Downtown Visioning and Design
A GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE FELLOWSHIP PROJECT
Background Photo Credit: 1936,
2022 Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellow
GARRISON TAYLOR
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TABLE OF CONTENTS THE GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE FELLOWSHIP 5 OUR PARTNERSCorneliaDowntown Development Authority .................................................................. 6 Georgia Municipal Association 6 Georgia Cities Foundation 7 Carl Vinson Institute of Government .................................................................................... 7 UGA College of Environment + Design ............................................................................... 7 INTRODUCTION TO CORNELIA 9 PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT........................................................................................................... 11 SCOPE OF WORK 13 DESIGN CONCEPTS .....................................................................................................................................15 StreetscapeSidewalkDesignsInventory 17-18 Wyly Street Sidewalk Extension 18-21 Highway 441 Trail .................................................................................................................... 22-23 Hodges Street Streetscape Plan ....................................................................................24-25 Mud Creek Greenway 26-27 Mini Storage Building 28-29 Corner of Stoval St. and Clarkesville St. ...................................................................... 30-31 Apple Tree Alley Improvements ..................................................................................... 32-39 Level Grove Road Retaining Wall Mural 40-41 Cornelia City Hall History Walk 42-43 Infill DevelopmentWellsandIrvin Street...........................................................................................................44-47 Habersham Hardware Warehouses 48-55 Greenway Multifamily Complex 56-57 Cornelia Motors Event Venue and Mud Creek Amphitheater....................... 58-71 CORNELIA | 2022 | A Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellowship Project PAGE 3
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Following a competitive selection process, graduate-level student fellows are selected for their design and communication skills as well as overall commitment to community design. Throughout the 12-week program, Renaissance Fellows work directly with their partner city, producing renderings and plans collaboratively in a studio environment at UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Fellows hone their designs and planning expertise under the direction of four full-time design and planning staff. With backgrounds ranging from historic preservation and landscape architecture to graphic design, these experts help guide the creation of professional-level plans and renderings produced by student fellows during the program.
A component of the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership, the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellowship pairs emerging design professionals from the University of Georgia College of Environment + Design with local governments to enhance downtown development in communities across Georgia.
THE GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE FELLOWSHIP
City of Cornelia was selected as one of two communities to take part in the 2022 Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellowship. Partner cities are selected based on the criteria of strong local leadership, community commitment, and fiscal readiness to act on projects.
Garrison Taylor, a graduate student studying landscape architecture at UGA’s College of Environment + Design, worked directly with Jessie Owensby and the Cornelia Downtown Development Authority to address specific design opportunities in Cornelia. Taylor incorporated local priorities to create design solutions and develop a vision for several key locations downtown. This project had three primary goals: to create design concepts for potential infill developments, to develop a site plan for an event space at the former Cornelia Motors site, and to create design concepts to improve downtown parking and the visitor experience through expanded streetscaping.
Since 2013, the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellows have assisted 25 communities throughout the state. With the assistance of the Georgia Municipal Association and the Georgia Cities Foundation, the
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, Downtown Renaissance Fellow, Summer 2022
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Eleonora Machado, Creative Design Specialist
GEORGIA ASSOCIATIONMUNICIPAL
CORNELIA DEVELOPMENTDOWNTOWNAUTHORITY
JessieDEVELOPMENTDOWNTOWNAUTHORITYOwensby , Community Development Director
Pam Sessions, President
T. Clark Stancil, Creative Design Specialist & Fellowship Coordinator
Karen DeVivo, Editor
Created in 1933, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) is the only state organization that represents municipal governments in Georgia.
CORNELIA
GarrisonENVIRONMENTOF+DESIGNTaylor
GEORGIA
CARL VINSON INSTITUTE OF DannyGOVERNMENTBivins , Senior Public Service Associate
The Cornelia Downtown Development Authority (CDDA) was created through a resolution from the Cornelia City Commission in 1982 and was reactivated in the summer of 2011 to further help with revitalization efforts in Cornelia. The primary goal of the CDDA is to revitalize and redevelop the Cornelia business district and to promote for the public good and general welfare, trade, commerce, industry, and employment opportunities by creating a climate favorable to commerce. The CDDA works diligently to promote, maintain, and enhance an economically viable downtown by focusing public and private resources on the fulfillment of downtown Cornelia’s potential for the benefit of the entire community.
