City of Richardson

Program Management Projects:
City of Richardson:
Galatyn Park Plaza Study
Richardson, Texas

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Assignment
In 1996, the City of Richardson decided to pursue plans for a Community Auditorium that would serve the needs of both public and private users. Program Management together with the architectural firm PGAL was chosen to analyze facility options available to the City. Of the four cases studied, the private partnership model was chosen because Hunt Petroleum agreed to donate land for the facility, and this location would allow for the maximum income to be captured due to the greater accommodation of nearby corporate users. Hunt Petroleum also agreed to donate land for a Public Plaza within this 27-acre mixed use development.

As development plans on the Galatyn Park Urban Center progressed, the City asked PM to continue assisting them on work relating to Galatyn Park. In particular, PM was assigned the task of researching community plazas throughout the country and recommending a program plan for the Galatyn Park Public Plaza based on this research.

Approach
Four primary activities occurred during the course of this work: 1) interviews, 2) research, 3) documentation, and 4) observations/recommendations. The PM Study Team interviewed a number of staff in other cities, as well as event coordinators and managers responsible for public plazas throughout the country. The Study Team also met with others who will have an on-going role in the activity and success of the Plaza, including representatives from DART, the City of Richardson, arts groups members, and Galatyn Park's Development team. Documentation of the various plazas, and observations and recommendations regarding designs, characteristics, and attributes relevant to the Galatyn Park Plaza, resulted from this research and planning effort.

Conceptually, planners for this overall Urban Center proposed a 2.2-acre Plaza be located in the middle of the site to serve as both a pedestrian circulation path to and from the DART station, and a place for outdoor events, gatherings, recreation and relaxation. PM researched and studied various management concepts, performance requirements and attributes that would be applicable to the City's Public Plaza.

The final design of the Plaza is to recognize the intent of both the City and adjacent land users to plan events and locate restaurants, retail and other pedestrian-oriented activities adjacent to this space - reinforcing its role as an active urban Plaza. Land for the Plaza is to be donated to the City by the existing landowners with the understanding it will be 1) planned and zoned to reinforce their private development plans immediately south, and 2) establish a model for new mixed use developments near transit stations throughout the area.

Outcome
The City of Richardson retained RTKL Associates to design the public plaza, as well as the City's Auditorium and adjacent parking garage. The Plaza was completed in late 2001.

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