Latham Square is one of the most prominent and architecturally important intersections in the City of Oakland. Located at the intersection of two of the most significant Oakland streets (Telegraph Avenue and Broadway) it acts as a gateway to the emerging Uptown neighborhood and entertainment district. The Pilot Project built on Latham Square's significance by creating an enhanced pedestrian space
through a state funded low-cost trial that: enhances the pedestrian environment; increases economic development potential; saves existing trees; and improves private automobile and transit operations. The Pilot Plaza converts the existing Telegraph Avenue roadbed south of 16th Street to pedestrian-only space* through the use of temporary surface treatments and perimeter planters/bollards. The project uses low-cost, temporary materials, similar to the New York City DOT in its successful pedestrian plaza program, and subsequently by the San Francisco Planning Department's Pavement to Parks program. Rebar's design re-uses high quality reclaimed materials from the City's maintenance yards where possible and incorporates attractive planters and bollards to separate the pedestrian plaza from adjacent street traffic. The project also provides flexible space which allows for a range of urban design enhancements, including seating, landscaping and other amenities. For more information visit LathamSquare.org
*Southbound traffic has been opened in Latham Square.
