The $5.8M Downtown Niagara Falls project in New York State enhances the pedestrian experience of Old Falls Street while reintroducing vehicular circulation on a seasonal basis. The sidewalk widths were designed to accommodate a variety of activities and to improve connectivity through the site, a prominent gateway to historic Niagara Falls State Park.
Old Falls Street allows for outdoor events at the Niagara Falls Conference Center, provides sidewalk dining, and creates space for street performers and market events. A new allee of shade trees replaces mature trees that were in decline. The project's paving materials create continuity in the neighborhood, drawing upon existing material palettes of nearby streetscapes. Niagara Falls State Park serves as a prominent source of inspiration for material selections including the dolomite stone used on site.
The success of this project led to Phase II design work with the same client group and team. The second phase streetscape plan introduced bioswales within the streetscape, a misting fountain, and connections to the historic state park.