Design Proposition: Beardsley Rd.-Third St. Corridor
Beardsley Rd. + Third St. Overlooked for generations, both Beardsley Road and Third Street provide an opportunity to revitalize two continuous streets for Downtown residents, improving the livability and walkability. Beardsley Road-Third Street, demonstrates how to implement an active transportation corridor with adjacent designed intervention spaces that reflect the surrounding context. The southern terminus of Beardsley Road touches the Westside District, a residential area with an adjacent school. Beardsley, wedged between two sections of the city, the Downtown Loop and the West Bottoms, falls into a forgotten gap. The road has a strong accidental identity, seemingly outside the city bounded by nature. The road widths are expansive and the adjacent right-of-way allows design flexibility. Third Street moves through a vastly different context. The street is enclosed on both sides by medium size buildings frequented by parking lots. The newly revitalized area has a moderate population and mixed use development. The district encompassing Third St. is a major feature of Downtown, although bare of non-motorized infrastructure.
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