Carrollton RSVP

Carrollton

RENAISSANCE STRATEGIC VISION AND PLAN

CREDITS

CARROLLTON RSVP

STEERING COMMITTEE

David Brooks, City Manager

Ben Garrett, Property Owner/Developer

Rich Weaver, Business Owner

Kelly Houck, Business Owner

Brad Wilks, Property Owner

Jonathan Hardesty, Planning Commission

Jim Watters, City Council

Brett Ledbetter, City Council

Jacqulene Bridges, City Council

Bob Uglum, Mayor Pro Tem

Patrick Harris, Georgia Power Representative

Missy Dugan, Local Resident

Betty Cason, Mayor

John Bass, City Engineer

Phil Tuggle, Southwire Representative

Brian Dill, Redevelopment Authority

April Saunders, Staff

Erica Studdard, Staff

Hayley Beaver, Staff

CITY OF CARROLLTON MAYOR

Betty Cason

CARROLLTON CITY COUNCIL

Jacqulene Elaine Bridges, Ward 1

Brett Ledbetter, Ward 2

Jim Watters, Ward 3 (2023)

Stacie Gibbs, Ward 3 (2024)

Bob Uglum, Ward 4

GEORGIA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION AND GEORGIA CITIES FOUNDATION

Cindy Eidson, Director of Economic and Community Development

Chris Higdon, Community Development Manager

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA CARL VINSON INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT

Danny Bivins, Senior Public Service Associate

Kaitlin Messich, Senior Designer

T. Clark Stancil, Landscape and Urban Designer

Eleonora Machado, Creative Designer

Kelsey Broich, Creative Design Specialist

Garrison Taylor, Graduate Assistant

Brian Simmons, Public Service Assistant, Survey Research and Evaluation Support

Erik Thompson, Research Professional, Survey Research and Evaluation Support

Rhiannon Eades, Editor

Carrollton's Renaissance Strategic Vision and Planning Process 2023-24

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Downtowns are the heart of our communities

The Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership was founded in 2013 as a community-driven collaborative planning and design partnership. The partnership brings together public institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and private foundations to assist local governments with downtown revitalization and other planning challenges. Partners including the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the Georgia Municipal Association, and the Georgia Cities Foundation bring diverse resources to the table to support community-driven planning. Since 2013, the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership has brought a collaborative planning approach to over 60 cities across Georgia and neighboring states. Through program elements like the Renaissance Strategic Vision and Planning (RSVP) process, the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellowship, and collaborative studio courses with the UGA College of Environment and Design, the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership helps provide the tools for communities to realize their visions and maximize their potential.

GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE PARTNERSHIP

Partners: University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government | Georgia Municipal Association | Georgia Cities Foundation

Carrollton

THE RENAISSANCE STRATEGIC VISION AND PLANNING PROCESS

The RSVP process combines the best practices of communityled strategic planning, design, and action item implementation.

The initial public input process provides local citizens and stakeholders the opportunity to express their goals, objectives, and values honestly. Through this community dialogue, residents discuss what they would like their town to look and feel like moving forward. By hearing one another and discussing their ideal versions of their community, residents are able to arrive at a consensus vision of their future.

Facilitated community conversations ensure that planners and designers understand the kind of future a community wants and are able to visually depict these priorities. The second step of developing a downtown strategic vision is bringing that community’s ideas to life. Trained design professionals listen to local citizens detail their unique visions for their community. Designers use renderings, plans, and more to help illustrate the picture local residents can see in their collective mind’s eye. The design concepts these professionals develop help citizens and local leaders envision solutions to community priorities. These design interventions can be either short- or long-term, from a simple can of paint on a prominent building to long-term improvements like streetscaping, park designs, or potential mixed-use infill developments. Whether they encompass

small or large projects, the conceptual designs created speak directly to the priorities and vision articulated by community members, their ideas and solutions captured and brought to life on the page. These designs represent the goals and objectives of the community. Taken together, they illustrate the community-determined, consensus vision of how Carrollton should look and feel in the future. These designs are then used to guide strategic planning, prioritize decision making, and inform local officials who will direct the future of the downtown.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

Introduction

Incorporated in 1829 in what was once the heart of the Creek nation, Carrollton, Georgia, has served as a hub of industry, education, and culture in West Georgia for nearly two centuries.

Once a thriving market town and center of cotton growing and textile production, this vibrant city has evolved from a small frontier outpost to a bustling 21st century hub of commerce, industry, and higher education. Major industries and employers including Southwire and Tanner Health System make Carrollton an important regional employment center, attracting residents from across Carroll County and beyond.

Located approximately 50 miles west of Atlanta, Carrollton offers convenient access to big city amenities while preserving the city’s small-town atmosphere and attractive rural setting. Carrollton’s 26,738 residents take advantage of the city’s unparalleled quality of life. Local amenities include the 18-mile GreenBelt trail network, over two dozen lush community parks, and a lively historic downtown with thriving local restaurants, small businesses, and entertainment options. Thousands are drawn to a rich variety of annual events downtown including concerts at the Amp, the Mayfest Arts and Crafts Festival, Taste of Carrollton, Christmas in Carrollton & Parade, and more. Less than a mile and a half from the downtown square, over 13,000 students study at Carrollton’s University of West Georgia, one of only a handful of comprehensive universities in the University System of Georgia. Students, faculty, and staff enrich the atmosphere in Carrollton, infusing the community with a youthful energy, diversity, and creative

culture. The thriving downtown destination visitors flock to today has been many generations in the making. Carrollton experienced the city’s first boom in the years following the arrival of the Savannah, Griffin, and North Alabama Railroad in 1874. Many of the buildings surrounding Adamson Square date from the 1880s and early 1900s. Speaking to the active role city leadership has always played in shaping the city, Carrollton enacted a local ordinance in 1899 prohibiting wooden buildings along the square. Carrollton’s attractive historic masonry buildings provide a testament to early leaders’ foresight.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Carroll County served as one of the most productive cotton growing regions in the state. The arrival of the boll weevil in 1917 initiated a long decline in the local economy. Industry began to take a larger role in the area in the 20th century. Mills serving the cotton industry, including Mandeville Mills, Carroll Mills, and numerous hosiery mills provided employment to many residents in the first half of the 1900s.

The decline of the textile industry after World War II and changing patterns of commerce and transportation drained economic life from downtown Carrollton. In the 1970s and 80s, many downtown businesses closed or relocated to sprawling shopping centers along Maple Street and other corridors on the outskirts of town. Downtown institutions including Johnson’s Drug Company, first opened in 1854, closed permanently in the 1970s. While major industries on Carrollton’s outskirts, including the world’s largest record and cassette manufacturing plant, brought jobs and a renewed economic vitality, these economic generators drew commercial life away from downtown to the city’s sprawling commercial corridors. Long-time residents recall a time when downtown felt hollowed out and empty. Carrollton’s active local leadership and civic-minded local corporations stepped in to stem the tide of downtown decline and bring life back to the city’s heart. Carrollton’s active Main Street Board and elected leaders played a fundamental role in downtown’s revival. From the 1990s to the 2010s, Carrollton transformed from a sleepy, faded business district into one of Georgia’s great downtowns. Major public projects, including the Carrollton Center for the Arts (2002), Barnes Avenue parking deck (2008), Newnan Street parking deck (2010), Carrollton Depot

renovation (2013), downtown hotel (2015), Carroll County Courthouse (2012), and amphitheater (2012) brought new life and activity to downtown. In 1999, the city began planning an ambitious trail network surrounding the city. This Carrollton Greenway Trail Vision plan served as the origin for Carrollton’s GreenBelt trail network, completed in 2016. These major projects, along with significant investments by the private sector, have made downtown Carrollton the prosperous and inviting community destination it is. A whole generation of Carrollton residents, children of the 1990s and 2000s, likely have no idea their thriving downtown ever struggled.

Local residents treasure the small, locally-owned businesses, including Georgia’s oldest bookstore, that give downtown Carrollton a unique and inviting atmosphere. Carrollton celebrates the importance of these attractions in the city’s tagline “Altogether Original.” Small businesses like Local Ties Brewing Company, Gallery Row Coffee, City Tavern, the Corner Café, and more act as authentic community anchors. These “third places” outside of work and home life serve as important hubs for social interaction, places where neighbors can run into one another and share in community life.

The very qualities and small businesses that residents love about Carrollton are the elements most threatened by continued progress and growth in the community. To make the often-challenging bookkeeping work, small businesses typically rely on older buildings or locations with lower overhead costs. As rents and property values climb, these beloved community spaces are often priced out of the market, giving way to national chain retailers and high-end outlets that can operate on thin margins. This phenomenon not only erodes the cultural identity of the community but also diminishes the appeal of downtown to residents and visitors alike.

Many communities across Georgia and beyond have looked to placemaking to help buoy struggling downtowns and other areas. Placemaking often involves reshaping public areas to make them more vibrant and active for local residents. While placemaking typically helps define communities without a strong identity or urban fabric, placekeeping focuses on preserving the essence and authenticity of existing places, ensuring they continue to reflect the identity

and values of the community. Advocated by Mayor Nancy Harris of Duluth, Georgia, placekeeping emphasizes the importance of retaining the unique identity and heritage of a place, often in the face of external development pressures. A commitment to placekeeping means assuring that the things that people love about Carrollton stand the test of time. From historic architecture and a thriving arts and cultural scene to locally-owned small businesses and restaurants, the elements that define the character of downtown must be nourished and preserved to ensure Carrollton remains the thriving and unique community it is. With these issues in mind, local government leaders enlisted the assistance of planning professionals at the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government to help plan for the continued success of downtown. Step one of the Carrollton RSVP planning process began with a review of existing plans, a market study and analysis, a public town hall meeting, one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and a community survey in February 2023. As part of the plan, thousands of citizens from throughout Carrollton shared their opinions, concerns, and dreams for their community.

The Carrollton Renaissance Strategic Plan (RSVP) captures the vision of these local citizens to help chart the course for an “altogether original” downtown long into the future.

Throughout step one of the Carrollton RSVP planning process, residents across the community stepped forward to share their views about downtown.

A community survey crafted to gauge residents’ opinions generated an overwhelming 3,610 responses, or 13% of the total population. Of these survey participants, 93% reported liking downtown, a tremendous level of support from local residents. Community members overwhelmingly treasure the small, locally-owned businesses that make Carrollton unique; praised community attractions like the Amp and Local Ties; appreciated the ease of accessing downtown by car, foot, golf cart, or bike; and generally viewed downtown as an active and exciting local destination. Considering the lively, attractive, and beloved community destination downtown already is, the number one issue for any future plan must be to not lose the qualities that make downtown the special place it is. In short, don’t mess it up!

Residents voiced a general consensus around the key issues downtown. Community members see traffic issues at Adamson Square and the configuration of traffic patterns downtown as a major issue. Similarly, Carrollton citizens expressed the desire to prioritize downtown walkability, improving streets and sidewalks to encourage more residents and visitors to explore downtown on foot and ease parking demand. Parking availability and accessibility remain concerns for many residents. Locals repeatedly pointed to limited accessibility and wayfinding at existing parking areas. Community views largely echoed a 2015 study recommending improving pedestrian and vehicle wayfinding and enforcing time limits on parking. Residents also envision a greener downtown with many requesting more trees, GreenBelt spurs, expanded parks, and family-friendly play spaces. Many also see the need to address housing and expand the viability of downtown small businesses with mixed-use infill development. Finally, residents requested more of all the things they already like to do downtown, including more diverse food and entertainment options that appeal to all residents.

top issues

With representatives from across the city, the local business community, civic organizations, and key stakeholders, the Carrollton RSVP Steering Committee spearheaded planning efforts in the community. This dedicated group of local citizens reviewed and refined thousands of individual public input responses to arrive at a concise set of community priorities. Listed here, the resulting top issues guided the strategies and designs found throughout this plan.

CARROLLTON TOP ISSUES:

TOP ISSUE #1: The Square: Traffic Issues and Configuration

TOP ISSUE #2: Parking Improvements: Accessibility and Wayfinding

TOP ISSUE #3: Walkability: Pedestrian Improvements and Streetscaping

TOP ISSUE #4: Downtown Parks and Green Space

TOP ISSUE #5: Housing and Mixed-Use Infill

TOP ISSUE #6: More to Do

Created as part of the Carrollton RSVP process, the designs that follow attempt to address the top issues raised by local residents during step one. These design concepts illustrate the consensus community vision derived from the conversations and survey responses of hundreds of local citizens. These concepts help to bring Carrollton’s vision to life: a vibrant, walkable, entertaining community hub for all residents.

addresses the heart of Carrollton’s historic core, from US27 to College Street and from the depot to Reese Street. At Adamson Square, this concept shrinks the oversized travel lanes to extend wider sidewalks throughout the area. Landscaped bump-outs shown on the interior of each quad create areas for large-canopy street trees. Along Alabama Street, Rome Street, and Newnan Street, new landscaped medians could provide a lush shade canopy while reducing pedestrian crossing distances, creating pedestrian refuge islands, and calming dangerous traffic speeds. To address the demand for walkable downtown parking, this plan includes significant improvements at existing public parking areas at Rome Street, along City Hall Avenue, and behind City Hall. Clearly marked, efficiently designed parking areas in these locations could increase overall parking capacity while adding desirable features like street trees, sidewalks, and central service areas. This plan illustrates the planned extension of the GreenBelt from the Rome Street parking area northward. The 12-foot paved pathway illustrated in this area could be constructed within existing right-of-way by shrinking oversized travel lanes, further calming traffic and encouraging pedestrian safety. This concept formalizes existing parallel parking with bump-outs and street trees along Bradley and Rome Streets, calming traffic and bringing more shade to these important corridors. The plan shows side streets including John Wesley Plaza, City Hall Avenue, and Presbyterian Avenue with improved on-street parking, widened sidewalks, street trees, landscaped bump-outs, and other amenities to create a more walkable and connected downtown.