UGA COLLEGE
Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization that provides legislative educational,advocacy,employee benefit, and technical consulting services to its members.
CindyASSOCIATIONMUNICIPALEidson , Director of Economic and Community Development
PARTNERS
Allison Krausman, Carl Vinson Institute Graduate Assistant, Summer 2022
Nick Riker, Carl Vinson Institute Graduate Assistant, Spring 2022
GEORGIA CITIES FOUNDATION
Chris Higdon, Community Development Manager
Kaitlin Messich, Public Service Associate
GMA’s mission is to anticipate and influence the forces shaping Georgia’s cities and to provide leadership, tools, and services that assist municipal governments in becoming more innovative, effective, and responsive.
Kelsey Broich, Creative Design Specialist
The University of Georgia’s College of Environment+ Design (CED) has been consistently ranked among the top schools in the nation for both undergraduate- and graduate-level landscape architecture. CED also provides nationally accredited, innovative, and demanding programs in historic preservation, urban planning and design, and environmental ethics. Students are challenged to explore their unique, individual interests and creatively problem-solve community issues in design charrettes. They also interact with clients, community organizations, and planning agencies. CED aims to connect its students with a large and accomplished alumni network as much as possible. Visiting professors, professionals, and lecturers provide frequent opportunities for students to network with and learn from renowned designers in a broad range of career options.
GEORGIA FOUNDATIONCITIES
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CARL VINSON INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT
For more than 90 years, the Institute of Government has informed, inspired, and innovated so that governments can be more efficient and responsive to citizens, address current and emerging challenges, and serve the public with excellence. From Georgia’s early days as a largely agrarian state with a modest population to its modern-day status as a national and international force in business, industry, and politics with a population of over 10.5 million, the Institute of Government has promoted excellence in government through technical assistance, training programs, applied research, and technology solutions.
The Georgia Cities Foundation was originally established in 1999 by the Georgia Municipal Association as a 501(c)(3) organization. In December 2010, the foundation was designated as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the US Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund. The foundation’s mission is to assist cities in their community and economic development efforts to revitalize and enhance underserved downtown areas by serving as a partner and facilitator in funding capital projects and by providing training and technical assistance.
UGA COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENT + DESIGN
The Big Red Apple monument stands on the railway depot grounds in downtown Cornelia.
In 1872, the Charlotte-Airline Railroad (later Southern Railway) cut through the old-growth forest surrounding Cornelia. A roadbed was cleared and graded, and tracks were laid from Gainesville to Toccoa. In 1882, the Blue Ridge and
Located in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, Cornelia is a picturesque small town surrounded by natural beauty. Cornelia’s 4,500 residents are drawn to the city’s strong quality of life, familyfriendly atmosphere, and abundant employment opportunities. With a bustling downtown, thriving commercial businesses, and a strong manufacturing base, Cornelia serves as a regional destination for business development and tourism.
The Big Red Apple monument stands on the railway depot grounds in downtown Cornelia. Honoring this long-time regional crop, the apple is 7 feet high and 22 feet in circumference and weighs 5,200 pounds. The apple is constructed of steel and concrete and was molded in Winchester, Virginia, in 1925. The apple stands on a concrete pedestal 8 feet high and 6 feet square at the base. The monument was donated by Southern Railway. Cornelia has since been touted as “The Home of the Big Red Apple.”
INTRODUCTION TO CORNELIA
Atlantic Railroad opened a line that extended northward from Cornelia to Clarkesville and Tallulah Falls. The Tallulah Railway, as it came to be called, carried passengers and freight from Cornelia to Franklin, North Carolina. Many of the passengers traveled through Cornelia to visit Tallulah Falls, a major turn-of-the-century attraction and one of the most scenic spots in the Southeast. The railway continued serving the area until after World War II when the line was discontinued.
