Lyndhurst Year in Review | 2021 by Spectrum Studio, Carl Vinson Institute of Government

YEAR IN REVIEW LY N D H U R S T F O U N D AT I O N S U P P O R T E D P R O J E C T S

FORT OGLETHORPE, GEORGIA 2021 RSVP, see page 18

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LAFAYETTE, GEORGIA 2021 RSVP, see page 10

Introduction: 2021 Year in Review Program: Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan (RSVP)

City of LaFayette, Georgia

City of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia Program: Follow-up Design and Technical Assistance for Partner Communities

City of Ducktown, Tennessee

City of Chickamauga, Georgia

Scenic Dade Development Company (Trenton)

Design Studio: Museum for the Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA) LYNDHURST FOUNDATION SUPPORTED PROJECTS

P A

R T

GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE PARTNERS Lyndhurst Foundation Thrive Regional Partnership University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government

Georgia Cities Foundation

Georgia Municipal Association

University of Georgia College of Environment and Design

2021 UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA FACULTY AND STAFF SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATE, PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Danny Bivins PUBLIC SERVICE ASSISTANT, SENIOR DESIGNER Kaitlin Messich LANDSCAPE AND URBAN DESIGNER T. Clark Stancil

Marion

SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATE Leigh Elkins CREATIVE DESIGN SPECIALIST Kelsey Marie Broich GRAPHIC DESIGNER Eleonora Machado EDITOR Karen DeVivo

2021 UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA GRADUATE STUDENTS GRADUATE ASSISTANT, MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Emily Whisenant GRADUATE ASSISTANT, MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Anna Shoji GRADUATE ASSISTANT, MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Nick Riker

Dade

Jackson

Program: Follow-up Design and Technical Assistance for Partner Communities Partner Community: Trenton, Georgia

Dekalb

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Bledsoe

Rhea Meigs

McMinn

equatchie

Bradley

Hamilton

Polk Catoosa

E O

Program: Follow-up Design and Technical Assistance for Partner Communities Partner Community: City of Ducktown, Tennessee (Copper Basin)

Walker

Murray

Program: Follow-up Design and Technical Assistance for Partner Communities Partner Community: Chickamauga, Georgia

Program: Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan (RSVP) Partner Community: City of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia Program: Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan (RSVP) Partner Community: City of LaFayette, Georgia Design Studio Course: Museum for the Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA) LYNDHURST FOUNDATION SUPPORTED PROJECTS

Lookout Mountain Drone aerial of Chattanooga, Tennesse. Skyline from Point Park and Lookout Mountain. Credit: Dreamstime/Kevin Ruck

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THE GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE PARTNERSHIP LYNDHURST FOUNDATION

Supported Proj e ct

Founded in 2013, the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership works to foster vibrant downtown throughout Georgia through community engagement and implementation of citizen-defined planning visions for partner communities.

The partnership recognizes that

Downtown Renaissance Partnership to ex-

downtowns serve as the heart

pand our commitment to improve and revitalize

and soul of community life in cities

Northwest Georgia and Tennessee cities includ-

across the state and provide the en-

ed in the metropolitan Chattanooga region. Over

gines that drive local economies. Our

the course of this partnership, the Lyndhurst

mission is to provide cities with the customized

Foundation has engaged communities and

planning and design assistance necessary to

improved the region by supporting planning

help ensure economically vibrant, communi-

and design projects in Athens, Chatsworth,

ty-focused downtowns.

Chickamauga, Copperhill, Ducktown, Fort Oglethorpe, LaFayette, Lookout Mountain,

SINCE PARTNERING IN 2015, Lyndhurst

McCaysville, Ringgold, Rossville, Trenton, and

Foundation support has enabled the Georgia

unincorporated Murray County.

