Paresi Study: Legion Square
The Urban Design and Waterfront Study was completed in February 1997—15 years ago.
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Legion Square is widely considered the primary entrance to Havre de Grace's historic downtown district.
It's also a unique corner of town, nestled between a state road, a regional rail line and the Susquehanna River.
While there are constraints on what the area can be used for, there are also many theories on the best use for the area surrounding Union Avenue at the northern tip of the city's arts and entertainment district.
The Paresi Design Studio's 1997 study presented two major alterations to the square: a reconfiguring of a tricky intersection of three roads, and the implementation of a transportation center for Havre de Grace.
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This is the fourth 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.
This aspect, in particular, tackles two separate recommendations.
The first called for a streetscape and redesign at the intersections of Union Avenue, St. John Street and Warren Street. The streets intersect where the Lafayette statue is located.
Since the study, completed 15 years ago, the city has reconfigured the narrow angle at the intersection of Union Avenue and St. John Street—where the statue is situated.
The design actually recommended the statue be refurbished and centered on an island in the middle of traffic.
While some of the streetscape hasn't been completed, the area surrounding the statue has been completely redone.
The larger aspect of the Legion Square section of the study calls for a transportation hub on the property surrounded by Union Avenue, Warren Street and Stokes Street, as well as the Amtrak rail line.
The property is privately owned, including a residential building and commercial property—part of which is in the midst of development as a new 7-Eleven store.
Havre de Grace currently has no rail stop, and Union Avenue is part of MD Route 7—a state road, on which buses customarily travel.
However, private property would have to be purchased, and the recent development of the Union Avenue-fronting property at Legion Square indicates a massive project of this scope isn't likely in the near future.
Since the study, the Amtrak bridge carrying trains over the Susquehanna River has been earmarked for a replacement. An impact study is underway on the issues that would arise from such a project.
A new bridge could significantly alter the landscape of the Legion Square area—not to mention much of Havre de Grace.
TELL US: Do you think any of the Legion Square elements from the study could be done today? Or is the redesign of the Lafayette statue plaza and the development of Legion Square indicative that the study's visions won't come to fruition in the immediate future? Leave a comment.
Sara-Jayne Walker
10:43 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
This is simple, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!" Some of these "transplants" would want it but the true locals know, leave us alone we are just fine and don't want to be a. Jr. Bel Air!
Tom Fitzpatrick
9:40 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
This particular part of the Paresi study makes for great "what if" entertainment. But they're not too practical. These were prepared back before Legion Square was rebuilt in its current configuration. Union Ave is a State Highway, any future improvements would be done under SHA contract. The railroad station is also tricky. The old PWB station in that approximate location. But that was when the old bridge was still in use. When the current (Amtrak) bridge was built in 1906, the station had to be moved. Since the existing bridge will probably be replaced some time in the next 20 years, it's hard to judge where, or even if, a station could be located there. Parking is also an issue.
Personally, I would love to have rail service here.