Within the city limits, visitors will find numerous attractions, such as
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Cornelia was first settled around 1860. The city was situated near the old boundary line between the Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) tribes. At the close of the Civil War in 1865, the area where Cornelia is located was a typical mountain forest. The spot was so well secluded that a moonshine still was operated without interference in what is now the center of downtown.
ARailway.localbridge
A train car from the historic Tallulah
with a love note reading “Tim loves Tink,” which has existed is several variations since at least the 1960s.
the historic Cornelia Community House and the restored railroad depot in the center of town. The Chenocetah Tower is the last rockconstructed, working fire lookout tower in the East and has been preserved through a cooperative effort between the US Forest Service and local citizens’ groups. The Main Street Hometown Program sponsors festivals and summer concerts. In September, Cornelia hosts the Big Red Apple Festival, featuring crafts, specialty foods, entertainment of all kinds, and an antique car show. Every year ends with a “Christmas in the Park” light display drive through City Park that is free and open nightly throughout the month of December.
Visitors can enjoy the restored historic railroad depot in the center of town.
Today, downtown Cornelia is a center of activity and economic development. Residents and visitors of all ages and cultures are choosing to live, shop, and work downtown. The Cornelia Downtown Development Authority (CDDA) has played an active role in encouraging the revival of downtown Cornelia. In recent years, the city and CDDA have made significant investments in downtown infrastructure and development. Today, visitors to Cornelia can explore miles of paved sidewalk and trails linking downtown with the outer reaches of the city. Visitors and locals alike are drawn to Cornelia’s expanded downtown events, family-friendly atmosphere, unique spaces like Fender’s Alley, unforgettable dining options, and other great downtown attractions.
Cornelia‘s downtowndocumenttheDrivenintopraiseleadershipforward-thinkingandtheCDDAdeservefortransformingdowntownavibrantcommunityhub.bytheinputoflocalleaders,designsandconceptsinthishelptofurtherCornelia’srenaissance.
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This document helps visualize and conceptualize options for the future growth of downtown. The designs that follow respond to unique challenges and opportunities found in downtown Cornelia, including streetscape improvements and beautification throughout downtown. Developed with the assistance and oversight of Cornelia Community Development Director Jessie Owensby, the proposed designs rethink the relationship of downtown amenities and activity centers to the community. Together, these designs are intended to spur community development to enhance downtown Cornelia for its residents.
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In the summer of 2022, the City of Cornelia and the Cornelia Downtown Development Authority sought design assistance from UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The CDDA worked with Garrison Taylor of UGA’s College of Environment + Design to outline a vision to guide the future development of downtown Cornelia. Known as the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellowship, this design assistance was made available to Cornelia through a partnership between the CDDA, the Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia Cities Foundation, the UGA College of Environment + Design, and the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
Commercial strip along Hodges Street
PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT
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Habersham Hardware Warehouses
■Create one illustrative rendering of the dumpster enclosure.
■Create three renderings showing potential sidewalk improvements and additions.
■Develop a site plan illustrating the potential layout.
Cornelia Motors Event Space
Wells and Irvin Street Parking
Design Concepts for Infill Development
Streetscapes
■Create one illustrative rendering depicting the proposed use of the corner lot.
■Create one illustrative rendering of potential site usage.
Central Service Dumpster Area
■Develop a site plan of proposed dumpster enclosure.
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Wyly Street Sidewalk Extension
■Develop a site inventory of existing sidewalks along Wyly Street and proposed additions.
■Create two renderings showing potential uses for the warehouses.
Greenway Multifamily Complex
■Develop a site plan illustrating the site’s relationship to the adjacent park and a potential layout.
■Develop a site plan and AutoCAD basemap of proposed parking.
SCOPE OF WORK
■Create one rendering showing potential infill in context.
■Create one illustrative rendering of façade restoration.
