u r b a n d e s i g n a s s o c i a t e s

VolumeOne

EverydaySquares

EverydaySquares

Table of Contents

Introduction: Creating Urban CatalystsThe Everyday ToolkitEveryday LivelihoodEspresso A ManoFarmers @ FirehouseFrick Park MarketUrban GardenerGirasoleMake Your MarkVillage Park at Point Park UniversityThe Porch at Schenley PlazaRound Corner CantinaTazza D’OroResources

The evolution of Everyday Squares spans time, cultures, and continents. Though the context may change they are, and always have been, the outcome and noble enabler of a great civilization. As part of this legacy, we dedicate this manual to the City of Pittsburgh, her neighborhoods, and the urban lessons she teaches all of us as designers, town-builders, and citizens.

Copyright Urban Design Associates 2012www.UrbanDesignAssociates.com

EverydaySquares

Memorable neighborhoods, towns, and cities are composed of specific types of places that share a unique ability to spark and con-tinuously energize their communities. These places, or Everyday Squares, are the neces-sary counterbalance to large, formal, public spaces and are home to our daily lives.

The craft of making authentic places for peo-ple has been entrusted to the small business-es, risk takers, and tinkerers that, amidst much adversity, preserve and celebrate neighborly living. These entrepreneurs and the intimate

public spaces they curate are the keepers of a town-building language that has been largely overlooked in an age of big plans, silver bullet development initiatives, over leveraging, and exclusionary zoning. With the weaknesses of that age now exposed, we

look to these innovators for inspiration that in-forms how we regenerate our neighborhoods, districts, and towns.

Understanding Everyday Squares naturally begins in a place such as Pittsburgh, a city that found its historical strength and its recent renaissance in its neighborhoods, which depend on “third places” like small taverns, coffee houses, and other service shops. These everyday uses catalyze neighborhood vibrancy throughout the city. With a team of researchers from Urban Design Associates, we interviewed Everyday Square founders, measured key urban dimensions, and docu-mented the interplay between the place and its context, including how it is used and the role it plays in bringing people together.

Everyday Squares are not unique to Pitts-burgh. Hamlets, villages, towns, and cities all over the world feature their own versions of Everyday Squares that contribute to the economy of a place. This manual is intended to be a living tool that can be used and added to over time by designers, developers, business owners, and policy makers.

Introduction: Creating Urban Catalysts

“...the craft of making authentic places for people has been entrusted to the small businesses, risk takers, and tinkerers...”

Key Characteristics of Everyday Squares

Small, implement-able in early phases of »development with limited initial investment

Creates the “seed” energy to leverage »future investments, on- and off-site

Stimulating and active at multiple times of »the day and week

Works at the scale of the village, neigh- »borhood, town, and city

Fosters planned or spontaneous interac- »tions between new and old friends

EverydaySquares

The Everyday Toolkit

This manual methodically walks through the essential criteria, dimensions, and life that Everyday Squares bring to town and neigh-borhood building. The information is culled from interviews with owners and operators, measuring, and drawing. It is structured to be a useful and intuitive benchmarking and design tool.

Incremental RegenerationEveryday Squares stand to teach us living les-sons about the nuanced development of lasting, memorable places. Few of the examples within this document exist in a vacuum and have quan-tifiable impacts on their surroundings.

EVERyDAy SqUARE

ACTIVE USE bEFORE EVERyDAy SqUARE

ACTIVE USE CATAlyzED In-PART by EVERyDAy SqUARE

bUIlDIng

timing

pioneer last missing piece

startup capital

$ $$$$$

size

small large

Hierarchy of UndertakingEveryday Squares exist across a broad spectrum and are achieved through varying degrees of timing, investment, and scale. The resulting typologies vary from redevelopment of underutilized sites, to adaptive reuse, to new construction. The hierarchy of squares are organized along three tracks:Timing: While all Everyday Squares are part of neighborhood vibrancy, not all come on-line early. Some are first adopters and pioneers where others are better suited to be developed in later phases.Startup Capital: Often the greatest creativ-ity emerges out of the tightest of budgets and spawns an authentic, practical, and often magical place. As the undertaking grows in scope, the creation of the square requires greater debt or equity capitalization.Size: Everyday Squares range from small, urban acupuncture to sizeable undertakings that require property acquisition, partners, and greater levels of coordination.

