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Huntington Park Site Plan
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Aerial view showing the entire project; Spokane’s new plaza named ‘Spokane Tribal Gathering Place, Huntington Park on the Spokane River and the new landscaping of the Washington Water Power Building which is on the National Historic Register.
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The Spokane Tribal Gathering Place, an urban plaza in the heart of Spokane, WA features two water features, a fire feature, event space, scenic overlooks, interpretive signage, and dramatic views of the park, river gorge and lower falls. The project transformed a parking lot into a place for people, a place for celebration, and serves as the gateway to Huntington Park.
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Before -- Spokane’s City Hall parking lot was demolished to make way for a new urban plaza. A public/private partnership resulted. The city owned the land. Our contract was with Avista Utilities. Avista agreed to pay for the work on city land only if the city moved the project through permitting so quickly that the project could be completed in 18 months for Avista’s 125 year anniversary.
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We demolished the parking lot, removed overgrown trees and lowered the grade by installing terraced plaza spaces to 14’ below the parking lot grade. This opened views to visitors of the historic Monroe Street Bridge, the river gorge, and the north bank of the river and beyond.
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We reduced road width, connecting people to the river from Spokane’s existing 100 acre Riverfront Park via the plaza and a mid block crosswalk. Unique plantings, furnishings, and lighting alert pedestrians and vehicles as they navigate the crossing. Rain gardens were installed here to reduce street run-off.
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The industrial themed steel structure ‘Gas Works’ designed by our firm, is testament to the natural gas service that has helped build Spokane and funded the construction of the plaza and park. Blocks of colorful plantings are enjoyed from the top of City Hall. Unique pavers are used throughout the plaza and park for consistent theming.
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Both water features were added by the client after most of the concrete had been poured. Our design/build business model allowed for quick response to last minute changes. In addition to the ‘Gas Works’ fire feature, lighting enhances the plaza and makes it safe and heavily used even at night.
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The Weir water feature of concrete and native stone, reflects the connection between the City and the Spokane River’s Lower Falls. Averaging 4 tons each; cut and thermal finished columnar basalt was used for benches in the amphitheater. Remnants from the basalt cutting were used to face the water feature and in other design elements of the plaza.
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The terraced plaza, named ‘Spokane Tribal Gathering Place’ transformed a parking area into the gateway to Huntington Park and the Spokane River. Several flights of stairs with multiple terraces allow pedestrian access from plaza to park. With a total of 179 stair steps, ADA access was not possible, but an overlook with prime views was added for wheelchair access. The custom railing was designed by our firm.
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Where the plaza meets the park, a custom stained 4700 square foot Redi-Rock wall was installed. In the park, only native plants were used and the autumn color is phenomenal. Note the pylons of the historic gondola that traversed both sites and the hydroelectric intake structure in the foreground.
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Below the plaza, Huntington Park on the river’s edge, is a functioning hydro-electric facility. The road traversing the park is for utility vehicles including a crane. At all times during construction, access for the operation of the facility had to be kept open. Lighting became a major component for safety, security and aesthetics.
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At the lower end of the park, overlooking the river, ‘Water Works’ a sculptural shade structure, designed by our firm is reflective of the hydroelectric spillway lift gates. This steel arbor is 25 feet long by 18 feet tall.
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Prior to renovation, Huntington Park was overgrown, ill-maintained, un-safe and generally inaccessible. The hydroelectric intake structure, penstock, and maintenance road can be seen in this photo. Design constraints included the Gondola (shown) from Expo 74 World’s Fair.
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The Washington Water Power Building; included in the National Register of Historic Places, is the back drop for newly renovated Huntington Park. The park design reflects the ancient history as well as the recent industry of the area, using hydroelectric artifacts, industrial references, native stone and plant material and Native American artwork.