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DESIGNDESIGNCONCEPTS
Historic downtown Cornelia features a variety of shopping and dining in locally owned businesses, a historic train depot, six beautiful parks, and the world famous “Big Red Apple.” Residential neighborhoods surround these downtown anchors just outside the downtown core. For the past several years, city leaders have worked hard to expand sidewalks and streetscaping to link downtown with surrounding residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. Continuing to invest in sidewalk expansion, streetscape beautification, and infill development could further connect the community, provide quality-oflife improvements, and enhance economic development efforts in the community. Some key corridors in downtown Cornelia currently emphasize vehicular travel. These areas present key opportunities to improve safety by expanding sidewalks, adding safe pedestrian crossings, and making other accessibility improvements to help establish an even more walkable and attractive downtown.
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SIDEWALK INVENTORY
Several corridors extending from downtown Cornelia are designed primarily for vehicular traffic. While portions of downtown Cornelia cater to pedestrian foot traffic, several areas have restricted access due to gaps along sidewalk networks. This map indicates where sidewalks currently exist and highlights opportunities to expand pedestrian access.
STREETSCAPES The following plans and destination.asenhancearethroughoutimprovementsThesedowntownthroughoutoverallpedestrianincreaseon-streetnewimprovementsshowrenderingsstreetscapelikesidewalksandparkingtoconnectivity,safety,andaccessibilityCornelia.streetscapedowntownenvisionedtotheareaacommunity CORNELIA | 2022 | A Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellowship Project PAGE 17
WYLY EXTENSIONSIDEWALKSTREET
Wyly Street is a major eastwest artery through Cornelia connecting South Main Street to Cornelia City Park. The following Wyly Street sidewalk extension proposals are designed to make pedestrian access safer by dedicating space for sidewalks, encouraging slower vehicular speeds, and separating pedestrians and traffic where possible. These concepts are intended to make walking more pleasant by filling in missing sections of sidewalks. Improvements like street trees and attractive streetscaping will also enhance the appearance of the corridor. The paving shown in these images matches the style of recent sidewalks installed by the city along Level Grove Road.
STREETSCAPES
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PROPOSED: This image shows concreteWylyimprovementsproposedtoStreet,addinganewsidewalkwithastamped-brickmotif.
EXISTING: This image shows the cornerconditionsexistingattheofWylyandLarkinstreets.ThesidewalkendsanddoesnotcontinueontoWyly,makingpedestrianaccessunpleasantanddangerous.
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EXISTING: This image was taken from an existing segment of sidewalk along Wyly Street between Oak Street and Summit Street. Beyond Summit Street, there is no sidewalk along the busy corridor.
PROPOSED: This rendering shows a crosswalk at Summit Street and a sidewalk extension along Wyly Street.
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EXISTING: Approaching Cornelia City Park along Wyly Street, no sidewalk exists along this portion of the corridor.
PROPOSED: This rendering shows a sidewalk along Wyly Street and street trees to provide shade and create a buffer between pedestrians and the busy road. The trees shown are Forest Pansy redbuds, a native cultivar well suited to planting along city streets.
EXISTING: The trail along the old Highway 441 stops after Midway Station shopping center. Completing this connection could help tie this growing area to downtown. TRAIL
STREETSCAPES HIGHWAY 441
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PROPOSED: This rendering shows the proposed continuation of the rail-trail with a rain garden in the drainage ditch.
STREETSCAPES
PLANSTREETSCAPESTREETHODGES
EXISTING: Hodges Street’s existing severalandincludeconditionslimitedstreetparkingnosidewalksalongthenorthside,whichholdsprominentbusinesses.
Hodges Street is another important east-west artery through downtown Cornelia. The plan for this street increases access to prominent businesses by expanding on-street parking and streetscaping westward toward Level Grove Road and the Mud Creek Greenway. Expanding streetscaping and street tree plantings extends the look and feel of downtown westward, encouraging visitors to park further down the street and walk to downtown businesses and destinations. Expanding these features westward could help encourage future development in keeping with the scale and style of downtown.
PROPOSED: This rendered plan shows the sidewalk extended to connect to the greenway as well as new parking,formalizedcrosswalks,streetandaddedstreettrees.
