Downtown Waterfront
Old Town/Chinatown Design Developments

The project design team, along with guidance from the steering committee and public, has developed the conceptual plan into a streetscape design plan. Streetscape elements have been detailed to reflect the area's history and culture.

Festival Streets

At the heart of the design are the two Festival Streets, on NW Davis and NW Flanders. The Festival Streets are streets without curbs, where black granite bollards delineate the boundary between sidewalk and roadway. Cars can drive and park on the festival streets, but the streets are designed so they can be temporarily closed to traffic for neighborhood events. The street surface is scored concrete bounded by light-colored granite pavers.

New Sidewalks

New sidewalks will be constructed throughout the project area. The new sidewalks will be scored concrete, with black granite paving blocks near the curb. Sidewalks on NW 3rd Avenue between Davis and Glisan will be widened and a bike lane will replace one car lane in the street. New streetlights and trash receptacles will be installed throughout the project area.

New Trees and Plantings

More than 100 new street trees will be planted throughout the project area. The new trees have been carefully chosen to be beautiful without requiring extensive maintenance. Many are of Asian origin and extend the botanical theme from the Chinese Classical Garden into the neighborhood.

The area around each tree will be landscaped. Property owners may choose from a variety of planting options depending on their interest in helping to maintain the plants outside their property.

Public Art

The Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) is overseeing a process to commission public art pieces for the project area that celebrate the multi-cultural history and promise of the neighborhood.

Under Construction

Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2005. Every effort is being made to minimize construction impacts to the neighborhood and businesses. Work will focus on two blocks at a time, and access will be maintained to businesses during business hours. On each block, the contractor will demolish existing sidewalks, dig trenches for new electrical conduit, and then construct new sidewalks. New streetlights and trees will be installed, then the final street paving will be done. Construction of all the street improvements is expected to take 15–18 months.

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