Southtowne

The Living Street

The Dutch word “woonerf” roughly translates to “street for living,” and this concept has gained traction here in the United States. Our communities are seeing the value in streetscapes that support enjoyment, rather than simply facilitating movement from point A to point B. While streetscapes are often viewed as purely utilitarian, they actually happen to be the largest areas of public space in our cities. Why should they be mere conduits for cars when they could also prove a central exterior environment for the local community to enjoy. This was the thinking behind the Southtowne project, in which the Jerry Pate Design team revitalized the streetscape nestled between a mixed-use office building, multifamily housing, and the YMCA in downtown Pensacola.

This area would also serve as a pathway for those working in the office to get from their available parking to the front of the building, so it needed to be pedestrian-friendly, beautiful, and remain drivable, of course. One of the core triumphs of Southtowne is the big oak tree that brings nature to the center of the streetscape. The JPD team worked collaboratively with the mayor and fire marshal to ensure the safety of placing the Liberty Tree, as it is now called, in this position. Codes and clearances were accommodated, fire trucks tested their route through the area, and careful analysis was completed alongside civil engineers. In the end, the new Southtowne streetscape has inspired a fresh perspective on roadways in the city. Jerry Pate Design laid the groundwork for outside-the-box, pedestrian-centric thinking, and Pensacola continues to evolve toward those aims. Everyone is starting to talk the talk and walk the walk, and the JPD team looks forward to seeing how the area progresses in the next several decades.