As part of a major redevelopment vision for
Rte. 30,
The Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County (SGPWC) is facilitating a free design charrette on Oct. 22-26 at the
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.
The project will create an economically feasible site plan for a stretch of Rte. 30 that will become a model for safe, efficient and attractive development along the entire 40-mile corridor. The targeted 30-acre site is located in
Unity Township, southeast of the intersection of Routes 30 and 981, near
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport.
“The prototype will have transferable concepts to other parts of the corridor. It’s near Kennametal's corporate headquarters, schools and commercial. There’s an opportunity for creative mixed-use—maybe a town center concept,” says Alex Graziani, with SGPWC. “With plazas on both sides, it creates connectivity and could keep people from having to get on and off Route 30.”
The design will emphasize linkages between the corridor and surrounding communities. Graziani says the charrette is the first of its kind in the region. “We’re trying to model the best way to do public participation. The idea is that meaningful collaborative design can occur. People can be trusted to create good design for their community if you give them the tools and facts. The future of charrettes will see a stronger virtual component,” adds Graziani, who says that SGPWC is adding interactive video and blog components to its
web site. “A lot of public agencies are not willing to be transparent. What matters is quality of place. Place based planning is becoming important. We can do a lot because of the amenities, history and it’s cheap to live.”
R.S.V.P. required.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSource: Alex Graziani, SGPWC
Image courtesy of Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County