Charlottesville City Market District and Square

An edited discussion about

City Market District and Square: Security, Visibility, and Sound

It is expected on non-market times, the public plaza will host other appropriate activities both informally and by schedule, and serve as a viable public square; management is key to success. Potential for activities and management concerns for the market site can be met successfully, given the City’s experience with the Mall and other civic spaces and market advocates interest in encouraging compatible activities.

Most successful public squares also act as passive spaces and are used as parks or just a visible, landmark public space, for example, Piazza San Marco in Venice the downtown Mall, Lee Park or Central Park in NY.

Security- The conditions on the market square site may be similar to those on the Mall- a success by most accounts-and other public spaces in downtown. The Mall space is similar in scale (60-70 foot width) accessible at all hours, supports heavy pedestrian activity, and has businesses and desirable residences above and fronting the Mall. Security is enabled by policing, ambassadors, surveillance-“eyes-on-the-street,” and clear visibility. There are relatively few incidents and there has never been consideration of securing the mall at night. Where there have been problems in Lee Park, the solution has been to limit access at night through signing and patrolling, not fencing. In short, this has developed over time and works well for the City. This should demonstrate that public space along the Mall as well as on the market site can be accessible without extreme security measures, and that the city has experience in successfully managing it.

Visibility- Clear visual access is central to the Mall’s sense of safety and identity, and the Market is seen as connected to, and a pedestrian extension of the Mall. Also clear visibility of the Market makes sense not only to be able to see the market directly from the access street, but from other connections to the Mall, along Water Street (the major fronting arterial street), and South Street (a secondary, less travelled street) for both pedestrians and vehicles. Equally important is visual transparency within Market Square itself. This visibility is important for image, connectivity, and security (eyes-on-the-market).

Sound - Again, market planners expect to host numerous activities that could include music on the Market site. I doubt this would ever be a major negative, and, again referencing the experience on the Mall, music is allowed, and exists without much controversy because of management tools put in place that includes regulating location, timing, and decibel levels. Ironically, the major problem occurred, not so much with street music, but by restaurants and bars featuring music opening doors and windows to the street. Again it is a problem that has been resolved successfully. I suspect these conditions could be similar on the Market site, that the city has experience in addressing them, and could be resolved without excessive measures.

I have been involved in urban design, urban revitalization, and transit –oriented development, professionally, as well as teaching, and public markets have often been a component of this. I have also long been a student and fan (not an expert by any means) of public markets here and abroad, from the aspect of their synergy with their surroundings and contributions to livability and economic development. In my observations, the most successful markets (excluding market halls that tend to be single use, enclosed and secured after market hours, and parking lot/markets) are supportive of many uses and activities, including a passive public square, plaza, or park. These spaces often segue from public market to other activities even including an evening music scene without being overly structured. Openness, flexibility, and connectivity are emblematic, and they most often are surrounded by symbiotic commercial uses and vital residential uses. I have heard more than once that “this is some of the most desirable real estate in the city.” And they often become iconic landmarks.

Okerlund Associates 29 September 2015