Pearl Street - Ellensburg, Washington
Great Intersections
 

      
 At the
      heart of downtown Ellensburg, the Davidson Block (above) presides
      over the intersection of 4th and Pearl streets. The broad curb
      extensions at each corner dramatically narrow travel lanes in
      the one-way downtown grid, providing a generous supply of angled
      parking that helps buffer somewhat narrow sidewalks from travel
      lanes, while supporting local merchants. This scene also shows
      a good effort to bring street trees to the downtown, in this
      case a mix of honeylocust and maple cultivars.


      
Viewed from the
      opposite direction, some of the weaker elements of the design
      become evident, including a awkward phone kiosk that blocks entry
      to the crossing (below) and garish, unnecessary freeway-style
      "do not enter" signs that detract from the historic
      setting. The paving materials are also at odds with the historic
      district, mixing contemporary ingredients (like exposed aggregate)
      and designs that distract from the traditional architecture of
      the downtown.

      
 

      
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 All images
      are ©Tom Kloster, 1999, and may only be used by permission