Proudly known as the “City of Firsts,” Danville, Kentucky, like many small cities, experienced a gradual decline in vitality over time as growth and development shifted toward the metropolitan outskirts. Recognizing the need to reignite the town’s unique vibrancy, the City of Danville embarked on a journey to rally the community around a shared vision for moving downtown forward. This vision came to fruition in the form of a comprehensive master plan aimed at breathing new life into the heart of downtown Danville.
Central to this revitalization was the redevelopment of Main Street—a crucial early focus of the master plan. Tasked with leading this transformative effort, the Gresham Smith team established three key guiding principles: Connecting People, Places and Culture; Making Streets for People; and Infilling Blocks, Lots and Buildings. Given Danville’s higher-than-average roadway safety challenges, particularly involving pedestrians, the team focused on redesigning Main Street to prioritize pedestrian safety and slow down traffic, while cultivating a lively and inviting atmosphere.
“Despite its small size, Danville boasts significant cultural and historical assets like Centre College and the Pioneer Playhouse,” says Project Manager and Senior Landscape Architect Erin Masterson. “Over the past decades, downtown saw a decline in activity, and roadway and pedestrian safety concerns began to emerge. Danville wanted to breathe life back into its downtown area and make it a destination—a place where people can sit at a café, have dinner, or walk to the art center. Our design integrated placemaking to create a space that people wanted to visit, revitalizing Main Street as a vibrant and safe community hub that equitably caters to both vehicles and pedestrians.”
The design concept for the Danville Main Street streetscape was first tested through the installation of temporary parklets, which demonstrated the potential of a more pedestrian-friendly downtown. “The outdoor public parklets were a game-changer,” notes Masterson. “They helped test the waters for removing on-street parking spaces and adding new dining spaces, initially outside a restaurant on Main Street, which was extremely well received by both the community and restaurant owners. The parklets provided us with real-world evidence of how small changes could make a big difference and, in many ways, laid the groundwork for a complete redesign of Main Street.”
A Multidisciplinary Alliance
Critical to the project’s success was the collaboration between Gresham Smith’s Land Planning and Transportation markets, ensuring that the project was safety-focused while also improving the public realm through landscape- and public-space enhancements. This alliance was especially crucial since the project corridor falls under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), and the design offered a fresh take on Danville’s downtown core, challenging historically traditional roadway design protocols.
“Projects like Danville Main Street Streetscape are atypical for our KYTC partners,” says Senior Transportation Engineer and Engineer of Record John Eckler. “Working collaboratively with the KYTC District 7 staff, our team was able to implement the Complete Street objectives for the project and create a safe environment for everyone along Main Street.”
By leveraging their respective expertise in landscape architecture, roadway/utility design, and urban design, each market contributed to reshaping conventional design solutions for roadway corridors to prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, local businesses, and community safety.
“Our design integrated placemaking to create a space that people wanted to visit, revitalizing Main Street as a vibrant and safe community hub that equitably caters to both vehicles and pedestrians.”
—Erin Masterson, Project Manager and Senior Landscape Architect
“The city faced multifaceted issues, and our Complete Streets approach envisioned a corridor that serves everyone,” says Landscape Architect Jared Kaelin. “We engaged extensively with the community to understand their needs and desires for the space, which was crucial to the project’s success. The master plan incorporates their insights and feedback, emphasizing safety—a significant concern due to the heavy through-traffic downtown. It also focuses on creating an inclusive environment that fosters a true sense of belonging.”
What Lies Beneath
Promoting community well-being, the redesigned Main Street also encourages an active lifestyle, with its widened sidewalks, reduced crosswalk distances and lush greenery transforming the area into an inviting and healthy space for residents and visitors alike. The transformation involved navigating a complex array of existing infrastructure beneath downtown Danville.
“Tackling a streetscape project in a historic area involves navigating a labyrinth of old infrastructure beneath the surface,” explains Kaelin. “We encountered challenges with buried utilities, some of which were extremely old and obstructing new infrastructure. Additionally, many buildings had old coal chutes and basements, adding another layer of complexity. By working closely with the contractor and the city, we managed to bury the overhead utilities and carefully move the old ones.
“We also added infrastructure to support the new tree canopies we included, ensuring that what lies beneath is as robust and forward-thinking as the revitalized streetscape above. One of the great things about the redesigned infrastructure is that it encourages small businesses to extend their presence to the sidewalks, which enhances the street’s overall vibrancy.”
A Model for Other Small Towns
The culmination of this $6.5 million project was celebrated with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony in early 2024, marking a significant milestone in Danville’s journey toward a safer, more connected and culturally rich downtown. The final design ensures inclusivity, benefits all users, and thoughtfully addresses the needs of pedestrians and small businesses.
“The most rewarding part of this project is seeing how the community now actively uses and enjoys this space,” says Masterson. “Businesses have created outdoor seating areas, and residents gather in the mornings for coffee and conversation. Seeing this activity affirms that our vision of an active and engaging streetscape has finally come to life.”
Kaelin also highlights the broader impact of the project. “Danville’s revitalized Main Street serves as a model for other small towns. Our innovative approach to urban design and engineering has transformed a once underutilized downtown into a vibrant hub. I’m excited that this project demonstrates how thoughtful design and community engagement can revitalize small cities, preserving their historical charm while also promoting modern functionality and inclusivity.”
“Projects like Danville Main Street Streetscape are atypical for our KYTC partners. Working collaboratively with KYTC District 7 staff, our team was able to implement the Complete Street objectives for the project and create a safe environment for everyone along Main Street.”
—John Eckler, Senior Transportation Engineer/Engineer of Record, Danville Main Street Streetscape