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Mud Creek runs through and under downtown Cornelia. The proposed sidewalk extension down Hodges Street would connect to the existing, unpaved greenway path. Paving the greenway path could make this resource more accessible and inviting. The greenway could connect to the proposed multifamily development along Ivie Street shown later in this document.
EXISTING: This photo shows the unpavedgreenwaycornerconditionsexistingattheofHodgesStreetandLevelGroveRoad.Thepathisandfairlydifficulttosee.Thesignisfarfromtheroad,andthesitehaslittleshade.
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STREETSCAPES MUD GREENWAYCREEK
PROPOSED: This rendering shows proposed topath,includingchanges,apavedsignagecloserthepathentrance,shadetrees,andaplantingbedattheentrance.
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MINI BUILDINGSTORAGE
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STREETSCAPES
The Mini Storage building sits on an important pedestrian route between Hodges Street and Irvin Street. This area offers the potential to capitalize on existing pedestrian traffic while helping encourage Cornelians to start small businesses. Turning half of the storage units into micro-business incubators could create a launching pad for new businesses and address the need for leasable space downtown.
EXISTING: The conditionsexistingat the mini storage facility just west of downtown include a gravel lot, asphalt,damagedandalackofshade.
This rendering shows a proposed use of the Mini Storage building. Half of the units remain storage, while the other half house micro-business incubators. This concept shows a restroom, patio, and street trees, as well as some cosmetic updates to the building. The apple motif shown was designed by Orla Kiely.
PROPOSED:
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PROPOSED:
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STREETSCAPES CORNER LOT
This plan shows a 68-space surface parking lot lined with shade trees to help alleviate the demand for downtown parking. An additional dumpster enclosure could help service businesses on the eastern end of downtown.
EXISTING: This aerial view showstheconditionsexistingatcornerlot.
The owner of the property at the corner of Stovall Street and Clarkesville Street allows this space to be used as occasional overflow parking for downtown events. Otherwise this space sits empty for most of the year. There is potential to use this area for permanent public parking downtown. An additional service area on this site could also serve nearby downtown businesses.
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Following significant recent improvements, Apple Tree Alley serves as an important and attractive rear public parking lot, service area, and gathering place behind downtown businesses. In 2021, the area underwent a major overhaul that included relocating power lines, expanding sidewalks, reconfiguring parking, and more. This area now provides an essential service to downtown business owners and visitors. Through elements like string lighting and custom-made Cornelia bike racks, this area reflects local character and leaves an impression on visitors. The following designs show additional improvements to further enhance this downtown resource.
STREETSCAPES APPLE TREE ALLEY PARKING
PROPOSED: Using larger-canopy trees in the existing beds of this recently reconfigured parking lot maximizes the potential of these features. Willow oaks would create a nice shade canopy in the parking lot, while muhly grass adds a pop of color and texture to the bed.
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EXISTING: The Apple Tree Alley parking lot behind Bigg Daddy’s was recently redone to incorporate large planting beds.
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PLAN: This site plan shows the proposed dumpster enclosure in Apple Tree Alley. A secondary enclosure on the eastern end of the site would provide easy pickup access and create a convenient disposal area for businesses on the east side of downtown.
EXISTING: This image shows the central service area at the end of Wells experience.attractiveasensefeaturestheseConcentratingStreet.necessarymakestoencouragewelcomingandvisitor
STREETSCAPES
The central service area in Apple Tree Alley includes four dumpsters and two used–cooking oil disposal containers. Concentrating these essential services in one location makes sense for downtown business owners, makes waste pickup more efficient, and improves the visitor experience. Currently, the dumpsters are not enclosed, and there is a steep drop-off directly behind the designated dumpster area. The designated area is also constrained by curbs on both sides, making it difficult for trucks to service the area. Dumpsters are often left outside of the designated area and at an angle to make service easier, which also places the dumpsters off the concrete pad and dangerously near the slope. An enclosure that could be easily accessed by service trucks would accommodate a maximum of two dumpsters and the cooking oil disposal containers. Moving two of the dumpsters to a secondary service enclosure could relieve congestion in this area and provide a more convenient location for other downtown businesses.