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Despite the challenges of collaborating with community partners during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021, foundation support allowed planners and designers from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government to work with local leaders to develop downtown masterplans for LaFayette and Fort Oglethorpe. Over the course of 2021, the partnership built on the successes of previous Lyndhurst-supported projects by continuing relationships with partner communities including Chickamauga, Trenton, and Ducktown. The components of the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership supported by the Lyndhurst Foundation in 2021 include the following:

LYNDHURST FOUNDATION SUPPORTED PROJECTS

LaFayette RSVP Fort Oglethorpe RSVP Follow-up Design and Technical Assistance for Partner Communities City of Ducktown, Tennessee City of Chickamauga, Georgia Scenic Dade Development Company (Trenton) Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA) Museum Design Studio Course

Preserving history, one project at a time Top: Historic photo of downtown LaFayette, page 10 Top right: Ducktown, page 22 Bottom right: Chickamauga, page 26 Bottom: Historic map of Fort Oglethorpe, page 18 Previous page: Trenton, page 30

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LAFAYETTE COMMUNITY PARTNERS »

Andy Arnold, Mayor

Ben Bradford, Attorney | Former Councilman

Julie Carter, Vice President, Bank of LaFayette | Chair, LaFayette Downtown Development Authority (LDDA)

Josh Chapman, Owner, Chapman Jewelers

Don Coleman, Local Citizen | Retired Corporate Manager

Chris Davis, LaFayette City Councilman | Realtor

Theresa Dorsey, Local Citizen | Substitute Teacher

Derrick Fielder, Minister, LaFayette First Baptist

David Hamilton, City Manager

Brian Hart, Walker County Commissioner

Stan Porter, Walker County Planning Commission

David Schwind, Principal, North LaFayette Elementary

Jeremy Staton, Loan Officer, Bank of LaFayette | LDDA Member

Lugenia Vasser, Assistant Principal, LaFayette High School

Scott Underwood, Director of IT and Events, City of LaFayette

Elizabeth Wells, Director of Economic Development

Kristen Feathers, Main Street Coordinator

Stephanie Wardlaw, Local Investor | Civic Organization Member

Alicia Reagan, Marketing Professional | Americans with Disabilities Advocate

MAYOR and COUNCIL CITY OF LAFAYETTE

Andy Arnold, Mayor

Beacher Garmany, Council Member Ward 1

Anthony Underwood, Council Member Ward 2

Judy Meeks, Council Member Ward 3

Chris Davis, Council Member Ward 4

Wayne Swanson, Council Member At-Large LYNDHURST FOUNDATION SUPPORTED PROJECTS

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LAFAYETTE | GA PROGRAM: Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan (RSVP) PARTNER COMMUNITY: City of LaFayette, GA

Walker

Project Brief: Generously supported by the Lyndhurst Foundation, the LaFayette Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan (RSVP) arose from ongoing revitalization improvement efforts of the local government. Planners and designers from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government collaborated with a steering committee comprised of cross-section of community leaders, downtown business owners, and local citizens. Following recommendations from the steering committee, the project included downtown streetscape and connectivity improvements, façade improvements, and policy recommendations. Informed by the critical input of over 1,200 local citizens, the LaFayette RSVP aims to improve downtown connectivity, enhance the look of the downtown area, attract investment, and create a community anchor downtown.

Results: To date, all designs and plans for the LaFayette RSVP have been completed. A working draft of the report document has also been written. Following a review by community partners and editing staff, delivery of the final report and a public final presentation are expected to take place in March, 2022. Already the community has implemented several key recommendations from the plan. Over the past year, LaFayette hired a full-time Main Street manager and dedicated a budget to support downtown programming, operational expenses, marketing, and property acquisition. In addition to growing city staff to support downtown redevelopment, the LaFayette Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) unveiled a new façade grant program aimed at improving the appearance of downtown buildings. As part of the RSVP, designers from the Institute of Government collaborated with downtown property owners to create façade renderings for ten different properties interested in

applying for the grant. In the summer of 2021, the city acquired the vacant corner property at Main Street and Villanow Street. This prominent empty corner was a consistent topic during public input conversations with community members. Following the delivery of streetscaping plans and renderings created for the city during the RSVP, LaFayette is working with a dedicated project manager to improve Villanow Street and Patton Street and expand tree planting downtown. LaFayette is also actively developing the first phase of a planned greenway along the Chattooga River downtown. In the summer of 2021, LaFayette used designs and renderings from the ongoing RSVP to apply for Georgia Rural Zone designation. LaFayette was officially awarded Rural Zone status in November, 2021, bringing a number of attractive tax incentives to spur economic development. Downtown LaFayette will benefit from this five-year redevelopment tax incentive program through 2027.

