Connecting Our Heritage: A Wayfinding Master Plan for Downtown Woonsocket

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

From overview: "The initial improvements to the Main Street and Market Square area, the restoration of the P&W Woonsocket Depot Station and the construction of the River Island Park have all added benefits to the City- better quality of life, enhanced appreciation for the area's heritage, healthy recreational activities for young and old and accommodation for bicycle and pedestrian transportation. The recent transformation of the former mills into housing and retail use has brought more activity to the Blackstone River area. The City of Woonsocket has now set a vision for comprehensive improvements to the downtown area. Key elements will include improved connectivity to the Blackstone River, improvements to the Truman Bypass to foster a pedestrian friendly environment, integrating the planned Blackstone River Bikeway in a manner that generates enthusiasm and draws cyclists to the area, and introducing a wayfinding signage system celebrating Woonsocket's rich past and lending clarity in getting about for visitors and tourists. These elements combined will serve to reframe downtown Woonsocket as a place that is fun to visit, pedestrian and cyclist friendly, and conveys its rich history in a way which is both entertaining and informative. The ultimate vision is of a City that draws tourists as a daytime destination while also offering a higher livability standard for its residents. The Wayfinding Master Plan and its implementation strategy must link together these resources and the community's rich historical resources. Making connections between Main Street and the Riverfront requires a significant commitment, as there are significant grade differences that make ADA compliance difficult. The visual impacts of various urban landscape elements and amenities such as pavement surface, signage, streetscape furnishings and possible park spaces must be carefully considered to weave the path into the City's rich natural and historic fabric. Most importantly, the master plan must achieve a balance between facilities that meets appropriate design criteria while minimizing cost, environmental and right of way impacts." Funding for this item was provided in part through a 2007 Preserve America grant to the City of Woonsocket, Rhode Island (grant number 44-07-PA-3032) for the project Connecting Our Heritage: Wayfinding Master Plan for Downtown Woonsocket. The grant was administered by the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Preserve America is a federal initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the program include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.

Connecting Our Heritage: A Wayfinding Master Plan for Downtown Woonsocket

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