PROPOSED: This design shows two large dumpsters and a grease trap enclosed behind an attractive conceptenclosure.steelThisincludesanexampleofthecity’siconic“BigRedApple.”
APPLE TREE ALLEY CENTRAL DUMPSTERSERVICEAREA
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EXISTING
STREETSCAPES CORNER OF APPLE TREE ALLEY STREETNORTHANDMAIN
Apple Tree Alley is an important access point to downtown businesses. This corner is the most visible from North Main Street, and the lowerlevel business is currently vacant.
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PROPOSED: This rendering shows the popular local destination Raspas El Tigre relocated to this downtown location. The gray paint has been covered to better match the surrounding brick. The back wall features a tiger mural, and these concepts include two options for a welcome mural facing North Main Street: apples leading to the Big Red Apple or a map of the city.
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STREETSCAPES CORNER PLAZA
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Due to the lack of a high curb at this corner plaza in Apple Tree Alley, vehicles often park in this area designed for pedestrians. The following designs aim to discourage these potentially dangerous parking habits and increase the usability and comfort of the plaza and parking spaces.
PROPOSED: If city leaders think bollards are a good choice for this area, these features could take the form of a big red apple, enhancingsenseCornelia’sofplace.
PROPOSED,OPTIONII: Food Truck
EXISTING: Although designed for pedestrians, this plaza space behind 150 Wells Street is often used for parking.
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EXISTING: The recently installed retaining wall on Level Grove Road creates a perfect space for a mural directing drivers downtown.
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PROPOSED,OPTIONIII: This downcharactersshowsmuralwhimsicalconceptfunapplerunningatreebranch,leadingvisitorstowarddowntown.
PROPOSED: This mural option takes elements from the city logo and creates an arrow out of the train tracks. “Let the tracks lead you here,” the city’s slogan, takes a prominent position on the wall.
STREETSCAPES
WALL MURAL
OPTIONPROPOSED,II: This rendering shows a more budgetfriendly option for the mural, with just one color of paint without a basecoat covering the concrete. take the form of a big red apple, enhancingsenseCornelia’sofplace.
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STREETSCAPES HISTORY WALK CORNELIA 2022 | Downtown Visioning and DesignPAGE 42
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EXISTING: This image shows the existing retaining wall in front of city hall.
PROPOSED: City leaders proposed creating a memorial wall on the existing retaining wall in front of city hall. Based on a design from Waynesville, North Carolina, this concept could create a prominent commemoration of Cornelia’s history.
EXISTING: The existing conditions at the corner of Irvin Street and Wells Street include significantemptysidewalksincompleteandanlotonaslope.
WELLS AND IRVIN STREET
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INFILL DEVELOPMENT DESIGN CONCEPTS
Wells Street and Irvin Streets are important connector roads in downtown Cornelia. These corridors help connect important amenities such as Irvin Street Park and prominent businesses. The following revitalization concepts demonstrate how the corner of Wells Street and Irvin Street could be transformed to better serve the surrounding areas. Options include a surface lot to expand downtown parking capacity or an opportunity to further grow downtown with an infill development and on-street parking. The existing grade of this site and the condition of surrounding buildings would likely require significant infrastructure and complicate developing a surface parking lot on this site.
PROPOSED SURFACE PARKING PLAN: The plan above shows a surface parking lot, retaining wall, and formalized on-street parking along Wells Street. A large retaining wall would be necessary to develop a surface lot at the level of Wells Street. The amount of infrastructure and engineering required to develop a surface lot on this site would likely be significant and would be costly.
PROPOSED INFILL DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Developing an infill building in the vacant lot could address the need for leasable space downtown, expand the economic vibrancy of the area, and fill in a prominent gap downtown. This concept includes a two- to three-story corner building that takes advantage of the sloping site. Other elements shown include formalized parking on Wells Street, street trees, and angled on-street parking along Irvin Street.
