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Why are we here?
The College Hill Corridor is
historic and unique but also a missing link. The Master Plan is an effort to help the College Hill Corridor Commission, City, University, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders: • create an urban design framework to guide future growth within the area, • calm traffic and encourage alternative modes of transportation, • respect and honor the past, • improve open space, • add vitality and interest, • engage the public, and • build excitement about the University, downtown, and Macon as a whole. •
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makes
“The historic area
Macon’s identity.”
[quote from
interview]
First, a quick review of the facts… _interface studio //
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C ollege Hill C orridor began as a weave of location, topography and landscape.
Co l l e g e St r e e t
Courtesy of the: Middle Georgia Archives, Washington Macon, GA _interface studio // Land Strategies, IncMemorial // Polis StudioLibrary, LLC // Civic Economics
That history is still visible _interface studio //
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College Hill by the numbers…
• 31% poverty rate • 16% homeownership rate _interface studio //
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Land Use
Physically, there’s a lot of institutions but not many places to shop. Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics _interface studio //
Employers by Size
I t’s an employment hub but few live nearby. _interface studio //
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Tree Coverage
Street trees are in short supply‌ _interface studio //
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Accident History (2004-2008)
And traffic safety is a major concern. _interface studio //
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There’s room for change…
“We are _interface studio //
turning the corner.” [quote from interview]
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kgjkh
and there are incredible assets.
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Public Outreach
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Public Outreach
We walked‌
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Public Outreach
We biked‌
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The map
We watched you work‌ _interface studio //
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Public Outreach
(We had a few laughs‌) _interface studio //
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Postcards from the future
We received some great responses, many cards were about activities…
Some said “I told you so”
Others got straight to the point
“This
is a dream come true! I can now walk to the grocery, the bakery, the library, the theatre, to dinner at a restaurant, or to shop. Come to visit me so that I can show you!” //
To everyone who moved away—you should see us now. Cobblestone streets, walking trails, no more cars, bikes everywhere, College Hill is full of life—an artist’s haven and an atmosphere of creative energy. Took some pictures. Did some peace signs. Sat in the park. Got some groceries. Finished with a double jack and ginger. Then took the jetpack home. my heart is full.“
Public Outreach
We summarized‌ _interface studio //
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I deas:: 5 Themes 1. The Basics: Clean, safe and branded 2. The Vibe: College Town Cool 3. The C onnection: Cooling the Streets •The Environment: A City within a Park •The L ook: Macon’s Urban & Historic Center
“It’s time to turn the music a little bit louder.” [quote from interview] _interface studio //
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1. The Basics: C lean, Safe and Branded What are we talking about? Managing the basics of cleaning & maintenance. Improving safety on all streets. Communication, marketing and branding. Recognize College Hill Corridor’s best assets and flaunt them.
Why is it important? First (and second) impressions make a difference. Changing perceptions changes the area’s potential.
A sampling of strategies… • • • •
Create a local recycling program Create an annual calendar of events Develop a coordinated signage system Expand the presence of bicycle police
R eg ula r P ic k U ps R educ e R eus e R ec yc le C o m pos t _interface studio //
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• Expand lighting and upgrade to LED
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2. The Vibe: C ollege Town C ool What are we talking about? Events, the arts and encouraging Mercer students to step off campus.
Why is it important? Events and the arts encourage activity. It’s about a vibrant public space which is good for the community spirit and the local economy.
Encourage students off campus… • Encourage more service learning projects • Scavenger hunt for incoming Mercer Students in downtown
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Keep programming fun events‌ • Race down the hill!
Build on local talent • Put artists to work
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• Create new murals and consider them as playful signage
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• Create new murals and consider them as playful signage
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• Encourage temporary uses for vacant storefronts
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• Encourage temporary uses for vacant storefronts
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3. The C onnection: C ooling the Streets What are we talking about? Improving the environment for walking and biking. Reducing congestion.
