Hyde Park, NY (2005)
Client: Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, Inc.
The Town of Hyde Park, NY, located in the beautiful Hudson River Valley, is exploring the idea of opening a public market and regional visitor’s center on the site of a drive-in that is currently still in use. Project for Public Spaces was hired in 2005 to refine the market/visitor center concept and to provide business, site and strategic plans for the project. Hyde Park is an area that has several important historic sites, including the home of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, protected scenic lands, and federally-designated natural heritage areas. PPS envisions a market that will benefit and draw from this tourism economy, as well as strengthen the local economy.
PPS held a visioning workshop and several well-attended community planning meetings, and discovered a need and desire for the regional market to be successful. Positioned cohesively on the site and merchandised competitively as a hub for the local economy and place for both locals and visitors (both of whom are more and more interested in buying “local”) to shop at, the market itself can become a prime attraction for the town and region. Such an attraction would provide a foothold for the local economy and raise the consciousness of the region’s inherent value and resources – ones that need to be fostered and preserved.
As a part of the strategic plan, PPS refined the idea of creating a regional center with integrated uses, rather than just a stand-alone indoor market. PPS’ plan also includes an information center, which would provide information on the 80 sites within the Hudson Valley National Heritage, including parks, trails, historic sites, etc. The center could also serve as a transportation hub in several ways: the site connects with the area’s growing number of walking and bicycling trails, and also hiking trails; shuttle buses could bring visitors to sites around Hyde Park; and a bicycle rental facility could be located at the market. And as the drive-in theater is a significant social and cultural asset to the area, it will remain in operation, potentially partnering with the market in a way that is most beneficial to all parties.
PPS also prepared a detailed site concept plan and market concept, which includes recommendations on the market layout, market operations, management, merchandise mix, funding and fundraising, potential partners and sponsors, and marketing and promotions.