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Placemaking Select Works

INTRODUCTION At REA, we know that great public spaces transform communities. Plazas, streetscapes, and civic gathering spaces are more than places to gather — they drive social connection, economic vitality, and community pride. Well-designed public spaces make downtowns more inviting, neighborhoods more vibrant, and cities more resilient. Our design approach combines a deep understanding of community needs with environmental stewardship, cultural context, and innovative thinking. Every project is a chance to create spaces that are inclusive, welcoming, and reflective of a community’s unique identity. Through thoughtful engagement and collaborative planning, we deliver public spaces that foster belonging, encourage activation, and generate lasting impact. REA has led the design of award-winning parks and plazas across the country, projects that have catalyzed economic growth, strengthened social connections, and enhanced quality of life. We partner with municipal and civic leaders to turn vision into reality, creating spaces that are bold, sustainable, and achievable.

This brochure highlights the core elements that guide our approach to plazas and placemaking, illustrating how REA helps communities create vibrant, connected, and economically thriving public spaces: • Celebrate Culture, People, and Place • Year-Round Activation • Place as an Economic Engine • Integration of Public Art • Sustainability & Resilience • Community Engagement

SWITCHYARD PARK - BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA 4

Celebrate Culture, People, & Place

Celebrate Culture, People, & Place: A guiding philosophy in our team’s design practice has been to celebrate the unique story, cultural narrative, and authentic identity of each place through inclusive engagement, imaginative, sustainable, and equitable design, wellcrafted detailing, and skillful technical execution. From destination public spaces to equitable transportation corridors, resilient natural environments to multimodal streestscapes, inspiring works of art to engaging public amenities, each of our projects seeks to honor and elevate a place’s distinctive voices, history, and culture to provide meaningful and transformative experiences for the community’s residents and visitors.

MAIN STREET SQUARE - RAPID CITY, SD

JASPER COURTHOUSE SQUARE - JASPER, IN 8

JASPER COURTHOUSE SQUARE - JASPER, IN

MONON BOULEVARD, MIDTOWN PLAZA - CARMEL, IN INDIANAPOLIS ARTS CENTER, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 10

MONON BOULEVARD, MIDTOWN PLAZA - CARMEL, IN

MAIN STREET SQUARE - RAPID CITY, SD

MIDTOWN PLAZA - CARMEL, IN

BROADWAY SQUARE - FARGO, ND

BROADWAY SQUARE - FARGO, ND 14

RICHARD G. LUGAR PLAZA - INDIANAPOLIS, IN 16

JULIA CARSON TRANSIT CENTER - INDIANAPOLIS, IN 18

MONON BOULEVARD - CARMEL, IN 20

MONON BOULEVARD - CARMEL, IN

MAIN ST SQUARE - RAPID CITY, SD 22

CARTER GREEN - CARMEL, IN 24

Year Round Activation

Year Round Activation Our award-winning civic squares and public plazas have featured performance venues, interactive water features, gathering spaces, event lawns, seating gardens, public art, food service, and ice-skating rinks that are designed with the infrastructure and flexibility to accommodate a wide variety of programming. Our projects have transformed downtown areas by creating engaging civic amenities informed by the community’s unique cultural identity. Our understanding of both the technical and qualitative aspects of placemaking has created safe, activated, and accessible public spaces that foster social interaction and attract year round use.

