The why, what and how behind the June 22-28 2021 Oak Street Design Workshop

Why are we doing it?

Although this is primarily a stormwater, flood control and water quality project, we’ll consider how this significant construction project may be able to support other goals, too. We’ll evaluate which features of Oak Street should remain and be protected, and others that could be rebuilt differently to support safe pedestrian, bike and vehicle connectivity, downtown events and provide healthy natural spaces for the neighborhood.

How does it work?

The initial ideas for the Oak Street streetscape will be developed during this design workshop. Community members and City department representatives with intersecting plans and projects are all to participate in the streetscape design ideation and refinement process.

What is it?

A public design workshop is an intensive, multi-day design session where city staff, citizens, designers, community leaders and technical experts will collaborate on the street design for Oak Street. The workshop provides a forum for creative ideas and provides both immediate and ongoing feedback loops between designers, stakeholders and the community. More importantly, it allows everyone that participates to have input and authorship in the design.

The design team will set up a studio and carry out the preliminary design for Oak Street in real time. Group meetings, presentations and design sessions will be held throughout the week. The team will use the input received to develop the design alternatives, testing design ideas and seeking feedback and direction for the corridor.

The workshop will begin with a kick-off presentation and walking tour. Hands-on design sessions through the week with presentations will allow continual feedback on the work as it is being produced during the open design studios. The public workshop will wrap up with a presentation where the draft work produced during the week will be shared with the community. Although this workshop will direct the basic street design direction, additional feedback and engagement will be sought throughout the project design and construction.

You are welcome to attend any and all activities and events and to share this information with others.