THE GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE FELLOWSHIP

As a component of the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership, the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellowship pairs emerging design professionals from UGA’s College of Environment and Design with local governments to enhance downtown development in communities across Georgia.

After a competitive selection process, graduate-level student fellows are selected for their design and communication skills as well as overall commitment to community design. Over the 12-week program, Renaissance Fellows work directly with their partner city, collaboratively producing renderings and plans in a studio environment at the Institute of Government. Fellows hone their design and planning expertise under the direction of five full-time design faculty and staff members. With backgrounds ranging from historic preservation and landscape architecture to graphic design, these experts help guide the creation of professional-level plans and renderings produced by student fellows during the program. Since 2013, the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellows have assisted 25 communities across the state. With input from the Georgia Municipal Association and the Georgia Cities Foundation, the City of Buena Vista in Marion County was selected to participate in the 2022 Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellowship. Partner cities are chosen based on strong local leadership, community commitment, and fiscal readiness to act on projects. Buena Vista's location and active participation in the River Valley Community Compatible Development (RVCCD) project made the community an ideal fit for a 2022 fellowship.

This summer fellowship was made possible due to the River Valley Community Compatible Development (RVCCD) Project.

With financial support from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and the Department of Defense, the RVCCD Project is a partnership between the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the River Valley Regional Commission, Fort Benning, and conservation partners. Together these entities are developing a plan for sustainable economic development in the Chattahoochee River Valley Region of Georgia and Alabama. The RVCCD’s goal is to create a shared vision that provides economic prosperity for residents while conserving the natural resources and environmental systems that contribute to the long-term sustainability and resilience of the military mission at Fort Benning. To this end, team members have been working directly with community members to identify and implement opportunities for this type of compatible development. Through this robust engagement process, it was made clear that the preservation and revitalization of the historic downtowns in these rural communities is a top priority for future growth and an opportunity to protect the larger landscape from the negative impacts of sprawling development.

Downtown redevelopment is a prime example of place-based 21st-century economic development, especially in rural communities. According to A Proven Economic Strategy by planning expert Edward McMahon of the Urban Land Institute, “The unique characteristics of place may be the only truly defensible source of competitive advantage in a world where people can choose to live or work almost anywhere.” McMahon further cites “building a strong downtown” and “build[ing] on an authentic sense of place” as keys for success in 21st-century economic development. Planning for future economic growth in historic downtown areas allows these communities to build on their best performing and most distinctive assets. Keeping development within traditional commercial cores promotes a type of growth that preserves the surrounding landscape and natural resources crucial to this region. Through the commitment of community leaders in Buena Vista to preserve and redevelop their downtown courthouse square and the surrounding area, the city is boldly acting on the community’s vision for a lively, engaging community hub that offers expanded shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreation options. The designs and plans that follow outline proposals to revitalize historic downtown Buena Vista.