By the late 19th century, Downtown Crossing became the retail hub of Boston, complete with congestion and uncontrolled signage, as well as beautiful and significant period architecture. The authenticity and unprogrammed nature of the Downtown area is both charming and disorienting. It contains the busiest pedestrian corridor in New England, but the confused mixture of roadway conditions is deteriorating and in need of revisioning to respond to the multiple functions and contemporary ideas of public space.

In 2012, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, with the support of the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (BID), issued a request for proposals to develop a Streetscape Design Standards & Wayfinding Program for the public realm within the BID area. KMDG developed roadway specifications and pedestrian, vending and wayfinding recommendations so that the BID would remain a vibrant, new place without losing its spirit of place. Growing out of an inventory and analysis of site conditions, a range of opportunities was identified and a palette of materials and design techniques was crafted to provide universal accessibility, clear wayfinding, and flexible programming within this busy public realm. Key visible gateway sites were identified for near-term projects to utilize these guidelines, and a long-term vision was charted for the continued revitalization of the district.