THE CONTEXT Last year, in the spring of 2002, the graduate urban design studio, in collaboration with the City of Springfield, focused on the revitalization of Mason Square, the birthplace of basketball. The students met closely with city officials and community associations in Mason Square to build on activities and efforts to enhance the Square. The intention of the studio was to devise a master plan for Mason Square so that it might emulate Springfield's recent downtown revitalization projects.

IMPLEMENTATION An immediate opportunity recognized by the students was a three-on-three basketball-tournament taking place at Mason Square on May 18-19, 2002 and subsequently two to three times a year. The event coincided with a sales day event for Mason Square businesses, organized by Frederick Hurst of the Association, a community with the purpose of promoting Mason Square and minority businesses. The studio used the event as a catalyst to instill pride, create interest, and activity in Mason Square.

As an initial step the students designed, constructed, and installed temporary panels for the first three-on-three event. It was the intention of the studio to bring the heart of Mason Square back to life, to reclaim the historic prominence of the surrounding neighborhoods, and to attract appropriate development to this significant part of the City of Springfield. In the future local colleges, high school, and elementary school art classes will contribute their talents to the event. Concepts developed for the three-on-three event will manifest themselves five years and twenty years into the future as permanent structures, art piece, and planting designs articulating the student's master plans for the Square.