The public received its first view of conceptual plans for the Grand Junction Plaza project at the May 28 Party on the Patio. The monthly Downtown Westfield Association event allowed citizens to view and comment on designs from Land Collective, the lead design group for Westfield’s downtown revitalization project.
“It’s been receptive. Most of the citizens are embracing it. Some have questions and are cautious but never with pessimism. They want to understand and are interested in the future,” said David A. Rubin, Land Collective’s principal. “It’s fun and exciting for the community. The people of Westfield get a glimpse into the future we’re designing for our grandchildren. It’s a legacy project and I love that.”
Rubin credits the success of the group’s projects with empathy-driven design and a synthesis of art, technology and social sciences to create human-centered works.
“A successful space is one that’s well-attended,” he said. “Land Collective aspires to render Grand Junction as an extraordinary venue filled with art, architecture, community and life. We have worked with the city to gather some of the most extraordinary talent across design disciplines, in the hope that the future park will continuously heighten one’s experience, no matter when one engages in it.”
Rubin said the park’s goal is to be used 365 days a year and in all seasons.
“Not that everything has to take place in the parks, but poetry readings to band concerts and ice skating to playing in the fountain. It will be flexible and adaptable,” he said. “People will come here because they know it is here. Other people will covet it. We have high aspirations but I think we can achieve it.”
Rubin said the project is in the design phase and will more to the design development phase next. Future phases include construction documentation, bidding and then construction.
“A groundbreaking at the end of next spring would be ideal,” he said.
City spokeswoman Erin Verplank said the various concepts will be posted on Westfield’s Facebook page for further discussion. Input will be collected until June 20.
“This is Westfield’s soul, this is the community. We want the community to speak up about what they want downtown,” she said.
Verplank said the concepts are packaged together and that the best pieces will be collected.
“We’re taking a little bit of everything,” she said. “We’re trying to give everybody what they want with what they think Westfield is.”
“We’re hoping to gain public input on the concepts that will direct what we want to go on the final design,” Westfield Parks Director Melody Jones said. “Pavilions and hardscapes, this is what is being offered tonight.”
Jones said the schematic design will be finished in the next month and half.
“You’ll start seeing more of the land use after that,” she said. “This is more about architecture.”
