During its 65th annual conference and trade show in Baltimore in October, the International Downtown Association recognized River City Company with the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for its work related to Passageways 2.0.
The award acknowledges “an excellent response to an industry challenge,” notes a news release from the IDA.
Passageways 2.0 competed with more than 20 entries in the Public Space category. This category features capital improvements that have enhanced the urban design, transportation methods, physical function or economic viability of a downtown community.
“Passageways 2.0 transformed an underutilized alley into an interactive art experience and intimate public space, providing a sense of discovery within Chattanooga’s urban environment,” says Meagan Shinn, program director for River City Company. “The alley is an example of how a public space can be successfully activated in a nontraditional locale.”
David Downey, IDA president and CEO, called Passageways 2.0 “a shining example of excellent urban place management delivering real value to a city and an exemplary response to a community challenge.”
A program of River City Company, Passageways 2.0 opened in November 2018 at 10 East Seventh Street in downtown Chattanooga. Since its launch, the alley has hosted numerous community events including concerts, seminars, happy hours, networking events and an outdoor children’s classroom.
Passageways is an alleyway re-imagination program focused on Downtown Chattanooga. In the original round launched in 2016 as a joint program of River City Company and AIA Tennessee, four alleys were temporarily recreated with five art and architectural installations by teams from Chattanooga, New York and Sydney, Australia.
The second round, Passageways 2.0, sought to permanently re-imagine one alleyway into a gathering space for the entire community with partners River City Company, Tinker Ma and Public Art Chattanooga, and made possible by the Benwood and Lyndhurst foundations.
Through an open request for proposals process that began in late 2017, 45 proposals from 11 countries were submitted for Passageways 2.0. A design jury comprised of international architects, planners and artists, along with a local selection committee narrowed the field to three.
The winning design, City Thread, by designers Molly Hunker and Greg Corso of SPORTS, was selected and installed in later 2018.
River City Company is an urban place management organization representing the interests of Downtown Chattanooga.
More at www.passagewayschattanooga.com.
Source: International Downtown Association