04/14/2026
A neighborhood’s main street should be its living room, a space designed for the people who live there to gather, connect, and support local shops. But right now, Augusta Street functions primarily as a thoroughfare, and a dangerous one at that.
The wide, fast-moving asphalt prioritizes moving commuters through the area as quickly as possible. Instead of bringing the community together, it physically divides the neighborhood and makes it uncomfortable to walk, dine, or just be there.
What if we flipped the script and designed this space for the community?
In this reimagined view of the intersection at Faris, we add life back to the edges:
Raised brick intersections: This naturally calms traffic, visually signaling to drivers that they are entering a pedestrian-first "living room."
Widened sidewalks: Reclaiming excess asphalt creates room for robust outdoor dining and active storefronts.
Protected cycle tracks: A curbed, green bike lane makes it safe for families to take quick local trips without having to get in a car.
Mature street trees: A robust canopy provides shade, softens the architecture, and encloses the street to make it feel like a comfortable outdoor room.
Traffic calming isn't just about safety, it’s also good for local business. When streets are treated as destinations rather than drive-throughs, people walk further, linger longer, and spend more time in their own neighborhood.
Would you spend more time on Augusta Street if it looked like this?