Urban DimensionsA common mis-step in attempting to implement vibrant, resilient places is over-extending the scope and scale of what is realistically achiev-able or required. The urban dimensions of Ev-eryday Squares offer important guidance on how to position, size, and choreograph places such that they not only provide a neighbor-hood’s “third place” but sustain the requisite multiplier effect on the neighborhood. Such an orientation allows the success of the enterprise to compound the success of the neighborhood and permits the neighborhood to compound the viability of the enterprise.

EverydaySquares

Everyday livelihood

EverydaySquares

location

lawrenceville, Pittsburgh

current use

Coffee Shop

space

Interior, Sidewalk

area

1,320 s.f. / Access: Private – 25%, Public – 75%

Espresso A Mano is located in the heart of lawrenceville, an eclectic neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Owner Matt gabis said he wanted to provide a sociable gathering space — the third place away from home and work — for locals to congregate and socialize. This opportunity was fulfilled with very little funding.

timing startup capital size

ESPRESSO A MAnO

bUSInESS ExISTED bEFORE

bUSInESS OPEnED AFTER

ExISTIng bUIlDIngS

Espresso A ManoCoffee shop Becomes a Public Space

37th Street

36th Street

37th Street

36th Street

butle

r Stre

etM

ullbe

rry W

ay

Charlo

tte S

treet

Open 10 hours, 7 days per week, for a total of 6 hours of peak occupancy.

Early birds , college students , and freelancers occupy the majority of the spaces

butle

r Stre

et

Source: Matt Gadis andwww.espressoamano.com

EverydaySquares

Espresso a Mano

Espresso A Mano is an espresso bar that provides high quality espresso and coffee beverages as well as pastry in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The italian term “a mano” means “by hand”. In Italian tradi-tion, the hand is one of the four components to craft a delicious espresso. The choice of brands used to craft the beverages range from fair trade, direct trade, and organic cof-fees from the best fine roasters.

15'

PRIVATE ACCESS [SPACE]

SEMI -PUblIC InTERIOR SPACE

SIDEWAlK

22'

60'

lounge/leisure zone

Service Counter

Private Space Servicing

15' 8'16'

Primary Entrance

Secondary Entrance

EverydaySquares

Espresso a ManoThe floor plan offers an open environment with seating arrangements flanking the perimeter of the interior spaces.

zOnE 4: lEISURE SPACES

zOnE 2: SIDEWAlK/PlAzA

zOnE 1: STREETSIDE bUFFER zOnE

zOnE 3: gEnERAl InTERIOR SPACES

Zone 2: On-street parking creates a buffer zone for outdoor dinning that affords social interaction and people watching.

Zone 4: Semi-private inner interior and somewhat intimate zones located to the rear of the public area. local art displayed on wall celebrating local art talent.

Zone 3: The general open zone creates a open floor plan populated with portable tables and chairs for other personal and social interaction.

Semi-Public Space

Vacant Adjacent lot

Sidewalk

CIRCUlATIOn

Service Counter

zOnE 5: PRIVATE SPACES

EverydaySquares

Farmers @ FirehouseEmpty Lot Becomes a Farmers Market

location

Strip District, Pittsburgh

current use

Market, Event Space, Parking lot

space

Vacant lot

area

5,500 s.f. / 100% site utilization

Farmers @ Firehouse transforms a parking lot into a bustling farmers market and event space with innovative programming.

PARKIng

F@F 1 in = 200 ft .

Penn

Ave

nue

Small

man St

reet

libert

y Ave

nue

23rd Street

22nd Street

FARMERS @ FIREHOUSE

ExISTIng bUIlDIngS

Property owner charges 0 dollars to rent the space to the market.

There are as many as 20 vendors on market day.

Recently, Farmers @ Firehouse was voted the number 1 farmers market in the City.

This has allowed 1 project manager to be hired.

