Parade Street Mixed Use Development, Housing Authority of the City of Erie, Pennsylvania
The goal of the Parade Street Mixed Use Development project was to revitalize the center section of historic Erie’s original business district. The site was demolished by the Redevelopment Authority and sat vacant for 25 years. This development was seen as a bridge between the densely populated neighborhoods that run east and west of Parade Street.
The design was a live/work environment meant for first time homebuyers and entrepreneurs. Storeowners will have access directly from their second story residence to their business below. The development will put residences and businesses back on the street where they are sorely lacking. The business storefronts were designed to face two street fronts, meant to attract neighborhood shopping and retail traffic from Parade Street, which is one of the most highly trafficked streets in the city.
The design of the exterior of the buildings was meant to reinforce the existing architecture of the area, mostly late 19th and early 20th century houses and commercial buildings.