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Existing: Dating from the early 1900s, this building at 109 East LaFayette Square houses a downtown gym. The second story of this building could include downtown lofts.

PROPOSED: Once shared with a neighboring business, the blank northern wall of this building could be renovated to include multiple business entries and upper story housing. This design shows three contemporary glass and steel storefronts as well as access to a potential public restroom facility. Individual dining patios are shown divided with custom Corten steel panels with die-cut pollinator designs. Neatly edged pollinator gardens could further improve the look of this property. Shown with Juliet balconies, the windows of second-story apartments would feature fine views of the proposed public green.

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LONG-TERM REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSED:

Previously shown as a greenspace, this design shows the same lot prioritized for long-term redevelopment. The large roll-up glass storefronts shown could accommodate marquee downtown businesses like brewpubs or cafés. Two upper floors of residential or lodging space could bring a 24-hour population downtown. A similar infill development at the site of the Walker County Judicial Annex is visible to the left of the corner building.

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EXISTING

This image shows the vacant corner lot at Villanow Street and East LaFayette Square.

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LONG-TERM REDEVELOPMENT

EXISTING

This image shows the vacant east side corner lot. The brick pallets and debris shown have since been removed and the city recently repaired the brick sidewalk. FORMAL COURTYARD / PROPOSED:

This design shows the corner lot transformed with an attractive, neotraditional mixed use building and handsome formal courtyard. With an enveloping canopy of Chinese elms and a grand brick entry, this public green could serve as a center of downtown life. Renamed LaFayette Square, this space connects today’s downtown with the historic square removed in the 1950s.

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FORT OGLETHORPE COMMUNITY PARTNERS »

Rhonda James, Council Member

Derek Rogers, Council member

Molly F. Huhn, City Manager

Jeff Epperson, Chairman, Fort Oglethorpe's Downtown Development Authority

Charles Faulkner, Volunteer

Amy Faulkner, Business Owner

Amy Jackson, President, Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce

Chris McKeever, Executive Director, 6th Cavalry Museum

Keith Barcliff, Economic Developer, Catoosa County Economic Development Authority

Courtney Johnson, Public Utility Director, City of Fort Oglethorpe

Jeff Long, Catoosa County Commissioner | Director of Public Works, City of Fort Oglethorpe

Keith Sewell, Captain, Fort Oglethorpe Police Department

Denia Reese, Catoosa County Schools Superintendent

Ian O'Shea, Realtor

Jonathan Connell, Business Owner

Rick Quarles, Director of Building, Planning and Zoning, City of Fort Oglethorpe

Dan Wright, Catoosa County Manager

MAYOR and COUNCIL CITY OF FORT OGLETHORPE

Earl Gray, Mayor

Jim Childs

Craig Crawford

Rhonda James

Derek Rogers

Paula Stinnett, Mayor Pro-Tem

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Ft. Oglethorpe | GA

PROGRAM: Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan (RSVP) PARTNER COMMUNITY: City of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia

Project Brief: With the support of the Lyndhurst Foundation, in 2021 designers and planners from the Institute of Government collaborated with officials from the City of Fort Oglethorpe to develop a downtown masterplan focused on the city’s historic Barnhardt Circle and surrounding historic area. Through the Renaissance Strategic Visioning and Planning (RSVP) process, Institute planning staff conducted public input through a community survey and multiple round of interviews and focus groups beginning in April and extending through July of 2021. Approximately 900 residents contributed to step one of the Fort Oglethorpe RSVP process. This input continues to inform the ongoing design phase of the Fort Oglethorpe RSVP. To date, concepts proposed include a unifying community brand to promote the historic area, streetscape improvements, and redevelopment concepts to help transform a block of city-owned warehouses.

