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Transcript of Everyday Squares
EverydaySquares
Table of Contents
Introduction: Creating Urban CatalystsUnderstanding the Urban CatalystEspresso a ManoFarmers @ FirehouseFrick Park MarketUrban GardenerGirasoleMake Your MarkVillage Park at Point Park UniversityThe Porch at Schenley PlazaRound Corner CantinaTazza D’Oro
The evolution of Everyday Squares spans time, cultures, and continents. Though the context may change they are, and always have been, the outcome and noble enabler of a great civilization. As part of this legacy, we dedicate this manual to the City of Pittsburgh, her neighborhoods, and the urban lessons she teaches all of us as designers, town-builders, and citizens.
Copyright Urban Design Associates 2012www.UrbanDesignAssociates.com
EverydaySquares
Memorable neighborhoods, towns, and cities are composed of specific types of places that share a unique ability to spark and con-tinuously energize their communities. These places, or Everyday Sqaures, are the neces-sary counterbalance to large, formal, public spaces and are home to our daily lives.
The craft of making authentic places for peo-ple has been entrusted to the small business-es, risk takers, and tinkerers that, amidst much adversity, preserve and celebrate neighborly living. These entrepreneurs and the intimate
public spaces they curate are the keepers of a town-building language that has been largely overlooked in an age of big plans, silver bullet development initiatives, over leveraging, and exclusionary zoning. With the weaknesses of that age now exposed, we
look to these innovators for inspiration that in-forms how we regenerate our neighborhoods, districts, and towns.
Understanding Everyday Squares naturally begins in a place such as Pittsburgh, a city that found its historical strength and its recent renaissance in its neighborhoods, which depend on “third places” like small taverns, coffee houses, and other service shops. These everyday uses catalyze neighborhood vibrancy throughout the city. With a team of researchers from Urban Design Associates, we interviewed Everyday Square founders, measured key urban dimensions, and docu-mented the interplay between the place and its context, including how it is used and the role it plays in bringing people together.
Everyday Squares are not unique to Pitts-burgh. Hamlets, villages, towns, and cities all over the world feature their own versions of Everyday Squares that contribute to the economy of a place. This manual is intended to be a living tool that can be used and added to over time by designers, developers, business owners, and policy makers.
Introduction: Creating Urban Catalysts
“...the craft of making au-thentic places for people has been entrusted to the small businesses, risk takers, and tinkerers...”
Key Characteristics of Everyday Squares
Small, implement-able in early phases of »development with limited initial investment
Creates the “seed” energy to leverage »future investments, on- and off-site
Stimulating and active at multiple times of »the day and week
Works at the scale of the village, neigh- »borhood, town, and city
Fosters planned or spontaneous interac- »tions between new and old friends
EverydaySquares
The Everyday Toolkit
This manual methodically walks through the essential criteria, dimensions, and life that Everyday Squares bring to town and neigh-borhood building. The information is culled from interviews with owners and operators, measuring, and drawing. It is structured to be a useful and intuitive benchmarking and design tool.
Incremental RegenerationEveryday Squares stand to teach us living les-sons about the naunced development of lasting, memorable places. Few of the examples within this document exist in a vacuum and have quan-tifiable impacts on their surroundings.
EVERyDAy SqUARE
ACTIVE USE bEFORE EVERyDAy SqUARE
ACTIVE USE CATAlyzED In-PART by EVERyDAy SqUARE
bUIlDIng
timing
pioneer last missing piece
startup capital
$ $$$$$
size
small large
Hierarchy of UndertakingEveryday Squares exist across a broad spectrum and are achieved through varying degrees of timing, investment, and scale. The resulting typologies vary from redevelopment of underutilized sites, to adaptive reuse, to new construction. The hierarchy of squares are organized along three tracks:Timing: While all Everyday Squares are part of neighborhood vibrancy, not all come on-line early. Some are first adopters and pioneers where others are better suited to be developed in later phases.Startup Capital: Often the greatest creativ-ity emerges out of the tightest of budgets and spawns an authentic, practical, and often magical place. As the undertaking grows in scope, the creation of the square requires greater debt or equity capitalization.Size: Everyday Squares range from small, urban acupuncture to sizeable undertakings that require property acquisition, partners, and greater levels of coordination.