CHRISTKINDLMARKT AT CARTER GREEN - CARMEL, IN

MAIN ST SQUARE - RAPID CITY, SD 28

SWITCHYARD CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK,PARK BLOOMINGTON, - DETROIT, MIIN 30

CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK - DETROIT, MI

BROADWAY SQUARE - FARGO, ND 34

JULIA CARSON TRANSIT CENTER - INDIANAPOLIS, IN 36

Ecological Resilience & Sustainability

Ecological Resilience & Sustainability REA’s leadership in sustainable site development, LEED, SITES, ecology, and environmental planning uniquely positions us to integrate best practice sustainability and resilience measures into every project. Central to our design approach is the seamless incorporation of green infrastructure and resilient design solutions that provide lasting value to both clients and communities. Our team brings diverse experience in the design, permitting, and implementation of innovative stormwater management strategies—including permeable pavements, bioswales, green roofs, infiltration basins, rain gardens, subsurface detention, and water harvesting systems—all of which mitigate flood risk, reduce runoff, and improve water quality. We take an ecological-first approach to site planning and design, prioritizing the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of native plant communities and sensitive wetland environments. This includes thoughtful reintroduction of native species, strategic removal of invasives, and habitat restoration to support biodiversity, promote ecological balance, and strengthen regional resilience. Our team works collaboratively with clients and stakeholders to develop long-term ecological management plans that ensure continued stewardship and regeneration of these natural systems. We view high-performance landscapes, environmental stewardship, and wellness as integral to a holistic approach to placemaking. Our design philosophy acknowledges that both people and nature shape the landscape, and that designing for resiliency means selecting materials and systems that are not only innovative, but also adaptable to the evolving challenges of climate change. This includes prioritizing durable, timeless materials that are appropriate to the environment and expected levels of use to ensure long-term resiliency throughout the project lifecycle.

INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL - INDIANAPOLIS, IN

MONON BOULEVARD - CARMEL, IN 40

Designed with sustainability at its core, the project integrates innovative green infrastructure to enhance the region’s stormwater management and urban resilience. Over an acre of permeable pavers captures stormwater, reducing peak runoff by 72% during 100-year storm events and lowering traditional infrastructure costs. An extensive system of soil cells, structural soil, and amended soils supports the growth of a robust urban tree canopy, including 340 new trees, and fosters a diverse pollinator habitat with 3,900 native plants. These strategies are projected to reduce the urban heat island effect by 3 to 8 degrees, offset over one million pounds of carbon dioxide, and save more than 142,000 kWh in energy consumption over the next 20 years.

MONON BOULEVARD - CARMEL, IN 42

Pollinators

Spring Bulbs

Drought Tolerance Plants

Annuals

Seasonal Interests

MONON BOULEVARD - CARMEL, IN 44

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 658 trees

= 100 trees

9,397 shrubs

= 100 shrubs

67,679 perenials

= 1000 perenials

TREE CANOPY Offsets 2.76 million pounds of carbon dioxide = one-year emission from 295 cars Conserves 1 million kWH electricity for surrounding buildings = one year electricity usage for 93 US households

INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL - INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46

Intercepts 38 million gallons of rainfall = 57 Olympic-size swimming pools

DE CR CO OS RA SW TIV AL E K

TYPICAL BLOCK

TRAIL SIGNAGE IN

TE R PL SEC AZ TI A ON

STORMWATER PLANTER PE

PA TH

TR AC K

PLANT BUFFER

BENCH

STORMWATER PLANTER

PEDESTRIAN LIGHTS BICYCLE PARKING TRAIL SIGNAGE

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

TR AC K

190K SF of new greenspace diverts 4.15 million gallons of stormwater annually TABLE-TOP VEHICULAR ACCESS PE

Planting Soil: 4,500 CY

Stormwater Planter: 25,400 SF

Structural Soil: 2,560 CY

PA TH

INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL - INDIANAPOLIS, IN 48

SWITCHYARD PARK - BLOOMINGTON, IN 50

CHRISTKINDLMARKT AT CARTER GREEN - CARMEL, IN 52

Place As An Economic Engine

Place As An Economic Engine We understand how the design of equitable, accessible, and connected places can have a transformative impact on a community’s social and economic health. Our demonstrated experience in the planning and design of spaces that are welcoming and inviting for all has helped to re-energize local economies and revitalize downtown districts. Examples include Campus Martius Park, which has helped to revitalize downtown Detroit through activation, programming, and social interaction and helped spur $2 billion in real estate investment attracting 20,000 new jobs; Carter Green which hosts Carmel, IN’s highly popular Christkindlmarkt, a month-long holiday event that has created an annual economic ripple effect of $23.1 million for the surrounding community; and Rapid City’s Main Street Square which hosts over 300 year-round events attracting residents and tourists and is widely embraced as the community’s living room and the primary reason for unprecedented commercial, residential, and retail re-investment in downtown.

