Vance Alley Enhancement

McAdams was commissioned by the City of Wilmington, NC to design the revitalization of Vance Alley, an important urban space in the heart of downtown. This project focused on urban alley revitalization through the principles of tactical urbanism, which emphasizes short-term, low-cost, and scalable solutions to spark long-term change. The goal was to design a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environment that enhances connectivity and community engagement.

The design incorporated streetscape treatments such as ground plane decals, movable furnishings, green screens, tolerant plant material, and dynamic lighting to cast shadows and create an evolving experience over time. McAdams provided stakeholder engagement, landscape architecture, and detailed visualizations services to ensure the design aligned with community needs and city objectives. The project culminated in a 3D model of the proposed improvements, complete with links to installation materials for ease of install by citizen-led action groups.