Portland's Franklin Street redesign

The one on the left, I actually emailed Boulos about it, complaining that it wouldn't be taller than the two in Manchester, and they said the market wouldn't support any greater height :( .
 
I am glad that the survey was open-ended enough to allow me to express my contrarian views. Too often these surveys force you to do things like rank 7 items, but if you find 6 of them reprehensible that's a problem.
 
From Mainebiz:

Another round of community sessions are scheduled for June 25 and 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Portland Public Library at 5 Monument Square. "The June 25 workshop invites attendees to share ideas and priorities for a new street design and land use plan through interactive activities. On June 26, the workshop offers attendees a chance to see the street design work in progress and provide input on its direction."

"Community members are also invited to meet the project team at Lincoln Park (on the corner of Congress and Franklin Streets) on Wednesday, June 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tours along Franklin Street will be conducted every 15 minutes."

www.mainebiz.biz

Portland again seeks community input for 'Reimagining Franklin Street' project

The goal of the redesign is to reconnect neighborhoods divided by the arterial’s construction in the late 1960s, and transform the corridor to better serve motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
www.mainebiz.biz www.mainebiz.biz
 
If done right, and that is relative, it will be substantially transformative for the area and perhaps the entire peninsula. I think that whatever design they go with, it needs to be for year-round use. I would create grassy areas with artificial turf. It's popular now with new residential builds for the community green or gathering spaces. And it's a great space for children to run around and play on. Sections can also be covered with temporary or seasonal tents. The Armature has done it, and The Downs will have its version. Underneath, I'd incorporate PVC warm water piping underneath (solar) as the winter and cold kills public gatherings with snow and ice. It's actually not a stretch of an idea, as many new homes in Maine now are using electrical mat configurations to heat floors. It keeps the heat down low where it should be, and removes the nasty fan blowing heat idea with particulate matter.

This project must enhance and improve quality of life. I'd look for inspiration from Bjarke Ingels. His power plant/community gathering space build was brilliant. Why not think bigger and better, and more creatively? The world is going through rapid changes now with newer technologies. Don't do the usual Maine minimum here. It doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive. LL Bean powers most of its new office space with solar (thanks to Revision Energy in SoPo). I'd use Kaplan Thompson and Redfern as consultants. And do not build the typical permanent brick and mortar businesses. This doesn't allow for adaptation or change. Go walk around in Boston's Seaport District. Compelling public spaces and offerings are organically happening now. Youth and creativity is the future. I like sitting in the Novare Res basement in the winter for my usual porter, but I can only take so much of it. We need to "breathe" to feel more alive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bjarke_Ingels

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TC_zoid said:
If done right, and that is relative, it will be substantially transformative for the area and perhaps the entire peninsula. I think that whatever design they go with, it needs to be for year-round use. I would create grassy areas with artificial turf. It's popular now with new residential builds for the community green or gathering spaces. And it's a great space for children to run around and play on. Sections can also be covered with temporary or seasonal tents. The Armature has done it, and The Downs will have its version. Underneath, I'd incorporate PVC warm water piping underneath (solar) as the winter and cold kills public gatherings with snow and ice. It's actually not a stretch of an idea, as many new homes in Maine now are using electrical mat configurations to heat floors. It keeps the heat down low where it should be, and removes the nasty fan blowing heat idea with particulate matter.

This project must enhance and improve quality of life. I'd look for inspiration from Bjarke Ingels. His power plant/community gathering space build was brilliant. Why not think bigger and better, and more creatively? The world is going through rapid changes now with newer technologies. Don't do the usual Maine minimum here. It doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive. LL Bean powers most of its new office space with solar (thanks to Revision Energy in SoPo). I'd use Kaplan Thompson and Redfern as consultants. And do not build the typical permanent brick and mortar businesses. This doesn't allow for adaptation or change. Go walk around in Boston's Seaport District. Compelling public spaces and offerings are organically happening now. Youth and creativity is the future. I like sitting in the Novare Res basement in the winter for my usual porter, but I can only take so much of it. We need to "breathe" to feel more alive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bjarke_Ingels

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Artificial turf does not enhance anyone's quality of life. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Enough in this world is artificial already and in no way enhances the human experience.
 
PWMFlyer said:
To this day, I love the Rose Parkway in Boston. Nothing extravagant, but its functional.
www.rosekennedygreenway.org

Home - The Rose Kennedy Greenway

The Greenway is a contemporary public park in the heart of Boston, where millions of visitors come to gather, unwind, and explore.
www.rosekennedygreenway.org www.rosekennedygreenway.org
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I agree it's very nice. But it's also intrinsically linked to a project that was not only one of the most expensive highway undertakings in history but also notorious for its massive cost overruns, design flaws, and even ties to organized crime.
 
PWMFlyer said:
To this day, I love the Rose Parkway in Boston. Nothing extravagant, but its functional.
www.rosekennedygreenway.org

Home - The Rose Kennedy Greenway

The Greenway is a contemporary public park in the heart of Boston, where millions of visitors come to gather, unwind, and explore.
www.rosekennedygreenway.org www.rosekennedygreenway.org
Click to expand...
I agree. But Portland can't even manage to finish Congress Square Park... so my bar is lowered.
 
PlantArch said:
Artificial turf does not enhance anyone's quality of life. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Enough in this world is artificial already and in no way enhances the human experience.
Click to expand...
I agree in principle but the fact or reality is that it’s being used all over the country now for dynamic public areas. Maine is too cold 6 months of the year. Grass can not or is not used in cold weather. De facto, artificial is better because it works.
 
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