MASTER PLAN

CARROLLTON MASTER PLAN

Planning staff at the Institute of Government design studio created the downtown master plan shown on the right to address key issues identified by residents in step one of the RSVP planning process and help guide local leaders in future development efforts. Centered on Adamson Square and the corridors radiating from it, this master plan

To bring new recreation and entertainment options residents desire, this plan includes significant improvements to existing parks including the Amp and Presbyterian Park. Dramatic playground features and a splash pad at the Amp and formalized trails and boardwalks at Presbyterian Park could bring more diverse offerings to these important downtown parks. This plan includes three large conceptual mixed-use developments at city-owned parcels at US-27, along Bradley Street, and a privately-owned parking lot at the intersection of Maple Street and Alabama Street. Similar developments could extend a vibrant downtown atmosphere outward from the square, creating new opportunities for downtown living, expanded retail and dining offerings, and entertainment venues.

Ask any Carrollton resident what they love about downtown and one answer seems to come to everyone’s mind—the square.

In public input sessions with residents from across the community, locals continually brought up their love of the square. Residents treasure the historic buildings that point to Carrollton’s heritage. Locals love the freedom of being able to park their cars and walk to vibrant local businesses and restaurants. Carrollton citizens rightly see the square as the heart of their community. It was always planned to be so. Carrollton’s square was first laid out in 1830, the centerpiece of a unique city plan by surveyor Ulysses Lewis. Designed with a public courthouse square at its center and surrounded by 148 lots and a concentric arrangement of streets, Lewis’s vision for Carrollton was easily the most ambitious and original town plan in the region. Early surveyors and planners typically adapted plans of earlier Georgia cities, like Washington, to fit new cities being laid out across the state. Often these plans featured wide roads, long blocks, and sprawling courthouse squares that afforded future flexibility while reflecting the seemingly endless availability of land on the frontier. Lewis’s plan for Carrollton more closely resembles plans of 1820s towns of the northwest like Indianapolis and earlier Colonial-era cities like Easton, Pennsylvania. While much of Lewis’s compact, urban vision remained unbuilt and other elements were altered beyond recognition, Carrollton’s Adamson Square remains a concrete reminder of the ambition of the city’s founders.

The original plan for Carrollton featured four cardinal roads converging at a compact town square.

While much of this plan remains unbuilt, the square continues to be the focal point of downtown.

Designed as the center of civic life and home for the county courthouse, Carrollton’s square has changed and evolved over time to meet the needs of residents. The relocation of the courthouse from the town square in 1893 created a wide, open public space in the center of town. Photos from the late 1800s and early 1900s show the square as an open wagon yard, filled on busy market days with carts piled high with cotton. By the 1910s, a small greenspace had been carved out in the center of the square. Flanked with maple trees, this compact square created an attractive centerpiece of downtown. The rise of the automobile permanently altered the arrangement of traffic at the square. The roads converging at the square were designated as state highways for many years. Transportation planners of the era focused their efforts on moving vehicles through town as quickly as possible. In 1958, planners brought Newnan, Alabama, Rome, and Bradley Streets together in a four-way intersection in the center of the square. This alteration of traffic patterns removed the central greenspace and created the basic arrangement of traffic seen downtown today, with the corners of the square converted to parking areas. These parking areas feature one-way travel lanes with angled parking separated from the main roads with traffic islands and landscaping.

While Carrollton residents see the square as the heart of the community and overwhelmingly love the space, they also see opportunities to improve this community hub. Many citizens cited heavy traffic volume, vehicle noise and exhaust, and circulation issues at the square as problems that should be resolved. Residents also questioned the general arrangement of traffic at the square, with many citizens favoring alternate arrangements like removing one set of traffic signals, converting the intersection to a roundabout, relocating parking, or removing vehicular traffic altogether.

Carrollton residents often cited nearby towns like Newnan as examples of what they’d like to see downtown, with many favoring bringing an open greenspace to the center of the square. While providing valuable insight into what people would like to see downtown, many of these ideas simply will not fit or function properly within the compact dimensions of Adamson Square. Measured from building edge to building edge, the example most frequently cited by residents, Newnan’s courthouse square, is approximately 150 feet wider on all sides than Adamson Square. Adamson Square features proportions more akin to an Italian piazza than a traditional Georgia courthouse square—an intimate, easily navigated, human-scaled centerpiece of the community.

Whether people recognize it or not, the tight grouping of historic buildings around the square provides the sense of enclosure that humans are hard-wired to enjoy. The compact scale of the square also makes exploring the area on foot easy and pleasurable. No able-bodied resident would consider moving their vehicle from one quad to another to visit both the Corner Café and Horton’s Books on the same visit. Walking from one quad to another is simply the most useful and convenient way to navigate the space.

At the same time, the square remains the terminus of downtown’s four major corridors: Newnan, Alabama, Rome, and Bradley Streets. The original plan for Carrollton included a network of connecting roads radiating from the square. City leaders completed portions of this road network over the years, but over time much of Carrollton’s original plan was abandoned. Aside from these four roads, downtown lacks significant connectivity. Most of the remaining downtown side streets are one-way, many terminate after a block or two, and very few connect to meaningful destinations. The size and prominence of the square and necessity of the roads traversing it restrict what can take shape in this space. To help inform local decision-making on how the square can function in future years, planners and designers from the UGA Institute of Government developed a number of different concepts for the area in consultation with the RSVP Steering Committee, local engineers, and city officials. Inspired by citizen input, these concepts provide options to inform the next decades of this beloved community space.

EXISTING

This figure ground diagram shows a scaled aerial view of Adamson Square. Sidewalks and pedestrian spaces are shown in gray. The large sidewalks surrounding the square area are a key asset for downtown. Sidewalks surrounding the square vary in width but are approximately 15 feet wide at the narrowest points.

NEWNAN SQUARE

FIGURE GROUND

This modified figure ground diagram shows the areas dedicated to the courthouse square and sidewalks in downtown Newnan. The widest and most accommodating sidewalks are found in the square, a contrast to Adamson Square.

COMPARISON

NEWNAN/CARROLLTON

FIGURE GROUND

This diagram shows Adamson Square with the Newnan Square area layered over it in gray. Newnan’s historic courthouse square occupies the entirety of Adamson Square and then some. Bringing a similar arrangement to Carrollton would require drastic changes to the street and building layout.

CROSSING QUADS: ENHANCING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN ADAMSON SQUARE

Existing

PROPOSED

Adding diagonal crosswalks at the center of the intersection could help indicate that pedestrians are free to cross from one quad to another. Known as a pedestrian scramble, similar traffic signal arrangements have been installed in areas with heavy pedestrian activity since the 1940s.

EXISTING: The four-way intersection in the center of Adamson Square is timed to allow pedestrians to easily cross from one quad to another.

Proposed

EXISTING: The timing of the traffic lights at Adamson Square allows pedestrians to cross diagonally. Adding clear crosswalks in the center of the intersection could send the message to pedestrians that cross traffic is welcome.

PROPOSED

Simply panting additional crosswalks and altering existing striping could establish a pedestrian scramble at Adamson Square.

PROPOSED, OPTION II

Repeating the pavers used elsewhere in Adamson Square within the intersection could elevate the pedestrian experience and further calm speeding traffic.

Proposed

Proposed, Option II

Existing

INTRODUCTION TO ADAMSON SQUARE DESIGN OPTIONS

Each design option aims to balance traffic flow, parking availability, and the pedestrian experience, offering unique visions for the heart of Carrollton.

OPTION I OPTION II

By redesigning the one-way drive lanes at each existing quadrant, this concept expands available sidewalk area while preserving the general conditions residents find at Adamson Square today. Relocating street trees to the edge of the pavement could significantly expand area available for programming. This lighter-touch design could be easily phased to avoid shutting down all of the square for an extended period of time.

This innovative design relocates parking in each quadrant to transform Adamson Square into four inviting public plazas. Each of these plaza spaces offers over 40 feet of paved pedestrian space for outdoor dining, flexible seating, and diverse programming. This concept incorporates 34 on-street parking spaces to balance the need for convenient accessibility with the desire for expanded pedestrian space.

The decision lies in creating a square that best serves the community's needs and aspirations.

OPTION III OPTION IV

Following feedback from residents during the public input portion of the RSVP, Institute designers adapted existing plans to visualize the impact of a roundabout in Adamson Square. This design relocates parking from the square, expanding each quadrant into four spacious pedestrian plazas. A roundabout in this area could keep traffic moving but would likely harm pedestrian connectivity.

Adapted from plans already developed for the city, this alternate roundabout concept maintains 10 parking spaces in each quadrant. This design option would leave available pedestrian space unchanged compared to current conditions. However, this design concept could create confusion for visitors entering or leaving parking areas ringing each quad and make navigating the square on foot less direct.

ROUNDABOUT DESIGN WITH RELOCATED PARKING

ROUNDABOUT WITH PARKING

ADAMSON SQUARE

Option I

Currently the quadrants of Adamson Square feature 21- to 24-foot one-way drive lanes. This width could accommodate two travel lanes and is excessive to move a single lane of traffic. In total, Adamson Square features 56 parking spaces with 14 distributed in each quad. This design option shrinks the drive lanes in each quadrant to a generous 18 feet while maintaining the general arrangement of travel lanes and parking in each quad. Relocating this extra square footage to the sidewalk area fronting downtown businesses could significantly expand the available space for outdoor tables and programming in each quad. Over time, Carrollton could

consider further expanding the usable pedestrian space by relocating street trees to tree grates and expanding the sidewalk area to the existing large planting beds in each quad. This concept illustrates additional improvements including planted medians and pedestrian shelter islands along Alabama, Newnan, and Rome Streets, further enhancing pedestrian safety and the welcoming ambiance of Adamson Square. City engineers would need to verify the back out area necessary for the various angled parking spaces in each quad. If necessary, interior square spaces could be converted to golf cart or compact parking.

PROPOSED

This concept shrinks the oversized drive lane to 18 feet while maintaining the current vehicular arrangement around the square. This concept uses the additional area to expand the usable pedestrian space and incorporate new planted bump-outs. As the existing street trees age and are replaced, the large planting beds near existing storefronts could also be reclaimed for pedestrian space. This concept shows some of the interior parking spaces converted to golf cart or compact parking. This option could be used in the interior spaces with challenging back out angles.

EXISTING: The northeast quadrant at Adamson Square features a roughly 22-and-a-half-foot one-way drive lane and back out area. This width could accommodate two travel lanes and is excessive to move a single lane of traffic. This quadrant includes 10 outer square parking spaces and four interior spaces.

Proposed

Existing

ADAMSON SQUARE

Option II

This concept relocates interior parking to transform each quadrant into vibrant public plazas. In this concept, 40 feet of paved pedestrian area surrounds each storefront, creating an inviting area for outdoor dining, flexible seating, programming, and more. In the interior of each quadrant, the flexible lawns shown (Minimum 43 by 42 feet) incorporate

large-canopy street trees. These spaces could host a variety of event programming. While maintaining a strategic amount of convenient parking in each quad, this concept radically re-envisions Adamson Square as a vastly more usable pedestrian-friendly plaza. This concept includes a total of 34 on-street parking spaces, a loss of 22 spaces.

PROPOSED

This concept relocates interior parking to transform each quadrant into vibrant public plazas. In this concept, 40 feet of paved pedestrian area surrounds each storefront, creating an inviting area for outdoor dining, flexible seating, programming, and more. In the interior of the quadrant, a 42 by 43 feet flexible lawn could accommodate large-canopy street trees and a variety of event programming. This concept includes a total of eight on-street parking spaces along Rome Street and Newnan Street, a loss of six spaces in this quad.

EXISTING: The northeast quadrant at Adamson Square features a roughly 22-and-a-half-foot one-way drive lane and back out area. This width could accommodate two travel lanes and is excessive to move a single lane of traffic. This quadrant includes 10 outer square parking spaces and four interior spaces.

Proposed

Existing

ADAMSON SQUARE

Option III

Following input from residents during step one of the RSVP process, designers with the institute adapted existing plans created by local engineering firm Georgia & West, Inc. to visualize the impact of a roundabout in Adamson Square. This concept relocates parking from each quad, creating a much larger and more usable plaza space in each of the four quadrants. While pedestrians can currently travel through

the heart of the square, this concept would limit pedestrian crossings to the periphery of each square, limiting connectivity. While this concept does show a 10-foot-wide sidewalk added to the perimeter of the roundabout center island (47 feet in diameter), this area would essentially be an unusable ornamental feature.

PROPOSED

This design concept expands the available pedestrian space within each quad by relocating parking entirely from the area. With a central roundabout like the one pictured, pedestrians would likely be relegated to the periphery of each quad to safely cross through the area. While the roundabout features an attractive center island, this area would essentially be an unusable, ornamental space.

EXISTING: The northeast quadrant at Adamson Square features a roughly 22-and-a-half-foot one-way drive lane and back out area. This width could accommodate two travel lanes and is excessive to move a single lane of traffic. This quadrant includes 10 outer square parking spaces and four interior spaces.

