Moving Brunswick Forward

TAKIN’ IT DOWNTOWN

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Brunswick is the gateway to the Golden Isles. As such, it is the focus of Forward Brunswick, a local nonprofit dedicated to revitalization efforts for the City of Brunswick. Forward Brunswick’s mission is to inspire community commitment and raise resources to accomplish Brunswick revitalization projects, because they believe the city’s success and growth is not confined within its limits, it positively impacts the entire Golden Isles community. As Bruce Dixon, owner of Dixon Management and a former board member of Golden Isles Development Authority, says, “A thriving city of Brunswick benefits all residents of Glynn County.”

Forward Brunswick’s vision is to foster economic vitality as Brunswick’s community partnership leader. Chair of the Board of Directors Ben T. Slade III explains, “It’s all about building community pride through targeted improvement projects.” Cultivating residents’ pride in their city through intentional development projects will enhance the community for all who choose to work, play, learn within the Golden Isles. Forward Brunswick’s focus objectives aim at Improving the quality-of-life for city residents, visitors, and for stakeholders as well.

A key aim and necessity of revitalization is to retain and attract a diverse workforce to fuel the needs of current and planned businesses in the Golden Isles. Revitalization efforts will be integral in growing, supporting, and sustaining Glynn County’s labor pool. Quality-of-life improvements provide incentive for local workforce and bring increased opportunities for employment in the community. Summed up: better quality-of-life attracts and retains people; people bring talent and business; more businesses stimulate economic vitality, providing means for better quality-of-life. This cycle requires groups with a plethora of skill sets and ambition working together to ensure community sustainability.

By working beside community partners, such as the City of Brunswick, Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, South Coast Bank & Trust, and Coastal Georgia Historical Society, Forward Brunswick works efficiently and effectively to ensure projects that address community

Forward Brunswick Executive Director Erin Granados and Kelly Hnatt of BuildWise Project Management reviewing plans for proposed development.

MOVING BRUNSWICK FORWARD

needs are identified and completed. As Ed Farley, Secretary & Treasurer of the Forward Brunswick’s Board of Directors explains, “Forward Brunswick helps to connect the dots of current projects in the community and to fill gaps where there is a need. Forward Brunswick is not in competition with other agencies. It works alongside many community partners to bring about positive change.” This approach has been well-received. Darren Pietsch, President of Torras Properties, says, “We were one of the earliest Forward Brunswick partners and have been excited about the mission and potential impact from the very beginning.”

In 2021, using a comprehensive approach that involved advisory committees composed of community leaders, digital survey, and other methods, Forward Brunswick focused on developing a three-year strategic plan. Georgia Conservancy was contracted to provide a Plan Review of thirteen local plans/reports to identify commonalities, gaps, and catalyst sites amongst them. Based on the information derived, Forward Brunswick identified three core categories that contribute to resident, visitor, and stakeholder quality-of-life: amenities, beautification, and development.

The aim of adding and improving amenities throughout Brunswick is to transform public spaces into areas of relaxation, entertainment, and recreation that draw residents and visitors. Forward Brunswick intends to develop the city’s identity as the Golden Isles’ premier location for arts and entertainment. To this end, Forward Brunswick is on the frontlines to assist with execution of the city’s 2015 Mary Ross Waterfront Park Master Plan to meet today’s need and demand for greenspace, recreation, and local attractions.

Liberty Brunswick Project is a priority beautification initiative to plant 99 native trees throughout the city, representing the 85 Liberty Ships and 14 Knot Ships that were built by the people of Brunswick during the World War II war effort. The trees celebrate their strength, patriotism, and productivity. The project will honor the economic and cultural legacies of the past, strengthen pride in the present, and give hope for the future. Trees contribute to community appeal and provide green infrastructure solutions to improve stormwater drainage and coastal resilience. Improving the city’s aesthetic in such a way increases community pride and encourages financial investment.

When considering ways to reshape and reactivate Norwich Street, MathTalk Trail, a place-based learning, augmented reality attraction, was identified as a development opportunity to inspire infrastructure improvements. MathTalk Trail will not only help revitalize neighborhoods by encouraging community-development enhancements, such as sidewalk repairs, rights-of-way beautification, and additional lighting through partnership with the City of Brunswick, it will also contribute to the success of Glynn County Schools’ strategic plan for tackling local educational needs. Kelly Hnatt of BuildWise Project Management LLC and board member of Forward Brunswick partner Urban Redevelopment Authority, states, “I am very proud of our first ‘placemaking’ effort, the MathTalk Trail. The simple idea of connecting and activating neighborhoods such as the Norwich Corridor led to this educational effort to improve math fluency, particularly for our under-served populations. Forward Brunswick’s tireless involvement and leadership has allowed us to move quickly to bring this project to fruition.”

