The West Town Center District is envisioned to be the ‘heart’ and central gathering place of Avon.  In keeping with this vision, the final design for Main Street, which was developed through eleven public meetings in the summer of 2008, provides a playful, narrative walk through the history, culture and forms of the Avon community and the physical forms of the valley floor while also offering a pedestrian-friendly orientation and several public gathering spaces. 

The final design focuses on the five focal point spaces or plaza spaces:

1.      The Lake Street/Main Street Plaza is designed to connect Main Street and Harry A. Nottingham Park and includes stone seating walls, a water feature and an overlook of the Park. 

2.      The Library/Recreation Center Plaza is designed as a transitional space that connects the Recreation Center to the Library and retains space for the Library’s programming.  This space contains an art feature, a terraced landscaped garden and an overlook to Beaver Creek. 

3.      The Seasons/Sheraton Plaza is envisioned to be a piazza and the primary gathering area for Main Street.  It will include art integrated into the streetscape, decorative lighting and plenty of moveable tables and chairs. 

4.      Lettuce Shed Plaza is envisioned to be the meeting and orienting place for Main Street because of the movement from Riverfront Subdivision, gondola and Avon Station to Main Street.  It will include year round artistic lighting and an artist designed fire pit. Also, Lettuce Shed Lane that feeds into the plaza will contain landscaping and historical elements relating to Avon’s history.

5.      The Eastern Gateway is the primary transition and entryway from Avon Road.  It will contain a gateway art feature designed to announce Main Street. 

Aesthetically, the final design reflects a refined version of the natural, rounded forms.  The soft, rounded elements of the design create a quiet, gentle and informal experience, punctuated by whimsical art pieces that illustrate the history, culture and landscape of Avon.  In order to incorporate a modern aesthetic, the embracing forms of the design will reflect a sophisticated interpretation of the natural landscape.

The Town of Avon has already embarked on several important reconstruction efforts within the District, including completion of Avon Station, the construction of Lake Street, and the on-going master planning and conceptual design efforts for Harry A. Nottingham Park.  The Main Street streetscape is the next project funded and undertaken by the Town of Avon, and will serve as a catalyst for the development contemplated in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.  

The Main Street project has been delayed due to the difficulties of obtaining financing in the current economic climate.  The project will be scheduled for construction once financing can be obtained.