Source: farmersatfirehouse.com

timing startup capital size

EverydaySquares

Key Information

zoning Urban Industrial

Parking Market Day: On-StreetWeekday: On- and Off-Street

Cost Per Square Foot $0

Scale of Adjacent buildings 2.5 stories / 1 story

Penn Ave Right-of-Way 55 feet

Penn Ave SW 11 feet

Alley Right-of-Way 15 feet

Alley SW n/a

55'

100'10'

19' 18'18'

weekday market day Farmers @ Firehouse

EverydaySquares

Farmers @ Firehouse

The conversion of the lot adjacent to the Fire-house from a parking lot to a farmers market creates a much richer, safer environment for people which helps to extend the energy and activity of the Strip District eastward into an area largely dominated by surface parking. The circulation diagrams shows both the reduction in conflict points and blank space experienced on foot. The nodes diagram further emphasizes this point by showing how the area transforms from a single use with little interest to those not parked there, to a place with many uses in a small amount of space. The photos below best demonstrate this transformation of a space from nearly devoid of human interest and comfort to a place that engages the senses, provides for safety and comfort, and performs an impor-tant urban function for the neighborhood as a place to buy and sell healthy food.-

weekday market day

Thum

bnai

l pho

tos

cour

tesy

of F

arm

ers

@ F

ireho

use.

PEDESTRIAn CIRCUlATIOn

nODES

TRAFFIC CIRCUlATIOn

EverydaySquares

location

Point breeze, Pittsburgh

current use

Deli/Market

space

Setback/Sidewalk

area

lot: 3,900 s.f. / Interior: 750 s.f. / Sidewalk: 650 s.f.

Frick Park Market has developed a complementary relationship with the community it occupies; it simultaneously stimulates the area and takes advantage of the dynamic neighborhood.

“Friendly, Personal, Close to Home.”

Reynolds Street

S la

ng A

venu

e

Frick Park MarketMarket Becomes Community Gathering Space

75 customers, on average, at the lunch hour

68 families with invoice tabs dating to early years of the market

14 categories of offerings from convenience items to prepared meals

timing startup capital size

EverydaySquares

Street Dimensions

Right-of-Way Width 62 feet

Cartway Width 38 feet

Travel lanes (2) 11 feet

Parking lanes (2) 8 feet

Sidewalk Width 14 feet

Planter Width none

Median Width none

Parking On-Street; Metered

Frick Park Market makes the most of its lim-ited space by layering uses on the site. The garage serves as storage for the market, the apartment upstairs is rented out, the sidewalk is used for additional seating, and a small kitchen was added to the back. Interior uses include food preparation, displaying grocer-ies, and seating.

Upstairs Apartment

Awning for Shade and Signage

Sandwich board Specials

Frick Park Market

10'

35'

14'

18' 25'

SIDEWAlK

PAVIng

PRIVATE yARD

?'

EverydaySquares

Frick Park Market’s dedication to providing a number of unique services and its proximity to a number of well-used spaces results in its use by a wide cross-section of people at all times of day. This array of services is also a reflection of a interest in building a strong relationship with the community. Some of these include:

dinner meal plans; »

fresh artisan cheese and free-range eggs; »

local products (la Prima coffee, Wood »Street bakery bread);

specialty item services; and »

payment tabs. »

Frick Park Market

frick park drawWalkers, Joggers, bikers

student drawbefore and After School Students

Space for Public Use Extends Onto Sidewalk

Apartment Access

garage Storage

groceries

Inside Seating

Meat locker

Deli Counter

SHOP AREA

FOOD PREPARATIOn

STORAgE/bACK OF HOUSE

SIDEWAlK CAFE zOnE

DISPlAy

pedestrian drawFamilies, Stay-at-Home Parents

catchment area and primary routes

thru-traffic drawCommuters, greater Community, Ready Access (both as a Destination or En Route)

Sidewalk Seating

garage for StorageSmall Kitchen Addition

Reynolds Street

S la

ng A

venu

e

S Da

llas A

venu

ePenn Avenue

EverydaySquares

location

northside, Pittsburgh

current use

Plant nursery

space

Open lot

area

Occupied Space: 16,500 s.f. / Additional Sloped land: 11,000 s.f.

