Ward 2 Town Hall Presentation

PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT

RECYCLING CENTER

In efforts to prepare for the upcoming construction of the Recycling Center, we have begun clearing off “The Hill” space.

COMING SOON

8145 Cedar Mountain Rd

SITE LAYOUT

RECYCLING CENTER RENDERING

Plans Update

Downtown Master Plan

Master Plan & 10-Year Strategic Plan Update

“DOWNTOWN DOUGLASVILLE SHOULD BECOME A PLACE WHERE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS WANT TO BE AND SHOULD BE COMPARABLE TO OTHER HISTORIC SUBURBAN DOWNTOWNS IN THE ATLANTA REGION.”

Previous Downtown Master Plan

• ADOPTED DECEMBER 2017

• SCOPE:

• Assess existing conditions of Downtown and its impact on the plan

• Conduct market study that examines demographics, market trends, and real estate trends

• Develop overarching vision and goals decided on by the community

Land Use and Development Goals

• PROMOTE A MIX OF USES THAT CREATES A LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY ENVIRONMENT

• Entertainment District enacted in 2019

• CREATE A TOWN GREEN THAT CAN PROVIDE A PLACE FOR PASSIVE RECREATION AND HOST COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

• Amphitheater- Ongoing project

• DEVELOP NEW HOUSING THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR A RANGE OF AGES AND LIFESTYLES TO EXPAND THE DOWNTOWN POPULATION AND INCREASES CONSUMER DEMAND FOR EXISTING AND NEW BUSINESS

• LCI Update

• Housing Study- Completed by ACR

• BEAUTIFY DOWNTOWN DOUGLASVILLE WITH NEW LANDSCAPING

• Keep Douglasville Beautiful planters

• O’Neal Plaza renovation

Transportation Goals

• BUILD ON DOWNTOWN DOUGLASVILLE'S WALKABILITY BY IMPROVING THE STREETSCAPES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA

• LCI Update

• Gateway Art Signage and Wayfinding Plan

• Arts Downtown Master Plan

• Northside Trail System Plan

• Northside Redevelopment Plan

• Fairburn Road Improvement Plan

• WORK WITH GDOT TO IMPROVE THE CURRENT DESIGN OF W. BROAD STREET IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE WALKABILITY AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE ONSTREET PARKING FOR BUSINESSES FRONTING THE STREET

• On hold

• CREATE A NETWORK OF CONNECTED BICYCLE FACILITIES TO GIVE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION IN DOWNTOWN

• Douglasville Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

Arts & Culture Goals

• CREATE AN OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER FOR CONCERTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Town Green Amphitheater

• ENHANCE AND PROMOTE MORE EVENTS AND FESTIVALS TO BRING MORE ACTIVITY INTO THE DOWNTOWN AND SUPPORT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Pop Up Shops, Food Truck Mondays, Downtown Scavenger Hunt, Restaurant Week, City’s Birthday Celebration

• DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO INTEGRATE MORE PUBLIC ART INTO DOWNTOWN DOUGLASVILLE

• Arts Master Plan

• Art in the Park

• Fence Art

• Love Where You Live

• Rain Art

• Public Arts Commission

Economic Development

• REDEVELOP THE FORMER COUNTY JAIL INTO A RECOGNIZED DOWNTOWN ANCHOR WITH A MIX OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND CIVIC USES

• Amphitheater

• CONSIDER FINANCING EFFORTS FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA TO ATTRACT DEVELOPER INTEREST AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO SUPPORT REDEVELOPMENT

• Tax Allocation District

• DDA Façade Grant (Internal/External Features)

• RECRUIT MORE RESTAURANTS (AND RETAIL STORES) TO ANCHOR DOWNTOWN AND GENERATE EVENING AND WEEKEND CUSTOMER TRAFFIC

• DDA Seating/Lighting Project

• 12 new restaurants and retail stores

Parks Master Plan

Urban Redevelopment Plan

What is an Urban Redevelopment Plan?

-ASSESSES & ENHANCES THE GROWTH AND QUALITY OF UNDERUTILIZED AREAS

-CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING HOUSING, BUSINESS, AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS

-DESCRIBES CONCRETE ACTION STEPS TO ACHIEVE A VISION FOR UNDERUTILIZED AREAS

-IS REGULATED BY STATE AND/OR FEDERAL GUIDELINES

-QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACTS (QCT)

At least 50% of households have an income less than 60% of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI) or;

Poverty rate of 25% or more (HUD)

Median Gross Income for Douglas County: $67,731

-DIFFICULT TO DEVELOP AREAS (DDA)

Areas with high land, construction and utility costs relative to the area median income

-CAN SPEED IMPLEMENTATION AND DECREASE

Study Area

ADA Transition Plan

Comprehensive Plan Update

Comprehensive Plan Update

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

Statutory Mandate: Required by the State of Georgia to shape orderly development of land.

Role: A GUIDE for decision making on land use:

• Community Goals

• Community Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)

• Land Use, Housing, Economic Development, Transportation, and a Short-term Work Program

• Broadband Internet

Scope: 5 – 20 years

Douglasville’s Status: The City of Douglasville met the state’s deadline of October 31, 2023 and remains to have the state’s “Qualified Local Government” status.

Community Relations

A Senior Affair-Jazz Festival & Picnic

30th 11am - 3pm Town Green

Community Block Party Celebrating Sunflowers in Motion

31st 6pm - 10pm O’Neal Plaza Yoga on the Green

Shops at Hydrangea

Savor the Sweet Life Ice Cream Social In Honor of National Cancer Survivor’s Day