Heart of Pittsburg | Railroad Avenue Beautification
Pittsburg, CA
Funded by the Caltrans Clean California Local Grant Program and the City's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, the Reviving the Heart of Pittsburg Pride project was designed to create a rejuvenated historic downtown district with an impressive gateway sign, attractive landscaping, new walking paths, and a new parklet featuring a public art piece that spells out the city name in large orange and black lettering.
As prime consultant of a multi-disciplinary team, GATES partnered with the City of Pittsburg to design and implement various landscape, hardscape, and community placemaking improvements at six different sites along the busy Railroad Avenue corridor. Guided by the project's objective to "embrace [Pittsburg's] heritage, diversity and pride," and vast input from the local community, the new amenities utilize bright colors to encourage residents and visitors alike to enjoy the area on foot or bicycle.
The orange metal archway over Railroad Avenue at 8th street features colorful porcelain panels on concrete columns on both sides, showcasing custom images that honor important areas of the City's history and character, including the award-winning Pittsburg High School Marching Band, the marina, Mt. Diablo, and the former U.S. Steel Plant.
The focal 6-foot tall block-letter sign at the parklet is illuminated at night and framed by hardscape that simulates a creek bed and modern geometric seating. It is located on a former empty lot at 1595 Railroad Avenue and only a block away from the high school.
A robust community outreach process was an integral part of this endeavor, and included in-person community pop-ups, an online survey, and custom print & web collateral to raise project awareness and solicit feedback.
Downtown gateway & urban parklet completed in June 2024
From Ideas to Realization
Project Details
The patterned metal gateway arch creates a strong sense of arrival into the downtown, showcasing the City’s signature orange and City logo.
Incorporation of public art - vibrant porcelain panels on three sides of each column showcase artwork representing different aspects of Pittsburg’s history.
Outreach included a project logo, bilingual collateral, and pop-up workshops linking to community events (shown: Pittsburg High School football game)
Geometric seating contrasts the circular designs on the hardscape.
The parklet includes a preserved tree that provides shade and screening from the neighboring residents.