Urban gardenerEmpty Lot Becomes a Nursery

brighton Road

brighton Place

A Street

Kirkbride Street

California Avenue

75 dollars /month for the initial rent

2,100 names on the mailing list

0 dollars of debt throughout life of business

Started on the site of an abandoned gas station by residents looking to improve their community, Urban gardener brings life to the northside neighborhood in countless ways. It attracts business, reactivates a previously un-used space, and visually brightens the area.

timing startup capital size

EverydaySquares

The site has been progressively built up and defined using easily accessible materials. Using very few built structures, this is an economically viable solution for creating a functional and appealing space.

Urban gardener has expanded not only within its lot, but also within the greater com-munity. They do so by offering a myriad of off-site services including:

consultations, »

garden maintenance, »

side-by-side gardening, and »

public speaking. »

Off-site projects include:

flower garden, Riverview Park;1.

native rain garden, Allegheny County 2. Courthouse;

butterfly garden, Children’s Museum of 3. Pittsburgh; and

shade garden, Allegheny Commons.4.

Urban gardenerinexpensive materials

wood planksCreate open

structures that are functional and define

the spacegravel

Delineates space and reduces rainwa-

ter runoff

phased site build-out

Existing Structure Added Trellis, Shed Additional Expansion Added greenhouse

nettingProvides shade while permitting visibility and air movement

wood latticeDefines space while preserving a sense of

permeability

tarpsProvide shade and cover, and enclose space from above

milk cratesProvide storage and support shelves for

display

1

2

34

EverydaySquares

Urban gardener

Shed (10'x16')/Office

Van Parking

Trellis

Primary Entrance

Remaining Wall of gas Station building

Street Dimensions

Right-of-Way Width 57 feet

Cartway Width 33 inches

Travel lanes (2) 12 feet

Parking lanes (1) 9 feet

Sidewalk Width 12 feet

Planter Width none

Median Width none

Parking On-Street; Free

100'

120'

Service/Van Entrance

Storage

Pebbles, Paving

10'

Corner garden Outside Fence

Trellises define spaces while providing visibility, in addition to housing and displaying plants.

EverydaySquares

girasoleRestaurant Becomes Neighborhood Hotspot

Infographic

Just off Walnut Street, one of Pittsburgh’s premier commercial streets, girasole sits tucked away in a small nook created by a generous setback and framed by adjacent infill buildings. Serving Shadyside and the larger Pittsburgh area, girasole draws patrons from many age groups and walks of life with its classic Italian menu and intimate dining environment.

Walnut Street

South Aiken Avenue

Copeland Street

bellefont Street

8 other small restaurants and shops within 40 feet

30 additional people accommodated at tables outside and on sidewalk

1 premier commercial shopping street around the corner

location

Shadyside, Pittsburgh

current use

Restaurant

space

Interior/Exterior

area

500 s.f.

Source: Patti Girasole

timing startup capital size

EverydaySquares

girasole

Constrained by its location, girasole is only able to seat a limited number of patrons in its small, almost subterranean dining room. However, during warmer months it is able to nearly double its seating capacity with tables and chairs spilling out into its lowered entry courtyard and up the stairs onto the sidewalk. This not only increases business, but allows the vibrant life within the restaurant outside to contribute to activating the street above.

10'

15'

35' 7"

12'

EverydaySquares

girasole

le Mardis gras Eureka Chocolate + giftsChica loca Taco girasole Eden

girasole is nestled among a tight cluster of five small restaurants and shops sitting at the end of a residential street in the central Pitts-burgh neighborhood of Shadyside. Surround-ing it are a quirky taco shop that also offers gelato, an affordable and completely vegan eatery, Eden, a new Orleans-themed restau-rant, and a specialty gift shop. A short walk across the street are a grouping of four other businesses including a jewelry store, Star-bucks, a small dentist's office, and Stack'd, a gourmet burger bar.

Key Information

years of Operation 10zoning local neighborhood Commercial lot Size 1400 square feetParking On-street; Free

Users Families, Couples, Middle-Age Professionals, Seniors

building Footprint 800 square feetSidewalk Seating Space 200 square feet

Shadyside Smiles /Stack’d Starbucks Amazing yoga

EverydaySquares

location

Point breeze, Pittsburgh

current use

Coffee Shop, gallery

space

Courtyard, Sidewalk

area

lot: 1,892 s.f. / Sidewalk: 275 s.f. / Courtyard: 560 s.f.

