The Mason Street Corridor is at a crucial point in its visual, social, economic, and natural development. Since 1999, the area has undergone a dramatic transformation with the addition of several new buildings, the removal of 2 one-way streets, the addition of the MAX bus line, and a great deal of infrastructural improvements to address this growth. But the area is far from done with this expansion, and the need for a solid master plan of long term development in this area is necessary to give the area a greater sense of continuity while maintaining the distinctive character, culture and history of each block. We want to continue to encourage a diverse variety of restaurants, coffee shops, retail establishments, businesses, government, nonprofit etc. to ensure the success of this new economic corridor. We need to continue to eliminate socio-economic boundaries and promote diversity by ensuring that all parts provide a wide variety of housing opportunities. This area has the opportunity to create a new identity while drawing from the existing historic context of Old Town and the contemporary aesthetic of the greater Fort Collins area. We will focus on 3 main aspects of the regenerative environment: natural, social and economic. The district will incorporate natural systems that promote flow and embrace isolated ecosystem dynamics. The layout and design will promote social interaction and circulation, while creating an area that enhances business opportunities.

 

For the independent study I will mainly focus on public open space along the Mason Corridor. All the open spaces have their own roles and identities for providing different activities to different people. These open spaces function as “leaves” and are connected by different circulations, which will enrich not only the Mason Corridor but also the other communities around the Mason District. In other words, the well-designed public open space will bring people into the Mason Corridor and will makes the Mason Corridor more vibrant.

 

CURBSIDE RAIN GARDEN

This design applies a linear bioswale rain garden along the Mason which can collect and purify the storm water in this flooding area. What’s more, expanding sidewalk to 19’ will provide more outdoor café seating, booths, and well-designed planters and distinctive lighting facilities to enhance the beauty of Mason. It will become the main pedestrian focused corridor in Fort Collins.

 

For the West-East streets in the Mason area, there also will be a curbside rain garden along each street. The design will provide a narrow 3’ sidewalk along the street for people to get in and out of cars easily. Proposed hedges on the inside of the street will enhance the security of the community and buffer noise as well.

 

NEW OAK STREET PLAZA

The new Oak Street Plaza, enlarged in size, will provide more open spaces for children and family-focused activities. More public seating and shades welcome more people in for relaxing. The irregular shaped paving with different materials is totally different than the traditional paved downtown plaza. This divides the plaza into different functional spaces, which become more interesting and eye-catching. The new large civic plaza also can provide all kinds of activities here such as music festivals and different holiday events to meet all kinds of people’s needs.

 

The redesigned Oak Street Plaza not only strengthens the connection in the Mason area but also brings the downtown atmosphere down to the middle part of Mason, which makes the identity of the area full of variety.