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Carl Barron Plaza Redesign

Civic Open Space | Cambridge, Massachusetts

As part of the “Complete Streets” reconstruction of River Street, Halvorson | Tighe & Bond Studio is collaborating with the City of Cambridge, HDR, SPORTS, McMahon Associates, and Project for Public Spaces to redesign an expanded Carl Barron Plaza, a significant open space at the heart of Central Square.

An extensive outreach strategy included numerous public meetings, working group sessions, an online survey, pop-up events at the plaza, and an interactive website. The goal being to create a flexible, welcoming, revitalized public space that addresses the needs of the community and those who pass through this important transit hub.

The redesigned plaza will include a “sculptural ribbon” feature which serves to unify two plaza spaces and create a dynamic atmosphere, activating what was previously an under-utilized space. A balance of fixed and moveable seating will allow for greater flexibility and opportunities for programming. The reconfigured, multimodal design addresses the needs of bus riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Visit the City of Cambridge’s project page and storymap to learn more.