The materials used to construct pilot projects are quick to install and moveable if we need to make revisions to the project design, all at a much lower cost than using concrete. These materials can be installed by City staff in a matter of days, as well as temporarily removed, if necessary, due to emergencies, heavy snow, or other conditions.
Just like a seamstress would use a lower cost fabric to test how the project fits and adjust as needed before investing in a more durable, high-quality fabric, the city is first using lower-cost, quick-to-install materials to test and refine the design and materials before seeking to make them permanent.