---
Why is it important? Healthy cities have excellent transportation choices. To get more people to walk or bike, we need to re-balance the design of the streets.
an attitude, a suburban mentality.�
“There is
[quote from interview]
Cooling the Streets • • • •
Slow traffic down Create a bicycle community Make it easy and fun to walk Create a blueprint for a sustainable transportation future
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College Town Network
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Medical Network
Learning Network
Bicycling • Educating People on Bike Riding (Training classes at school, bike training seminars) • Getting more students to ride (expanding bike share program, trade bikes for cars, retail discounts to bike riders) • Providing infrastructure and making a statement
Shared lane or “sharrow”
Dedicated bike lane _interface studio //
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College Street Tatnall Square to Forsyth
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College Street Tatnall Square to Forsyth
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College Street Tatnall Square to Forsyth
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College Street Tatnall Square to Forsyth
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Appleton Bridge
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Appleton Bridge
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College Street North of Georgia
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College Street North of Georgia
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Pedestrians • Improve the sidewalks • Bury the utilities Sidewalk Improvement Priority Blocks
Sidewalk map
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Washington Avenue
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Washington Avenue
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Intersections
College & Washington
College & Georgia
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Intersections
College & Washington
College & Georgia
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Its not easy being green • Market and promote the dollars and sense of auto use reduction on the family and the environment • Introducing car sharing to Macon • College Hill Mobility Manager • Safe Route to School • Student Run Pedicab business • Enhance transit
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4. The Environment: A C ity within a Park What are we talking about? Improving park space and reducing our impact on the environment. This means everything from tree planting to recycling.
Why is it important? College Street was built to provide a green model for the region. Let’s get back to history.
Restore the urban forest. • Tree plantings!
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Restore the urban forest. • Tree plantings!
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Tree Planting
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• Living walls • Raingardens
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Tattnall Square _interface studio //
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Woodland glade / meadow Improved pathways Re-designed parking New entry plaza Raingarden buffer
Sidewalks!
Tattnall Square _interface studio //
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Tattnall Square _interface studio //
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Tattnall Square: Oglethorpe & College
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Tattnall Square: Oglethorpe & College
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College Street at Tattnall Square
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College Street at Tattnall Square
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Daisy Park
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Daisy Park
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Daisy Park
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Magnolia Street
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Magnolia Street
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Washington Avenue
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Washington Avenue
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Exercise Network
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5. The L ook: M acon’s Urban & Historic C enter What are we talking about? Filling the gaps and creating a vibrant and active link between Mercer and Downtown.
Why is it important? Macon’s identity is formed by its people and the quality of the built environment. Let’s encourage people to inhabit the streets, meet their neighbors and discover the Corridor.
• Market small spaces to small businesses • Build Green
Opportunities for change
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Mercer Village
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Mercer Village
• 200 beds of student housing • Ground floor retail including book store • Expanded open space _interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics • Traffic calming
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Mercer Village
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Mercer Village
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Mercer Village
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College Street
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College Street development _interface studio //
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3 floors 183 student beds
+ 1 rehabilitation Approx 20 student beds
+ Open space and potential shared parking
College Street development _interface studio //
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Vacant Laundry _interface studio //
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Vacant Laundry • Housing above a restaurant • Rear parking, improved access, connections to Columbus Street and an outdoor plaza _interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Forsyth & College
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Forsyth Street West of College Street
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Forsyth Street West of College Street
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College and Forsyth “There is a lack of entrances to the corridor, there is
no sense of arrival.� [quote from interview]
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College and Forsyth “There is a lack of entrances to the corridor, there is
no sense of arrival.� [quote from interview]
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Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
College and Forsyth “There is a lack of entrances to the corridor, there is
no sense of arrival.� [quote from interview]
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Former supermarket
Post Office
Existing parking lot
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Housing overlooking Washington Park, new supermarket on Hardeman
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ousing overlooking Washington Park, mixed use on Hardeman
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Your turn to talk
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