Van Buren Riverfront Metamorphosis: The Development of Space

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal Volume 4 Article 8 Fall 2003 Van Buren Riverfront Metamorphosis: The Development of Space Juana Gregory University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/inquiry Part of the Landscape Architecture Commons Recommended Citation Gregory, Juana (2003) "Van Buren Riverfront Metamorphosis: The Development of Space," Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 4 , Article 8. Available at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/inquiry/vol4/iss1/8 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact , . Gregory: Van Buren Riverfront Metamorphosis: The Development of Space LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTUE: Juana Gregory. Van Buren Riverfront 29 VAN BUREN RIVERFRONT METAMORPHOSIS: THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPACE By Juana Gregory Department of Landscape Architecture Faculty Mentor: Professor Mark Boyer Department of Landscape Architecture Abstract: Waterfronts have played an important role in the settlement of North America. Not only did waterfronts provide protection and security to newly forming settlements, but these waterways also provided the opportunity for trade while acting as a major hub ofactivity and social interaction. Ironically, the waterfront that was the genesis of the city was often neglected after the introduction of the steamboat and the railroad as well as industrial advancements. Polluted and neglected, riverfronts of the cities were in disrepair. Not until the past few decades have larger cities revisited their waterfronts and realized the amenity that lies at the edge. Van Buren, Arkansas, though not a big city, struggles with the same abandonment ofits industrialfoundation. The Arkansas River with its origin in Leadville, Colorado, has created a riverfront for the city of Van Buren as well as a historic Main Street. As in many other places, the city has turned its back on the potential of Van Buren's riverfront. The industrial facets of a poultry plant, railroad lines, and a ten-foot high levee wall segregate the city from the riverfront. The metamorphosis of the Van Buren Riverfront involves creating a mixed-use riverfront development that not only provides opportunities for growth but also serves as an icon for the city. By acknowledging the existing site conditions and respecting the industrial character therein, VanBuren can reclaim the riveifront area as a vibrant edge. Concept: The concept that drove the design of the riverfront was derived from the existing architectural character of the downtown historic Main Street. Victorian architecture begins the descent down Main Street, followed by an area of governmental buildings, which include a juvenile detention center and the county courthouse. Transitioning from a governmental significance to an industrial nature, the street is bisected by two lines of railroad tracks that act as a switching yard. Proceeding over the tracks and under the trusses of the Simmons Poultry Plant, Main Street is Published by ScholarWorks@UARK, 2003 terminated by an ignored riverfront park. Conceptually, the Van Buren riverfront can be seen as reminiscent of a butterfly. A butterfly, often ignored in its earliest stages, develops into a beautiful attraction of uncompromising attention. The Victorian architecture of Main Street is the pupa of development from which the larva or governmental transition takes place. Wrapped in the chrysalis is the mystery of what the industrial area could become. Through metamorphosis of this plan, the resulting beauty of the riverfront has been given wings. Just as in a butterfly's metamorphosis, Van Buren has gone through changes in appearance, character, and function- changes that cannot necessarily be seen taking place; but, like a butterfly forming within a chrysalis, the change is happening. Goal: Like other larger cities that have revitalized riverfronts, Van Buren is perfectly poised to reap benefits of reconnecting with its riverfront. A riverfront master plan began with the realization- that downtown Van Buren needs to acknowledge the amenity at its edge. The master plan would include: a mixeduse riverfront development to provide opportunities for growth and development; a much-needed reconnection of the riverfront with downtown; and elements to serve as icons for the city and to promote its appreciation. Capitalizing on the riverfront's location relative to downtown mixed-used development would allow for a connection necessary to sustain and enhance the downtown area while creating an urban green space. Establishing a connection with the riverfront to the surrounding downtown location would foster an appreciation for both the built and natural environment. Embracing the industrial aspects of the site and varying its architecture and function- would tum initial site constraints into opportunities for recognition of the riverfront environment. Program Development: To make the Van Buren riverfront separate and unique, the program elements within this design would not only include what other riverfronts already had but also build on what they did 1 Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal, Vol. 4 [2003], Art. 8 30 INQUIRY Volume 4 2003 not have. In what ways could Van Buren's riverfront development be given what other riverfronts had and more? How could people be able to interact safely with the water and experience its power and at the same time know its peace? Precedents allow designers to see the successes and failures of things that have already been done. Although each city should be considered independently, based on its individual needs, precedents also give invaluable insight as to future needs for growing cities. Aker Brygge in Oslo, Norway, an international waterfront, was chosen as a precedent based on its sound mixeduse development. On a smaller scale, Central Riverfront Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the precedent selected based on its sense of place in association with the river. Louisville Riverfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky, on the other hand, was once an industrial site that has been revitalized and today has great visual appeal. These projects were chosen as precedents in an effort to synthesize the best possible design solution for the waterfront revitalization in the city of Van Buren. Aker Brygge is an international waterfront that is worthy of exploration. Once a major industrial shipyard, the mixed-use redevelopment- now attracts an estimated six million people annually with its wide variety of cafes, retail shops, and office space. The development also houses two movie theatres, a kindergarten, and a decorated harbor-side entertainment site. The design is not only a combination of brill (...truncated)