motor avenue /
colonial plaza

Jeff Arango and Lesley Bain were members of the design team to reinvigorate a key area in the center of Lakewood’s Central Business District. Lakewood desired a community-oriented public space in the business district and identified Motor Avenue as a desired location. Motor Avenue had served as the heart of the community in the past, but is currently underutilized. It centers on the historic Lakewood Theater, which has not been in operation for 20 years. The design team engaged the community during a three-day charrette and developed three concepts that included expanded and improved public space with a pedestrian promenade and a large central plaza to highlight the theater. Parking was reconfigured to improve the pedestrian experience and property owners agreed to allow the City to acquire additional right-of-way to bring the street improvements to the front of the theater. Opportunities for placemaking and programming for activities were provided by the design team and embraced by the City and the community.