Kimball Union Academy
Main Street - Traffic Calming Study
Meriden, New Hampshire
Main Street in Meriden, New Hampshire bisects the Kimball Union Academy campus. Yet, it does not divide the campus; rather it serves as the datum around which the campus has traditionally been organized. Recognizing Main Street as a principal organizing element and an essential component of KUA’s open space system suggests that its preservation is fundamental to preserving the traditional character and identity of Kimball Union Academy. Over the past decade, the campus has expanded in a northerly direction, shifting emphasis away from Main Street and placing a greater focus on the north quadrangle. However, the recent acquisition of property south of Main Street once again centralizes Main Street, reestablishing it as a significant campus open space. Proposed improvements in the southern sector of the campus – residence halls and athletic fields – suggest that the unification of the north and south campus remains a critical concern. Saucier + Flynn was charged with developing a viable traffic calming plan ensure pedestrian safety but was sympathetic to the historic integrity of Main Street and the preservation of its unique character.
