Allison Platt & Associates designed and prepared construction documents for six blocks of downtown New Bern over about ten years. The City placed a high priority on streetscape improvements because major new investments were being made in the downtown by the private sector, but no major improvements had been made to the sidewalks in over fifty years. The design includes red brick banding surrounding fields of specially-designed hexagonal concrete pavers. The sidewalks are complemented by historic cast iron pedestrian lights and benches, new planters and trash receptacles. The trees chosen were Zelkovas, which are now about 12″ caliper. The new streetscape has resulted in full occupancy retail, many new upper floor residences, and several new buildings. Middle Street, the primary retail street of the downtown, was chosen by the American Planning Association as Great Places in America: Streets in 2010, New Bern’s 300th anniversary.
AWARDS: “Great Places in America: Streets”, 2010, American Planning Association.” & Great Main Streets”, NCAPA, 2015.
RESULTS: From 1990 to 2011, New Bern realized $160 million in public and private investment.