Proposed

Existing

ADAMSON SQUARE Option IV

This secondary roundabout concept was also adapted from existing plans Georgia & West, Inc. created for the city. Unlike the previous example, this concept retains 10 outer parking spaces in each quad, replacing the interior spaces with planted traffic islands. This concept could create a confusing traffic arrangement for visitors exiting the parking areas in each quadrant.

PROPOSED

In this design option the pedestrian space available in each quad remains essentially unchanged compared to current conditions. However, traveling through the area on foot would become less direct. This concept could also create confusion for visitors entering or leaving parking areas ringing each quad.

EXISTING: The northeast quadrant at Adamson Square features a roughly 22-and-a-half-foot one-way drive lane and back out area. This width could accommodate two travel lanes and is excessive to move a single lane of traffic. This quadrant includes 10 outer square parking spaces and four interior spaces.

Proposed

Existing

For more than half a century, planners across the country have reshaped the built environment to fit the needs of the car. In the years following World War II, most cities began requiring a set number of on-site parking spaces for defined uses like apartments or by a square footage basis.

Today, parking represents the largest single use of land in American cities. Sprawling waves of low density, auto-centric development suited only for vehicular travel have swallowed up vast swaths of the country, particularly in Sunbelt areas like Metro Atlanta. Most Americans have become accustomed to patronizing businesses and restaurants with vast areas of dedicated, free parking. None of this parking is really “free.” A single parking stall in a surface lot typically costs between $5,000-$10,000 for construction alone. Parking spaces in garages can cost up to $50,000 per space. The costs associated with free parking are typically passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for goods, services, and rents. The outsized societal cost of parking and the sprawl it encourages is even greater, from hollowed-out cities and an escalating obesity epidemic to the insatiable global demand for fossil fuels. These costs continue to add up for the average American, our governments, and society at large. Today the traditional downtowns we love to visit, like Carrollton’s Adamson Square, have by and large become impossible to recreate due to strict parking minimums required for new construction. The costs of parking in downtown areas far exceeds those of parking in greenfield development. A

study in Hartford, Connecticut, determined that the city gives up roughly $1,200 in tax revenue per parking spot annually when factoring in opportunity costs. Using downtown land for parking instead of tax-paying businesses resulted in an estimated total loss of $50 million in annual revenue for that city.

Despite being impossible to build, people crave the experience of visiting the dense and diverse downtowns that power our local economies and give a tactile presence to our shared history and heritage. Planned generations before the first car, Carrollton’s compact downtown area includes a diverse mix of uses, from mom-and-pop small businesses and restaurants to a brewery, upper-story apartments, performance venues, and more. Visitors can easily navigate downtown on foot and travel from one end of town to another in a matter of minutes. Carrollton’s early planners designed and built the city around the human scale. It is unrealistic to think Carrollton will ever be able to squeeze enough parking in the city’s downtown core to suit all visitors. Doing so would

result in the loss of the qualities that draw visitors to town in the first place: downtown’s historic buildings, walkable streets, and very palpable sense of place. However, the city can take other actions to help address the city’s perceived “parking problem.”

ROME STREET GREENBELT

5-MINUTE WALK

BANKHEAD & CEDAR STREET

MANDEVILLE MILLS

15-MINUTE WALK

TANNER MEDICAL CENTER

Destinations from Adamson Square

The graphic above shows destinations reachable within a five- and 15-minute walk from Adamson Square. The inner circle represents a five-minute walk from the center of Adamson Square, while the outer circle shows destinations within a 15-minute walk.

Planning professionals at the UGA Institute of Government have worked with over two dozen cities across Georgia on community-driven master plans since 2013. In every one of these communities, from tiny rural towns to regional economic hubs, residents claimed to have a parking problem downtown. In reality, every town has some kind of parking problem. In rural areas across the state, population decline has left businesses shuttered and downtowns awash in a sea of vacant parking spots. Successful, growing downtowns that retain their character of place will never be able to match the surfeit of available parking residents encounter at auto-centric grocery stores and big box outlets. Visiting these thriving areas requires driving a little farther out to park and walk to downtown destinations.

Downtown Carrollton’s walkable square acts as the community’s living room. Residents from throughout Carroll County and beyond flock downtown for events at the Amp, a good meal, or a night on the town. If the parking spaces at the square are occupied, visitors have ample opportunities to park on-street, in rear parking areas, or in one of the city’s two downtown parking decks. Concentrating on improving the walk from these areas to the square could help solve Carrollton’s perceived parking problem. Ensuring a safe and inviting pedestrian experience and clearly indicating parking areas with distinctive signage could go a long way to address the issues raised by residents.

As the hub of the surrounding rural and suburban region, the overwhelming majority of local residents visiting downtown arrive by car. As such, local leaders must carefully consider downtown parking. Parking is particularly important for preserving viable small businesses downtown. According to Main Street America, each on-street parking space generates roughly $10,000 in annual retail sales for nearby businesses. On-street parking also helps calm traffic speeds by shrinking oversized travel lanes. Drivers proceed more carefully when confronted with the threat of cars entering or leaving on-street spaces. By shielding pedestrians from traffic, onstreet parking can also encourage a vibrant street life with uses like sidewalk dining. Streets feel safer to explore on foot when a few tons of parked steel separate pedestrians from moving traffic.

Carrollton and Carroll County have made significant investments to ensure sufficient parking capacity downtown. Two parking decks constructed within the past two decades include 558 spaces within a five-minute walk of the square. These decks contain nearly half of the total parking capacity

available downtown. In conversations with community members during step one of the RSVP process, many residents still see parking as an issue downtown. While some residents appreciate the availability of free parking in the city’s parking decks, others noted that parking downtown is problematic during lunchtime, events, and peak times.

To address these needs, some residents suggested an additional downtown parking deck. In reality, neither of the two surface lots behind the square are sizable enough to develop an efficient deck. A new parking deck would also be an extremely expensive project, with the Metro Atlanta average garage construction costs of $75.97 per square foot or $25,473 per parking stall. These costs are just averages; actual costs can be far higher. Prioritizing a portion of that funding to enhance downtown walkability and direct more visitors to the existing decks could significantly expand accessibility without the costly addition of a new parking deck. Compared to other downtown parking, the city’s existing decks are not used to their full potential. Residents saw the need to maximize use of the existing decks with better signage directing visitors to these resources.

These views echo a 2015 parking study commissioned by the city. This study found that while only 56 spaces, or 4% of total parking spaces downtown, exist in Adamson Square, the occupancy rate of these spaces averaged 93%. To those without experience using the rear parking lots or decks, occupied parking spaces at the square make parking appear unavailable downtown. Many residents see the need for enhanced enforcement of two-hour parking time limits in the square to help encourage more turnover in these spaces. In contrast, the occupancy rate of the city’s parking decks averaged just 26% over a three-day study period.

While locals know these parking decks are free resources and know how to access them, an outside visitor would likely find navigating to the parking decks unnecessarily challenging. Most visitors to downtown arrive to the area via Alabama Street from US-27. Vehicles currently cannot turn onto Barnes Avenue from Alabama Street, making the most clearly indicated parking deck entry inaccessible. Visitors seeking to use the deck must instead drive into the square through two red lights, take a left onto Rome Street, turn either into an unmarked alleyway or make two additional left turns to access the deck they just passed. Combined with a lack of clear signage, this convoluted access helps explain why the city’s decks aren’t used to their full potential. If visitors miss this deck entirely, they could still access the city-county deck by continuing down Newnan Street. However, this deck is set back much farther from the street than surrounding buildings, making it less visible to out-of-town motorists. This deck also lacks signage identifying it as a free public parking deck.

Toole Design Group conducted a parking study that indicates parking capacity is more than adequate for day-to-day demand. Above and beyond the parking counts included in the study, the city maintains a public lot behind city hall with an additional 150 spaces and an even newer public parking lot at the corner of Bradley Street and Lee Street with over 100 spaces. Six large parking areas at churches and private businesses are also available during downtown events. However, as indicated both in public input sessions and in the parking study, Carrollton has a parking wayfinding and accessibility problem. The city and county have spent millions of dollars to construct two parking decks and make their 558 spaces available to the public. Not properly indicating these resources and restricting the use of these facilities with unnecessary complicated access points minimizes the impact of these significant public investments.

In the design phase of the Carrollton RSVP process, Institute of Government planners met with city leaders and local engineers to help address the accessibility of the Barnes Street parking facility. Local leaders and engineers agreed to develop a design solution to this area that will allow left turns onto Barnes Street. This single small change will significantly improve access to this important resource. Like this fairly simple example, the designs that follow show how the city can highlight existing parking opportunities for downtown visitors. Through attractive wayfinding signage that complements the city’s existing branding, local leaders can help optimize downtown parking patterns and encourage more use of existing decks and rear surface lots. Developed by community branding professionals at the UGA Institute of Government in consultation with city leaders, the concepts that follow help connect visitors to parking areas and create a more accessible and inviting downtown for all.

Over the past 50 years, the built environment has been reshaped to suit the needs of the car, resulting in vast expanses of land dedicated to parking and auto-centric development unsafe to explore on foot. In humanscaled, historic locations like downtown Carrollton, walkability must reign supreme to preserve the qualities visitors love about the area. Balancing the need for accessible parking with preserving the unique qualities that draw the community downtown must remain a key priority for local leaders.

INSPIRATION FOR DOWNTOWN WAYFINDING

UGA Institute of Government branding experts analyzed existing city logos and event branding to develop concepts for downtown wayfinding.

The colors, fonts, and graphic elements used in the examples seen below helped inform the wayfinding designs included in this section.

Design credit (Page 40)

Carrollton Brand

Marketing and Downtown Team

City of Carrollton downtown@carrollton-ga.gov

Design credit (Pages 41-55)

Concepts for Downtown Wayfinding

Kaitlin McShea Messich

UGA Public Service Associate kmessich@uga.edu

CONCEPTS FOR DOWNTOWN WAYFINDING

These concepts show potential signage and logo examples to highlight parking areas and access routes in downtown Carrollton. Designed to correspond with existing city logo and special events branding, these concepts include fonts and colors used on other city materials.

welco meto

in the deck

VISUALLY CLEAR SIGNAGE: IMPROVING ACCESS TO DOWNTOWN PARKING

EXISTING: This unmarked alleyway provides direct access to the Barnes Street parking deck for visitors entering downtown from Alabama Street.

PROPOSED

Hanging signage, painted arrows, and clear lettering on the parking deck clearly indicate that visitors can access the deck via this alleyway. Attractive string lights make this alleyway feel safe and inviting for visitors picking up the car at the end of the evening.

Proposed

MARKING THE WAY: ENHANCING VISIBILITY OF REAR PARKING AREAS

EXISTING: Three out of four quads around Adamson Square feature unique pedestrian cut-throughs that provide access to rear parking areas. Blending seamlessly into the surrounding buildings, this unmarked brick archway provides direct access to a rear lot with 84 spaces. Existing

PROPOSED

Clearly indicating the presence of rear parking could help direct more visitors to use these spaces. This design includes both a painted stencil design and an attractive hanging sign.

Proposed

MARKING THE WAY: ENHANCING VISIBILITY OF REAR PARKING AREAS

EXISTING: Seen from a different angle, this image shows the small brick cut-through leading to the rear parking area.

PROPOSED

This design shows the impact of hanging parking signage and a vertical painted banner. These elements bring immediate attention to the presence of the access point.

MARKING THE WAY: ENHANCING VISIBILITY OF REAR PARKING AREAS

This view from farther out in Adamson Square shows how a hanging parking sign could appear to visitors along Alabama Street. This same concept could be used on the two other cut-throughs at the square.

NAVIGATING DOWNTOWN: CLEARLY MARKED ACCESS TO ADAMSON SQUARE

EXISTING: Following the concrete steps pictured here leads visitors directly to Adamson Square.

PROPOSED

Large-format mural signage, arrows, and hanging signage indicate to visitors that the square is just a few footsteps from this rear parking area. Attractive lighting including string lights and nostalgic gooseneck lamps illuminate this space, adding to the ambiance and enhancing the perception of safety.

Proposed

Existing

OPEN AND INVITING: IMPROVING ACCESS FROM REAR PARKING TO ADAMSON SQUARE

PROPOSED

Clearly indicating the location of the square could aid visitors traveling through this space. This signage could be applied with a stencil and chalk to preserve the historic brick.

EXISTING: Shown from the rear parking area behind the northeastern quad, these brick steps lead to an open hallway that provides direct access to Adamson Square. While locals know about this cut-through, few visitors would take the chance to venture through this private space.

This interior view shows the hallway leading from the rear parking area to Adamson Square.

Proposed

Existing Existing

PROPOSED

Large-format signs, painted arrows, and hanging signage clearly indicate the pathway to the square in this design concept. Attractive lighting surrounding the building make this space feel open and inviting.

Proposed

NAVIGATING THE DECK: WAYFINDING IMPROVEMENTS AT BARNES STREET PARKING DECK

EXISTING: The Barnes Street parking deck features a pedestrian bridge leading to an interior hallway adjacent to Highland Deli. This hall leads directly to Adamson Square. While one sign indicates that this stairway leads to the square, the color and size of this sign make it easily overlooked.

EXISTING: This image shows the bridge leading from the parking deck to Adamson Square. One undersized sign indicates the direction of the square to visitors.

Existing

Existing

PROPOSED

This concept shows the difference that clear, attractive wayfinding signage can make. A combination of painted and hanging signage options plainly indicate the path to the square.

PROPOSED

Replacing the small existing sign with this clear and coordinating wayfinding signage dramatically improves the visibility for pedestrians traveling from the deck to Adamson Square.

