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Fayetteville’s upcoming Cultural Arts Corridor needs a name, so city officials are asking for the public’s help with some ideas.
The corridor follows the Razorback Greenway from Dickson Street to Prairie Street and is envisioned as a series of public open spaces connecting the Walton Arts Center, TheatreSquared, Nadine Baum Studios and the Fayetteville Public Library.
The project scope includes redeveloping the parking lot at Dickson Street and West Avenue into a civic plaza, with various streetscape enhancements, improvements to the trail system, and incorporation of the Fay Jones wood parkland west of the Fayetteville Public Library.
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A campaign naming website is available with details about the project and tips on how to get started with an idea.
“Location, community, design, history, ecology, and experience are all things that can help guide the naming process,” according to the website. “Think about what you love the most in downtown Fayetteville. How can your favorite parts of the city help name this project?”
The site includes a checklist of questions to ask when thinking of a name, such as “Is it relevant? Does it inspire? Is it meaningful? Is it easy to say?”
Some examples of other public spaces include Gathering Place in Tulsa, Citygarden in St. Louis, Millennium Park or The 606 in Chicago and the Atlanta BeltLine.
Categories to consider when exploring names include:
- Community – Names inspired by people and exchange; a space that brings people together and sparks new energy
- Design – Names that are inspired by the unique physical characteristics
- History – Tapping into local and regional history; names that speak to roots and heritage
- Experience – Relation to direct or emotional connection to the space and architecture. A nod to the sensory experience
- Art – Inspired by forms of human expression and communication
- Location – Names that deliver a sense of place; a physical address or geographic reference
To get involved, participants can submit a name by Feb. 28, join The People’s Panel to provide additional feedback on a short list of name options, and then vote on a favorite name after submissions close.
» See naming tips and inspiration
Project phase map
Click to enlarge / City of Fayetteville
Design and construction timeline
The first phase of the project kicked off last fall when ground was broken on the Fay Jones woods portion of the corridor. Mayor Jordan last week said he hopes to soon bring a contract to the City Council on the purchase of land for a parking deck needed to replace the West Avenue parking lot that’s soon to be redeveloped as part of the corridor project. If the Council approves the contract, Jordan said construction on the new deck could begin as soon as this spring.
Click to enlarge / City of Fayetteville
Concept images
Fay Jones woods upper picnic area / Courtesy
Fay Jones Woods elevated trail / Courtesy
Tanglewood Branch stairs / Courtesy
Civic plaza grove and trail / Courtesy
Civic plaza canal / Courtesy
Civic plaza terrace lawn / Courtesy
