Case Studies
Learn about how we have beautified the outdoor-scapes of others.
Apple Valley, Minnesota
The City of Apple Valley, Minnesota ordered a set of 60-inch contemporary-style resin planters for a municipal courtyard area.
Their order included the creation of a 3D brand of the Apple Valley City graphic.
The original order was placed right before winter hit. When it did hit that year, it hit hard and Apple Valley was buried in snow for weeks, unable to receive their order when ready. We coordinated with our contacts there and negotiated a delivery time for ASAP after winter broke.
They let us know when the snow melted and we got their planters delivered to them within a week. As soon as they were able to start doing things outside again, they had their shipment and were able to complete their project of the redevelopment of the pedestrian plaza. We delivered their shipment on-time and the city of Apple Valley was able to get the most time possible to enjoy their new space for the coming spring and summer.
New York, New York
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) sought an innovative, low-risk way to test new pedestrian plazas and urban designs. Traditional materials were too heavy, expensive, and permanent for these initial, temporary installations. The city needed a flexible solution that would allow them to gauge the performance of a new public space before committing to a long-term deployment.
As a pioneer in the tactical urbanism movement, NYC DOT chose TerraCast®'s lightweight, easy-to-install resin planters. These products were ideal for the city's new pedestrian plaza program, enabling them to quickly transform underused streets into public spaces without major construction. The planters' durability meant they could remain in place for longer-term deployment or be reused for other projects, proving their value as a long-term asset.
The success of these initial temporary installations in high-profile areas like Madison Square and Union Square proved the viability of the program. Because of the planters' high quality and aesthetic appeal, many of the projects were made permanent. This success established NYC's pedestrian plaza program as a model for other major cities, solidifying TerraCast®'s role as a trusted partner in the urban design and urban revitalization movement.
St. Petersburg, Florida
As a recognized "Bicycle Friendly City," St. Petersburg, FL, aimed to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety while enhancing its public spaces. They needed a durable and attractive solution to create a safe barrier between bike lanes and vehicle traffic.
In 2018, the city installed TerraCast® planters with self-watering reservoirs along 1st Street South. These planters provided a strong, visually appealing barrier that increased safety without the need for constant maintenance.
The project successfully created a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians and added aesthetic value to the city, complementing its urban landscape and waterfront areas.
Santa Barbara, California
In response to the pandemic, Santa Barbara needed to quickly close a portion of its downtown State Street to vehicles to create outdoor dining and public spaces. They required an alternative to temporary, "unsightly barriers" that would match the city's Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.
TerraCast® provided its Californian planters to serve as durable and attractive barriers. The planters were used as traffic delineators and signage holders, fitting seamlessly into the city's aesthetic.
The project was a significant success, proving that functional barriers can also be beautiful. The planters' performance led to the city's decision to incorporate more of them throughout the downtown area as part of a long-term plan.
Elyria, Ohio
The City of Elyria received a grant to install new planters but had a specific set of requirements: the planters needed to be durable enough to withstand harsh Ohio winters, have a vibrant terracotta color, and be made with a minimum of 20% recycled content.
TerraCast® developed a custom terracotta-colored resin formulation with over 20% post-consumer recycled content. This innovative solution met the grant's sustainability requirements while providing a long-lasting, crack-resistant product that maintained its vibrant color.
The custom planters exceeded the city's expectations for both durability and aesthetics, providing a sustainable and maintenance-free addition to the urban landscape that perfectly met the grant's criteria.
Amusement Parks
TerraCast® products are also installed in major amusement parks and theme parks across the country. We’re not supposed to talk about it, because disclosure might damage the illusion, but some of the parks have very recognizable mascots.
Gillette, Wyoming
The City of Gillette, WY, faced a significant issue with their decorative aluminum light pole base covers, which were corroding quickly due to harsh winter weather and heavy road salt usage. This led to frequent, costly replacements and high maintenance expenses.
TerraCast® provided a long-term, maintenance-free solution by replicating the existing base cover design in durable LLDPE resin. This material is resistant to rust, harsh weather, and UV light, ensuring a sustainable alternative.
A decade later, the resin bases have shown no corrosion, cracking, or fading, eliminating the need for repairs or replacements. This has led to substantial long-term cost savings, allowing the city to reallocate funds to other priorities.
Atlanta, Georgia
The City of Atlanta was experiencing widespread theft of its aluminum street light bases and access doors, which were being stolen for scrap metal. This resulted in significant damage, security risks, and high replacement costs.
TerraCast® utilized its 3D printing technology to design and produce custom molds for mass-producing new bases from a proprietary LLDPE resin blend. This material has no scrap value, effectively deterring thieves. The new design also eliminated the theft-prone access doors.
The innovative resin bases provided Atlanta with a durable, secure, and long-term solution. The new material and design have successfully prevented theft, significantly reduced maintenance and replacement costs and reinstating the security of the city's streetlights.
Gulf Breeze, Florida
The City of Gulf Breeze, FL, faced a challenge in approving new 5G small cell monopoles. Residents demanded that new and existing poles blend in with the city's historical design standards, which required a decorative, fluted look with a matching pedestal base. The plain, smooth design of standard monopoles failed to meet these new ordinances and community expectations.
Acting as a liaison between wireless providers and residents, the city called on TerraCast® to provide a custom solution. We supplied a decorative, fluted wrap-around sleeve designed to fit over the plain monopoles. This sleeve, which can be stacked to achieve the required height, works in tandem with our decorative light pole bases to give the 5G poles a consistent, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The fluted sleeve and decorative base provided a seamless way for the city to enforce its design standards while allowing for the fast and efficient deployment of new 5G technology. The solution not only made the monopoles more visually appealing but also offered added protection from weather, traffic, and other exterior elements, proving that essential modern infrastructure can be both functional and beautiful.
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All of our products are made in America. All offices, warehouses, facilities and factories stand proud on US soil. Originally founded in 1969, we have remained an American owned and operated company.
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A Terracast® product is designed to beat out the competition in every conceivable way. Our products are customizable, lightweight, weather/graffiti resistant, eco-friendly, and almost indestructible.
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