Parks

Mobile Public Space
Master Plan

Mobile, AL (2001-2002)


Client: Main Street Mobile



With its small scale historic streets, strategically located public squares, and working waterfront, Mobile, Alabama has all the ingredients for a vibrant environment in which to live, work and visit. Yet it has been decades since downtown was “the place to be” and many areas are in chronic decline. The City of Mobile asked PPS to create a Public Space Master Plan for downtown, with special recommendations for short-term improvements to help catalyze change.

The larger goals of the project were to:

  • Activate moribund downtown public spaces
  • Strengthen the perception that downtown is safe and full of positive energy
  • Make the downtown a pedestrian friendly environment and establish pedestrian gateways at key entry points
  • Leverage new development to have a positive impact on surrounding areas
  • Streamline city bureaucracy and regulations
  • Identify regular events and activities to jump-start downtown spaces.

PPS conducted surveys and workshops, as well as focus groups with over 100 leaders representing different skills, sectors and neighborhoods. Our recommendations addressed all of downtown, with projects ranging from street and sidewalk improvements, to revitalizing parks and plazas, to establishing guidelines and a review process for how the bases of new buildings are designed and built.

PPS incorporated a public art component into the plan to give communities and neighborhoods a sense of identity; to act as an attraction and a draw; and to add to and round out the City’s complement of cultural resources.