The City of Huntington, West Virginia, sought to revitalize its existing civic arena, located adjacent to the heart of downtown, and convert the adjacent site into a multipurpose destination for locals and visitors to enjoy year-round. Therefore, the City engaged the team of GAI’s Community Solutions Group (CSG) and Edward Tucker Architects to assist with this re-envisioning.

CSG led the master planning and design of the arena’s entrance plaza, which previously consisted of a vast, empty concrete space where individuals would pass by unknowingly. The CSG team worked alongside City officials and the arena’s entertainment producers during the master planning process to create a design transforming the blank plaza space into an outdoor venue that serves as an extension of the arena and conference center.

Opened to the public in summer 2021, the 7,200-seat, multipurpose Marshall Health Network Arena has been renovated into a modern space attracting larger conventions, regional conferences, concerts, and other community events. As an extension of the arena, the plaza features an outdoor stage covered by a custom canopy where concertgoers can be entertained prior the main event. Conference attendees can access an outdoor garden while still being within the conference center itself. An interactive fountain, vegetative screening, firepit, and comfortable seating areas help to make this once forgotten space an active plaza that accommodates casual gatherings for locals and larger community events.

Since completion, the Marshall Health Network Arena Plaza has become a gem for downtown Huntington. It hosts a range of activities for the City, and is a popular destination within the urban environment. The project won the West Virginia American Society of Landscape Architects (WVASLA) Chapter Honor Award in the Design (Built or Under Construction) Category for 2023.