Proposed

Proposed

Carrollton residents love the freedom that comes with parking the car and walking to different destinations around the square. Being able to walk safely and comfortably to destinations, perhaps running into neighbors and friends, while enjoying the fabric of local life exemplifies why people choose to congregate downtown.

Local leaders have made significant investments in downtown pedestrian infrastructure to help make Adamson Square the safe and inviting destination it is. Attractive sidewalks and streetscaping, along with transformational projects like the GreenBelt network evidence the commitment that Carrollton leaders and citizens devote to prioritizing local quality of life. In Carrollton’s early days, the city drew textile mills based on the city’s location along the railroad, the proximity to cotton producers, and the abundance of comparatively inexpensive, non-union labor. In the 21st century, quality of life and economic development are virtually synonymous. In the article "Why some places thrive and others fail: The new formula for community revitalization," published in Virginia Town & City magazine, Senior Resident Fellow at the Urban Land Institute Ed McMahon states, "In the old economy, quality of place didn’t really matter, but today communities are in a global competition to attract and retain talented workers. Increasingly, these workers decide where they want to live and then they figure out their job situation. Creating a great place will pay dividends long after the initial investment.”

Quoting economist Joe Cortwright, McMahon highlights that “the unique characteristics of a place may be the only

truly defensible source of competitive advantage for cities in a globalized world.”

Creating truly livable cities means prioritizing walkability. In his book Walkable City, noted city planner Jeff Speck calls pedestrians “the canary in the coal mine of livability.” If citizens do not feel safe navigating their own streets or walking their children to school, can a community truly be called livable? Nearly every community features highways and commercial corridors where no one with any viable options would choose to walk. That fact will not change any time soon. In contrast, downtowns are special places that necessitate different treatment and attention. In the dense fabric of downtowns, creating the right conditions can nourish a vibrant street life. Speck states that in order for a walk to be favored it must be useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting. These qualities help illustrate why Carrollton residents enjoy walking around the square. Walking, rather than driving, from Corner Café to Horton’s Books is far and away the most useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting way to navigate the square. At any time of the day, visitors can see people crossing from one side of the square to another on foot. The presence of other pedestrians is

probably the best indicator available to gauge overall walkability and safety.

As visitors move farther from the square, downtown streets become less pedestrian friendly. Many side roads lack consistent sidewalks and crosswalks. The major

corridors radiating from the square generally widen as they move away from the area, encouraging unsafe vehicle speeds. As Adamson Square also serves as the high point of the area, vehicles traveling from the square down Bradley or Rome Street naturally increase in speed as they descend the hill. These conditions lead to dangerous travel speeds that create potentially deadly conflicts for pedestrians. According to a study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as vehicle speeds rise from 20 mph to 40 mph, the likelihood of pedestrian fatality in the event of a collision rises from 5% to 85%.

In public input sessions during step one of the RSVP process, many residents shared the desire to prioritize pedestrian safety downtown. Residents praised improvements like the mid-block crosswalk at Carrollton City Hall and requested additional traffic calming measures along key corridors. Many also voiced support for constructing sidewalks and streetscaping along side streets to encourage walking between the existing rear parking areas and the square. Inspired by the input of local residents, the design concepts that follow extend walkability improvements from Adamson Square down the surrounding corridors, side streets, and parking areas. Together these concepts help illustrate how Carrollton can continue to prioritize walkability and quality of life downtown. By investing in these enhancements, Carrollton can continue creating an even more inclusive, lively, and connected downtown, preserving the qualities of downtown that residents love while bolstering 21st century economic development in the city.

As vehicle speeds rise from 20 mph to 40 mph, the likelihood of pedestrian fatality in the event of a collision rises from 5% to 85% (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1999).

Adapted from the “Ten Steps of Walkability” found in Jeff Speck’s Walkable City , the following principles could help guide local leaders and create an even more walkable downtown Carrollton:

1. PUT CARS IN THEIR PLACE. When cars first became popular, people rightly saw them as a transformational tool that brought freedom and expanded economic opportunities to millions. In the decades since cars became a dominant force, we have transformed our built environment to fit their needs. This experience has hollowed out American cities, devastated public health, and even eroded the social bonds that made communities strong. To combat the urban decline initiated by sprawl, many cities made downtowns more like suburbia in the 1950s onward, with wide roads designed to move vehicles as quickly as possible. In dense downtown areas, leaders can put people first by reclaiming excess space devoted to cars. Practical changes like removing excessive curb cuts and shrinking oversized lanes and corner radii can make a measurable difference in pedestrian safety, bring benefits like expanded sidewalks and bike lanes, and help relegate the car to its proper role.

2. MIX THE USES. To encourage a walkable community, walking must serve a purpose. A long walk in a residential neighborhood may be enjoyable and healthy, but without a destination, a walk is not a useful way to explore a community. Downtown Carrollton features a diverse number of businesses, restaurants, and cultural institutions. Continuing to grow the diversity of uses downtown will help ensure that downtown serves as a walkable community hub well into the future. Encouraging options like a small grocery store, mixeduse infill development, and a mix of housing options could make the area even more walkable.

3. GET THE PARKING RIGHT. Although downtown features approximately 1,300 public parking spaces within a five-minute walk of Adamson Square, residents often brought up parking in public input sessions. While some residents feel that parking is free and abundant, others feel that parking needs improvement, particularly during events and at peak times. Many suggested improving the look and function of rear parking areas, enforcing time limits on high-demand spaces, and directing visitors to existing parking with better signage. Local leaders should look to city codes to determine what, if any, parking requirements exist downtown. These requirements have no place in a dense, walkable downtown area.

4. LET TRANSIT WORK. Speck notes that while walkable neighborhoods can thrive without transit, transit is essential for truly walkable, car-optional cities. While this rule mainly applies to larger cities, reliable transit service can bring significant community benefits.

Some residents may be unaware of the existing Carroll Connection shuttle service and UWG’s community and safe ride shuttles that transport students to Adamson Square Thursday-Saturday. Promoting these resources could encourage a more walkable and vibrant downtown and free up premium downtown parking spaces for more visitors.

5. PROTECT THE PEDESTRIAN. Pedestrians choose to walk when they feel safe and protected. Travel speeds, lane width, sidewalk width, and more all impact pedestrian safety. Encouraging on-street parking and planting street trees between the sidewalk and travel lanes can create barriers between pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Reducing travel lanes to 10-11 feet can help slow traffic to manageable speeds.

6. WELCOME BIKES. Carrollton has done a phenomenal job developing the 18-mile GreenBelt trail network. Biking and walking are mutually beneficial activities, and encouraging one can help support the other. Creating connections to the GreenBelt from downtown as planned will further enhance downtown walk- and bike-ability.

7. SHAPE THE SPACES. Like the building edges that define Adamson Square, humans crave places that provide a sense of enclosure. Spaces without well-defined edges, such as long stretches of parking lot or unprogrammed green space, make walking uninteresting.

8. PLANT TREES. Particularly in the South, trees are an essential ingredient to a walkable city. Trees help slow traffic speeds and can lower the surrounding temperature by up to 18° F. Trees are also among the highest impact, lowest cost improvements that a city can install.

9. MAKE FRIENDLY AND UNIQUE BUILDING FACES: Boring blank walls and parking lots offer little stimulation for pedestrians. Encouraging attractive and inviting buildings through design codes and responsible land use planning can help stitch together the fabric of downtown and create the visual interest necessary to encourage more pedestrian activity. Carrollton takes pride in the city’s reputation as an artistic community. Local leaders should see every blank wall as an opportunity to expand public art downtown.

10. PICK YOUR WINNERS: Areas like US-27 will never foster a vibrant pedestrian experience. Investing in extensive pedestrian infrastructure in similarly carcentric areas is a waste of resources that could pay dividends elsewhere.

TRANSFORMING JOHNSON AVENUE: ENHANCING WALKABILITY ON DOWNTOWN SIDE STREETS

EXISTING: This image shows Johnson Avenue just east of the downtown hotel. Sidewalks along Johnson Avenue are sporadic, and the excessive 28-foot existing paving width could be put to better use. Stormwater runoff travels down Barnes Street toward this intersection, creating the opportunity for green infrastructure like

PROPOSED

This perspective view shows improvements including clear and accessible pedestrian crossings, continuous sidewalks, attractive street trees, and stormwater mitigation features including lush bioswale plantings. Cuts in the curbing could allow stormwater to enter into these features, reducing the burden on downtown infrastructure. By slightly extending into the neighboring parking area, a new sidewalk and crosswalk could be constructed to connect Barnes Street across Johnson Avenue. This concept shows the existing concrete wall transformed into a canvas for branded local art, building the artistic atmosphere of the area around the arts center and hotel. This design also shows improved signage to direct visitors to the public parking deck and elevate the streetscape appearance.

EXISTING: This section of Johnson Avenue currently includes approximately 81 feet of paving from the building edge on the left to the wall on the right. Despite being a block or two from the square, this area features very limited sidewalks, and the continuous curb cuts make traveling on foot dangerous and unappealing.

Existing

PROPOSED

This concept relocates existing parking to the street and narrows excessively wide travel lanes, freeing up approximately 28 feet for new features like a 16-foot landscape buffer, additional six-foot sidewalk, and four-foot bioswale.

Proposed

PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY ROME STREET:

VISUALIZING A SAFER DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR

Adamson Square

PROPOSED

Improvements like landscaped bump-outs shown in this concept reduce crossing distances for pedestrians while helping calm unsafe travel speeds. Attractive street lights and matching signage help create cohesive appearance, tying side streets together with Adamson Square. Replacing a turn lane with the landscaped median in the background creates a sense of arrival at the square and sends the message that this is a primarily pedestrian destination. This concept includes improved signage directing visitors to the public parking deck and surface lot behind Carrollton’s historic city hall building.

EXISTING: This image shows Rome Street at Johnson Avenue two blocks from Adamson Square. This area features a curb-to-curb pavement width of approximately 31 and a half feet. Where on-street parking is available, it is unmarked and poorly defined.

Proposed

Existing

ROME STREET WALKABILITY AND REAR PARKING IMPROVEMENTS

EXISTING: The existing public parking area behind City Hall Avenue includes approximately 79 marked spaces. The inefficient arrangement of angled parking in this lot could be improved to increase parking supply. While impressive willow oaks define the periphery of the site, most of the lot lacks shade. Despite being two blocks away from busy Adamson Square, this lot is underused, and no dedicated sidewalks connect the parking lot to the surrounding area.

EXISTING: Rome Street approaching the square is an excessively wide roadway with over 30 feet of paved area. This excessive paving encourages speeding in the area.

Adamson Square

Existing

Existing

PROPOSED

The 90-degree parking shown in this concept provide a more efficient layout at this public parking lot. New bump-outs with street trees create a welcoming shade canopy. This concept shows the existing sidewalk expanded to a 12-foot multiuse path extension of the GreenBelt. A crosswalk, shown in the background, further connects this important resource to the remainder of downtown.

PROPOSED

This perspective view shows improvements along Rome Street including a 12-foot multiuse path connection to the GreenBelt and an improved public parking area. Extending the sidewalk and planting strip narrows the travel lanes to a combined 24- to 25-foot roadway. Similar improvements could address speeding in the area.

Proposed

Proposed

NEWNAN STREET CORRIDOR: EXPLORING EIGHT DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Adamson Square

EXISTING: With approximately 40 feet of paved area, Newnan Street approaching Adamson Square includes parallel parking on the south side of the street, two travel lanes, and a continuous left turn lane. Although sidewalks in this area are roughly 12 feet wide, street trees currently exist only on the south side of the street. Studio designers developed a number of options to show options for improving this and other key downtown corridors.

Proposed, Short Term

Proposed, Option III

Proposed, Option V

Proposed, Option VII

Proposed, Option II

Proposed, Option IV

Proposed, Option VI

Proposed, Option VIII

NEWNAN STREET CORRIDOR: DESIGN OPTIONS

SHORT TERM: This lighter touch concept repurposes much of the continuous left turn lane as a loading zone for delivery trucks supplying downtown businesses and restaurants. This design also illustrates safe, accessible pedestrian crossings at the intersection with John Wesley Plaza, improved street signs, and clear signage directing visitors to the courthouse parking deck and rear lot behind Rome Street businesses.

PROPOSED, SHORT TERM

PROPOSED, OPTION II

PROPOSED, OPTION III

OPTION II: This secondary option shows the same improvements with the addition of Chinese elm or similar street trees, street lights on both sides of the street, and a bump-out on the south side of Newnan Street. Bump-outs help reduce pedestrian crossing distances and lessen potential conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.

OPTION III: This option for Newnan Street shows the previous improvements but with the former turn lane occupied by an eight-foot landscaped median. A similar feature could help reduce unsafe travel speeds and create a sense of arrival downtown.

NEWNAN STREET CORRIDOR: DESIGN OPTIONS

OPTION IV: This option for Newnan Street shows the previous improvements but with the existing holly trees removed. Locating street trees in the center median, rather than near the existing buildings, could accommodate significantly larger canopy trees.

PROPOSED, OPTION IV

OPTION IV, EVENING

This evening view of the same option shows the impact of integrated crosswalk lighting, twinkling lights in street trees, and handsome downtown street lights.

PROPOSED, OPTION V

OPTION V:This option shows many of the same features but with the parallel parking removed and sidewalks extended along the south side of the street. Extending these sidewalks would remove six downtown parking spaces but expand the potential for outdoor dining, sidewalk sales, and more. This concept shows smaller canopy street trees removed in favor of larger canopy trees in the center median. Planting large canopy trees like Valley Forge American elm or willow oaks in the center median could create a welcoming canopy of shade on both sides of Newnan Street.

