Racine Riverfront Revitalization
Racine, Ohio
WHY
The Village of Racine seeks to revitalize their downtown area with riverfront access, improved walkability, and outdoor community gathering places. Racine leadership has sought for many years to increase access to their riverfront, but been stymied by regulations that restrict building along the Ohio River, and the expense of accommodating them.
HOW
The focus of this project is to create riverfront access at Star Mill Park that includes walking paths (connecting the riverfront park to the Cross Building a short distance away), a community amphitheater, a recreational boat dock and kayak launch. It further includes streetscape improvements along 3rd and Pearl Streets to facilitate the creation of an outdoor business district, the focal point of which will be a pavilion for farmer’s markets and musical performances, among other community events.
WHAT
This project will provide Racine citizens with opportunities for outdoor wellness activities, including walking and a farmer’s market, that promote active lifestyles and social interaction. The project is currently in design.
Rickenbacker Woods Park
Columbus, Ohio
WHY
This project will create site development elements for the Rickenbacker Woods Foundation including various interpretive features and site infrastructure to support events, visitation, and other activities. The ‘Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker House’ is a National Historic Landmark, one of only three in Franklin County (Ohio Statehouse & Ohio Theatre). The site also honors Granville T. Woods, a world renowned African American scientist and inventor. He invented several items which allowed for safer electric railways and other public uses of electrical power. He is a member of the National Inventors Hall of fame.
HOW
The Rickenbacker Woods Foundation strives to ignite the spirit of innovation and perseverance embodied through the lives and legacies of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker and Granville T. Woods. This new park project will transform an existing site to provide youth access to pathways, play area, interpretive features, landscaping and site elements.
WHAT
The project is currently in design.
Downtown Caldwell Revitalization Plan
Caldwell, Ohio
WHY
Downtown Caldwell was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is now working toward a renaissance. With numerous local businesses and an assortment of beautiful historic buildings, Caldwell is ready to be a thriving center for both local residents and tourists. This plan builds upon the village’s momentum to create a number of recommendations for community branding, historic preservation development, placemaking, wayfinding, access to recreational facilities, and other improvements.
HOW
Designing Local first worked with village leadership to develop a brand identity for Caldwell. We then made a number of recommendations for relatively low-cost, high-impact placemaking opportunities, including a courthouse square light canopy, unique signage, historically appropriate site furnishings, and locations for public art. Working with our project architect, Designing Local also created a historic preservation recommendations for one of the most visible buildings in downtown, which included a strategy for attaining a Historic Tax Credit to make the project financially viable.
WHAT
The project plan was completed in Spring 2022. The new brand identity was immediately implemented, and the various project recommendations will be submitted as appropriate for federal stimulus and infrastructure funds.