Urban DimensionsA common mis-step in attempting to implement vibrant, resilient places is over-extending the scope and scale of what is realistically achiev-able or required. The urban dimensions of Ev-eryday Squares offer important guidance on how to position, size, and choreograph places such that they not only provide a neighbor-hood’s “third place” but sustain the requisite multiplier effect on the neighborhood. Such an orientation allows the success of the enterprise to compound the success of the neighborhood and permits the neighborhood to compound the viability of the enterprise.
EverydaySquares
location
lawrenceville, Pittsburgh
current use
Coffee Shop
space
Interior, Sidewalk
area
1,320 s.f. / Access: Private – 25%, Public – 75%
Espresso A Mano is located in the heart of lawrenceville, an eclectic neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Owner Matt gabis said he wanted to provide a sociable gathering space — the third place away from home and work — for locals to congregate and socialize. This opportunity was fulfilled with very little funding.
timing startup capital size
ESPRESSO A MAnO
bUSInESS ExISTED bEFORE
bUSInESS OPEnED AFTER
ExISTIng bUIlDIngS
Espresso A ManoCoffee shop Becomes a Public Space
37th Street
36th Street
37th Street
36th Street
butle
r Stre
etM
ullbe
rry W
ay
Charlo
tte S
treet
Open 10 hours, 7 days per week, for a total of 6 hours of peak occupancy.
Early birds , college students , and freelancers occupy the majority of the spaces
butle
r Stre
et
Source: Matt Gadis andwww.espressoamano.com
EverydaySquares
Espresso a Mano
Espresso A Mano is an espresso bar that provides high quality espresso and coffee beverages as well as pastry in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The italian term “a mano” means “by hand”. In Italian tradi-tion, the hand is one of the four components to craft a delicious espresso. The choice of brands used to craft the beverages range from fair trade, direct trade, and organic cof-fees from the best fine roasters.
15'
PRIVATE ACCESS [SPACE]
SEMI -PUblIC InTERIOR SPACE
SIDEWAlK
22'
60'
lounge/leisure zone
Service Counter
Private Space Servicing
15' 8'16'
Primary Entrance
Secondary Entrance
EverydaySquares
Espresso a ManoThe floor plan offers an open environment with seating arrangements flanking the perimeter of the interior spaces.
zOnE 4: lEISURE SPACES
zOnE 2: SIDEWAlK/PlAzA
zOnE 1: STREETSIDE bUFFER zOnE
zOnE 3: gEnERAl InTERIOR SPACES
Zone 2: On-street parking creates a buffer zone for outdoor dinning that affords social interaction and people watching.
Zone 4: Semi-private inner interior and somewhat intimate zones located to the rear of the public area. local art displayed on wall celebrating local art talent.
Zone 3: The general open zone creates a open floor plan populated with portable tables and chairs for other personal and social interaction.
Semi-Public Space
Vacant Adjacent lot
Sidewalk
CIRCUlATIOn
Service Counter
zOnE 5: PRIVATE SPACES
EverydaySquares
Farmers @ FirehouseEmpty Lot Becomes a Farmers Market
location
Strip District, Pittsburgh
current use
Market, Event Space, Parking lot
space
Vacant lot
area
5,500 s.f. / 100% site utilization
Farmers @ Firehouse transforms a parking lot into a bustling farmers market and event space with innovative programming.
PARKIng
F@F 1 in = 200 ft .
Penn
Ave
nue
Small
man St
reet
libert
y Ave
nue
23rd Street
22nd Street
FARMERS @ FIREHOUSE
ExISTIng bUIlDIngS
Property owner charges 0 dollars to rent the space to the market.
There are as many as 20 vendors on market day.
Recently, Farmers @ Firehouse was voted the number 1 farmers market in the City.
This has allowed 1 project manager to be hired.