Make your Mark Artspace & Coffeehouse offers a remarkable transition from urban to residential atmospheres. The gallery aspect of the space serves as a framework for dynamic urban street life and community interactive art.

Amy Siebert, Co-Owner of Make Your Mark. Website: www.happycow.net

200 customers served daily

4 organized groups meet here : 2 church, 1 mothers, 1 walking

1 of 4 Pittsburgh-area restaurants exclusively vegan /vegetarian

timing startup capital size

Make your MarkForgotten Space Becomes Mid-Block Courtyard

Reynolds Street

Reynolds Street

Elysian Street

Hasti

ngs S

treet

get

tysbu

rg S

treet

MAKE yOUR MARK ExISTIng FOOD/bEVERAgE

ExISTIng bUIlDIng

EverydaySquares

22'

18'4'

12' -6"4'

53'

86'

22'- 6"5'

13' -6"

Upper Courtyard Seating: 12' x 12.5'

lower Courtyard Seating: 14' x 10.5'

landscape buffer

Planting beds with Sculptural Art

Stairs Up to Office leased Retail Space

Coffee bar

Kitchenbath

6 ft Wooden Fence

Sunken Seating: 17' x 10.5'

b

b

A

A

Section AReynolds Street Section b

Make your Mark

EverydaySquares

CUSTOMER PATH

2nD FlOOR RETAIl PATH

VISUAl STREET COnnECTIOn

DESTInATIOn POInT

RESIDEnTIAl

STATIC

REPOSE

ACTIVE

DynAMIC

URbAn

entry sequencecirculation Make your Mark

Framed Streetscapegallery Art

4

3

2

1

5

Interactive Community ArtPublic notices

Menu & SpecialsArchived Community Art

the walls of make your mark

1

3

5

2

4

Key Information

years in Operation 6.5

Hours of Operation M-F: 7am—5pmSAT: 8am—5pm

zoning local neighborhood Commercial

lot Size 22 ft W x 86 ft D

Parking On-Street, Free

Primary Users Families and Seniors

Coffee House Area 1,200 gSF

EverydaySquares

Village Park at Point Park UniversityParking Lot Becomes Downtown Campus Park

location

Downtown, Pittsburgh

current use

Semi-Public Square

space

Corner lot

area

12,075 s.f. / 100% site utilization

Village Park at Point Park University demon-strates how to create a pedestrian-scaled place in an inhospitable environment through relatively simple design interventions.Village Park 1 in = 200 ft .

boulevard of the Allies

Fort Pitt boulevard

First Avenue

Woo

d St

reet

Smith

field

Stre

et

There were 4 design firms in the deign of the space.

This works out to 540 dollars per square foot.

Total project cost was 6,600,000 dollars.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/c86vjrz

timing startup capital size

EverydaySquares

90' 12'12' 50' 10'

Waterfall

loggiaPlaza Space

Tower Element

Restaurant

building and Circulation Elements

Existing lot and buildings

Plaza

Village Park at Point Park University

kit of parts

elements of the place

120'14'

boulevard of the Allies

Wood Street

EverydaySquares

The Village Park at Point Park University has created a safer, finer grain experience for people by removing possible conflicts with automobiles on the site. The scale has been lowered with the loggia and restaurant fa-cade and the planting of trees. The final result is infusion of public space where there once was none.

before park after park

Circ

ulat

ion

Scal

ePu

blic

Spa

ce

EverydaySquares

Key Information

Parking On-Street

zoning Special District

Cost Per Square Foot $547

Scale of Adjacent buildings 8 stories

boulevard Right-of-Way 80 feet

boulevard Sidewalk 14 feet

Wood Street Right-of-Way 72 feet

Wood Street Sidewalk 12 feet

Village Park at Point Park University

PEOPlE CIRCUlATIOn

CARS

EverydaySquares

The Porch sits at the northwest corner of ver-dant Schenley Plaza and features a fantastic and diverse, seemingly upscale menu; a casual hip ambience; and an alluring contem-porary architectural design grounded in the use of masonry materials, warm and earthy tones, and generous glazing, that in tandem with a great outdoor dining “porch”, facili-tates an almost seamless connection to the adjacent park.

location

Oakland, Pittsburgh

current use

Restaurant/Wine bar

space

Interior/Exterior

area

5,000 s.f.

