Main Street Medina Tactical Public Art Strategy

Medina, Ohio

WHY

As the southern gateway into the Uptown Historic district, the South Town district in Medina serves as an important crossroads for tourism, economic development, culture, and community pride. The South Town district's history in multiple industries-including grain, freight railways, upholstery, metal smithing, marble, and beyond-contextualizes its placemaking and public art considerations. A cohesive public art strategy has the ability to define a place's borders and invite in residents and visitors.

HOW

Designing Local created a vision for the South Town district of Medina that celebrates its industrial past through innovative public art and lively placemaking, while establishing a natural connection between Medina's Uptown Historic and South Town districts.

WHAT

In order to most effectively implement goals defined in the first phase of this strategic plan, a framework of three approaches was developed. Each dynamic approach supports the goals of public art in South Town: activating shared spaces, revealing South Town's visual identity, and reinforcing the Court Street Corridor. While the recommended interventions are all achievable as stand-alone projects, their implementation will be more successful when aligned with this Plan's strategic approaches.