Johnson Drive Streetscape
Project Overview
Connecting businesses to Shawnee City Hall, Johnson Drive, is the heart of downtown Shawnee, KS. With multiple breweries, restaurants and shops moving into the area causing unsafe pedestrian crossings and City Hall needing renovations, the City knew it was time for a transformation.
The 1300-foot streetscape, spanning along Johnson Drive from King Street to Bluejacket Avenue, serves as a lively gathering place, promoting social interaction and creating a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike. By expanding pedestrian areas, adding green spaces and incorporating comfortable seating, the streetscape supports a multitude of events, allowing the Shawnee community to connect and celebrate in a safe, walkable environment. This project, combined with the influx of restaurants and breweries, supports the revitalization of the downtown area into a central hub for the city’s cultural and social life.
Initial Problem and Solution
Planning began with the removal of a long-defunct fountain outside City Hall. Once a focal point, it had become an eyesore due to leaks and disrepair. The space was repurposed as a central plaza, opening the area to a social gatherings, a large tent area during festivals, and the new site for the City’s Christmas tree.
To address unsafe mid-block crossings along Johnson Drive, a continuous landscape planter was added, guiding pedestrians to designated intersections while enhancing the corridor’s appearance. Pedestrian light poles were integrated into the planter for safety and aesthetics.
Another improvement to the ambiance of the area was improving the façade lighting around City Hall. The entire exterior of the building was installed with color changing LED soffit lights on three sides supporting seasonal interests and monthly evening festivals.
Challenges and Unique Attributes
The project’s downtown location drew significant public interest and required careful planning to minimize disruptions. The team worked around heavy traffic, frequent pedestrian activity, and an operational City Hall. Lane closures were kept brief to maintain access to surrounding businesses and destinations.
Unique attributes for the project included an elevated plaza for future concerts and festival support. Footings were also installed under the plaza to support a future iconic pavilion as the cornerstone of the streetscape.
Materials used for the streetscape included real brick pavers, low-maintenance concrete walls and adaptive landscaping. Tree uplighting throughout the corridor was also installed to provide evening aesthetics and eliminated the need for annual holiday light installations.
Community Impact
The project was designed to celebrate downtown Shawnee’s history while connecting businesses to City Hall and creating an inclusive community space.
This streetscape will be home to their annual parades, monthly Moonlight Markets and future home of the Christmas Tree Lighting. To make sure events are a success, electrical improvements included 50-amp power next to the road to support food trucks and festival speaker systems. Nine waterproof electrical duplex outlets were spread around the City Hall parking lot to support various vendor events.
Why GBA
With a strong history of successful collaboration, brand and experience, the City of Shawnee trusted GBA to deliver a functional and visually engaging design for this key public space.