The Porch at Schenley PlazaParking Lot Becomes Park Pavilion

Forbes Avenue

Schenley Drive Schenley Drive

Schenley Drive Ext.

3 years to complete from concept to construction

930 plates served during an average week

60 seats accommodated on exterior “porch”

Source: Josh, Manager

timing startup capital size

EverydaySquares

The Porch at Schenley

Wood-Fired Ovenbar

Porch facing Emerald lawnPorch facing the Cathedral

EntranceOutdoor Fireplace

A conceptual project from Pennsylvania-based, restaurant chain Eat ‘n Park, The Porch was built to lEED standards and is an envi-ronmentally conscious addition to Schenley Plaza. Inside and outside, the restaurant offers a variety of seating options, including bar seating, counter-height tables and chairs for larger parties, intimate booths, and low tables with plush stools that can be placed along the knee wall near the edge of the lawn.

43' 8

"23

' 4"

115'

5"

19' 5"31' 3"

Wood-Fired Oven

bar

Porch facing Emerald lawn

Kitchen

Outdoor Fireplace

EverydaySquares

The Porch at Schenley

2004 2005 2007 2011 2012

In the early 1900s Frederick law Olmstead and others envisioned Schenley Plaza as a grand formal entrance to Schenley Park. As such, it was originally designed as a formal landscaped portal into the park. In 1949, with the central neighborhood of Oakland growing rapidly, the plaza fell victim to the increasing demand for more surface parking in the area and was designated for this purpose. The plaza functioned as a parking lot for over 50 years until 2004, when, after ten years of plan-ning, work began to convert it back into part of the park as the threshold it was originally envisioned to be. The new design drew inspira-tion from new york City’s bryant Park featur-ing fluid borders, lush gardens, a great lawn, event space, a carousel, food kiosks, moveable tables and chairs, and public restrooms. There are future plans for public art exhibitions, ex-panded activities, an on-site offering of books and periodicals, and carriage rides.

Event Tent Plaza

Victorian-style Carousel Food Kiosks

The Emerald lawn Forbes Avenue gardens Food Kiosks

Forbes Aven

ue

Schenley Drive

Schenley Drive Extension

Key Information

years of Operation 8 Months

Hours of Operation Mon–Thu: 11am–11pm | Fri: 11–12am | Sat: 10–12am | Sun: 10am–10pm

zoning Park

lot Size 8,500 Square Feet

building Footprint 8,400 Square Feet

Parking On-Street; Free

Users Middle-age/Older Professionals, Seniors, youth (late night)

Imag

es c

ourt

esy

of G

oogl

e

EverydaySquares

3 distinct group: college students, young professionals, and babyboomers

250 customers served in a given day

10 hours of operation, 7 days per week

Source: Derrick, Owner/Operator

location

lawrenceville, Pittsburgh

current use

bar/Restaurant

space

Interior, Patio, Sidewalk

area

2,458 s.f. / Access: Private – 27%, Public – 73%

Round Corner CantinaThe Cantina Becomes a place to relax and unwind

Round Corner Cantina is a locally-owned mexican cuisine bar and dining establishment that offers an alternate kitchen to residents within proximity. Their aim was to provide tacos with radishes, homemade salsa, and all the other ingredients one would find at an authentic Mexican-style taco stand.

39th Street

38th Street

38th Street

37th Street

butle

r Stre

et

ROUnD CORnER CAnTInA

bUSInESS ExISTED bEFORE

bUSInESS OPEnED AFTER

ExISTIng bUIlDIng

timing startup capital size

EverydaySquares

SEMI-PUblIC InTERIOR SPACE

PlAzA/SIDEWAlK

50'

42'

8'44'

15'

Round Corner Cantina

A A

EverydaySquares

On-street parking creates a buffer area for outdoor dinning that offers social interaction and people watching.

The main bar area ties together the inside and outside experience. Some use this space while waiting for a table at the adjacent restaurant.

The third room within the overall space is a more private, but unique one as it offers a social intimate environment for dinner and conversation.