PROPOSED, OPTION VI

OPTION VI: This concept uses the area once dedicated to the center turn lane to add sidewalk area on both sides of Newnan Street. Reducing Newnan Street to two lanes would allow for sidewalks on either side of the street to be expanded eight feet, creating roughly 20-foot sidewalks on both sides of Newnan Street. This design shows attractive street trees shading both sides of the corridor.

PROPOSED, OPTION VII

OPTION VII:This concept shows the paved area once dedicated to the center turn lane repurposed into dedicated bike lanes on either side of Newnan Street.

PROPOSED, OPTION VIII

OPTION VIII: This additional option for Newnan Street shows many of the same improvements but with the addition of integrated pavement lighting at the crosswalk. Raising the crosswalk to create a speed table and using a different material like brick pavers further calms excessive travel speeds.

AMPING UP DOWNTOWN: BRADLEY STREET PARKLET AND STREETSCAPING

Adamson Square

IMPLEMENTED

This image shows the completed parklet at Local Ties in August 2023. This popular outdoor area has increased seating capacity at Local Ties and created demand for additional parklets.

Implemented

With approximately 40 feet of paved area, Bradley Street at the Amp includes three parallel parking spots at Local Ties brewery, two travel lanes, and an approximately nine-foot striped pick up/drop off area in front of the Amp.

Altogether Original

PROPOSED, SHORT TERM

This concept shows shorter term interventions to help improve Bradley Street. This design shows the striped area at the Amp designated as a loading zone to help service downtown restaurants and businesses. A compact “parklet” occupies the former parallel parking spaces at Local Ties. A similar feature could allow this popular business to accommodate additional outdoor seating. Hop-themed metalwork, branded signage, and attractive outdoor lighting all work to build the ambiance of the space.

PROPOSED

Extending sidewalks in this section of Bradley Street could create an attractive outdoor area at Local Ties. This design includes two planting beds with Chinese elm or similar street trees and an eightfoot sidewalk extension to accommodate outdoor tables and chairs. Attractive signage similar to concepts shown in other renderings help create a cohesive appearance downtown. Landscaped bump-outs at the Amp could allow for large canopy shade trees and reduce crossing distances for pedestrians.

Proposed

Proposed, Short Term

Existing

AMPING UP DOWNTOWN: BRADLEY STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Presbyterian Avenue serves as an important route around Adamson Square and provides access to a busy rear parking area. Currently this street includes segments of one-way and two-way travel, creating confusion for downtown visitors.

Visitors often dash across Bradley Street near the intersection with Presbyterian Avenue to visit the Amp and popular destinations like the Brown Dog Eatery. Vehicles pick up speed as they descend Bradley Street from the square, creating unsafe vehicle speeds in this area. An excessive road width of approximately 41 feet at this intersection further encourages speeding.

Adamson Square

Existing

Existing

CORNER OF PRESBYTERIAN AVENUE AND BRADLEY STREET

This design shows Presbyterian Avenue converted to one-way travel. This concept reclaims the space formerly devoted to the additional travel lane for amenities like on-street angled parking, expanded sidewalks on either side of the road, and landscaped bump-outs with street trees. The large sidewalk adjacent to Local Ties could create an additional outdoor dining area.

BRADLEY STREET AT AMP ALLEY

This concept brings a dedicated mid-block crosswalk with an illuminated Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB) signal to enhance safety and alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians. The landscaped bump-outs further reduce crossing distances and help define on-street parallel parking areas. Attractive street lights and street trees further enhance the downtown atmosphere in this concept.

BARNES STREET IMPROVEMENTS: ENHANCING

PARKING DECK ACCESSIBILITY

EXISTING: Alabama Street approaching Adamson Square in downtown Carrollton includes intersections at Barnes Street, Presbyterian Avenue, and Maple Street with features that limit connectivity through the area. The parking deck shown at left is not currently accessible from this heavily traveled corridor. A large striped area in the center lane could be put to better use.

Adamson Square

Existing

SHORT TERM

This concept shows relatively simple and affordable improvements that could be made to Alabama Street in the short term. To encourage visitors to park in the existing deck, this design extends a left turn lane and removes a portion of the pedestrian island at the intersection with Barnes Street. This adjustment to the current traffic pattern would allow out-of-town visitors to more conveniently access the parking deck. Clear signage like the options shown could also encourage more use of this downtown resource. This concept repurposes the striped center lane as a loading zone for trucks supplying downtown businesses and restaurants. Additional improvements include extending attractive streetlamps down this prominent corridor.

OPTION I

This design option shows an attractively landscaped center median in the currently unused striped center lane. Between Barnes Street and Adamson Square, Alabama Street includes roughly 32 and a half feet of paving. Incorporating an eight-foot median would allow up to 12foot travel lanes through the area. A median similar to the one shown could create a pedestrian traffic island at the existing crosswalk. Planting street trees like Valley Forge American elm or willow oaks in the sunny center of the roadway could create an attractive overarching canopy over both sides of the street.

OPTION II

This alternate design option uses the former center turn lane to add four feet of sidewalk and street trees like Chinese elm along both sides of Alabama Street. Shrinking the amount of space available for vehicles approaching downtown and adding traffic calming features like street trees could help mitigate excessive speeding.

Proposed, Option II

Proposed, Option I

Proposed, Short Term

ALABAMA STREET CORRIDOR: TRAFFIC CALMING AND CONNECTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS

EXISTING: This image shows existing conditions along Alabama Street approaching Adamson Square. Currently the 32-and-a-half-foot paved area includes a striped center lane and two travel lanes, with roughly 12-foot sidewalks along either side of the street.

Adamson Square

Existing

SHORT TERM

This shorter-term concept shows improvements including a dedicated loading zone, street lights, and clear parking signage. A modified island and turn lane at the intersection with Barnes Street could allow easy access to the existing parking garage.

OPTION I

Reclaiming the striped center lane as an eight-foot landscaped median could help slow traffic and create a sense of arrival downtown. This design also shows utility lines relocated underground.

OPTION II

The right-of-way dedicated to the striped center lane in this section of Alabama Street could be repurposed to add sidewalk width and features like attractive street trees to either side of the road.

Proposed, Option II

Proposed, Option I

Proposed, Short Term

BARNES STREET IMPROVEMENTS: ENHANCING

PARKING DECK ACCESSIBILITY

EXISTING: Barnes Street serves as one of downtown Carrollton’s few routes around Adamson Square. A pedestrian island installed in the past few years restricts vehicles from turning left onto Barnes Street, severely limiting access to the downtown parking deck.

Adamson Square

Existing

PROPOSED

Modifying the existing island and installing a left turn lane could significantly improve access to the city’s public parking deck. This concept also shows improvements like new street lights and street trees, plus improved parking deck signage.

These images from Google Street View shows alterations made at this intersection from 2012 to the present

Proposed

NORTHEAST QUAD PUBLIC PARKING: ELEVATING THE STANDARD FOR REAR PARKING AREAS

northeastern quadrant of Adamson Square includes approximately 80 parking spaces. According to a study commissioned by the city, this rear lot is among the most popular parking areas downtown. While this lot is well used and convenient, it lacks visual appeal. Visitors in particular may not be aware this lot is a public parking area directly accessible from Adamson Square. Parking spaces are unmarked, the paving is potholed and in need of maintenance, no sidewalks connect the parking area to surrounding businesses, and unattractive back-of-house services and grease traps make this area unpleasant to be in. A few industrial street lamps provide the

night lighting, making this area feel

in the evening hours.

EXISTING: The rear parking area behind the

only

unsafe

Adamson Square

Existing

PROPOSED

While maintaining essentially the same parking capacity (79 spaces), this concept transforms the overlooked rear parking area into an inviting gateway to downtown businesses. A simplified layout with 90-degree parking maximizes the use of the space, allowing approximately 17 feet of flexible back-of-house space for Newnan Street businesses. This concept includes attractive and ADA-accessible sidewalks linking the parking area with the adjacent alleyway access to Newnan Street and the pedestrian cut-through to the square at 106 Adamson Square. This concept highlights square access with attractive signage to inform out-of-town visitors. Street trees and pervious pavers used throughout the space could help mitigate stormwater runoff issues in the area.

Proposed

SECONDARY ROADS AND ALLEYS: ENHANCING WALKABILITY AND STREETSCAPING

Although the street name changes several times, Tanner Street runs from Newnan Street south to Clinic Avenue, connecting important destinations like the Carroll County Courthouse, the South Carrollton Residential Historic District, and Tanner Medical Center.

Shown with unused striped areas and a treeless median, this important connector road could be improved between the courthouse and parking deck.

City Hall Avenue serves as an important east-west route just north of Adamson Square. Vacancies and institutional uses along this side street limit the vitality of the area. In some areas City Hall Avenue is up to 50 feet wide, encouraging speeding. While the 20 parallel parking spaces add important parking capacity on Sunday mornings, much of the area could accommodate more efficient on-street angled parking.

John Wesley Plaza widens broadly near the intersection with Ward Street. Approaching 90 feet wide at some points, this two-lane road is significantly oversized. Paving lines indicating onstreet parking have faded over time, making this corridor feel even wider.

Adamson Square

1. Existing, Tanner Street

2. Existing, City Hall Avenue

3. Existing, John Wesley Plaza

PROPOSED

This design concept reclaims the striped paving to create a pedestrian safety island planted with large-canopy willow oak street trees. Improved signage shown in the style of other examples used downtown directs visitors to the parking deck and ties this area in with the remainder of downtown.

PROPOSED

This concept shows 15 new on-street angled parking spaces along City Hall Avenue. Angled parking allows for deep bump-outs that reduce pedestrian crossing distances and help calm traffic speeds. These bumpouts can also accommodate large-canopy street trees as shown, bringing a welcoming shade canopy to this street. Additional improvements shown include new sidewalks and six parking spaces along John Wesley Plaza, Natchez crape myrtles installed in existing planting beds, improved signage, and new street lamps throughout the area.

PROPOSED

Reorganizing parking along John Wesley Plaza could bring a number of improvements to this corridor, including continuous sidewalks, landscaped bump-outs, and 37 on-street parking spaces. These sidewalks could help safely connect students with the busy preschool at the First Christian Church shown on the right.

3. Proposed, John Wesley Plaza

2. Proposed, City Hall Avenue

1. Proposed, Tanner Street

SECONDARY ROADS AND ALLEYS: ENHANCING WALKABILITY AND STREETSCAPING

Adamson Square

EXISTING: Hotel guests frequently use this alleyway as a cut-through. This photo shows existing conditions in this space, including aging asphalt, utility boxes, and unattractive chain link fencing.

Existing

PROPOSED, SHORT TERM

PROPOSED

This rendering shows another option to update the alley. In this concept, planters grow Carolina jessamine on arches over the alley, creating the impression of a taller space. The cheerful yellow flowers invite people in and make it clear that the alley is a public space. Benches on either side encourage visitors to sit and stay awhile. The brick pavers subtly delineate the alley as a separate space from the road and create the feeling of a plaza.

PROPOSED, EVENING

A fast and cost-effective way to improve the alley would be simply hanging string lights. String lights could improve the appearance of the alleyway and enhance the perception of safety for visitors making their way back to the hotel from downtown restaurants. Proposed, Short Term Proposed Proposed, Evening

This night view shows the lights entwined with the flowers, creating an inviting and festive atmosphere. Lights at night increase people’s sense of safety, and incorporating twinkling string lights into the design offers a more effective and inviting option than floodlights.

Carrollton’s beautiful and abundant public parks and the city’s GreenBelt trail network are enough to make the city the envy of communities across Georgia and beyond. Particularly for a city the size of Carrollton, the quality and quantity of recreation opportunities available in the city is truly remarkable.

Carrollton’s Parks and Recreation Department lists 29 individual park facilities around the city. Just beyond the city limits, Carroll County operates impressive facilities like John Tanner Park, a former state park, and a 109-acre recreation area with a variety of athletic fields. In conversations with community members during step one of the RSVP planning process, local residents gave high praise both to the city’s parks and the dedicated maintenance staff who keep these community destinations beautiful. Local leaders deserve praise for continually investing in park development and improvement.

Constructed roughly a decade ago, the Amp in downtown Carrollton has been an overwhelming success with local residents. Citizens throughout the public input process continually ranked the Amp as one of their favorite things about downtown. The Amp provides a go-to location for concerts and programming. Carrollton residents see the Amp as downtown’s signature gathering space and a community anchor. While the Amp offers an inviting

area for adults to enjoy special events and ball games on the big screen, residents see the need to improve downtown offerings for young people. Carrollton residents see their community as an inviting and family-friendly destination but recognize that downtown lacks elements like playgrounds that could help make the area more inviting for young families with children.

Many residents considered revisiting the traffic pattern at the square to return a green spaceto the area as a way to address this issue. As discussed in the first section of this report, with the space constraints and volume of traffic in the square, returning a green space to the square would not create the type of active park area residents envision. Alternatively, local leaders could look at existing park areas to incorporate the type of play areas and amenities local residents desire. Presbyterian Park, the largest park in the downtown area, could benefit from improvements that elevate this facility to the standard of the city’s other parks. Similarly, city leaders could redesign the small corner park at Rome Street and City Hall Avenue to offer a more flexible and inviting area for community events. As Carrollton grows

and more residents choose to live downtown, these public spaces will become more important than ever. The concepts that follow include designs intended to bring more diverse programming and kid-friendly amenities to Carrollton’s downtown parks. Inspired by the input of local citizens, these designs envision downtown as an active and exciting recreation destination for residents of all ages.

