Descansito Rest Stop

The Greenway along the Elysian Valley is squeezed into a 12' strip of asphalt paving between the River's steep embankment on one side and the walls and fences of the industrial properties on the other. Speeding bikes and strolling pedestrians find themselves at odds on the shared roadway. Often times, the River is both visually and functionally cut off from the surrounding businesses and neighborhood.

This project proposes a public private partnership at the industrial site at 1921 Blake Avenue to create a model for gateways that blend public space with private development. Using two stories of stacked re-purposed shipping containers, the new indoor and outdoor space will feature an at-grade sitting area with amenities, a second story viewing platform, and a sculptural bridgeway that is cantilevered about 7' over the embankment. Overall, this project is a reflection of community oriented development in the neighborhood: low-rise construction; adaptive reuse; and maker-oriented.

Project submitted by David Dedlow and Trace Stone, winners in the Elysian Valley category of the Design Competition.