This unique space is a tucked away one that can hold a small group of people or three groups of two. This area can be considered semi-private.

This is the largest space within the establishment, it has hightop tables and chairs arrayed perpen-dicular to the fencing bordering 38th Street.

The sixth room is more of a traditional mexican ex-perience with conventional tables and chairs offering a semi-private setting.

The entire street-level space is split into six (6) different rooms throughout the 2,458+ square feet property.

CIRCUlATIOn WITHIn THE gEnERAl SPACES

DISTInCT AREAS/ ROOMS

publicly-accessible spaces

Round Corner Cantina

PlAzA/SIDEWAlK

Image: http://tiny.cc/27t9jw

EverydaySquares

location

Highland Park, Pittsburgh

current use

Coffee Shop

space

Sidewalk

area

lot: 3,608 s.f. / Sidewalk: 410 s.f.

Amy Enrico, Owner of Tazza D’Oro. Allegheny County Assessment website: www2.county.allegheny.pa.us

Tazza D’Oro is the heartbeat of the Highland Park neighborhood. It began as the only service in a completely residential zone and within 10 years generated enough buzz to re-vitalize a local business district and increase property values throughout the neighborhood.

15—20% local property value increase since Tazza D’Oro started in ‘99

1:8 pre-existing : catalyzed local food service businesses

2 weekly cycling events draw 15—60 riders each

timing startup capital size

Tazza D’OroSidewalk Becomes a Public Plaza

bryant Street

Hampton Street

n S

t. Cl

air S

treet

n E

uclid

Ave

nue

n H

ighl

and

Aven

ue

Elgin Street

TAzzA D’ORO

bUSInESS ExISTED bEFORE

bUSInESS OPEnED AFTER

ExISTIng bUIlDIng

EverydaySquares

14'6'

72'

123'

31'11'

29'-4"

20'-4"9'

garden Trellis

Wood Plank boardwalk

Fenced Courtyard (Unoccupied Space Due to

lack of Egress)

Sidewalk Seating

Highland Avenue

Planter bed

Coffee bar

Kitchen

bath

Stairs Up to leased Office Space

Entry Ramp

garden Seating

A

A

6ft Fence

Tazza D’OroKey Information

years in Operation 13

zoning Residential, Required Variance

Existing Food/ beverage businesses 1 in 1999

Food/beverage businesses Catalyzed by Tazza D’Oro 8 as of 2012

local Property Value Increase Since 1999 15—20%

Reinvention as Cyclist’s Haven 2010

Organized Cycling Programs 2 Weekly Rides, Expert and Intermediate

EverydaySquares

Programming

Press conferences by officials from all levels of local government are held at Tazza for issues concerning Highland Park.

Folks who work from home use Tazza as an office and confer-ence room, meeting clients and contacts in a non-corporate atmosphere.

Every week, 30–60 cyclists turn out for intermediate Team Decaf rides. Team Caffeine gathers 15–20 hard core rid-ers for expert routes. Cycling gear is on sale at the coffee bar.

Tazza D’Oro was started as a venue for those with a passion for coffee. Rigorous barista training and stringent bean selec-tion reaps cups of gold.

quiet enough to co-exist with its residen-tial neighbors, Tazza generates traffic from dawn to dusk and enlivens the street.

local citizens and community leaders gather at Tazza to discuss issues that affect the Highland Park neighborhood.

Want to get away from the busy High-land Avenue street life? Read the paper in the shady ivy- covered side garden.

garden

Office

Active Streetscape

Cycling Rendezvous

Hig

hlan

d A

venu

eCycling Merchandise

Political VenueCommunity

Hall

gourmet Coffee Service

Tazza D’Oro

Photos courtesy of Urban Design Associates, www.tazzadoro.net, bike-pgh.org, plus.google.com, wendmag.com and popcitymedia.com

EverydaySquares

Resources

build a better block »

The Interventionist Toolki » t

Project for Public Spaces »

William H. Whyte’s Social life of Small Urban Space » s

Jane Jacob’s » Death and life of American Cities and Economy of Cities

Ray Oldenburg’s » The great good Place

EverydaySquareswww.UrbanDesignAssociates.com