza contains catenary and light-art installations meant to enliven the core of the downtown area. The arrangement of traffic control measures, bollards, lighting features, and heated pavements sets a precedent in Grand Rapids and beyond for world class urban plaza spaces