Abstract:
Schererville, Indiana could be considered a suburb of Chicago due to its proximity to major highways leading there and the number of people who live there and commute to the city. But Schererville still has an identity of its own. Nicknamed "The Crossroads of America" Schererville owns the intersections of Highways 30 and 41, once the Lincoln Highway and the Dixie Highway, the first two highways in the United States. However, the problem with starting a town around two major highways is that they divide the city into quadrants, forbidding pedestrian traffic. Schererville was built for the car. The Lincoln Highway no longer runs through the old downtown of Schererville, which has allowed some historic places to be preserved. But the downtown has no life to it, despite the recent construction of a new police station and city hall.
My architecture studio design project includes the design of a recreation center in downtown Schererville, and suggestions for urban redesign of the rest of the town, with ideas from my experiences at home and from my participation in the Polyark World Tour. Careful planning could make the whole town more pedestrian-friendly. Pride exists in the town because of "The Crossroads of the Nation" claim, but it is one of the worst places to try to travel across. By celebrating the new bike path with the new recreation center and other destinations, Schererville can have a reason to be proud of its transportation again. The historic railroad lines will be celebrated by the location of the new recreation center, and a new gateway into the town will help dissolve the barrier of the massive highways. This project reflects the needs of the community, especially the young and old who are not able to drive far away from home. The new Schererville Recreation Center is a worthwhile destination for all.
