Defining the Corridor's Edges
This project examines the condition of the main corridors of Washington Park. We begin with the assumption that a vibrant “main street” provides a variety of amenities for the daily life of a resident and is essential for the well being of this community. Foreclosures have transformed many lots in the Washington Park and Walnut Hill neighborhoods into empty and dilapidated spaces. Vacant lots break up the continuity of the corridor’s edge, eroding the identity of the community. As a result, a once-vibrant corridor of mixed amenities now lies dormant. GIS analysis (right) of the data from the city of Milwaukee highlights where these vacancies are and which vacant properties the city owns. Further extraction highlights the vacant properties that are near bus stops. These vacancies offer the best opportunity for redevelopment because they provide the greatest access to residents.
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Sequence of the Corridors
Generating Solutions
Sketches of the corridors (left) reveal great potential in the existing infrastructure of Lisbon Ave. The dedicated parking and biking lanes on both sides of the street provide pedestrians with buffer zones between traffic and the sidewalk. Discussions with local residents, both young and old, reveal a desire for developing spaces that allow the youth to safely engage in activities outside along the street. Many young males in the community enjoy skateboarding. A local art culture survives as an element of identity for the community. These uses suggest programs to be designed along Lisbon Avenue that the project aims to implement both through a series of interventions over time.
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