Sumner Avenue Town Square

Humboldt, IA | Public Works

Taking the footprint of a demolished building along Humboldt's main street and developing a plan to revitalize the space was the goal of ISG planners and designers.

Our team looked at a variety of options, including new building construction but ultimately put forth a design to create a central public plaza and green space in the footprint. This wasn't an easy sell at first however city leaders quickly realized the potential of the proposed solution. This project supports a vibrant public realm and creates a strong pedestrian connection to the adjacent town library. City leaders also realized that reinvestment in the town center would help promote greater activity in the downtown core and spur future economic growth.

The completed Town Square includes the same stamped concrete that is incorporated into the decorative strip along the sidewalks throughout downtown. Ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubs and perennials are combined to provide a variety of seasonal qualities, colors and textures and serve as a back-drop for seating areas. Pathways connecting to the library frame a central green space, which also serves as a wintertime ice-skating rink. Alcoves with benches provide opportunities to gather or simply to sit and talk or read a book from the library.