Centennial Plaza Canton, Ohio

Services Provided

Urban Design
Landscape Architecture
Environmental Graphics
Documentation
Construction Administration

People Involved

Brian Kinzelman
Matt Manda
Tom Stephens
Michael Davis

Awards

2021 Brick in Architecture Award, Gold Winner – Paving & Landscaping
2021 Hardscape North America Award for Clay Brick – Commercial
2019 OCASLA Merit Award

New downtown space establishes an iconic central green space for the community and a regional destination for visitors

For the past three decades, the city of Canton has endeavored to provide for its citizens a central public space that would be both iconic in its design and transformative in its approach as to encourage economic development, strengthen the downtown core and enhance surrounding neighborhoods. Beginning in 2014 with several completed projects, new businesses and regional attractions including the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Village, the city has generated tremendous momentum by creating new commercial activity, residential growth, and entertainment experiences.

Investment in a central public space had not taken place. Canton Centennial Plaza is that investment, establishing a central green space for the community and a regional destination for visitors. The project is an important building block in creating a vibrant downtown with the ability to generate day-to-day activities and host major events. It will serve as the “city square” for the entire community and provide for a memorable landmark for all visitors.

The design process focused on utilizing the history and character of the existing site as the foundation for the design, in conjunction with Canton’s relationship with the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a sister site for commemorative events. Market Avenue serves as the front door to the plaza, with major gateways established at the intersections of 3rd and 4th Streets.

Anchoring the design is a simple yet elegant steel structure called the Centennial Pavilion with event lawn for approximately 5,000 guests, an integrated stage component, accent LED lighting, a high definition video screen, and audio/Wi-Fi system.

On axis with the pavilion is the iconic 65’ tall stainless-steel Rotunda sculpture. Inspired by the rotunda of the original Hall of Fame building, the new Rotunda sculpture gracefully suggests that of a football, establishing a space and a memorable landmark for downtown. Other amenities include a café / restroom building with a green roof, an interactive mist garden, a social garden, and a variety of other themed garden experiences. A simple, yet diverse planting palette was established to reinforce the city’s desire for an iconic space, while providing for four-season use. In order to build on the already strong sense of community and identity, the design team utilized materials commonly found in Canton including locally sourced brick, stone, and metal.