Creating an art district in Lubbock, TX

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2011-05

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Abstract

Lubbock is already known as an artistic hub for the state of Texas, but the art is not always easily accessible, and needs to have a place where it can be the focus. Creating an art district that brings residents, visitors, artists and businesses to a particular part of the city will serve the city of Lubbock with revenue and an artistic reputation beyond what already exists. This study will provide a small-scale solution to a large problem. Lubbock’s downtown is prime real estate for an exciting future, and many steps have already been taken to assure that it be successfully altered. Every first Friday of the month the Friday Art Trail provides an atmosphere that is appreciated by many, but is not always utilized. The city provides trolleys to escort people from one venue to the next, but they are usually crowded or take longer than a person is willing to wait. If pedestrian access was more apparent, and routes were more successfully designed, this art trail could be on display more than once a month. Other issues involving the existing downtown area are the fact that there is no other form of entertainment, and restaurants, residences, retail are few and far between. If people are already downtown, there will be no need to bring them there, and if successfully designed they could use the pedestrian access routes on a daily occurrence. Purpose driven districts have shown success in many different scales of projects, and it is important to know that “the birth of art districts is not merely the consequence of a renewal process but also a catalyst for the further re-use of other nearby derelict buildings for art purposes and, in general, for the boosting of standards of living,” as noted. (Lorente, 2000) Previous analysis has not only shown progress towards better, more cohesive communities, but can provide examples of what can be done in all types of situations, including downtown Lubbock, Texas.

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Keywords

Art, District, Revitalization, Park, Community, Urban

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