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Downtown Land
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Waterfront Analysis
The City of Corvallis is situated along the western
bank of the Willamette river. The map (above), shows the relationship
of the City in accordance to the river. Unfortunately, the Willamette
river's beauty and character has been left absent to Corvallis'
downtown. Large trees, parking lots and limited public parks reduce
the City's connection with the river.
Walking through Corvallis's downtown, one would
question the presence of a river nearby. Some storefronts and markets
facing the river off of 1st Street, try to take advantage of the nearby
river, but fail in doing so. The outdoor dining and sitting areas
are typically on the western side of 1st street. Those sitting in
these areas are forced to grab glimpses of the flowing river through the
large, dense canopies of the natural growing trees and vegetation on the
bank of the river. Thus, cutting any connection with Corvallis' downtown
and Willamette river.
The fact that Downtown Corvallis was built dierectly
adjacent to the Willamette river offers a unique opportunity for the existence
of a rich green space within an urban environment. The linear
nature of the riverfront could become a path for bicycles and pedestrians
to move from sub-park to sub-park like nodes along a path:
Taken a step further, the urban fabric could encorporate
plazas at the places where a park and street intersection meet. |