Results Institute designers presented initial branding concepts and other designs to city officials in November, 2021. Following the delivery of public input results to city officials, Fort Oglethorpe began acquiring key properties in the historic district. Following advice from Institute planners, city officials met with public-private partnership specialist Kirby Glaze and representatives of the Lyndhurst Foundation to tour a block of recently acquired warehouses and consult on how to move forward with the redevelopment. Institute planners and designers will continue to assist the city through the creation of additional plans and renderings to inform downtown redevelopment. Following the completion of the design phase of the RSVP, delivery of the Fort Oglethorpe RSVP and final presentation are expected to take place in July, 2022.

Walker

City of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia

LYNDHURST FOUNDATION SUPPORTED PROJECTS

Rechristened Stable 41, this complex could create a regular attraction in the historic area.

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This evening view illustrates the potential for activities like concerts, Christmas markets, and evening events in this unique space.

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ducktown

Design Assistance Program: Follow-up Design and Technical Assistance for Partner Communities Partner Community: City of Ducktown, Tennessee (Copper Basin) Project brief:

Beginning in 2018, the Lyndhurst Foundation supported the first multicity Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan in the Copper Basin communities of McCaysville, Copperhill, and Ducktown. Citizens from across the Copper Basin, regional stakeholders, elected officials, and more came together to produce the Copper Basin Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan (RSVP). In a first-of-its-kind effort, Institute of Government staff worked with community members to develop a concise, unified community brand for the Copper Basin. In 2021, follow-up design assistance allowed the community to further develop designs and begin to implement projects detailed in the community’s 2018 RSVP. In partnership with the City of Ducktown and the Southeast Tennessee Development District, Institute design staff created a Ducktown

Polk

Walker

City of Ducktown, Tennessee (Copper Basin) 22

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logo, arrival signage, downtown banners, and branded trail markers for the Chief Duck Trail. These elements complement the community brand unveiled in 2018 and help to promote tourism efforts in Ducktown and the Copper Basin. This project included input from Mayor James Talley, Ducktown tourism committee members, and regional partners including planner Sarah Murray and Tourism Coordinator Jenni Veal of the Southeast Tennessee Development District.

Results: Following the delivery of customized logos and design mockups to the city, Ducktown received a $5,000 tourism grant from the Southeast Tennessee Development District. Ducktown contributed an additional $5,000 in matching funds to implement the project.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS CITY OF DUCKTOWN »

James Talley, Mayor

SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT » »

Jenni Veal, Tourism Coordinator Sarah Murray, RPO Coordinator/Regional Planner

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CUSTOM DUCKTOWN LOGO Signage mockups created by Institute designers show the custom Ducktown logo on conceptual welcome or arrival signage.

Using the Ducktown logo on elements like downtown banners could help build the community brand and enhance downtown revitalization efforts. 24

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Chickamauga

Design Assistance Program: Follow-up Design and Technical Assistance for Partner Communities Partner Community: Chickamauga, Georgia Project brief: Since the development of the Lyndhurst-supported Chickamauga Downtown Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan (RSVP) in 2015, the city has made significant progress in realizing residents’ vision of downtown as a vibrant hub of community life. Building on the partnership’s existing relationship with Chickamauga, in 2021 Institute of Government planners assisted the city with façade designs for a prominent

Catoosa

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downtown building and plans for improving an adjacent downtown parking lot. The resulting designs show the potential for outdoor dining and streetscape improvements at the 101 Gordon Street property across from Chickamauga’s renovated downtown depot. Designs proposed for the rear parking area include large-canopy street trees and a flexible stage area for community events.

Results: University of Georgia planners delivered façade designs and site plans to Chickamauga in September 2021. Renovations of the façade at 101 Gordon Street are underway.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS CITY OF CHICKAMAUGA » »

Micheal Haney, City Manager Evitte Parrish, Councilmember

LYNDHURST FOUNDATION SUPPORTED PROJECTS

CHICKAMAUGA

Thomas Ave. streetscape

EXISTING

This image shows the existing condition of the 101 Gordon Street property along Thomas Avenue.

PROPOSED:

This image shows the proposed Thomas Avenue streetscape. Improvements include new street trees, widened sidewalks, and expanded entrances into the building. The wider sidewalks allow for some outdoor café seating near the new garage doors.