BUILDING ON SUCCESS: PLANNING THE AMP’S NEXT DECADE

This conceptual masterplan illustrates how the park area at the Amp could be transformed into the ultimate destination for local families. Currently, this area of the park features a number of programmed areas for activities like cornhole and ping-pong. The Amp and downtown could benefit from a more flexible area with play spaces and youth-focused amenities.

In this concept, an approximately 40foot splash pad area anchors the park area. Flanked by a “tot lot” play space, a flexible lawn, and larger equipment for older children, this area could become

an anchor of family life downtown. This concept includes exciting and unique elements like a rooftop play area and circular slide on the existing restrooms building, a howling wolf play tower, and a climbing wall on the neighboring parking deck. This design includes a one-ofa-kind slide and elevated stairway connecting the Amp to the city-county parking deck. Cleveland, Ohio, and Boise, Idaho, both have examples of parking deck slides that have created magnets for local families. A similar feature in Carrollton could create a draw for the surrounding region and beyond.

This concept also shows Wagon Yard Plaza reconfigured with additional parking spaces and paving to match Amp Alley to the south of the park. The site’s existing topography could allow the service area to be relocated and concealed from view along John Wesley Plaza. This design transforms the steep bank on the south end of the park into an attractive and inviting stepped plaza space inspired by Roemer Plaza at Boston’s Suffolk University. Surrounded by great restaurants, this stepped plaza could create the ideal location for informal outdoor dining.

WAGON YARD PLAZA

PROPOSED, STEP I

Topping the existing paving with the brick texture seen on Amp Alley elevates the look of Wagon Yard Plaza and helps tie this area into the Amp. A simple black metal screen with gates allows access to the existing businesses and residents while obscuring views of back-of-house services. This screen could be adapted as shown to include a rear bar at Irish Bred Pub. Designed to coordinate with the recently completed parklet across Bradley Street, this screening includes the city’s logo in an elegant matte black. Façade improvements including removal of vinyl siding, relocated utilities, fresh paint, a retractable fire escape ladder, and more improve the look of these prominent downtown buildings.

EXISTING: This image shows Wagon Yard Plaza immediately behind the Amp. The back-of-house areas for businesses along Adamson Square are highly visible for visitors attending events.

Proposed

Existing

PROPOSED, LONG TERM

Relocating the restroom facility elsewhere in Amp park could help erase the transition between the Amp and the adjacent park. By relocating this building, local leaders could encourage more activity in the park area behind the Amp.

REPROGRAMMING THE AMP FOR YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITY

EXISTING: The amphitheater area at the Amp sometimes lacks activity between programmed events.

PROPOSED: Adirondack chairs in the colors of Carrollton’s logo could further activate the space and invite people to use the Amp between events. Above and beyond an event space, features like movable seating and play areas could establish the Amp as the full-time downtown gathering place for the whole community.

Existing

Proposed

Proposed

potential mural wall

Proposed

PARKS FOR ALL AGES: FAMILY-FRIENDLY AMENITIES AT THE AMP

Existing

EXISTING: This brick public restroom facility separates the amphitheater space from the remainder of the park area.

TRANSFORMING THE ORDINARY INTO THE EXTRAORDINARY

PROPOSED

If the restroom facility cannot be moved, topping the existing building with exciting playground equipment could create a highly visible and inviting play space. The tower structures shown are similar to those created by Landscape Structures for Coachman Park in Clearwater, Florida. A stainless steel slide and spiral staircase connect the rooftop play space with the park below. This area could also act as VIP seating during events. City officials are working with a local artist to transform the blank brick walls shown with an inviting mural.

COLOR-CHANGING LIGHTING AMPLIFIES CONCERTS AND SEASONAL EVENTS

A MARQUEE DESTINATION: LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS AT THE AMP

EXISTING: Seen from the top of the city-county parking deck, the swooping canopy of the Amp creates a familiar downtown landmark and serves as the focal point of this downtown park.

PROPOSED

Implementing colorful lighting at the Amp could not only make this downtown landmark an even more memorable year-round destination but also highlight this marquee attraction to visitors, with color-changing up lighting that coordinates seamlessly with seasonal events.

Existing

Existing

Proposed

AMP ALLEY REVIVED: FROM SLEEPY SIDE ROAD TO VIBRANT PLAZA

EXISTING: This image shows existing conditions at Amp Alley looking toward the city-county parking deck. The steep bank on the left separates this pedestrian mall from the park. The building on the right is actually a historic stable obscured with inappropriate vinyl siding.

PROPOSED, STEP I

Local leaders could draw more activity to Amp Alley by attracting a new tenant to the former stable pictured on the right. This large, open building could be well suited for tenants like a distillery or food hall.

PROPOSED

This concept transforms the steep bank into an inviting stepped plaza. The restored stable pictured here could provide the ideal location for a distillery or similar business. This concept shows Amp Alley further activated with movable tables and chairs. Exciting features pictured in the Amp park area include a splash pad, howling wolf play structure, slide and elevated stairway connecting to the parking deck.

PROPOSED, EVENING

Delicate string lights, twinkling lights in street trees, and handsome lampposts give Amp Alley an inviting ambiance well into the evening.

BEYOND PARKING: ACTIVATING THE CITY-COUNTY DECK

EXISTING: The city-county parking deck features expansive views of downtown Carrollton. This parking deck primarily serves employees at the local government and is largely vacant after 5:00 p.m.

PROPOSED

The large top floor of the downtown parking deck could be the perfect venue for a variety of exciting downtown events. Options pictured include a small fair with kiddie rides, a signature local art market, and a cruise-in classic car show.

Proposed

Existing

Proposed

Proposed

BEYOND PARKING: ACTIVATING THE CITY-COUNTY DECK

EXISTING: Pictured in the foreground, Harris Street is flanked on either side with a large retaining wall and the city-county parking deck. These uses make this street a dead space and limit activity on the east end of the Amp park. Existing

PROPOSED

The large open bays at the city-county deck could create perfect areas for a variety of new downtown businesses and necessary public facilities. Relocating the existing restroom facility at the Amp to the parking deck could make for a more open flexible public space. One storefront could also incorporate a downtown hospitality suite, a need identified by city staff. Redesigning the deck to incorporate ground floor retail and other uses could increase activity and vitality in this area and grow opportunities for downtown small businesses.

PARKS FOR ALL AGES: FAMILY-FRIENDLY AMENITIES AT THE AMP

PROPOSED

This concept relocates the existing benches and other elements to create a more flexible and inviting play area. A dramatic splash pad doubles as an elegant water feature in the foreground. The play area shown in the southeastern corner of the site includes play equipment like wobble boards, a timber swing, and a signature howling wolf climbing tower by Earthscape. Earthscape constructed a similar animal-themed timber tower for Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park in Edmonton, Alberta. Terminating at the splash pad, the slide shown in the background could create an unforgettable experience and lasting memories for young visitors.

PROPOSED

Expanding this existing opening could create the perfect gateway for a slide and stairway leading directly to the Amp. This concept sacrifices just two parking spaces to create a one-of-akind downtown destination.

EXISTING: The window pictured provides a direct view of the Amp and surrounding park from the city-county parking deck.

EXISTING: This image shows the approximate center of the park space at the Amp. The existing amenities are heavy and tightly defined, limiting flexible use of the space.

Existing

Existing

Proposed

Proposed

ROME STREET PARK REDESIGN: A FLEXIBLE SPACE FOR EVENTS AND REFLECTION

EXISTING: This image shows an aerial view of Rome Street Park at the corner of City Hall Avenue and Rome Street. Plantings take up about half of the pocket park’s surface area and the two heavy pavilions on this site limit flexible uses.

PROPOSED

This plan view shows a proposed design for the park. Topping the existing planters along the street could create a seat wall. The currently underused area closest to the building is shown converted into a flexible-use patio with moveable tables and chairs. Openings cut into the retaining wall could allow shade trees to grow.

Existing

EXISTING: Rome Street Park just north of the square is underused, despite being in the middle of downtown. The park features large concrete tables shaded by heavy pavilions. These features cannot be moved to allow for more flexible uses. Brick planters with spindly shrubs enclose the space, screening the area from view and discouraging entry. The underused upper level features two trees and a bed of pine straw.

PROPOSED

In this design concept, large-canopy trees replace the small pavilions, which allow for pleasant, filtered light while providing more shade. This option shows brick planters converted into seat walls. Users can sit on either side of the bench and choose to face into the park or out toward the street. The large upper level could become a well-used amenity in a growing downtown. This design shows this area converted into an upper patio, with brick stairs cut into the existing retaining wall. The south end of the patio would be nearly level with the sidewalk, providing easy access to both levels. The moveable tables and chairs shown allow users to choose to sit in the sun or shade, while allowing for differing group sizes. The existing tables covered in a beautiful mosaic design could be relocated to the area near the arts center. Signage like the city logo pictured on the corner could also be crafted as a mosaic.

Proposed

Existing

PRESBYTERIAN PARK IMPROVEMENTS: FROM HIDDEN GEM TO SCENIC RETREAT

The Carrollton Presbyterian Church generously partners with the city to allow public use of their roughly two-acre wooded property downtown. Presbyterian Park features an impressive canopy of old-growth trees, an unpaved walking path, and a playground. This beautiful but easily overlooked park could benefit from enhanced maintenance. The conceptual park plan above shows the existing features and amenities formalized, with elements like a continuous paved pathway, restored natural stream, preserved tree canopy, and improved parking area. New sidewalks

proposed along Cliff Street and at the parking lot to the south help tie the park to the remainder of downtown. Positioned at the base of the hill where downtown developed over time, this site includes a central low-lying area that collects water. This design transforms that space into a landscaped stormwater retention basin. While much more informal, this concept takes inspiration from Old Fourth Ward Park in Atlanta, where a similar basin serves as the focal point of the park. A circular deck and boardwalk promenade offer a serene location for relaxation and enjoying nature.

Presbyterian Park is an attractive amenity with a small creek and lush canopy of trees. The park features a number of signs and park elements that could be updated to meet the standards of other city parks. This image shows a tree fallen in the low-lying area that can collect rainwater.

PROPOSED

This concept transforms an underutilized resource into a vibrant downtown park. In the low-lying turf area, a combination pond and stormwater retention basin create a new focal point for the park. A circular deck seems to float over the pond, and a semicircular boardwalk offers a great wildlife viewing opportunity. The sloping hillside and deck could be used for a variety of programming, including outdoor worship services at the church. The foreground of this image shows the degraded stream bank restored and lined with native plantings. Signage shown matches the examples used in other parks. Existing

EXISTING

This large rear parking area services Presbyterian Park, Carrollton City Hall, the police department, and other adjacent public buildings. Much of the paving in the area is tired and the layout is confusing and inefficient. No trees, planted bump-outs, or sidewalks break up the wide expanse of paving. Excluding the gated area at the public safety building, the existing lot includes approximately 156 parking spaces.

PRESBYTERIAN

PARK AND CITY HALL PARKING:

ENHANCING ACCESSIBILITY AND VISUAL APPEAL

PROPOSED

This concept brings attractive street trees, accessible sidewalks, and other amenities to this public parking area. The lot layout has been made more efficient where possible, with excessive paving dedicated to new sidewalks and other features. The parking layout shown in the masterplan on page 10 includes 143 parking spaces in this area with reductions made for required ADA striping, simplified internal travel lanes, and amenities such as landscape beds and sidewalks. If designed with stormwater management in mind, all of these green infrastructure improvements should be developed to capture and slow surface lot runoff.

Proposed, option 1

Public input responses overwhelmingly indicated that the community needs more housing of all types in downtown and across the city. Carrollton’s stellar quality of life and regional employment hubs draw people from around the region.

While many wish to live in the city, housing supply is limited and expensive. Voices from across the community noted that housing prices in the city are prohibitive and demand for decent midrange housing far outstrips supply. A 2021 housing study commissioned by the city identified the demand for 159 additional housing units in Carrollton annually over the next decade, including a mix of approximately 76 single-family detached units, 34 townhome units, and 49 multifamily units.

Developing more housing downtown, particularly through mixed-use development, could support downtown growth and improve walkability. More than any other use, attracting housing to a downtown creates the 24-hour population necessary to support the diverse array of retail, dining, and entertainment options community members desire. A permanent population living downtown guarantees a constant customer base for downtown businesses and brings new stability to existing downtown restaurants and retail. Developing more housing downtown could help provide the ample foot traffic necessary to both support downtown’s existing businesses and create demand for options that residents want, like a small grocery store.

Unlike many towns of a similar size, Carrollton already features a number of upper-story apartments and downtown lofts. Growing the diversity of downtown housing options could help create an even more vibrant downtown hub. In conversations with community members during step one of the RSVP process, residents, industry leaders, and local developers cited the demand for housing at various income levels and saw a particular need for housing catering to young professional workers. These workers are critical to keeping Carrollton’s varied industries thriving, but all too many are being priced out of the market.

Just west of downtown, the University of West Georgia graduates approximately 3,000 students annually. Keeping even a small fraction of this educated workforce in town after graduation could yield tremendous economic benefits for the community. Above and beyond recent graduates, the university employs over 2,000 professors, faculty, and staff. In conversations with UWG faculty during step one of the Carrollton RSVP process, employees noted that most of this educated workforce must commute from surrounding communities due to the lack of attainable housing in Carrollton. Demand for housing is so great that a waitlist exists for faculty dorms.