Source: farmersatfirehouse.com
timing startup capital size
EverydaySquares
Key Information
zoning Urban Industrial
Parking Market Day: On-StreetWeekday: On- and Off-Street
Cost Per Square Foot $0
Scale of Adjacent buildings 2.5 stories / 1 story
Penn Ave Right-of-Way 55 feet
Penn Ave SW 11 feet
Alley Right-of-Way 15 feet
Alley SW n/a
55'
100'10'
19' 18'18'
weekday market day Farmers @ Firehouse
EverydaySquares
Farmers @ Firehouse
The conversion of the lot adjacent to the Fire-house from a parking lot to a farmers market creates a much richer, safer environment for people which helps to extend the energy and activity of the Strip District eastward into an area largely dominated by surface parking. The circulation diagrams shows both the reduction in conflict points and blank space experienced on foot. The nodes diagram further emphasizes this point by showing how the area transforms from a single use with little interest to those not parked there, to a place with many uses in a small amount of space. The photos below best demonstrate this transformation of a space from nearly devoid of human interest and comfort to a place that engages the senses, provides for safety and comfort, and performs an impor-tant urban function for the neighborhood as a place to buy and sell healthy food.-
weekday market day
Thum
bnai
l pho
tos
cour
tesy
of F
arm
ers
@ F
ireho
use.
PEDESTRIAn CIRCUlATIOn
nODES
TRAFFIC CIRCUlATIOn
EverydaySquares
location
Point breeze, Pittsburgh
current use
Deli/Market
space
Setback/Sidewalk
area
lot: 3900 s.f. / Interior: 750 s.f. / Sidewalk: 650 s.f.
Frick Park Market has developed a complementary relationship with the community it occupies; it simultaneously stimulates the area and takes advantage of the dynamic neighborhood.
“Friendly, Personal, Close to Home.”
Reynolds Street
S la
ng A
venu
e
Frick Park MarketMarket Becomes Community Gathering Space
75 customers, on average, at the lunch hour
68 families with invoice tabs dating to early years of the market
14 categories of offerings from convenience items to prepared meals
timing startup capital size
EverydaySquares
Street Dimensions
Right-of-Way Width 62 feet
Cartway Width 38 feet
Travel lanes (2) 11 feet
Parking lanes (2) 8 feet
Sidewalk Width 14 feet
Planter Width none
Median Width none
Parking On-Street; Metered
Frick Park Market makes the most of its lim-ited space by layering uses on the site. The garage serves as storage for the market, the apartment upstairs is rented out, the sidewalk is used for additional seating, and a small kitchen was added to the back. Interior uses include food preparation, displaying grocer-ies, and seating.
Upstairs Apartment
Awning for Shade and Signage
Sandwich board Specials
Frick Park Market
10'
35'
14'
18' 25'
SIDEWAlK
PAVIng
PRIVATE yARD
?'
EverydaySquares
Frick Park Market’s dedication to providing a number of unique services and its proximity to a number of well-used spaces results in its use by a wide cross-section of people at all times of day. This array of services is also a reflection of a interest in building a strong relationship with the community. Some of these include:
dinner meal plans; »
fresh artisan cheese and free-range eggs; »
local products (la Prima coffee, Wood »Street bakery bread);
specialty item services; and »
payment tabs. »
Frick Park Market
frick park drawWalkers, Joggers, bikers
student drawbefore and After School Students
Space for Public Use Extends Onto Sidewalk
Apartment Access
garage Storage
groceries
Inside Seating
Meat locker
Deli Counter
SHOP AREA
FOOD PREPARATIOn
STORAgE/bACK OF HOUSE
SIDEWAlK CAFE zOnE
DISPlAy
pedestrian drawFamilies, Stay-at-Home Parents
catchment area and primary routes
thru-traffic drawCommuters, greater Community, Ready Access (both as a Destination or En Route)
Sidewalk Seating
garage for StorageSmall Kitchen Addition
Reynolds Street
S la
ng A
venu
e
S Da
llas A
venu
ePenn Avenue
EverydaySquares
Photo
location
northside, Pittsburgh
current use
Plant nursery
space
Open lot
area
Occupied Space: 16,500 s.f. / Additional Sloped land: 11,000 s.f.
