Omnes Landscape Architecture, Planning & Art www.omnes.studio CENTER SQUARE INITIAL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT RESULTS 2023
ABOUT THE RE-DESIGN OF CENTER SQUARE
The City of Allentown is now developing a new, community-driven design for Center Square. The project is being led by the City in partnership with Omnes (www.omnes.studio), an Easton-based landscape architecture & planning studio known for bringing the voices and visions of communities to fruition.
during a community engagement popup event held during “Rock the Block” on the ArtsWalk on June 26, 2023. The popup featured “dot-voting” stations where people weighed in about priorities and preferences for Center Square.
The design process began with a public feedback Survey to learn what residents and visitors of Allentown want to see in the redesign of Center Square. The widely-promoted bilingual survey was available in June and July 2023 at the City’s website.
The City also sought and received feedback from hundreds of Allentonians
The combined results of the survey and pop-up are presented in the following pages. Use the arrows on the left and right sides of your screen to read through.
A draft concept design for Center Square has been developed based on this robust community feedback, and the City is now seeking public input about it. To view the draft design and take the Center Square Concept Design Survey, visit the City’s website at www.allentownpa.gov.
1) WHAT ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN CENTER SQUARE?
39.1% (540 VOTES)
FARMER’S MARKETS & FESTIVALS
20.9% (289 VOTES)
MUSIC PEFORMANCES
17% (235 VOTES)
SEATING & DINING GROVE
8.4% (116 VOTES)
ICE SKATING
5.4% (74 VOTES)
CIVIC GATHERINGS & DEMONSTRATIONS
5.1% (71 VOTES) 4.1% (56 VOTES)
(1381 TOTAL VOTES)
PING PONG & LAWN GAMES
Source: 2023 Center Square Online Survey & 6/29 Public Input Session responses
2) WHAT SITE ELEMENTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN CENTER SQUARE?
21.5% (197 VOTES) 14.4% (132 VOTES)
(105 VOTES)
NATIVE POLLINATOR GARDENS
FESTOON LIGHTING
HISTORIC SIGNAGE
(94 VOTES)
SHADE STRUCTURE
(87 VOTES)
AMPHITHEATER SEATING SWINGS
(59 VOTES)
BIKE RACKS / BIKE SHARE
(57 VOTES)
OVERHEAD ELEMENTS
(45 VOTES)
SHADE SAILS
(34 VOTES)
(75 VOTES) 3.4% (31 VOTES)
(916 TOTAL VOTES)
CLIMBING/SCULPTURE
Source: 2023 Center Square Online Survey & 6/29 Public Input Session responses
OTHER
OTHER
11.5%
10.3%
9.5%
8.2%
6.4%
6.2%
3.7%
4.9%
3)
I WANT
CENTER SQUARE’S DESIGN TO CONTAIN . . .
68.3% (455 VOTES)
AN EVEN MIX OF BOTH
25.4% (169 VOTES)
GARDENS & TREES
6.3% (42 VOTES)
OPEN PAVING FOR EVENTS
(666 TOTAL VOTES)
Source: 2023 Center Square Online Survey & 6/29 Public Input Session responses
4) I WOULD ENJOY CENTER SQUARE MORE IF IT HAD . . .
27% (217 VOTES)
ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
23.5% (189 VOTES)
SPACE FOR GATHERING & CELEBRATION
11.3% (91 VOTES)
HISTORIC SIGNAGE
10.4% (84 VOTES)
A PLACE FOR DINING
9.5% (76 VOTES)
MORE SEATING
8.1% (65 VOTES)
BETTER LIGHTING
5.5% (44 VOTES)
PLACES FOR PLAY
4.7% (38 VOTES)
OTHER
(804 TOTAL VOTES)
Source: 2023 Center Square Online Survey & 6/29 Public Input Session responses
5) WHAT DO YOU MOST WANT TO SEE IN CENTER SQUARE?
17.4% (114 MENTIONS)
HISTORY & HERITAGE
16.2% (106 MENTIONS)
CULTURE, ART & ENTERTAINMENT
15.2% (100 MENTIONS)
SAFETY & MAINTENANCE
9.6% (63 MENTIONS)
GREEN SPACE / NATURE
9.6% (63 MENTIONS)
RETAIL & DINING
9.5% (62 MENTIONS)
ACCESS & TRAFFIC/TRANSPORTATION
9.1% (60 MENTIONS)
GATHERING & SEATING
7.2% (47 MENTIONS)
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL/CIVIC SERVICES
4.3% (28 MENTIONS)
PLAY & RECREATION
2% (13 MENTIONS)
PARKING
(656 TOTAL MENTIONS)
Source: 2023 Center Square Online Survey & 6/29 Public Input Session Write-In Responses grouped by mentions of categories of concern
6) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT ALLENTOWN?
20.9% (106 MENTIONS)
RETAIL & DINING
20.3% (103 MENTIONS)
CULTURE, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
14.4% (73 MENTIONS)
HISTORY & HERITAGE
10.8% (55 MENTIONS)
“NOTHING” OR COMPLAINT
9.3% (47 MENTIONS)
COMMUNITY & CIVIC LIFE
7.5% (38 MENTIONS)
CHANGE & PROGRESS
7.3% (37 MENTIONS)
UNIQUE A-TOWN CHARACTER
3.7% (19 MENTIONS)
ACCESSIBILITY & TRANSPORTATION
3% (15 MENTIONS)
DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVENESS
2.8% (14 MENTIONS)
PARKS & RECREATION
(507 TOTAL MENTIONS)
Source: 2023 Center Square Online Survey & 6/29 Public Input Session Write-In Responses grouped by mentions of categories of interest
7) WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE YOUR NAME & EMAIL?
68.2% (554 RESP.)
31.8% (212 RESP.)
(666 TOTAL RESPONSES)
NO YES
Source: 2023 Center Square Online Survey & 6/29 Public Input Session responses
8) DO YOU LIVE IN ALLENTOWN?
YES 58.4% (327 RESP.)
31.4% (176 RESP.)
10.2% (57 RESP.)
(560 TOTAL RESPONSES)
NO PREFER NOT TO ANSWER
Source: 2023 Center Square Online Survey responses
Omnes Landscape Architecture, Planning & Art www.omnes.studio CENTER SQUARE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT RESULTS 2023