CARTER GREEN - CARMEL, IN

CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK - DETROIT, MI 56

CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK - DETROIT, MI

MONON BOULEVARD - CARMEL, IN 58

$34M

public investment spurred:

$167M in adjacent private development

20%

increase in local business revenue

66%

increased revenue from TIF

while added:

200,000 SF retail/ commercial space over 400 residential units

375,000 SF

office spaces Approximately 1,500 new jobs As of 2022

CHRISTKINDLMARKT AT CARTER GREEN - CARMEL, IN 60

CHRISTKINDLMARKT AT CARTER GREEN - CARMEL, IN

BROADWAY SQUARE - FARGO, ND

MAIN ST SQUARE - RAPID CITY, SD 62

INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL - INDIANAPOLIS, IN 64

Integration of Public Art

Integration of Public Art REA has a long history as a leader in the integration of art in the public landscape. Our expertise includes the design of site-specific works of art by REA, collaborations with artists for the fabrication of custom artworks, and working with arts organizations to identify opportunities for the integration of public art. At Campus Martius Park, REA developed an Arts Plan for the inclusion of local artists within the design. For the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, REA integrated over $2.5 million of public art by local, national, and international artists. For Rapid City’s Main Street Square, REA helped organize and manage a national competition to select an artist to carve in situ granite formations designed by our team.

MONON BOULEVARD - CARMEL, IN

SWITCHYARD PARK - BLOOMINGTON, IN 68

RICHARD G. LUGAR PLAZA - INDIANAPOLIS, IN

INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL - INDIANAPOLIS, IN

MAIN ST SQUARE - RAPID CITY, SD 70

MONON BOULEVARD - CARMEL, IN 72

INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL - INDIANAPOLIS, IN

JASPER COURTHOUSE SQUARE - JASPER, IN

Community Engagement Our team members are established leaders in working with the public to foster a collective vision for a project. We understand the importance of an equitable and inclusive engagement process throughout the duration of planning and design, particularly for projects of great public significance such as this. We regularly employ a range of outreach methods in our public space practice that enable not only input and feedback but direct participation; we view outreach and engagement as a crucial step toward empowering the local community to guide the final design solution, build capacity and agency, and foster a sense of pride in their place — which ensures sustained interest and ownership in the project well beyond a project’s ribbon cutting.

Scan the QR codes to view the conceptual renderings. This is a great technique for generating stakeholder enthusiasm and donor support.

HOLLIDAY PARK - INDIANAPOLIS, IN 80

We often conduct visioning exercises with schools, troops, or other young stakeholder groups

If desired, illustrations can be crafted into an interactive 3D model where users can experience the proposed designs through the use of their cell phone. On other projects, we have included the QR Codes on a ‘Big Map’ so stakeholders can better understand and experience the master plan vision.

PLACEMAKING & PLAZAS Ball State University, Village Plaza Muncie, Indiana Broadway Square Fargo, North Dakota Campus Martius Park Detroit, Michigan Carter Green & Chriskindl Market Carmel, Indiana Courthouse Square Redevelopment Jasper, Indiana Domain Century Oaks Plaza Austin, Texas Fourth & Main Park Evansville, Indiana Greenwood Fieldhouse Plaza Greenwood, Indiana Indianapolis Cultural Trail Indianapolis, Indiana Jack Elstro Plaza Richmond, Indiana Julia Carson Transit Center Indianapolis, IN Main Street Square Rapid City, South Dakota Monon Boulevard & Midtown Plaza Carmel, Indiana Park Streetscape & Plaza Westfield, Indiana Prairie Creek Park Frankfort, Indiana Purdue University, Memorial Union Courtyard West Lafayette, Indiana Richard G. Lugar Plaza Indianapolis, Indiana Switchyard Park Bloomington, Indiana White River State Park, Riverfront Expansion Indianapolis, Indiana

RUNDELL ERNSTBERGER ASSOCIATES

Who We Are We’re committed to making our world a better place. That starts with celebrating the unique identity, culture, and history of each community. We make space for connection, for building new relationships and deeper engagement — and for improving the health of people and the planet. Our work reflects who we are and what our communities can become. Since 1979, we’ve put this vision into practice as a trusted partner for municipalities, universities, nonprofits, government agencies, and corporations in more than 25 states. We are recognized as a creative, interdisciplinary firm with a diverse portfolio of awardwinning projects.