Carrollton has a number of tools available to grow the quantity of housing available downtown. Options like townhomes, upper-story apartments, historic renovations, and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) could bring a more diverse housing supply to in-town neighborhoods. To address the demand for housing, Downtown Development Authorities in cities like Madison have successfully developed compact workforce housing that blends seamlessly with surrounding historic residences. While most of the easily developed land around downtown has been built on, a number of vacant lots remain in residential areas surrounding downtown. Local leaders should work with developers to help bring housing options to these properties. In conversations during step one of the RSVP process, local developers expressed a desire for clear building standards and incentives like reducing or eliminating tap fees to help encourage infill housing development in the area.

Many local developers and citizens may be unaware that the city approved a tax allocation district (TAD) earlier this year. TADs offer Georgia cities the gold standard of economic development incentives. A TAD redirects property tax revenues to invest these funds directly in the improvement of a specified area. Carrollton’s TAD comprises the entire downtown area, Maple Street, and surrounding corridors.

Local leaders rightly view the TAD as a visionary tool to enhance downtown and the surrounding area. According to the plan approved by the city, Carrollton’s TAD will encourage redevelopment of “outmoded, suburban mall and highwayoriented commercial land uses” to bring new life and vitality to the area surrounding downtown. Carrollton’s local leaders and citizens deserve accolades for approving this transformational tool. This incentive, more than any other, will pay dividends for downtown and bring the vibrant, walkable downtown development residents wish for.

With tools like Carrollton’s TAD, developers have the potential to build the vibrant downtown infill and housing options the community desires. To realize this vision, the local government must ensure that the city’s regulations allow for the type of downtown development residents seek. Carrollton’s code and vision must be aligned to make its residents’ desired future a reality. Local leaders should carefully review requirements like parking minimums within the downtown area. Other communities have successfully attracted desirable downtown mixed-use development through the use of in-lieu fees. Rather than requiring parking spaces at new development, these modest fees allow developers to count nearby public parking spaces and on-street parking downtown, maximizing the available land for tax-paying businesses and housing while helping create more walkable new development.

Larger publicly owned properties, including the approximately 2.5 acres at the prominent corner of US-27 and Alabama Street, offer prime locations for mixed-use infill development. The fine-grained mix of uses seen at Adamson Square helps explain why this space is an active and inviting destination. In a mixed-use downtown area, a nearly limitless variety of retail, office, and service uses may harmoniously occupy the same stretch of pavement. Above these ground floor destinations, lofts and upper-story residences give 24-hour life and a consistent supply of foot traffic for downtown businesses. These uses feed off of one another and work to create a more vibrant and economically resilient area. Mixed-use infill housing that takes advantage of vacant lots and underused in-town properties has tremendous potential for filling voids at the edges of downtown Carrollton and boosting the overall vitality of the area. Leasable ground floor spaces on mixed-use buildings would also offer new locations to expand the variety of downtown business and entertainment options. Attracting new mixed-use development and increasing the downtown housing supply would encourage more residents to live within convenient walking distance of shops, restaurants, and amenities in the heart of the city. This proximity would reduce vehicle trips, expand foot traffic, and create a more vibrant downtown area.

The renderings and plans that follow are intended to assist local developers and community members in visualizing potential mixed-use development scenarios on specific downtown parcels. Any development that occurs at the highlighted sites will likely vary significantly based on various factors, including zoning regulations, market demand, and budget constraints. These concepts merely seek to show how vibrant, mixed-use development could take shape on properties around downtown.

CONCEPTUAL INFILL DESIGN

There are many possibilities for transforming the US-27 and Alabama Street corner into a vibrant gateway for downtown Carrollton. This concept showcases the right elements for infill design.

Until a few years ago, the corner of US-27 and Alabama Street housed a handful of auto-centric businesses and drive-throughs. Beginning in 2020, the local government acquired and cleared this approximately 240-by-530 foot block. With an average daily traffic count of 24,800 along this segment of US-27, this prominent site could hold potential as a marquee infill development and gateway to bustling downtown Carrollton. A recent mixed-use development and downtown hotel in Gainesville, Georgia, inspired the conceptual plan for the site below. For comparison, E.E. Butler Parkway adjacent to that development has a traffic count of 25,900.

This concept includes a potential multi-story hotel, conference center, and infill housing development. The northern mixed-use concept could incorporate much-needed downtown housing in addition to desired community resources like a compact grocery or conference space. The buildings in this concept are shown connected with an internal parking deck capped with a rooftop pool and guest patio. The parking deck is shown with vehicular entries along both Cliff Street and Johnson Avenue for easy access. New streetscaping, including generous 12-foot sidewalks, 15-foot and larger landscaped tree lawns, lush plantings of large-canopy street trees, and 53 new onstreet parking spaces give this development a distinctly downtown ambiance.

Existing

This concept provides a template for developers interested in transforming this prominent site as well as other automotive centric properties along US-27 adjacent to the downtown.

These bird’s eye renderings illustrate what a model mixed-use infill building could look like on the corner of US-27 and Alabama Street. Development at this marquee corner should serve the community and contribute to a vibrant and active downtown. The zero-lot-line development illustrated here follows typical best practices for downtown infill development, including active storefront retail with plenty of windows, wide sidewalks that can accommodate café tables, and hidden internal parking. Any development that occurs at this prominent corner should incorporate the features the community desires, including vibrant first-floor retail and café spaces, upper-story residences, and even upper-floor entertainment areas.

This perspective shows how the front façade of a downtown hotel could appear along Alabama Street.

These views along Cliff Street show how a proposed mixed-use development could incorporate elements like internal parking and ground floor retail space.

A mixed-use development of this scale could include amenities like this pet relief area.

These concepts show the striking views of the dramatic rooftop pool and restaurant featured in this design. Similar offerings could bring a whole new level of entertainment to downtown Carrollton.

*Lumion is a computer program for realistic rendering and simulation of architectural designs.

THIS HISTORIC IMAGE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA’S BENJAMIN LONG PHOTO COLLECTION SHOWS THE BUILDING THAT ONCE OCCUPIED THIS PROMINENT CORNER.

GATEWAY TO CARROLLTON’S BUSTLING ADAMSON SQUARE

PROPOSED

Inspired by a building in Atlanta’s Glenwood Park neighborhood, this concept brings a multi-story infill development to the underutilized surface parking lot at the bank. The wide sidewalks and street trees shown could make exploring downtown on foot more enjoyable.

The busy intersection of Alabama Street and Maple Street serves as a gateway to Carrollton’s bustling Adamson Square. Underused parking lots currently dominate much of this area.

Existing

REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

PROPOSED, OPTION I

This concept shows the city/county-owned former mill building and adjacent public parking area as the site of an active downtown mixed-use infill development. A new east-west road following existing city-owned right-of-way further connects this new development while enhancing Carrollton’s street network. This design relocates the five parallel spaces in front of the mill building to create an expansive sidewalk and outdoor seating area facing Bradley Street. A new three- or four-story mixed-use building on the southern end of the site could bring new live-work-play opportunities downtown.

PROPOSED, OPTION II

Throughout Step One of the RSVP process, many residents cited structural issues that may prevent the restoration of the historic mill building along Bradley Street. This redevelopment concept transforms the parking area and former mill along Bradley Street into an active neo-traditional development if the building isn't able to be adaptively reused. Anchored by two multi-story mixed-use buildings, this concept could bring new life and activity to this area of downtown. This concept is shown ringed with wide sidewalks to improve pedestrian connectivity. While the existing parking area includes approximately 126 parking spaces with an additional 11 onstreet spaces, this concept shows 149 parking spaces interspersed throughout the development. An additional 14 angled on-street spaces along Bradley Street help augment these spaces. In total, this concept shows 163 new parking spaces to replace to 137 lost in the redevelopment of the existing parking area.

Proposed, Option II

Proposed, Option I

POTENTIAL FUTURE FOR THE HISTORIC MILL SPACE

PROPOSED

OPTION I: This design shows the former mill as the site of multiple small businesses in addition to the quilt museum. A new east-west connector street adjacent to the mill building connects this development to the surrounding neighborhood.

EXISTING: This view shows the public parking area and former mill building. Owned by the local government, this large warehouse includes the Southeastern Quilt & Textile Museum and a few offices, but most of the area is used for storage.

PROPOSED

OPTION II: If the historic mill cannot be preserved, this design shows two mixed-use buildings occupying the site. Large storefront windows on the ground floor invite patrons to walk in and explore these first-floor retail, office, and restaurant spaces. Wide sidewalks with large-canopy street trees make exploring this development on foot enjoyable. Using timeless materials like brick with appropriately-scaled windows, doors, and other features allow these buildings to blend in to the fabric of downtown. Either of these large buildings could easily house the relocated Southeastern Quilt & Textile Museum in addition to new businesses and downtown residences.

Proposed, Option II

Proposed, Option I

EXPLORING OPTIONS FOR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT IN DOWNTOWN CARROLLTON

EXISTING: The former mill housing the Southeastern Quilt & Textile Museum was a popular topic in public input meetings with local residents. Many noted that the largely vacant space is underused and that the building features a number of structural issues that limit renovation.

Existing

PROPOSED

If the historic mill cannot be saved, this design shows a new mixed-use building occupying the northern half of this site. The protected 10-foot bike lane in the foreground could serve as a downtown extension of the Carrollton GreenBelt.

Proposed

MILL STREET IMPROVEMENTS

EXISTING: Just north of the quilt museum, Mill Street serves as an east-west connector between Bradley Street and Tanner Street downtown. Despite being only two blocks from the square, this area lacks consistent sidewalks and feels neglected.

Existing

PROPOSED

This design extends continuous sidewalks along either side of Mill Street. The government-owned former mill complex is shown with additional tenants to make full use of this publicly-owned building. Businesses such as those shown could bring more activity to downtown side streets.

Proposed

APPROACH to INFILL Fresh ª

Simple tools are available to guide successful infill development of vacant and underused lots downtown, a common issue brought up in public input sessions with local residents. The FRESH method can be applied to any potential future infill development. Developed by Pratt Cassity, former director of the Center for Community Design and Preservation at the University of Georgia’s College of Environment and Design, the FRESH method ensures that future infill development is compatible with adjacent buildings.

Important considerations like scale, height, materials, shape, orientation, rhythm, mass-void proportion, and texture are all essential elements of new developments that feel in harmony with surrounding buildings. The FRESH method helps to break down these elements in a simple formula for new development in downtown. Following all five elements of the FRESH method ensures that new development will be cohesive and complementary to surrounding structures, regardless of the architectural style of the new construction:

FRESH METHOD: FIVE ELEMENTS

APPROACH INFILL

APPROACH to INFILL Fresh ª

1. FOOTPRINT: The outline of a building as seen from above

APPROACH to Fresh ª

• The footprints of new structures should be similar to the footprints of surrounding and adjacent buildings.

• New buildings should respect the established setback line and generally should not protrude from it.

• The orientation of the proposed building should align with adjacent buildings.

APPROACH to INFILL Fresh ª

2. ROOFLINE: The profile of or silhouette made by a roof or series of roofs

APPROACH to INFILL Fresh ª

• The roofs of new buildings should be consistent with the pitch, complexity, and orientation of existing adjacent roofs.

3. ENVELOPE: The outside shape or form of a building

• New infill buildings should maintain a similar size, spacing, and massing to nearby historic buildings.

APPROACH INFILL Fresh ª

• If the infill area is significantly wide, consider a series of bays.

• New infill on corner lots should address the corner.

APPROACH to INFILL Fresh ª

4. SKIN: Materials used on a building’s façade

• New structures should be clad in visually and physically similar materials.

APPROACH to INFILL Fresh ª

• New infill façade construction should be of similar materials and colors but should not imitate features of historic styles.

APPROACH to Fresh ª

• Use building materials that have a texture, pattern, and scale similar to existing structures in the district.

5. HOLES: Doors, windows, and other openings

• Holes should mimic the style and pattern of openings used on surrounding structures.

• The size and proportion of the holes should mimic those of surrounding buildings.

APPROACH to INFILL Fresh ª

• Holes should maintain the rhythm established by adjacent buildings.

APPROACH to INFILL Fresh ª

Residents

all over Carroll County see Adamson Square and downtown as the community’s living room. The dedicated public investments made downtown over the past two decades have elevated downtown Carrollton to the go-to regional destination for the arts, culture, entertainment, and

more.

Attractions like the Amp, arts center, depot, and quilt museum draw visitors from across the region and beyond for regular events and programming. Over a nine-month period in 2023, the city hosted an astounding 69 public events, including 16 concerts at the Amp, popular annual festivals like MayFest, movie screenings, night markets, and more. The city’s many public events represent a tremendous investment of time, energy, and resources. These programs complement and bring additional foot traffic to the beloved variety of family-owned small businesses and restaurants downtown. To create the entertainment options residents want, local leaders see the need for the private sector to pick up where the public sector stops. Entertainment offerings like live music could easily complement many downtown restaurants and bars. Events like movie screenings and sports broadcasts, book and record launches, trivia and board game nights, dancing, and more could all bring more consistent entertainment downtown. Offerings as simple as cornhole or checkers outside of businesses could encourage visitors to wait a little longer for a dinner reservation and spend more time (and money) downtown. By attracting a more diverse variety of family-friendly entertainment, business owners can help downtown Carrollton become an even more engaging destination for all residents.

