For the lighting, The Collaborative looked at a number of different fixtures. In the end, they chose Holophane fixtures. They have excellent lighting distribution and fit in with the character of the neighborhood. They are also dark sky fixtures, which was very important to the university.

Implementation Strategies

Implementing improvements on public streets meant the design had to be approved by the city of Chester, withstand public use and garner support from a range of constituents. In order to gain widespread support for the improvements, the design team selected a highly visible site, where the town/gown meets, as the first phase. As campus and community representatives saw the results of the first phase, excitement grew for the continued implementation.

The improvements respect the campus and neighborhood heritage by drawing inspiration from existing community elements. The design team chose high quality materials which would endure both time and public exposure with little maintenance.

A lot of the energy behind this project was to create a new front door to Widener?EUR??,,????'?????<

Results

The streetscape improvements have accomplished the goals set out by the streetscape master plan. The campus as a whole has an improved aesthetic feel and stronger public image. The new gateway elements offer visitors a positive first impression. Clear public access points support vehicular traffic passing through campus.

Although intangible, the benefits are felt throughout the campus and surrounding neighborhood. Widener officials believe that the safer, more pleasant atmosphere will contribute to an increase in recruitment and retention. The same effects are anticipated for the neighborhood, although only over time can the effects on the city?EUR??,,????'?????<

Before the improvements on 17th Street, students would drive to the Athletic Complex, because walking seemed dangerous. Now a well-lit thoroughfare, 17th Street is frequented by pedestrians as they walk to and from the Athletic Complex. The native oak trees are still there along with new plantings.

Instead of challenging city government and struggling to close streets, Widener chose to work with the city of Chester. The entire design process benefited from open collaboration between Widener administration and Chester officials. Widener University and Chester?EUR??,,????'?????<

The streets that go through campus are all public thoroughfares, including this one connecting to the Athletic Complex. It?EUR??,,????'?????<

Important issues

• Town/Gown Partnerships/Campus edges?EUR??,,????'?????<
• Image and Identity Enhancement ?EUR??,,????'?????<

  The streetscape improvements have strengthened connections between the main campus and the geographically disjointed athletic complex. Although bordered wholly by the community, 17th Street is the only means for students to access the athletic complex. By extending the streetscape elements to 17th Street, Widener has essentially connected the two campuses and invested in the 17th Street community.

• Safety and Security ?EUR??,,????'?????<

  Before the improvements, students would drive to the athletic complex, because walking seemed dangerous. Now a well-lit thoroughfare, 17th Street is frequented by pedestrians as they walk to and from the athletic complex.

• Master Plan Implementation/Campus Transformation ?EUR??,,????'?????<

  As it existed previously, 14th Street was not a continuous thoroughfare. It stopped just before Providence Street, and picked up again on the other side of Providence. Designers connected 14th Street, and developed streetscape elements to make it a major gateway for the campus. Monumental brick signs, brick and stone piers, light poles and banners identify the campus gateways at Providence & 14th and Melrose & 14th. The implementation of this strategy has transformed visitors?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Widener University Wellness Center Addition

The 28,000 square foot Wellness Center Addition gives the existing Schwartz Athletic Center?EUR??,,????'?????<

The entrance, with its invitation to seating, creates a gathering place where the community and the campus can meet. On the left is an elementary school, which now feels more like a part of the university. They are planning to do a similar detail at other places where the community and the campus come together.

The addition is strategically located on the opposite side of the former main entry and benefits from extensive streetscape improvements. Designers reconfigured a long, straight 17th Street into a curving approach. These changes created a new pedestrian (and vehicular) friendly linkage between this important University athletic complex and the remainder of the Widener campus. The design solution visually shortens the distance between the campus and the Wellness Center, encouraging students to visit the new facility.

The gateway trees are the natives that were already growing, which lends a sense of history to the campus. They include native oak, some poplar and some tulip trees. Chester was William Penn?EUR??,,????'?????<

Embracing the Surrounding Neighborhood

Widener University?EUR??,,????'?????<

Firm Overview

The Collaborative, Inc. is a 48-person multi-disciplined firm, encompassing Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, Planning and Graphic Design. Founded in Toledo, Ohio in 1973, The Collaborative, Inc. serves the educational, religious, commercial and recreational markets.