Downtown Revitalization

Proposed South St. pedestrian plaza

The City of Gastonia plans to develop the end of South Street from Main Avenue to the Rotary Pavilion and the area surrounding it into a downtown pedestrian plaza that honors our City’s textile and manufacturing heritage. The new pedestrian plaza’s design will incorporate shapes, forms and structures based on the rhythmic symmetry of equipment used to manufacture yarn, which was the main product of our region’s textile industry. The new plaza will be an integral element of the City’s downtown revitalization efforts, acting as a hub or center for downtown activity and events.

Plans for the plaza were developed by Jennifer Harper,* a Gastonia native who received her Masters degree in Industrial Design from NC State University. Jennifer’s family has deep roots in the textile industry and the mill community that developed around it.

This aerial design view shows how the plaza’s design is based on the shape and form of a machine used in textile mills to comb cotton in the manufacture of yarn.

This aerial view of the proposed pedestrian plaza shows how trees and other greenery will be incorporated into the design. This view also shows how space around the Pavilion will be preserved for events.

This street-level view shows how the park will look when it’s completed. It will include a water fountain designed to represent interlocking threads. The design also incorporates gears that were commonly found in textile machinery.

Close-up view of the water fountain planned for the pedestrian plaza

*All designs and drawings were done by Jennifer Harper, who retains the exclusive rights to the concept, designs and drawings. They cannot be reproduced or copied without Harper’s written permission. You may contact her at: jharper316@hotmail.com