TRADITIONS PARKING AREA

Previously used as a restaurant patio and popular community gathering space, this site is now overgrown and neglected.

The area behind the former Traditions restaurant building is currently a large expanse of broken asphalt, trash receptacles, and semipermanent puddles. Nicknamed “The Pond” by locals, this area has notorious stormwater issues and is in dire need of repaving. Despite its prime location in the heart of downtown— between Harvey’s supermarket and the popular Mi Sombrero Mexican Restaurant—this site sits vacant. The historic building was once home to a vibrant restaurant with live music and outdoor seating. The bar and kitchen remain, but the building is now home to a storefront church, a use often restricted by local zoning that limits activity in the area.

Traditions Parking Area Gathering Space

These renderings show a proposed development plan behind the buildings. A central lawn with shade trees can be used as flexible space, and a deck near the building can be used as either a stage or as an outdoor dining area. Unpaved planted areas like the lawn shown can help mitigate drainage issues by allowing stormwater to percolate into the ground, recharging the water table and reducing harmful runoff. Using tree trenches (a method of connecting street trees via underground infiltration systems) can also help reduce stormwater runoff. Both buildings are shown with updated rear façades and business entrances. Parking is available on all four sides of the central green, ensuring accessibility to all businesses. This concept also includes a sidewalk shown to the right of the former Traditions restaurant, making pedestrian access to Comas Street safer.

LEFT: This proposed plan shows a first option for this space. This design features a one-way drive lane and parallel parking adjacent to the existing businesses. The small alley between the Comas Street and Park Avenue buildings could be used for back-of-house service needs. The space shown could accommodate two standard 8-yard dumpsters and several city garbage cans. Situated at the end of a straight drive, this service area would also be easily accessible to garbage trucks.

Traditions Parking Area Gathering Space

This second concept shows the area activated and repurposed as an open plaza with a small water feature/splash pad, moveable chairs, and shade trees.

EXISTING: Conditions shown include a confusing arrangement of unmarked parking, dangerous potholes, and back-of-house services.

PROPOSED: This rendering shows a second option for development of this prominent parcel. Instead of a central green surrounded by curbs, this concept shows an on-grade plaza constructed with permeable pavers. Like turf and landscaping, permeable pavers can help address drainage issues by allowing stormwater runoff to soak back into the ground. This flexible paved plaza features a compact splash pad/water feature as the focal point of the space. As parents wait for lunch at the restaurant, kids can cool off or just get their feet wet and burn off some energy! Large-canopy shade trees like the sycamores pictured would be essential to keep the plaza comfortable in the summer and help mitigate stormwater runoff. Tree trenches could also be used to ensure a healthy street tree canopy. The plaza is shown on-grade with the parking lot, with bollards separating the spaces. These bollards could be removed for vehicular delivery or event access. The open plan of the space allows for change over time. Outdoor restaurant dining is shown behind the former Traditions restaurant, but any adjacent Park Avenue businesses would also have easy access to outdoor dining or retail space. This design option includes roughly the same number of parking spaces as the option shown on page 19.