Heart of the City by William Kuhl Historically, Seventh Street has been the hub of Garden City, New York. It has been the "Main Street", the place where residents do their convenience shopping, banking, socializing and avail themselves of several restaurants on the street. But, over the years, much has changed. A 1984 Urban Design Study listed the upgrade of Seventh Street at the top of its priority list because it had become so unsightly, detracting greatly from the ambiance of the Village, one of the first planned communities in the United States. Much of the street's negative impression came from: broken, multi-colored patchwork concrete pavement; eclectic proliferation of street and traffic signage; irregularly placed "Cobra"-head light poles out of scale with the streetscape; missing, diseased or dead street trees; and the lack of any pedestrian amenities, such as benches, proper grade pedestrian/handicapped crossings, or relief from the 20-foot wide sidewalks. These problems detracted from the aesthetic and economic vitality of the area. "Recognizing at the time, 1986, that the street trees were in varying degrees of health, size and general condition and that the concrete sidewalks were in need of replacement, the Village undertook the Seventh Street project," said Robert Schoelle of Village Administrator, Inc. "Business persons and the general public were very supportive of the effort during the construction phase and, once completed, took particular pride in the results." Something had to be done, but the project designs and specifications had to be sensitive to the street's historical significance to the Village. Intensive meetings and dialogue were held, with municipal representatives, the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society, the local business community and Village residents, to provide a sound basis for the re-establishment of a positive, visual identity and a clear sense of design continuity for this important retail and service area. "Since the early 1980s', the Garden City Chamber of Commerce has enthusiastically endorsed and promoted the revitalization of our downtown business sectors, viewed as the face of our village," noted Althea Robinson, Executive Director of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce for the past 22 years. One major step in accomplishing these goals was replacing the disparate and irregular array of site elements with an integrated program of paving and landscaping, resulting in a more harmonious and appealing streetscape requiring low maintenance. Rectangles of uniquely shaped, brick-colored, interlocking pavers were framed by bands of dark, charcoal-gray pavers, creating a cobbled effect, while establishing a distinct, yet subtle rhythm of pattern and color. This pattern, created by Grinnell Pavingstones, provided a matrix into which all new site elements and plantings were placed in an organized and orderly fashion. New trees embellish the paving at regular intervals, the species dependent upon the scale of the architecture or the prevalent circulation patterns on that section of street. Armstrong Maples, because of their fastigiate habit of growth, were utilized where curbside deliveries were prevalent. Little Leaf Lindens and Zelkovas were incorporated where shading or the softening of less aesthetically appealing architectural facades was desired. Extensive use of flowering trees and specially selected shrubs, with extended seasons of visual interest, were incorporated into newly created planting beds to provide a progression of bloom, beginning in early spring and continuing throughout the summer. Decorative, cast-iron tree grates, designed by the Neenah Foundry (model R-8740) accentuated the orderly placement of trees within the paving patterns. To recapture the Village's original character and to underscore its historic origins, pedestrian-scale light poles, with a turn-of-the-century design, punctuate tree plantings at regular intervals within the grid. Signage, provided by the Great South Bay Sign Company, is organized on new, custom poles and sited appropriately, eliminating the visual blight which had existed previously. Great South Bay also created information kiosks for the project in the style of old, London-style telephone booths. Benches, with trash receptacles, are placed along the street or pulled back into sitting "niches" at strategic locations. The benches come in two styles, backless and with a back (both from Canterbury International's 1390 Park Bench line). The trash receptacles, "Pennsylvania Avenue Receptacle," were also designed by Canterbury. Bike supports, known were integrated near store fronts ("Baskin Robbins," the various delis, etc.). Custom bollards, provided by the Architectural Iron Company, were designed to reflect the character of the light poles and are utilized to signal driveways and pedestrian crossings. The combination of the lighting fixtures, bollards and a new town clock, the Howard Replica/Front Royal model manufactured by the I.T. Verdin Company, completed the tailored design. In addition, recessed sleeves have been placed along the curb in front of each business to receive flag poles on festive occasions, such as parades. The blend of these design element has pumped new blood into heart of the Village, as well as the rest of the community. "Mr. Kuhl's design for our Seventh Street streetscape made it one of the most charming public realms on Long Island," said Bertram F. Donley, President of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce. "It is the focal point of community activity and the archetype for our perceptions of hometown. The beauty of the public spaces is only exceeded by the positive results: a pleasing place to traverse, live, work and shop." The success of the project, which won the 1994 Merit Award from the New York Council of Landscape Architects, is exemplified by the increase in business to establishments located on Seventh Street, as well as the expansion of redesign to other areas in Garden City, most notably the New Hyde Park Road and Franklin Avenue projects. Since its completion, the street has been used extensively by a wide array of visitors--senior citizens to shoppers from all areas. The project was best received by people of the Garden City community. "The street integrates residential and commercial uses with the dignity due to one of the few, well-planed communities in the nation," Donley concluded. "We look forward to the completion of the Franklin Avenue Project, a regional retail and office destination, the designs for which are grander in scale than the former; an accurate interpretation of this center's importance at the epicenter of the Long Island economy." Lasn