The main gateway into Havre de Grace will be getting a facelift in the near future.

As motorists pass under the Hatem Bridge while driving down Superior Street/MD Route 155, a new welcoming park will greet them.

The design has been in the works for 15 years, as part of the original Paresi Design Study. Thanks to the collaborative work of City Hall staff, the vision is becoming a reality.

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This is the first post in a series of articles refreshing the visions of the Paresi Design Studio's "Urban Design and Waterfront Study," which was completed in February 1997.

See the three PDF files with this post that reveal parts of the study pertaining to improving the primary entry points into town.

The study called for a redesign of the facade of the underpass on the Hatem Bridge to include a large welcome sign. However, doing so would make the city liable for repairs to the bridge.

Havre de Grace is exploring alternative options, including a "pocket park" on the embankment leading up to U.S. Route 40.

A presentation was made to City Council in 2011 for a project to complete the gateway. The first two phases of the project include signage, landscaping, bridge painting and resurfacing of the roads and sidewalks.

The design study also called for streetscape improvements (which will be featured in a future post)—particularly those along Juniata Street.

One aspect that would qualify as a long-term plan is the improved entrance to the downtown area from the Hatem Bridge underpass. The third PDF shows the area that leads to Water Street changing dramatically, with a roadway leading through what is currently privately-owned property. The new road would provide a "formal entry to waterfront and downtown," the study said.

TELL US: What do you think of the primary gateways into Havre de Grace? What could be done to make Havre de Grace more welcoming to visitors? Would any of the ideas in this 15-year-old study still work? Are any out of the question? Leave a comment below.