DOWNTOWN ASHLAND PLAZA RENOVATION

Ausland Group was honored to do the reconstruction of Ashland’s core public gathering space, its downtown Plaza.  It was completed on schedule, in time for the public dedication April 5, 2013 and in time to welcome the attendees of the Ashland Film Festival (www.ashlandfilm.org) held that weekend.  The design and materials for the Plaza were directed by Greg Covey of Covey Pardee Landscape Architects www.coveypardee.com.  Greg’s vision, attention to detail and responsiveness was key to a smooth construction process.

The Plaza is Ashland’s living room where locals and tourists alike gather and cross paths.  To that end, the redesign created more gathering space and seating than the prior layout and allows better flow to the pedestrian walkways in and out of the Plaza space.  The historic Lithia Water fountain continues to bubble along surprising and delighting visitors just as it has for decades. Seating space was significantly expanded and the functional benches also provided the backdrop for the ceramic mosaic art by Susan Springer.  http://suespringerart.com/2013/04/04/ashland-plaza-mosaic-project/.  Springer was quoted by the Medford Mail Tribune as saying, “the artwork speaks to the flow of the creek, movement of people and passing of time.”  MMT December 11, 2012.  Wooden benches also stand out from the hardscape surfaces and were provided by Forms + Surfaces of Pittsburg, PA (www.forms–surfaces.com).  The new construction did allow for the placement of a time capsule at the end of the Plaza nearest Lithia Park and Ausland expects to be there for the opening in 2113, one hundred years from the dedication of the new Ashland Plaza.