Central Redevelopment
Having Designs on Central Avenue
A gateway park. Sidewalk cafes. River pavilions and more. Shared Vision teams offer their ideas for revitalizing a key corridor.
By: Nancy Salem, Tribune Reporter
Twenty architectural firms participated in the town hall, which focused on seven sites along Central.
…moving from east to west, the first of the seven sites, East Gateway, includes the 10 blocks around Tramway Boulevard and Central Avenue, a "faceless" intersection, Rich said. "This is a major entry point, a dramatic opening up of the city," she said. "It's a major connection where Interstate 40 and Route 66 come together.”... The designers wanted to create a sense of arrival and identity with a gateway park and a high-visibility tower, Rich said. Other ideas were more housing, sidewalk cafes, trees and a Route 66 visitors' center. The designers also envisioned a trailhead for hiking, biking and other recreation.