The Task Force, in consultation with the University and the City, has developed a design concept plan for the median space on Madison Avenue between 9th and 11th Streets. This space--approximately five hundred feet long--will become a pedestrian promenade.
The vegetation currently in place will be removed and upgraded. A gently curving sidewalk will be installed that will meander through spaces planted with neat dwarf boxwood hedges.
When completed, the promenade will have benches for lingering; historical plaques similar to the ones found elsewhere along Madison Avenue; and outdoor sculpture pieces. At either end of the promenade (at the 9th and 11th Street intersections), there will be small plazas featuring more seating, interpretive displays and light standards that will also bear Corvallis and OSU banners. Proceeding west along the promenade from 9th Street, one will have an unobstructed view of the traditional entrance to the OSU campus. To the east, the view will be toward The Arts Center and downtown Corvallis. From the 11th Street plaza the view to the west will be into the beautiful OSU Lower Campus with Benton Hall beyond. To the east, one will be able to look down the entire length of the promenade toward downtown.
The concept plan for this Campus-Community Connection has been approved by both OSU and the City of Corvallis. The next phase of planning is to develop detailed site plans which will make accurate cost estimating possible. Current estimates anticipate a $240,000 investment to complete all phases of the project. A formal funding-raising campaign will commence in the near future. The goal is to have the project completed by 2012.
The photos and illustrations below give a sense of the design concept.
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