2012: Transforming the Bridge | 12192

Team: Kyle Penny

Location: Ames, Iowa

Overview: THE MECHANISM – Taking the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge and determining the importance of it is a challenge in itself. How does the bridge relate to Cleveland? That is answered easily with Industry. The city was formed by numerous forms of industry; steel, automotive, railroad. It all has a hold in Cleveland. The city was empowered by the industrial ear in the United States and it flourished, soon becoming one of the largest port cities in the Great Lakes. However, as time goes on so did the economy. Industry has slowly left the city leaving it clinging to what it once was.
This is where The Mechanism comes in. The redesign of the bridge brings back industry and all of its excitement. Large gears of the old mills and car parts from the automotive now mark the area as an urban archeological site. Much like the Landscaftpark in Germany. The Mechanism strives to combine recreation and industry. Whether its using a scuttled cargo ship as a platform park, or using car frames as planter beds, the park fuses the two in a playfully ambiguous space.
The Roleplaying scene is also active in Cleveland. Hundreds of people participate in Live Action Role Playing in Cleveland alone. Most are vampire or warrior based. The Mechanism will usher in an ideal area for those groups as well as hope to invite a Steampunk themed event similar to those in England.