The Commons

Project Description

In 2012 the Grandville DDA undertook a major streetscape project. Part of the initial plans included a farmers’ market pavilion and green space in a much used but never renovated city parking lot. As the cost of the streetscape project increased, however, and the budget did not, the pavilion and green space had to be removed from the improvements.
The dream never died though and six years later, having used the un-renovated space countless times for markets and events, discussions began again. With the library, our largest anchor store, separated from the rest of the downtown by a sad, sprawling parking lot, we knew that we needed a structure to both visually connect KDL to the downtown shopping center and to provide a sense of space and shade cover for our farmers’ markets and large community events. Rather than construct a large pavilion that would sit unused much of the time, Fishbeck and OCBA envisioned a covered walking path, large enough to house the market and portions of each event but narrow enough to be inviting just to walk through any day of the week. We added in a sound system, upgraded the electrical outlets in the lot, relocated a bus route, purchased tables and umbrellas for eating, and created a green gathering space with commercial grade porch swings hung from a circular pergola, and The Commons became a reality in our Downtown.

Is your project easy to replicate in other communities (clear in its impact and execution for other communities)?

Any community, large or small, would benefit from a similar project. Whatever form it takes – green space, a covered structure for markets and events and ample seating are all vital components to the revitalization of a downtown.

What is the Community Wealth Impact (based on one or more of the categories you selected) of your project?

The completion of this project led to the creation of a social district in our downtown. The impact of this for our area breweries was huge, especially during events. Post covid we lost a few of our licensed establishments, so the district is currently inactive. But with the infrastructure in place, we have been able to begin attracting new establishments. We should be able to re-open our district early 2024.

Describe the creativity and originality of your project.

Creatively speaking, three elements of this project stand out.
1. The long and somewhat narrow nature of the structure works beautifully for markets and events, providing both shade and rain cover, but it also serves as a visual walking path leading library patrons into our downtown on non-event and market days.
2. Several seating “walls” were built into the design, between the swings and around the landscaping near the tables. During events this creates dozens of additional places for people to gather and rest without the cost and hassle of bringing in rental chairs.
3. Ballasts were included in the lots on both sides of the structure, allowing us to close off portions of the parking for pedestrian use when an event needs additional space.