Urban gardenerEmpty Lot Becomes a Nursery
brighton Road
brighton Place
A Street
Kirkbride Street
California Avenue
75 dollars /month for the initial rent
2,100 names on the mailing list
0 dollars of debt throughout life of business
Started on the site of an abandoned gas station by residents looking to improve their community, Urban gardener brings life to the northside neighborhood in countless ways. It attracts business, reactivates a previously un-used space, and visually brightens the area.
timing startup capital size
EverydaySquares
The site has been progressively built up and defined using easily accessible materials. Using very few built structures, this is an economically viable solution for creating a functional and appealing space.
Urban gardener has expanded not only within its lot, but also within the greater com-munity. They do so by offering a myriad of off-site services including:
consultations, »
garden maintenance, »
side-by-side gardening, and »
public speaking. »
Off-site projects include:
flower garden, Riverview Park;1.
native rain garden, Allegheny County 2. Courthouse;
butterfly garden, Children’s Museum of 3. Pittsburgh; and
shade garden, Allegheny Commons.4.
Urban gardenerinexpensive materials
wood planksCreate open
structures that are functional and define
the spacegravel
Delineates space and reduces rainwa-
ter runoff
phased site build-out
Existing Structure Added Trellis, Shed Additional Expansion Added greenhouse
nettingProvides shade while permitting visibility and air movement
wood latticeDefines space while preserving a sense of
permeability
tarpsProvide shade and cover, and enclose space from above
milk cratesProvide storage and support shelves for
display
1
2
34
EverydaySquares
Urban gardener
Shed (10'x16')/Office
Van Parking
Trellis
Primary Entrance
Remaining Wall of gas Station building
Street Dimensions
Right-of-Way Width 57 feet
Cartway Width 33 inches
Travel lanes (2) 12 feet
Parking lanes (1) 9 feet
Sidewalk Width 12 feet
Planter Width none
Median Width none
Parking On-Street; Free
100'
120'
Service/Van Entrance
Storage
Pebbles, Paving
10'
Corner garden Outside Fence
Trellises define spaces while providing visibility, in addition to housing and displaying plants.
EverydaySquares
girasoleRestaurant Becomes Neighborhood Hotspot
Infographic
Just off Walnut Street, one of Pittsburgh’s pre-mier commercial streets, girasole sits tucked away in a small nook created by a gener-ous setback and framed by adjacent infill buildings. Serving Shadyside and the larger Pittsburgh area, girasole draws patrons from many age groups and walks of life with its classic Italian menu and intimate dining environment.
Walnut Street
South Aiken Avenue
Copeland Street
bellefont Street
8 other small restaurants and shops within 40 feet
30 additional people accommodated at tables outside and on sidewalk
1 premier commercial shopping street around the corner
location
Shadyside, Pittsburgh
current use
Restaurant
space
Interior/Exterior
area
500 s.f.
Source: Patti Girasole
timing startup capital size
EverydaySquares
girasole
Constrained by its location, girasole is only able to seat a limited number of patrons in its small, almost subterranean dining room. However, during warmer months it is able to nearly double its seating capacity with tables and chairs spilling out into its lowered entry courtyard and up the stairs onto the sidewalk. This not only increases business, but allows the vibrant life within the restaurant outside to contribute to activating the street above.
10'
15'
35' 7"
12'
EverydaySquares
girasole
le Mardis gras Eureka Chocolate + giftsChica loca Taco girasole Eden
girasole is nestled among a tight cluster of five small restaurants and shops sitting at the end of a residential street in the central Pitts-burgh neighborhood of Shadyside. Surround-ing it are a quirky taco shop that also offers gelato, an affordable and completely vegan eatery, Eden, a new Orleans-themed restau-rant, and a specialty gift shop. A short walk across the street are a grouping of four other businesses including a jewelry store, Star-bucks, a small dentist's office, and Stack'd, a gourmet burger bar.
Key Information
years of Operation 10zoning local neighborhood Commercial lot Size 1400 square feetParking On-street; Free
Users Families, Couples, Middle-Age Professionals, Seniors
building Footprint 800 square feetSidewalk Seating Space 200 square feet
Shadyside Smiles /Stack’d Starbucks Amazing yoga
EverydaySquares
location
Point breeze, Pittsburgh
current use
Coffee Shop, gallery
space
Courtyard, Sidewalk
area
lot: 1,892 s.f. / Sidewalk: 275 s.f. / Courtyard: 560 s.f.