The sheer variety of unique retail options downtown, including two book stores, a record shop, multiple apparel boutiques, an upscale resale furniture shop, art studios, beauty salons, jewelry stores, and more, makes Carrollton an unrivaled small-town shopping destination. These dedicated local merchants provide an eclectic array of offerings unavailable in many larger cities. Combined with diverse shopping, the vibrant restaurants, coffee houses, bars, and the local breweries make downtown Carrollton the place in the region for a

great meal and a night on the town. Local residents praised these elements and recognized that the city’s diverse retail and dining options make downtown a community destination. At the same time, many would like to see an even broader variety of these options. Many locals emphasized that entertainment offerings could be expanded downtown. Residents particularly felt that downtown lacks entertainment for young professionals beyond the bar scene and young families outside of programmed events.

In discussions with local business leaders during step one of the RSVP process, many noted that attracting and retaining young employees can be challenging. While the availability of housing plays a major role in this issue, it is also broadly true that younger workers generally favor walkable areas with plenty of dining and entertainment options. With easy access to the city’s GreenBelt network and a thriving downtown, Carrollton should be more of a destination for young adults. According to a study by the Segmentation Company, 64% of college-educated young adults first choose where to live,

then where to work. Providing the type of environment and entertainment younger workers and early families desire could help support the local economy and preserve the qualities that make downtown Carrollton the unique community destination it is.

Participants in focus groups and interviews frequently suggested specific activities or businesses they would like to see downtown, including bowling, live music, an arcade, ax throwing, movie theaters, rooftop activities, cornhole, and more. Existing businesses could accommodate many of these offerings. Large, intensively programmed spaces like a bowling alley would likely be better suited elsewhere in town.

Concepts included elsewhere in this document, including expanded recreation options at the Amp and mixed-use developments with additional space for downtown restaurants and retail, will help to address the desire for “more to do” downtown. Other designs, included in this section, help visualize an even more engaging downtown destination for all residents.

Many of these concepts also extend public art downtown. Local residents rightly see Carrollton as a community that values arts and culture. In conversations with community members, many also mentioned that younger residents travel downtown to take pictures at existing murals and landmarks. Carrollton should see every blank wall as a potential canvas to extend the city’s creative, youthful atmosphere throughout downtown. Concentrating public art improvements around the existing arts center could help encourage more foot traffic away from the square and cultivate the ambiance of a thriving arts district, further elevating Carrollton's image as a vibrant cultural destination. The activity generated by downtown Carrollton’s thriving local businesses and the successful public investments made over the past few years have extended growth and

activity down the corridors radiating from the square. In just the past few months, a new coffee shop has opened on Bradley Street. Just down the street, Crafty Rabbit Meadery will soon open in a long-vacant former warehouse adjacent to the downtown terminus of the GreenBelt. Coupled with public investments like the Depot, public parking areas, sidewalks, and the GreenBelt, this new wave of growth extending down Bradley Street will further connect and integrate the area around Turner Park with downtown. As downtown expands, this beautifully landscaped and roughly 20-acre green space will grow in importance as a prime in-town park. The space could likely accommodate additional recreation and entertainment options, including a dog park and play areas, to create an active destination for a more diverse array of local residents.

Downtown Carrollton includes a rich tapestry of arts, dining, and unique shops. The artistic spirt of Carrollton citizens fills every wall and corner with creativity. This city’s vibrant and artistic culture shapes downtown’s lively present and inspiring future—a downtown where each step tells a story, and every small business is a cherished element in Carrollton's unique charm.

BRINGING ACTIVITY TO UNDERUTILIZED BUILDINGS

This underused building is in the heart of downtown along City Hall Avenue. Inappropriate alterations made to this structure over the years do not enhance the building’s features.

PROPOSED

This rendering shows proposed changes to the building and City Hall Avenue streetscape. The ground floor spaces are shown as artist studios that serve dual purposes as combination studio spaces and storefront galleries. The rendering shows façade improvements and signage for the entrances to these studio spaces. The entrance to Robinson Karate has been updated to increase parking, improve accessibility, and better match the aesthetic of the building. A large mural of a dragon and the business name could become an instant landmark. Street trees are shown in the parking area and near the sidewalk. The rendering shows a widened sidewalk to allow for more foot traffic, and street parking has been moved further down the street and reconfigured as angled spaces. The existing “Smith Bros.” mural is left as-is to pay homage to the building’s past.

Proposed

Existing

PROPOSED

This rendering shows what this building could look like as a music venue. The roll-up door and ramp make for an inviting and accessible entrance, beckoning anyone walking by to come in and explore. The wooden addition is shown with the walls removed to make a covered deck or patio. A mural painted on the left side of the building announces the venue name. Outdoor lighting and colorful lights help make patrons feel safe visiting at night.

This photo below shows the rear of the former Burson Feed and Seed building. The loading dock and rollup door make for an interesting entrance that could complement future reuse of this historic building.

Proposed

Existing

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVITY

EXISTING: This utilitarian corner of the parking deck across from the arts center would usually be overlooked, if not hidden entirely. Instead of an eyesore, this area could be an opportunity for creativity.

Existing

HIGHLIGHTING THE CLOCK TOWER

EXISTING: The clock tower on the corner of this parking deck makes a nice landmark and focal point but fails to make the deck itself much more inviting.

PROPOSED: Bright, cheerful colors bring life and joy to this overlooked corner. Small gestures like this creative touch make people feel like someone cares about the place and their experience in it.

PROPOSED: This rendering shows the same view with additional lighting including string lights in the nearby tree. The clock tower’s usually dark windows have an inviting glow. The clock face also has a warmer, friendlier color, a change easily made by using different bulbs.

Proposed

I HEART CARROLLTON SCULPTURE

EXISTING: Taken from Cliff Street, this image shows the vacant city-owned property along US-27. Local leaders have identified this lot as the site of future mixed-use infill development.

Existing

EVENT PROMOTION

EXISTING: The concrete tower above the arts center fades into the background and goes unnoticed by most. However, the blank, light-colored wall creates a perfect canvas for projecting images.

Existing

Proposed

PROPOSED: This concept shows the formerly vacant lot transformed into a vibrant mixed-use development. The plaza in the foreground includes a large “I heart Carrollton” sculpture ideal for taking photos with friends. Movable Adirondack chairs in Carrollton green visually tie these elements to the city’s brand.

Proposed

PROPOSED:This rendering shows a projection advertising the Concerts at the Amp series. A bright, animated projection at night would draw the attention of many visitors and residents and help promote the wide diversity of existing events to more residents and visitors.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVITY

EXISTING: Each of Adamson Square’s four quads features a similar configuration of benches and trees. Benches are a classic streetscape element but do not allow for larger groups or alternative configurations.

PROPOSED: This rendering shows permeable mats around the existing trees, which allow people to use more of the available space. Moveable Adirondack chairs also let people choose whether to sit in the sun or shade and adjust for different group sizes. String lights are more pleasant and inviting than floodlights, but they are still bright enough to create a feeling of security at night. Cheerful murals also activate the space during the day. The tiger illustration by Jillian Tamaki is used for example purposes only.

EXISTING: The wall of Sprinkles Donuts along Newnan Street marks the entrance to downtown for many visitors. A large, white wall presents an excellent opportunity for a gateway mural.

PROPOSED: This rendering shows a proposed mural design that takes inspiration from the Sprinkles logo. The mural advertises the business while also signaling arrival to downtown Carrollton.

Proposed

Proposed

Existing

Existing

THESE LOW-COST, DIY OUTDOOR GAMES ARE A GREAT WAY TO ACTIVATE PUBLIC SPACE AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SPEND TIME OUTSIDE.

A combination of effective leadership, proactive public investment, civicminded local industries, engaged local business owners, and an overall commitment to creating a great community have made downtown Carrollton a true success story.

PlaceKeeping

Public investments like the Carrollton Center for the Arts, Barnes Avenue and Newnan Street parking decks, the Carrollton Depot, downtown hotel, GreenBelt, and the amphitheater, have transformed this once sleepy downtown into a regional destination. These projects, coupled with private sector investments, have made downtown Carrollton into the vibrant heart of the surrounding community.

Amid this progress, the small, locally-owned businesses that define downtown’s unique atmosphere face challenges on the horizon. As downtown growth accelerates, local leaders must once again take a proactive role to preserve the qualities that residents love about Carrollton. An unfortunate trend has occurred alongside the revival of downtowns in cities like Athens, Decatur, Savannah, and others. As growth has returned to these downtowns, rising rents and development pressure have priced out small, locally-owned businesses that once lent these downtowns their unique character. Often, national chains that lack the distinct character and personal touch of local businesses displace them.

Carrollton’s unique local businesses are an undeniable element of downtown’s sense of place. Practicing “placekeeping” can help inform downtown development in a way that preserves the qualities that make downtown special. Placekeeping celebrates the cultural ties, built environment, and social fabric of a place while empowering local citizens to maintain their way of life. With this in mind, the local government, Downtown Redevelopment Authority, and allied institutions should see any vacant or underperforming downtown spaces as a way to sustain local arts, entertainment, and small businesses. Strategically acquiring key properties could preserve leasable space for locally-owned small businesses. Entities like the Downtown Redevelopment Authority could make space available in these locations at affordable rates for local businesses. This proactive approach aligns with Carrollton's commitment to preserve local quality of life, ensuring that this “altogether original” downtown endures for generations to come.

Through the determined efforts of Carrollton’s proactive leadership and engaged business owners, local citizens and public officials have already begun to enact the vision for the future outlined in the Carrollton RSVP.

Even before the conclusion of this planning process, local officials stepped up to improve downtown by investing in upgrades to the Amp and the streets surrounding it, installing a sophisticated parklet with outdoor seating along Bradley Street, and adding features that allow closure of Adamson Square for events. Additionally, noteworthy city accomplishments include the creation of the Tax Allocation District (TAD) and the issuing of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for redevelopment at US-27 and Alabama Street. Through the hard work and perseverance of Carrollton’s mayor, council, city manager, and dedicated staff members, the city stands ready to move on many of the recommendations of the plan. Momentum exists to move forward with projects such as installing a new mid-block crosswalk to improve pedestrian safety at the Amp, reconfiguring traffic signals at Adamson Square, improving the public parking area on Rome Street, adding new street trees throughout downtown, enhancing lighting at Adamson Square, and more. These initiatives, already in motion, are the stepping stones to an even brighter future.

completed

• Amp Alley received significant upgrades including bollards, road closure, installation of Paveway Systems brick texture surface, a crosswalk, and inviting café lighting.

• City staff added an HVAC system to restroom facilities at the Amp.

• Local crews modified and improved the dumpster enclosure at the Amp.

• City crews restriped Wagon Yard Plaza adjacent to the Amp to clearly indicate on-street parking areas.

• Carrollton officials modified grease bin regulations to encourage cleaner waste disposal.

• The addition of new bollards with chains allows Adamson Square to close for events.

• City staff members partnered with a local business to install a parklet with landscape boxes and seating on Bradley Street.

• City leaders developed and issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a developer for a mixed-use complex on the corner of Alabama Street and US-27.

• City staff submitted a grant proposal to fund new landscaping along US-27.

Carrollton RSVP Top Implementation Items

Among other great assets, Carrollton possesses the dedicated local leadership and engaged community necessary to make the vision outlined in this plan a reality. Carrollton’s mayor, council, city manager, and dedicated staff have expressed a strong commitment to implementing the community priorities outlined in this planning process.

As the Steering Committee developed the RSVP and made recommendations, local officials met to determine how best to fulfill this community vision for downtown. Carrollton leaders developed the following list of top implementation items from the downtown plan. While working toward all of these goals will take time and money, many of these improvements are already underway and several action items should be completed within a year. By breaking down the long-term vision outlined in the Carrollton RSVP into achievable short-term action items, city leaders can continue to realize the boundless potential of this incredible community.

IN PROGRESS

• Install a mid-block crosswalk on Bradley Street at Presbyterian Avenue.

• Alter signalization on Adamson Square to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

• Upgrade mosaic benches at the Carrollton Center for the Arts.

• Enliven the blank walls of the Amp restrooms with a music-themed local mural.

• Establish new street trees throughout downtown.

• Reconfigure and beautify the Rome Street parking area with more efficient striping and plantings.

• Proceed with grant proposal for stormwater improvements and streetscaping downtown.

• Upgrade power grid at Adamson Square to accommodate roof lighting and speakers.

• Reconfigure the intersection at Alabama Street and Barnes Avenue to allow left turns and improve access to the Barnes Avenue parking deck.

Carrollton RSVP Top Implementation Items

planned

• Extend one-way traffic down Presbyterian Avenue to simplify traffic patterns, add on-street parking, sidewalks, and street trees.

• Continue one-way traffic down Wagon Yard Plaza to eliminate confusing traffic pattern.

• Beautify the back-of-house area facing the Amp.

• Establish clear loading zones for businesses on all sides of Adamson Square.

• Continue investing in public art downtown.

• Install wayfinding signage directing visitors to downtown parking decks, surface lots, and the GreenBelt.

Carrollton’s vibrant downtown stands as a testament to the power of community-driven progress. Long a sleepy mill town, the vibrant and diverse city taking shape today rises to the outsized ambition of Carrollton’s founders.

As Carrollton navigates the challenges of growth, local leaders are committed to preserving the city’s unique character and quality of life. Carrollton’s leaders are not just shaping downtown’s future, they are nurturing a legacy. In every new accomplishment, every street tree planted, every small business expanded, the vision of Carrollton residents becomes more tangible, and the legacy left to the next generation of Carrollton residents grows stronger. Carrollton’s journey continues, guided by the shared belief that this remarkable town will only grow better with each passing day.

Carrollton RSVP Top Implementation Items

Carrollton's journey continues...

Carrollton

RENAISSANCE STRATEGIC VISION AND PLAN