Aesthetics / Placemaking

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This pedestrian plaza in the City of Glendale was included as part of an overall intersection improvement project being completed by the Arizona Department of Transportation at this key downtown intersection.  The pedestrian plaza was designed to enhance and complement existing central city architectural elements, materials, colors and styles to create a unique gateway element for the downtown area. Structural elements of the underpass were strengthened to accommodate the additional loading needed to provide for the masonry columns, steel vertical and horizontal trellis members, landscape planters and colored concrete pavers that were designed into the plaza deck areas. Aesthetic retaining wall enhancements were added and safety fencing was also enhanced with the use of masonry and tiled columns and a decorative mesh and framing using architectural motifs in the downtown area.

CDG designed landscape architectural and bridge aesthetics related work on this 2000 linear foot bridge project. This project for Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) featured visual and aesthetic enhancements as a significant role in the success of the project. We designed all aesthetic treatments in coordination with numerous stakeholders including MCDOT, the City of Goodyear and the development community in this area a was instrumental in the success of this project. Landscape and irrigation plans for the intersection roundabout design at Cotton Lane and Estrella Parkway, and the design development of bridge entry feature portals and signing/monumentation at the bridge were additional elements of this design. 

This new arterial connection provided improved access from 83rd Avenue along Beardsley Road to the SR 101 Freeway in southwest Peoria. CDG was the projects Landscape Architectural Design firm and working with City Planning and Engineering Departments, CDG explored context sensitive solutions to create a ‘gateway’ structure at this new crossing over New River. CDG also provided the streetscape landscape and irrigation design which included a Roundabout at 81st Avenue and trailhead connections to the New River Trail. 

When designed and constructed this major Interchange serving east valley communities was the largest Interchange in Arizona. Whimsically known as the ‘Super Red Tan’, CDG was commissioned by ADOT to prepare a Visual Prioritization (VP) study and to complete the final Landscape and Irrigation system design. Features of the TI included the creation of a native vegetation ‘bosque’ in the large retention basins within the project. The VP assisted in the development of landscape concepts that focused landscape treatments in areas based on visual sensitivity, slope, aspect and softening of edges along adjacent communities. 

CDG provided landscape architectural and irrigation design for the City of Tempe on this iconic downtown park on the north-bank of the Rio Salado River. Tempe Town Lake Marina resides within a thirteen-acre site containing a half-acre lagoon with a floating dock with twenty-three boat slips. Features included pedestrian ramps with specialty handrails, turf play areas, boat launches, boat storage and a public rest area. Adjacent to the lagoon, CDG designed a large amphitheater with a water circulation system disguised as an interactive water feature. The 'Water Muse' was inspired by drought/flood conditions of the river, and the human need to control water through a system of canals to sustain life in the desert by ancient ones, early settlers and todays farming community in the Valley of the Sun.

 CDG  worked with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the City of Douglas to create a linear park just north of the US-Mexico border.  The park was created for the residents of Douglas and for residents of the adjacent City of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico who legally cross the border daily to work and visit shops in Douglas.  Amenities included two ramadas, turf open space and an ADA accessible multi-use path.  The ramadas are the center pieces of the project and include a time capsules and a historic timeline that summarizes the unique history of Douglas

This unique greenspace project for the City of Mesa (COM) Engineering Department consisted of landscape architectural project management and design services by CDG. The park is one of a string of pedestrian friendly ‘pocket parks’ built in dense urban settings where remnant parcels associated to the major arterial street widening along Mesa Drive remained. CDG’s role as project managers and designers was to refine the design concept prepared by the COM and develop construction documents within a short schedule and tight budget. Key elements of the greenspace include a water fountain focal point, multi-level skate friendly plaza with seating elements, decorative paving and lighting and seamlessly incorporated civil grading and drainage elements. 

This unique golf practice and equipment retail facility was renovated to provide a state of the art practice and teaching venue. CDG provided site planning and all Landscape architectural design services for this popular golf facility in Avondale, Arizona

CDG provided Landscape Architectural expertise for this one-of-a-kind Southern Arizona unique waterways bridge replacement project. CDG conducted site specific native tree surveys, equipment access planning, and tree protection plans for this rare Riparian habitat. Close coordination with the structural and civil design team was key to ensuring protection of this unique habitat. CDG also prepared streambank mitigation/restoration plans for the disturbance areas for this sensitive bridge replacement project. 

CDG was responsible for providing Storm Water Pollution Protection Plan (SWPPP), erosion control plans, revegetation plans and grading plans for this sensitive bridge replacement project. Close coordination with the design team and the Kaibab National Forest was required to prepare design plans sensitive to the environmental conditions within the project work area. Our plans addressed protection of steep canyon cut slopes and restoration of bridge construction access roads, the old highway alignment, and the disposal/restoration of excess materials into an abandoned Forest Service material pit were key to the success of the project. 

CDG prepared a visual assessment (VA) study for a proposed widening of a 30-mile segment of Interstate 17 by the Arizona Department Transportation (ADOT) as part of the Design Concept and Environmental Impact Study. The VA report was prepared to document the existing landscape and visual setting within the study area, as well as characterize the potential views of the proposed alternative roadway improvements. The study was prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and utilized the BLM’s ‘Visual Resource Management Program’ as the basis for the study. As part of the study, CDG detailed the long term, temporary, and cumulative visual impacts of the proposed alternative improvements and recommended visual mitigation measures and techniques for the identified impacts. 

 This project is the main route from Arizona to Nevada  connecting the Hoover Dam Bypass project and US 93. CDG designed landscape architectural documents for this 15-mile long widening from a 2 lane highway to a 4 lane divided highway. Key components included working with the National Park Service (NPS), Lake Mead Recreation Area and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management implementing environmental commitments. CDG prepared aesthetic design details for slope grading plans, rock cut/fill slope mitigation,   temporary erosion control plans, scenic pullouts, information kiosk details and soil salvage and placement requirements. CDG staff also worked with ADOT and the NPS in the development of 2 new wildlife crossing bridge structures maintaining big horn sheep habitat and the first of their kind built by ADOT in Arizona and coordinated with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.