Make your Mark Artspace & Coffeehouse offers a remarkable transition from urban to residential atmospheres. The gallery aspect of the space serves as a framework for dynamic urban street life and community interactive art.
Amy Siebert, Co-Owner of Make Your Mark. Website: www.happycow.net
200 customers served daily
4 organized groups meet here : 2 church, 1 mothers, 1 walking
1 of 4 Pittsburgh-area restaurants exclusively vegan /vegetarian
timing startup capital size
Make your MarkForgotten Space Becomes Mid-Block Courtyard
Reynolds Street
Reynolds Street
Elysian Street
Hasti
ngs S
treet
get
tysbu
rg S
treet
MAKE yOUR MARK ExISTIng FOOD/bEVERAgE
ExISTIng bUIlDIng
EverydaySquares
22'
18'4'
12' -6"4'
53'
86'
22'- 6"5'
13' -6"
Upper Courtyard Seating: 12' x 12.5'
lower Courtyard Seating: 14' x 10.5'
landscape buffer
Planting beds with Sculptural Art
Stairs Up to Office leased Retail Space
Coffee bar
Kitchenbath
6 ft Wooden Fence
Sunken Seating: 17' x 10.5'
b
b
A
A
Section AReynolds Street Section b
Make your Mark
EverydaySquares
CUSTOMER PATH
2nD FlOOR RETAIl PATH
VISUAl STREET COnnECTIOn
DESTInATIOn POInT
RESIDEnTIAl
STATIC
REPOSE
ACTIVE
DynAMIC
URbAn
entry sequencecirculation Make your Mark
Framed Streetscapegallery Art
4
3
2
1
5
Interactive Community ArtPublic notices
Menu & SpecialsArchived Community Art
the walls of make your mark
1
3
5
2
4
Key Information
years in Operation 6.5
Hours of Operation M-F: 7am—5pmSAT: 8am—5pm
zoning local neighborhood Commercial
lot Size 22 ft W x 86 ft D
Parking On-Street, Free
Primary Users Families and Seniors
Coffee House Area 1,200 gSF
EverydaySquares
Village Park at Point Park UniversityParking Lot Becomes Downtown Campus Park
location
Downtown, Pittsburgh
current use
Semi-Public Square
space
Corner lot
area
12,075 s.f. / 100% site utilization
Village Park at Point Park University demon-strates how to create a pedestrian-scaled place in an inhospitable environment through relatively simple design interventions.Village Park 1 in = 200 ft .
boulevard of the Allies
Fort Pitt boulevard
First Avenue
Woo
d St
reet
Smith
field
Stre
et
There were 4 design firms in the deign of the space.
This works out to 540 dollars per square foot.
Total project cost was 6,600,000 dollars.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/c86vjrz
timing startup capital size
EverydaySquares
90' 12'12' 50' 10'
Waterfall
loggiaPlaza Space
Tower Element
Restaurant
building and Circulation Elements
Existing lot and buildings
Plaza
Village Park at Point Park University
kit of parts
elements of the place
120'14'
boulevard of the Allies
Wood Street
EverydaySquares
The Village Park at Point Park University has created a safer, finer grain experience for people by removing possible conflicts with automobiles on the site. The scale has been lowered with the loggia and restaurant fa-cade and the planting of trees. The final result is infusion of public space where there once was none.
before park after park
Circ
ulat
ion
Scal
ePu
blic
Spa
ce
EverydaySquares
Key Information
Parking On-Street
zoning Special District
Cost Per Square Foot $547
Scale of Adjacent buildings 8 stories
boulevard Right-of-Way 80 feet
boulevard Sidewalk 14 feet
Wood Street Right-of-Way 72 feet
Wood Street Sidewalk 12 feet
Village Park at Point Park University
PEOPlE CIRCUlATIOn
CARS
EverydaySquares
The Porch sits at the northwest corner of ver-dant Schenley Plaza and features a fantastic and diverse, seemingly upscale menu; a casual hip ambience; and an alluring contem-porary architectural design grounded in the use of masonry materials, warm and earthy tones, and generous glazing, that in tandem with a great outdoor dining “porch”, facili-tates an almost seamless connection to the adjacent park.
location
Oakland, Pittsburgh
current use
Restaurant/Wine bar
space
Interior/Exterior
area
5,000 s.f.