Various installation sites are proposed at local landmarks including Brunswick-Glynn County Library, Burroughs-Molette Elementary, Rise Risley, Joy Craft Park at City Hall, and 1720 Norwich Street, next door to Central Hardware. Travis Stegall, City of Brunswick Economic & Community Development Director, says of the project, “As our city moves forward developing the Norwich Corridor and other areas of our community, we appreciate Forward Brunswick’s MathTalk initiative. It shows the commitment of the organization and its board to the quality-of-life and education for the citizens of the City of Brunswick.”

Beyond her business’ partnership with Forward Brunswick, Kelly Hnatt is also committed to the revitalization of Brunswick. As a real estate developer, Kelly is focused on providing more residential housing for the local workforce near downtown

TAKIN’ IT DOWNTOWN

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Brunswick. She and her husband Brad Randall, a real estate broker at Signature Properties, moved to St. Simons Island in 2014. After building their home in Frederica, Kelly started BuildWise Project Management as an owner’s representative, providing construction oversight and consulting on large scale residential homes. “I helped Silver Bluff Brewery with its build, which is when I fell in love with Brunswick. With an investor, we purchased some properties in Brunswick to start developing. Last year, we decided to sell our house on the island, and renovate one of our properties across from the courthouse so that we can make Brunswick home.” When it comes to development in Brunswick, Kelly says, “While there has been tremendous revitalization of Newcastle Street and historic neighborhoods south of Gloucester, there is still a lot to do on Norwich Street and surrounding neighborhoods. It is very exciting to be at the forefront of restoring these areas of great historic and mid-century architecture, with stores, restaurants and apartments.”

Kelly recognized the opportunity to help fill a housing gap with her restoration projects. She explains, “We are desperately in need of more affordable housing for our police and first responders, schoolteachers, hospital and college employees, and hospitality workers. In the next year I will be bringing approximately 15 units into the rental market by converting empty commercial space – buildings and former office space in older single-family homes – on Norwich Street and around the old Glynn County courthouse.” Also worth noting, Kelly has partnered with artist Kevin Bongang and the Historic Preservation Board to paint a mural in homage to Norwich Street’s past, present, and future, on the south wall of the old Singleton Building, one of the spaces she’s converting into affordable housing units.

As City Manager Regina McDuffie said, “The City of Brunswick can only be successful in its efforts of revitalization if the people are willing to support the work being done.” She continued by expressing her appreciation, “Forward Brunswick has shown great interest and enthusiasm in becoming an integral partner in achieving this goal. Their willingness to invest time and money shows a great commitment to move the city forward. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to work with them.”

To learn more about the revitalization projects and Forward Brunswick’s mission of inspiring community commitment and raising resources to accomplish these projects, visit ForwardBrunswick.org. To discuss ways that you can contribute, email Executive Director Erin Granados at erin@ForwardBrunswick.org.

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

In addition to the entities mentioned, there are many other businesses, individuals, and organizations contributing to the success of downtown Brunswick and its growth. The businesses in the SoGlo District and their owners deserve a great deal of credit, from those who have been long established and steadfast community members to the brave souls who committed to opening their doors downtown. Within the past five years, some significant development/ construction projects have undeniably had an impact on Historic Downtown Brunswick and added to its appeal and there are more exciting plans in the works!

In 2018, Erik and Karin Vonk opened a Richland Rum distillery and tasting room at 1406 Newcastle, as a sister to their Richland GA location. Founded in 1999, Richland Rum makes the only single-estate rum in America using sugar cane harvested on the Richland estate and the results are award-winning! The distillery runs a retail store and distillery tours are offered so visitors can experience “America’s Best Rum.” For more info, visit richlandrum.com.

Following their establishment of Silver Bluff Brewing Company in 2017 and some immense work to get the property at 1325 Newcastle Street up and running, Golden Isles residents Chris and Ally Moline opened the craft brewery’s taproom and beer garden