MCKNIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD

The topic for the McKnight Neighborhood senior undergraduate (BSLA) studio is Bay Street Corridor; Opportunities for the 21st Century. The McKnight Neighborhood Council identified the Bay Street Corridor of Springfield as a focus of concern. Bay Street bisects the neighborhood and is a gateway into the community to the east and to the west. This project was designed to assist the McKnight Neighborhood Council to improve an urban residential area by developing a plan for the properties along Bay Street. It could be used as a potential future master plan for the Bay Street Corridor. The plan could include green belts, small urban parks, city owned vacant lots, privately owned vacant lots, and small businesses. Specifically, the students developed designs for the central area of Bay Street corridor between Buckingham and Bowles. This area includes three urban parks, a WMECO sub-station, a small urban shopping center (five shops), and an empty lot that has historical significance (former Mason Mansion). The residents of McKnight neighborhood were the primary beneficiaries of the project. The students worked directly with the council, neighborhood residents, the City, WMECO officials, business owners, and other community groups.

On September 6, 2002 the students visited the site and met with the client. The students were back in Springfield on September 9, 2002 to facilitate a Community Design workshop. Neighborhood residents were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the neighborhood and any opportunities the students could help the neighborhood develop. The data was collected, compiled, and presented to the client along with background research of the neighborhood and case studies. The students were divided into three groups in which they identified and developed a design concept. The client reviewed these concepts and intermediate designs on September 23, 2002. The students then worked on their final designs and drafting which were presented at the final departmental presentation on October 17, 2002 at UMass. They also presented their final work in Springfield the week of October 20, 2002.

In the spring of 2003, the graduate urban design studio will continue the work on Mason Square including the four adjacent neighborhoods, McKnight, Bay, Old Hill, and Upper Hill.

PHOTO GALLERY A selection of site photos and student work.

Click here to download a McKnight Neighborhood Poster.