AIE  is providing Complete Streets Design Services in the City of Cranston, RI, for the Knightsville Revitalization, a ½-mile corridor centered on the intersection of Cranston Street and Park Avenue/Phenix Avenue in the historic Knightsville neighborhood of Cranston, from Vervena Street to Randall Street. The improvements include decorative lighting and signage installation, a cohesive and consistent replacement/repair of sidewalk type, new ADA curb ramps, street tree placement, and pocket park development at the historic Knightsville location behind the gazebo at the intersection of Park Avenue and Cranston Street. In the schematic design phase, AIE provided a construction estimate for the pocket park and streetscaping along a ¾-mile section of roadway from Vervena Street to St. Thomas Church and worked with the City to keep the project scope within the City’s budget.

The existing neighborhood consists of a 25-MPH roadway with a variety of different sidewalk types, including concrete and brick pavers, with predominantly granite curbing and many driveways of varying width. Key aspects of the project include on-street parking, pedestrian safety, rights-of-way, overhead utility coordination, and existing park redesign on the corner of Phenix Avenue and Cranston Street.

AIE’s approach to the design consists of redesigning the area according to Complete Streets ideals, seeking to emphasize that the Knightsville neighborhood is a destination not just a thoroughfare. A cohesive streetscaping style will build on the area’s rich past and ties to the city of Itri, Italy. Improvements along the corridor will include street trees, lighting, signage, and a uniform stamped concrete pattern through the area. In addition, pedestrian safety improvements will include providing curb bump outs to decrease crossing lengths at intersections as well as furnishing traffic calming via the reduced roadway cross section. In recognition of the extensive use of brick in the neighborhood today, pedestrian crossings will consist of a stamped brick pattern to provide visual cues to the motorists. Drainage improvements will be constructed as needed to facilitate the installation of curb bump outs.

Drawing on inspiration from the piazzas of Italy, the pocket park will consist of a central plaza with improved sightlines and a unifying promenade. The focal point of the park will be the new ornamental fountain and newly constructed gazebo, centrally located in the park. A gently sloping grass area adjacent to the gazebo will provide a venue for concerts and other events, and residents will have the opportunity to play bocce on the proposed court. Lawn areas along the edges of the park will provide continuous views into the park from adjacent streets.