The Porch at Schenley PlazaParking Lot Becomes Park Pavilion
Forbes Avenue
Schenley Drive Schenley Drive
Schenley Drive Ext.
3 years to complete from concept to construction
930 plates served during an average week
60 seats accommodated on exterior “porch”
Source: Josh, Manager
timing startup capital size
EverydaySquares
The Porch at Schenley
Wood-Fired Ovenbar
Porch facing Emerald lawnPorch facing the Cathedral
EntranceOutdoor Fireplace
A conceptual project from Pennsylvania-based, restaurant chain Eat ‘n Park, The Porch was built to lEED standards and is an envi-ronmentally conscious addition to Schenley Plaza. Inside and outside, the restaurant offers a variety of seating options, including bar seating, counter-height tables and chairs for larger parties, intimate booths, and low tables with plush stools that can be placed along the knee wall near the edge of the lawn.
43' 8
"23
' 4"
115'
5"
19' 5"31' 3"
Wood-Fired Oven
bar
Porch facing Emerald lawn
Kitchen
Outdoor Fireplace
EverydaySquares
The Porch at Schenley
2004 2005 2007 2011 2012
In the early 1900s Frederick law Olmstead and others envisioned Schenley Plaza as a grand formal entrance to Schenley Park. As such, it was originally designed as a formal landscaped portal into the park. In 1949, with the central neighborhood of Oakland growing rapidly, the plaza fell victim to the increasing demand for more surface parking in the area and was designated for this purpose. The plaza functioned as a parking lot for over 50 years until 2004, when, after ten years of plan-ning, work began to convert it back into part of the park as the threshold it was originally envisioned to be. The new design drew inspira-tion from new york City’s bryant Park featur-ing fluid borders, lush gardens, a great lawn, event space, a carousel, food kiosks, moveable tables and chairs, and public restrooms. There are future plans for public art exhibitions, ex-panded activities, an on-site offering of books and periodicals, and carriage rides.
Event Tent Plaza
Victorian-style Carousel Food Kiosks
The Emerald lawn Forbes Avenue gardens Food Kiosks
Forbes Aven
ue
Schenley Drive
Schenley Drive Extension
Key Information
years of Operation 8 Months
Hours of Operation Mon-Thu: 11am–11pm | Fri: 11–12am | Sat: 10–12am | Sun: 10am–10pm
zoning Park
lot Size 8,500 Square Feet
building Footprint 8,400 Square Feet
Parking On-Street; Free
Users Middle-age/Older Professionals, Seniors, youth (late night)
Imag
es c
ourt
esy
of G
oogl
e
EverydaySquares
Photo
3 distinct group: college students, young professionals, and babyboomers
250 customers served in a given day
10 hours of operation, 7 days per week
Source: Derrick, Owner/Operater
location
lawrenceville, Pittsburgh
current use
bar/Restaurant
space
Interior, Patio, Sidewalk
area
2,458 s.f. / Access: Private – 27%, Public – 73%
Round Corner CantinaThe Cantina Becomes a place to relax and unwind
Round Corner Cantina is a locally-owned mexican cusinine bar and dining establishment that offers an alternate kitchen to residents within proximity. Their aim was to provide tacos with radishes, homemade salsa, and all the other ingredients one would find at an authentic Mexican-style taco stand.
39th Street
38th Street
38th Street
37th Street
butle
r Stre
et
ROUnD CORnER CAnTInA
bUSInESS ExISTED bEFORE
bUSInESS OPEnED AFTER
ExISTIng bUIlDIng
timing startup capital size
EverydaySquares
SEMI-PUblIC InTERIOR SPACE
PlAzA/SIDEWAlK
50'
42'
8'44'
15'
Round Corner Cantina
A A
EverydaySquares
On-street parking creates a buffer area for outdoor dinning that offers social interaction and people watching.
The main bar area ties together the inside and outside experience. Some use this space while waiting for a table at the adjacent restaurant.
