Community Gathering
Esteban Huerta
Manhattan lacks public gathering spaces. This site gives the perfect opportunity to create a community gathering destination. This design will focus on creating a pedestrian oriented urban center in the MCM property. Additionally it will build better connections by revitalizing the green spaces in the off ramps. It will give people access to the river through a riverfront park. By focusing on the arts, history, and ecology of Manhattan, the site can enhance Manhattan’s cultural identity. The community gathering destination will provide interactive spaces that engage the community such as a skate park or an outdoor movie theater. The design will provide better interconnectivity in a site that is heavily vehicle-oriented by building pedestrian accessible infrastructure such as a pedestrian bridge and a tunnel. By creating a community gathering destination, Manhattan can once again be connected to the riverfront.
Figure 5.1 Overview Plan
Figure 5.2 Section
The pedestrian-oriented urban center brings public gathering spaces to the street. Pedestrians have full access of the street allowing it to be a place for social interaction and activity. The street allows for all kinds of programs to happen within it like a fountains, beer gardens and cafes. With mixed use buildings on the edges, people will be able to shop at a variety of stores and live above the store fronts.
Figure 5.4 Activating the Street
The street will come alive at night with colorful lights in the canopies. People can enjoy a cold craft beer with their friends, relax in a hammock garden, or take a walk along the storefronts as the street buzzes with activity. A plaza will act as a central hub housing large open areas for festivals and events. There will be rooftop restaurants and bars allowing for people to watch the activity below and enjoy the vast views of the Konza prairie and the Kansas River. Finally, with a community gathering destination, Manhattan will be able to take advantage of the amazing amenity that the river provides.
Figure 5.5 Street Comes Alive at Night
References
Cover Figure
Wendling, Mackenzie. 2017. Boat Ramp (Kansas River. Manhattan, KS). Digital photograph. Wendling, Mackenzie. 2017. Manhattan Welcomes You (Kansas River Manhattan, KS). Digital photograph. “Skate Park in Manhattan.” 11/14/2012. Photograph. Courtesy of Amora619. Accessed 3/1/2017. Reproduced from Flickr. https://www.fl ickr.com/photos/mora-nex- 5n/7999956341/in/photolist-dbVSiK-9WqKL9-5ouSBt-eAJihs-Where Crows Fall. Blogger. Accessed March 1, 2017. http://wherecrowsfallfromthesky.blogspot.com/2011/07/swift -portrait-study-from-photo.html Michelle Mathis. Nature Play Coming to every Community. 2014. National Wildlife Foundation. Accessed March 1, 2017. http://blog.nwf.org/2014/09/nature-play-coming-to-every-community/
Figure 5.1
“Manhattan, Kansas.” 31° 10’28.69” N and 96° 33’17.37” W. Google Earth. 2016. April 17, 2017.
Figure 5.2
Huerta, Esteban. 2017. Section. Digital Rendering
Figure 5.3
Huerta Esteban. Computer Aided Rendering, LUMION, (Act-3D, Warmond, Th e Netherlands, 1998).
Figure 5.4
Huerta Esteban. Computer Aided Rendering, LUMION, (Act-3D, Warmond, Th e Netherlands, 1998).
Figure 5.5
Huerta Esteban. Computer Aided Rendering, LUMION, (Act-3D, Warmond, Th e Netherlands, 1998).