Keeping the Plaza Open to Cars: A Preservation Perspective

In the heart of Orange, lies the Old Towne historic district. The epicenter of that district
is the Plaza District, a nationally recognized historic district that includes the 100 blocks
of North & South Glassell and the 100 blocks of East and West Chapman. Within the
Plaza District, at its core, is Park Plaza – a much beloved space with its fountain, trees,
and benches. This layout is more than just a traffic circle – it’s a living reminder of the
19 th century town planning that shaped Orange, and one of the reasons the Plaza
District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Over the years, almost like a tradition (a bad tradition), a car comes careening down
either Chapman or Glassell, usually at a high rate of speed, and crashes into Park
Plaza and the fountain. In recent years, we’ve had multiple car crashes. All this despite
the City installing protective concrete bollards. These incidents have understandably led
to frustration and calls from some in the community to close the Plaza entirely to traffic.

The Case for Closure

Those who call for the closing of the Plaza argue that removing cars would create a
safer, pedestrian-only environment. Where families can stroll without concern,
restaurants might expand outdoor dining, and events could be held without having to
navigate thru traffic. Those folks see this as a way to transform the Plaza into a modern
gathering place, similar to pedestrian malls in other cities.

The Case for Preservation

While the desire for safety and community space is understandable, closing the Plaza to
traffic would dramatically alter the very historic character that makes it so special. The
Plaza was designed as the hub of the city, where commerce and community flowed
through the intersection of its four main streets. That spatial relationship – streets
converging on the Plaza – is central to why the district earned national historic
recognition in the first place. Removing cars would erase a defining feature of Old
Towne’s heritage and compromise the authenticity that preservationists have worked so
hard to protect.

As preservation advocates, we remain firmly opposed to closing the Plaza to traffic.
Doing so risks turning this nationally significant site into something it was never
intended to be. Instead, the solution lies in better safety measures that respect the
historic design: improved traffic calming at entry points, stronger protective barriers that
still honor the setting, and stricter enforcement of speeding violations. Perhaps less
alcohol licenses in and round the Plaza would help. These approaches can address
safety concerns without sacrificing the historic integrity of the Plaza.

Moving Forward Together

The Plaza belongs to everyone in Orange, and it’s natural that people want it to be safe,
welcoming, and vibrant. We want that, too. But as stewards of history, we must
remember that our Plaza is not just a park or a roundabout – it is a nationally
recognized historic landmark. Preserving its intended form, open to traffic and central to
the city’s design, is essential to protecting what makes Old Towne Orange unlike any
other place.

As of September 2025, the Public Works Department is working on a proposal to
present to City Council. This proposal would include traffic accident statistics, Plaza
Park protection measures and, hopefully, traffic calming measures (ways of slowing cars
down before they get near the Plaza (traffic circle).

Diana Zdenek
September 2025