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Trenton

Design Assistance Program: Follow-up Design and Technical Assistance for Partner Communities Partner Community: Trenton, Georgia Project brief:

Dade

In Trenton, Institute designers worked with local volunteer Jennifer Blair in partnership with the local nonprofit Scenic Dade Development Company to create designs promoting a downtown trail first proposed in the city’s 2017 Downtown Renaissance Fellowship plan. Collaborating with Scenic Dade representatives, the Institute design staff created a unique Town Creek Trail logo, designed mockups showing how the logo could be utilized, and customized temporary signage. Signage thanking Town Creek Trail contributors were fabricated and installed along the trail in November 2021.

Results: Following input from local volunteers and tourism groups in Trenton, Institute designers created customized thank-you signs for Town Creek Trail contributors. Local volunteers installed the temporary signage in November 2021. Institute designers continued working with Jennifer Blair and partners in Trenton to create a unique logo for the trail. Logo designs and mockups were delivered on December 7, 2021. Following input from community members, this logo will be used on additional trail signage and materials.

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS SCENIC DADE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY » »

Jennifer Blair Jamison Griffin

CITY OF TRENTON DADE COUNTY

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TRENTON, GEORGIA

Logo concepts

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These advertising mockups show how the Town Creek Trail logo could be used to promote outdoor tourism in Trenton.

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Using the custom Town Creek logo on promotional materials like baseball caps could raise awareness of the trail and be sold to raise funds for trail development.

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MUSEUM plan

Design Studio Course Program: Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA) Museum Design Studio Course Partner Community: LaFayette, Georgia Project brief: In addition to targeted technical assistance, in 2021, the partnership supported student design and outreach in LaFayette. An undergraduate design studio at the UGA College of Environment and Design (CED) paired student designers with community members in LaFayette to develop solutions to convert a former restaurant into a museum and community event space. Sixteen students under the direction of Doug Pardue worked with the Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA) to show this donated building reimagined as a museum honoring African American heritage and cultural significance in the community. This building will allow WCAAHA to curate special exhibits and programming. Student-produced site plans show the opportunity for the site to

Walker Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA), LaFayettee, GA 36

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complement and extend planned events into the surrounding landscape. These concepts have the extra benefit of improving pedestrian connectivity and streetscaping in downtown LaFayette. Community members have received the final student designs and are taking them under advisement in renovation efforts.

Results: CED students and faculty delivered a presentation of final design concepts to WCAAHA representatives and LaFayette city officials in November. Community leaders hope to include elements of the plans in the final design of the museum property.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS WALKER COUNTY AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION (WCAAHA) » »

Beverly Foster, Chair Andy Arnold, Mayor

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (UGA) COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN (CED) » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » »

Douglas Pardue, UGA CED Associate Professor Ryan Cherry Savannah Clark Rob Cleland Ash Daniel Maggie Dyer David Eskew Nora Gellona Wagoner Alexis Kellner Hannah Lee Margot McLaughlin Alex Panel Steven Petty Alexa Pfeiffer Patricia Quinonez Emma Rhodes Annie Rochner Henry Vencill

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MODEL STUDIES

Developed by undergraduate landscape architecture students at the University of Georgia’s College of Environment and Design, these concepts show a former restaurant transformed into an active civic space and museum celebrating Walker County’s African-American heritage.

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Project for the Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA)

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Project for the Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA)

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CED Associate Professor Doug Pardue in action 42

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LOOKING

Back

Since 2015, over one hundred students have participated in professor Pardue's design studios.

Since 2015, the Lyndhurst Foundation’s support of the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership has allowed for six unique student design studios, classes, and community projects. Led since 2015 by CED Associate Professor Doug Pardue, these unique learning experiences have challenged dozens of students to address community issues in cities throughout the metropolitan Chattanooga region. The 2021 Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA) Museum Design Studio Course gave 16 undergraduate students the chance to design a real-world community project commemorating African American heritage in Walker County.

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Background photo: Existing conditions in LaFayette. Cover Rendering by T Clark Stancil