What We Do We’re urban designers, planners, and landscape architects committed to enriching communities through connection and shared experience. We are stewards of your vision and advocates for your story. We empower you to imagine the future of your community through a common vision, carried out with collaboration, creativity, and technical craftsmanship.

STUDIO KAYAK TRIP

Each team member’s unique experience strengthens a firmwide culture that embraces and celebrates all people and perspectives.

Recognition REA has an award-winning portfolio of innovative, creative, and sustainable urban design projects; extensive experience leading multi-disciplinary teams on complex public space, urban park, and downtown revitalization projects; exceptional community engagement experience; and a history of working as a team with our clients to plan, design, and implement transformative and highly impactful projects. Recognized by our peers in the landscape architectural profession as one of the leading site planning and design firms in the Midwest, REA has received more than 200 local, national and international design awards in the past 47 years.

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC ULI Americas 2022 Awards for Excellence Special Mention, Top 12 Finalists / Monon Boulevard & Midtown Plaza APA Indiana Chapter, Honor Award for Urban Design, 2020, Monon Boulevard & Midtown Plaza Indy Chamber Monumental Award 2020, Finalist for Landscape Architecture, Public Art, Neighborhood Revitalization, & Development/ Monon Boulevard & Midtown Plaza CNU International Award, 2019 / Monon Boulevard & Midtown Plaza Monumental Award, 2019 / Richard G. Lugar Plaza AIM Placemaking Award, 2019 / Monon Boulevard & Midtown Plaza AIM Placemaking Award, 2018 / The Jasper Parklands AIM Placemaking Award, 2018 / Daleville Town Hall Park & Splash Pad AIM Placemaking Award, 2018 / Jacobsville Streetscape Monumental Award, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, 2012 / Indianapolis Cultural Trail Honor Award - reth(IN)k Sustainability, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, 2012 / Indianapolis Cultural Trail Best Urban Plaza, International Making Cities Livable, 2012 / Main Street Square North America’s Top Twelve Public Squares, Project for Public Spaces, 2011 / Campus Martius Park Amanda Burden Urban Open Space Award, Urban Land Institute, 2010 / Campus Martius Park Great Places in America, American Planning Association, 2010 / Campus Martius Park Monumental Award, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, 2010 / Glick Peace Walk, Indianapolis Cultural Trail

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS Honor Award, Indiana Chapter, 2023 / Switchyard Park Merit Award, Indiana Chapter, 2022 / The Parklands Merit Award, Indiana Chapter, 2022 / Central Clarksville Redevelopment Master Plan Honor Award, Indiana Chapter, 2021 / Old City Park Merit Award, Indiana Chapter, 2021 / Monon Boulevard & Midtown Plaza Merit Award, Indiana Chapter, 2021 / Trades District Vision Plan Honor Award, Indiana Chapter, 2020 / Ohio River Greenway Vision Plan Honor Award, Kentucky Chapter, 2020 / Ohio River Greenway Vision Plan Honor Award, Indiana Chapter, 2019 / Richard G. Lugar Plaza Merit Award, Kentucky Chapter, 2019 / Flat Fork Creek Park Award of Excellence - Sustainability, Indiana Chapter, 2018 / Flat Fork Creek Park Honor Award, Indiana Chapter, 2018 / Purdue Centennial Mall Transformation Honor Award, Indiana Chapter, 2018 / Twin Aire Comprehensive Development Plan Award of Excellence, Indiana Chapter, 2016 / Julia M. Carson Transit Center Award of Excellence, Indiana Chapter, 2012 / Main Street Square Honor Award, Indiana Chapter, 2010 / Glick Peace Walk Honor Award, Indiana Chapter, 2006 / Robert Beutter Park Honor Award, Indiana Chapter, 2005 / Campus Martius Park Honor Award, Indiana Chapter, 1999 / White River Gardens ASLA Merit Award for Landscape Architecture, 2001 / White River Gardens

Contact for more information please contact: Kevin Osburn kosburn@reasite.com 317.296.7288 Carl Kincaid ckincaid@reasite.com 317.263.0127

www.reasite.com Indianapolis, IN • Louisville, KY

Landscape Architecture / Planning / Urban Design / Civil Engineering 92