The third room within the overall space is a more private, but unique one as it offers a social intimate environment for dinner and conversation.
This unique space is a tucked away one that can hold a small group of people or three groups of two. This area can be considered semi-private.
This is the largest space within the establishment, it has hightop tables and chairs arrayed perpen-dicular to the fencing bordering 38th Street.
The sixth room is more of a traditional mexican ex-perience with conventional tables and chairs offering a semi-private setting.
The entire street-level space is split into six (6) different rooms throughout the 2,458+ square feet property.
CIRCUlATIOn WITHIn THE gEnERAl SPACES
DISTInCT AREAS/ ROOMS
publicly-accessible spaces
Round Corner Cantina
PlAzA/SIDEWAlK
Image: http://tiny.cc/27t9jw
EverydaySquares
location
Highland Park, Pittsburgh
current use
Coffee Shop
space
Sidewalk
area
lot: 3,608 s.f. / Sidewalk: 410 s.f.
Amy Enrico, Owner of Tazza D’Oro. Allegheny County Assessment website: www2.county.allegheny.pa.us
Tazza D’Oro is the heartbeat of the Highland Park neighborhood. It began as the only service in a completely residential zone and within 10 years generated enough buzz to re-vitalize a local business district and increase property values throughout the neighborhood.
15—20% local property value increase since Tazza D’Oro started in ‘99
1:8 pre-existing : catalyzed local food service businesses
2 weekly cycling events draw 15—60 riders each
timing startup capital size
Tazza D’OroSidewalk Becomes a Public Plaza
bryant Street
Hampton Street
n S
t. Cl
air S
treet
n E
uclid
Ave
nue
n H
ighl
and
Aven
ue
Elgin Street
TAzzA D’ORO
bUSInESS ExISTED bEFORE
bUSInESS OPEnED AFTER
ExISTIng bUIlDIng
EverydaySquares
14'
6'72
'
123'
31'
11'
29'-4"
20'-4"9'
garden Trellis
Wood Plank boardwalk
Fenced Courtyard (Unoccupied Space Due to
lack of Egress)
Sidewalk Seating
Highland Avenue
Planter bed
Coffee bar
Kitchen
bath
Stairs Up to leased Office Space
Entry Ramp
garden Seating
A
A
6ft Fence
Tazza D’OroKey Information
years in Operation 13
zoning Residential, Required Variance
Existing Food/ beverage businesses 1 in 1999
Food/beverage businesses Catalyzed by Tazza D’Oro 8 as of 2012
local Property Value Increase Since 1999 15—20%
Reinvention as Cyclist’s Haven 2010
Organized Cycling Programs 2 Weekly Rides, Expert and Intermediate
EverydaySquares
Programming
Press conferences by officials from all levels of local government are held at Tazza for issues concerning Highland Park.
Folks who work from home use Tazza as an office and confer-ence room, meeting clients and contacts in a non-corporate atmosphere.
Every week, 30–60 cyclists turn out for intermediate Team Decaf rides. Team Caffeine gathers 15–20 hard core rid-ers for expert routes. Cycling gear is on sale at the coffee bar.
Tazza D’Oro was started as a venue for those with a passion for coffee. Rigorous barista training and stringent bean selec-tion reaps cups of gold.
quiet enough to co-exist with its residen-tial neighbors, Tazza generates traffic from dawn to dusk and enlivens the street.
local citizens and community leaders gather at Tazza to discuss issues that affect the Highland Park neighborhood.
Want to get away from the busy High-land Avenue street life? Read the paper in the shady ivy- covered side garden.
garden
Office
Active Streetscape
Cycling Rendezvous
Hig
hlan
d A
venu
eCycling Merchandise
Political VenueCommunity
Hall
gourmet Coffee Service
Tazza D’Oro
Photos courtesy of Urban Design Associates, www.tazzadoro.net, bike-pgh.org, plus.google.com, wendmag.com and popcitymedia.com
EverydaySquares
Resources
build a better block »
The Interventionist Toolki » t
Project for Public Spaces »
William H. Whyte’s Social life of Small Urban Space » s
Jane Jacob’s » Death and life of American Cities and Economy of Cities
Ray Oldenburg’s » The great good Place