CRT 2016 #37 · Communication to the City Council · Aug 1 2016

HARVARD SQUARE PLACEMAKING Out of Town News Kiosk June 23, 2016 For the Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts, & Celebration Committee BACKGROUND The City of Cambridge in cooperation with the Harvard Square Business Association, and Harvard University has been engaged in a public process to develop recommendations for the public open spaces in the heart of Harvard Square. In fall 2013, the City hosted the first of three community workshops with initial consulting support from the Project for Public Spaces, a public placemaking practice based in NYC. A broad representation of community members attended the workshop including residents, area business owners, neighborhood organization representatives, local interest groups, elected officials, and city staff. The discussions addressed ideas for short-and-long-term improvements, programming, and also included discussion about the restoration and repurposing of the Out of Town News Kiosk. 2

PLACEMAKING EVALUATIONS BY SITE 1. Forbes Plaza/Holyoke Center 2. The Pit 3. Info Kiosk/Elevator/T 4. Out of Town News Kiosk 5. The Point 6. Harvard-Along Lehman Building 7. COOP –Brattle St. 8. Intersection JFK/Brattle St. 3 HARVARD SQUARE VISION PLAN ƒAfter the first community meeting, a report was published summarizing the findings & recommendations (May 2014) ƒAddressed key concepts for improving the public open spaces in Harvard Square ƒIncluded general ideas to improve the activation and the use of the Out of Town News Kiosk and its function within the plaza 4

OUT OF TOWN NEWS KIOSK Key Insights and Recommendations from the Community Process 5 GENERAL REACTIONS TO THE KIOSK Community Feedback: ƒAn iconic building with historic appeal ƒLow interest for engaging with the current use ƒIt is the meeting spot in Harvard Square & a great place for people-watching & public gatherings 6

KIOSK: VISION FOR IMPROVEMENT • More transparent • Flexible use of space • Better integration with the rest of the Plaza • More public engagement opportunities • Incorporation of information and wayfinding for visitors • Restoration of the historic structure 7 8

AMENITIES Soften hardscapes with landscaping, planters, flowers, greenery & bring in pop up vendors 9 AMENITIES Locate different types of moveable seating, tables, and umbrellas in key places & improve maintenance of area 10

PROGRAM & MANAGEMENT Performances – both scheduled and spontaneous; fun lighting; arts displays & exhibits 11 May 2014 Jan 2015 Sept 2013 1st Workshop Harvard Square Vision Plan 2nd Workshop June 2015 3rd Workshop: Kiosk Restoration & Concept Harvard Square Placemaking Public Process 12

FURTHER REFINEMENT OF KIOSK CONCEPT Community Workshops #2 & #3 helped with further refining a concept of use: ƒReclaim the public use of the building and promote better integration within the plaza ƒEngage the community year-round through effective presentation, use, and experience ƒProvide the best in local information ƒThe Kiosk and plaza should be able to support meet-ups, free time sitting, and immersion within the Square’s culture & offerings 13 PLANNED EVENTS, SPONTANEOUS HAPPENINGS, A REGULAR DAY Kiosk Programming Concepts: • Seasonal variety of local community offerings • Mix of public, nonprofit, and privately curated exhibits • Emphasis on public engagement & place • Collaborations with community partners 14

INFORMATION & WAYFINDING Incorporating local information services & support: • Harvard Square “Ambassadors” • Informed & technology-enriched staff • Mobile work setting • Daily staff presence 15 HOW DO WE SERVE & ENGAGE A DIVERSE POPULATION? Residents, students, tourists/foreign visitors, youth/teens, homeless, university, local businesses, international businesses, street performers & artists 16

ADDITIONAL OUTREACH: HARVARD SQUARE TEEN SURVEY ƒWorked with at Youth Intern through the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program to develop an online survey instrument geared for Cambridge teens ƒReceived over 100 responses from Cambridge teenagers ƒTeens responded to what extent they spend time in Harvard Square, and suggested ideas for improving the plaza and repurposing of the Kiosk 17 IN PROCESS & NEXT STEPS Plaza Reconstruction & Formation of Kiosk Working Group 18

HARVARD SQUARE PLAZA RECONSTRUCTION ƒScheduled upgrades to the plaza including MBTA elevator, removal of information booth, and kiosk renovation ƒInfrastructure challenges: ƒADA accessibility ƒUtilities – water, sewer, & electric Scope of Reconstruction: ƒPlaza including the Pit, the Point, and the OOTN Kiosk ƒ FY16 City funded $600,000 for the design of the Plaza and Kiosk ƒFY17 & FY18 City funded $4,000,000 for the reconstruction 19 HARVARD SQUARE PLAZA RECONSTRUCTION Existing Conditions 20

HARVARD SQUARE PLAZA RECONSTRUCTION Circulation Diagram 21 HARVARD SQUARE PLAZA RECONSTRUCTION Gathering Area Diagram 22

HARVARD SQUARE PLAZA RECONSTRUCTION Gathering Area & Existing Elevation 23 CREATION OF A KIOSK WORKING GROUP To work on: ƒDeveloping a framework for the continued governance, curatorship, programming, and maintenance of the Kiosk and Plaza. ƒWorking group composed would have diverse representation from stakeholder sectors. 24

QUESTIONS? FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: ELLEN KOKINDA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT EKOKINDA@CAMBRIDGEMA.GOV [phone removed] www.cambridgema.gov/cdd/projects/parks/hsquarepublicspace Harvard Square Placemaking webpage: 25