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Graham Projects

Curbside Commons

The Curbside Commons Design for Distancing project converted a parking lane into a public space for community, shopping, services, and culinary encounters along Hamilton-Lauraville’s main street, Harford Road. Design for Distancing is a tactical urban design initiative of the Baltimore Development Corporation and Neighborhood Design Center intended to help small businesses in Baltimore reopen without compromising public health. Led by Graham Projects, the design-build team included Property Consulting, Inc. (PCI), LANNINGSMITH, and Annie Howe Papercuts. We collaborated with the Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street and adjacent small businesses to understand their needs to stay open while maintaining physical distancing and other COVID-19 precautions. Through discussions facilitated by PCI, merchants asked for outdoor seating, istancing markers, event space, pedestrian and wheelchair accessibility, public art, signage, bicycle parking, and artful wayfinding. 

In meeting merchant needs, Graham Projects implemented all of its contributions in the Design for Distancing Ideas Guidebook published earlier in response to the pandemic. Click here to download the free resource on created COVID-19 safe public spaces.

For the Curbside Commons we created safe pedestrian space using traffic bump outs, line striping, flex-posts,bike racks, and a first-of-its-kind midblock crosswalk with traffic island. Artful, high-contrast asphalt coating visually unify the Curbside Commons while demarking the former parking lane as a premiere safe space for pedestrian conviviality and commerce. From the “Gridn’ Safe” modular stencils and footprint markings participants take visual and tactile cues for maintaining their publicly healthy personal space. Creative pavement stencils by local artist Annie Howe evoke the businesses and services offered along Harford Road, inviting pedestrians to patronize the many shops, restaurants, and service businesses. 

LANNINGSMITH fabricated the 3d aspects of the project. The “Rampin’ Over” ADA curb ramps provide adjustable height mobility access midblock. The modular “Wingin’ It” hinged partitions are set at different angles to appropriately frame spatial distance. Recycled industrial drum planters anchor the separators, provide beautification, and serve as protective barriers for curb-lyfe enthusiasts. Shade sails and benches provide added pedestrian comfort for outdoor hangs.

Since installing the space local businesses have reported an increase in foot traffic and sales. During the warm months merchants and shoppers filled the pedestrian spaces with activity, especially during the locally organized First Fridays evening event series. The Curbside Commons has proven so popular that the Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, participating merchants, and countless residents have already expressed enthusiasm to keep the public space intact beyond the necessity of COVID-19 precautions.

Design-Build Team
Graham Projects, Property Consulting, Inc., LANNINGSMITH, Annie Howe Paper Cuts, Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street

Partners
Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, Baltimore Development Corporation, Neighborhood Design Center, Baltimore City DOT, Equus Striping

Benefiting Businesses 
Zeke’s Coffee, Indu Wellness, The Children’s Bookstore, Dominican Stars Salon, Propr Design, Fire & Rice Restaurant, Annie Howe Papercuts, Tortuga Boutique, Function Coworking Community, Main Obsessions Salon, Aaduri Healing Arts, Red Canoe, Maggie’s Farm, Found Studio, 4 Hour Day Lutherie, Cloudy Donuts, Koco’s Pub, Domesticity, Blue Spark Barbers, Chop Shop Salon, Lady’s Touch Salon

  • Place:

    4300, 4700, & 4800 blocks of Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21214

  • Approaches:

    Placemaking, Public Art, Civic Engagement

  • Project Date:

    June - November 2020

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    @grahamprojects on Instagram

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    What would Baltimore be like if arts and culture w What would Baltimore be like if arts and culture was fully embedded in public life? Text or call your recommendations for the Mayor to 443-863-9955 #actbaltimore @mayorbmscott
    Up next: @bmorecitydot will be hanging me and @whi Up next: @bmorecitydot will be hanging me and @whitney_gracefrazier’s #ParkHeightsPathways #butterfly #wayfinding signs connecting Pimlico Elementary School students with CC Jackson rec center and #CylburnArboretum. Amazing fabrication by @lanningsmith. @recnparks @promoandarts #grahamprojects #publicart #placemaking
    Help inspire new alley artwork on the 300 block of Help inspire new alley artwork on the 300 block of Tyson Street! Join me and the @bromoartsdistrict for the virtual Painted Alley Path Walk & Talk tomorrow, Saturday, December 19th, from 11am-12pm. Share feedback on what you would like to see reflected in the artwork. Link in @bromoartsdistrict bio. #grahamprojects
    Here’s a quick preview of the #ParkHeightsPathwa Here’s a quick preview of the #ParkHeightsPathways #wayfinding #publicart project I’ve been collaborating on with @whitney_gracefrazier. We’ve been engaging with resident leaders like Ms Snow to create custom thermoplastic sidewalk graphics, stencils, and signage connecting Pimlico Elementary School students with CC Jackson rec center and #CylburnArboretum. @recnparks @ennisflintinc @mayorbmscott @promoandarts #grahamprojects #streetart #streetsforpeople #liveablestreets #placemaking
    The #CollingtonSquare community holds a 200+ year The #CollingtonSquare community holds a 200+ year old oak tree as its symbol. Our #OakWisdom #trafficcalming art crosswalks are inspired by looking up through those sanctuary leaves. Thanks to the Collington Square Neighborhood Association and @citylife_cb for inviting me to improve pedestrian safety with #publicart in their community. Props to @bmorecitydot for working with us on the design and approval. Much love to my amazing on-call install team as well. #GrahamProjects #placemaking #tacticalurbanism #completestreets #liveableatreets
    Major precedent set: stakeholders asked for a midb Major precedent set: stakeholders asked for a midblock crosswalk and @bmorecitydot allowed us to deliver! Amazing line striping by @equusdc. @designfordistancing #CurbsideCommons #grahamprojects #placemaking #publicart #liveablestreets #completestreets #streetart #trafficcalming
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