The city center in Clarkstown, N.Y., needed extensive renovations to transform aging streets and sidewalks, unsightly overhead utilities and poorly integrated public spaces into a pedestrian friendly environment. Materials and textures used to connect the roadway and sidewalks include split face granite curbing, herringbone patterned brick with custom color combinations and diamond shaped brick accents.

Twenty-five miles from midtown Manhattan, the town of Clarkstown, N.Y., has been ranked one of the 100 best places to live by Money Magazine, one of the safest places to live in the U.S. by Morgan Quitno Press, and recently, the number one place for "Booming Suburbs' in New York State by Coldwell Banker Real Estate.

The hamlet of New City, near the geographical center of Clarkstown, is a high profile area that houses local government seats and South Main Street. New City's main thoroughfare encompasses a mile-long business district with a unique commercial landscape and town services, where time had taken its toll on the infrastructure and landscape. Haphazard access to businesses, poor integration of private properties with public spaces, aging streets with patched asphalt, eroding curbs and sidewalks, a tangle of overhead utilities, and a muddle of conflicting styles along South Main Street combined to create an unfriendly environment that adversely affected businesses and was not conducive to private investment.

The roadway was realigned and bump-out planters were installed to help improve and control traffic flow. Sidewalk details include a walkway with a border of colored, textured concrete, which acts as a visual cue to delineate the walkway edge.

After lengthy assessments of the physical condition and effectiveness of the existing infrastructures and streetscape, a master plan with a wide scope was developed for South Main Street's revitalization. A commitment to rebuild the New City community with a three-phase plan that addresses the two-mile downtown streetscape will conclude in the summer of 2014. The public investment in the transformation of New City stimulated private expenditure from the businesses and property owners in the area and rejuvenated commerce. The modernized, pedestrian friendly space is transforming the home of the county and town governments into a beautiful, vital city center.

Maser Consulting P.A., Behan Planning and Design and FP Clark Associates were hired to transform the existing corridor from a vehicle-dominated strip to a pedestrian-oriented realm. The unique creation of a cohesive, park-like business district with improved traffic flow, increased safety for vehicles and pedestrians, and a high level of ADA accessibility guided every aspect of the project design. Street aprons that lead into off-street parking areas were raised to slow incoming vehicles, provide a continuous sidewalk grade, and maintain a consistent walking surface to give priority to the pedestrian. On-street parking was reconfigured to maintain a continuous pedestrian pathway and provide a buffer from the traffic flow.

ADA accessible elements are embedded throughout the streetscape, including ramps at every crosswalk and some of the bump-outs, which provide connections to designated accessible on-street parking. Audible pedestrian signals act as a guide for the visually impaired, and specialized textures and colors in the sidewalks, crosswalks and ramps provide further definition.

New amenities complement the planters and gardens within the landscape, including raised planters with granite borders, stone veneer retaining walls with plantings, lighted bollards and pedestrian level lighting, civic spaces with bench seating and bike racks, and bus shelters with solar-powered lighting. Elements of the project were designed to coordinate with all other features. Litter and recycling receptacles were selected to match the streetlights and benches. To help ensure that the tree growth would not negatively impact the sidewalk structure, the trees were planted in a special bedding material engineered by Cornell University, enabling vigorous tree growth while encouraging downward root development. The transformation has made walking through New City more like visiting an estate garden.

Decorative black concrete lampposts replaced utility pole-mounted lighting, with accessory provisions for mounting flags and hanging flower baskets. The unique top arm and light portion of the lamppost were developed specifically for the project.

Unsightly overhead wiring and street crossings that cluttered the visual frame in front of the county courthouse led to the relocation of utility poles from the curb line to outside of the public rights-of-way. Hiding as much wiring as possible was a key aspect in diverting the focus to the streetscape amenities.

Clarkstown's vision of revitalization is now an inspiring streetscape that draws pedestrians into New City, promoting business by making it easier for people to access facilities and transportation; creating new opportunities for business; and offering visitors a safer, serene, and social environment in which to shop, dine, and conduct business.

Kevin Landau Park, a small pocket park with trees, grass and pathways, was converted into a landscaped open space that anchors the gateway to the business district. Gathering spaces with benches and amenities were added, and a prominent illuminated fountain in a plaza and gazebo displaying the town seal is surrounded by flagpoles, raised decorative concrete planters, bollard and accent lighting, and planted pathways that lead to the historic Fireman's Memorial Bell.