Contemporary Design of a Historic Boulevard

Working with the City of Allentown, Omnes has redesigned a one-mile length of Hamilton Street – from 5th through 12th Streets. This central artery is Allentown’s civic boulevard and main retail street, once nationally known for its retail experience and innovative “hanging garden” street lamps. Omnes created a master plan with design guidelines for streetscapes downtown, and then four subsequent phases of work were built within the past five years. The four-phase project has improved the walkability of downtown with consistent paving, native planting, new gardens, bike racks, and bus shelters. Omnes-designed custom benches provide places for ADA-accessible shaded seating, and are made of Mount Airy Granite so they will last for decades. The project also included installation of new lighting, seasonal hanging baskets and creation of rain gardens in strategic bump-out conditions. The design relies upon simple, timeless materials to form a pedestrian-friendly environment that will stand the test of time.

A rhythmic sequence of street trees celebrates the linear corridor, creating dappled shade but also open vantages to retail shopfronts. From 5th to 12th Streets, 112 existing trees were removed, replaced by 185 new trees that enhance carbon capture and native habitat. This will allow the city to capture 15.5 tons of carbon each year through the tree plantings alone. Additionally, the trees will provide increased shade and comfort during increasingly hot summers. A colorful array of native plants will enhance the streetscape, creating an ombre effect of pollinator gardens.