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EXISTING: This photo shows the existing conditions at the Irvin and Wells site, including informal street parking in front of the vacant lot and a very narrow sidewalk in front of the buildings on Wells Street.
INFILL DEVELOPMENT DESIGN CONCEPTS WELLS AND IRVIN STREET
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PROPOSED: This rendering shows a mixed-use infill building in a style that would complement Cornelia’s traditional downtown buildings. This corner building could incorporate office or retail on the ground floor with apartments, condos, or vacation rentals above. Additional elements shown include formalized on-street parking, ADA-accessible curb ramps, and street trees.
PROPOSED: This evening rendering shows twinkling lights in trees and attractive storefront lighting.
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INFILL DEVELOPMENT DESIGN CONCEPTS
HABERSHAM WAREHOUSESHARDWARE
Located on the 3.48 acres of property northeast of the Cornelia Depot, the Habersham Hardware warehouses on Rosa Parks Street were home to a Cornelia staple for 72 years. While the hardware company has closed, the former site presents a significant revitalization opportunity. The following renderings depict a live-workplay complex with new commercial opportunities and expanded pedestrian pathways adjacent to a multifamily complex that will address demand for in-town housing.
INFILL DESIGNDEVELOPMENTCONCEPTS
WAREHOUSESHARDWAREHABERSHAM
This rendered plan shows proposed infill development in the Habersham warehouse area. Two three-story mixed-use infill buildings (in red) fill now-vacant lots. The existing warehouse building (in white) anchors the area. The plan includes a total of 129 parking spaces. The railtrail is shown as 14’ wide, with a spur that connects to downtown. Largeand medium-canopy trees line the trail, street, and parking areas.
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INFILL DESIGNDEVELOPMENTCONCEPTS
This rendering shows the proposed developments at the corner of MLK, Jr. Drive and Rosa Parks Street: a three-story mixeduse building, on-street parking, improved signage, sidewalks, street trees, and a crosswalk.
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WAREHOUSESHARDWAREHABERSHAM
EXISTING: The existing conditions at the corner of MLK, Jr. Drive and Rosa Parks Street include a wide street with no sidewalks, an empty lot with a vacant building, and cracked asphalt.
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This image shows the brick warehouse transformed into a mixture of inviting businesses, housing, and other uses. Rosa Parks Street is shown improved with new sidewalks, on-street parking, and street trees. A rail-trail along the former spur connects this site with the Cornelia Depot and activates the corner courtyard.
WAREHOUSESHARDWAREHABERSHAM
INFILL DESIGNDEVELOPMENTCONCEPTS
EXISTING: This image shows the Habersham Hardware site from the railroad tracks. The brick portion of the warehouses includes many industrial features worthy of preservation.
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INFILL DESIGNDEVELOPMENTCONCEPTS
EXISTING: This image shows the Habersham Hardware site from the railroad tracks. The brick portion of the warehouses includes many industrial features worthy of preservation.
The underutilized existing warehouse complex on Ivie Street is located in an otherwise residential area near downtown Cornelia. Developing multifamily housing on this 3.9-acre site could help address the demand for more housing units in town. Located along the Mud Creek Greenway, this site could offer a unique amenity for future residents.
COMPLEXMULTIFAMILYGREENWAY
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PROPOSED: This rendering shows a proposed multifamily development similar to Peaks of Cornelia replacing the warehouse. Street parking, a sidewalk, a crosswalk, and a dog walking area further enhance the area. The sidewalk could also connect with the Greenway.
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TOP IMAGE: A summer concert event hosted by the City of Cornelia.
BOTTOM IMAGE: This aerial image shows the former cornelia Motors property
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INFILL DEVELOPMENT DESIGN CONCEPTS
The former Cornelia Motors along the old US441 highway was a mainstay in Cornelia for decades. The corner 4.8-acre lot witnessed the heyday of iconic Chevy muscle cars and Oldsmobile sedans. This prominent space has continued to celebrate Cornelia’s American spirit as an informal location for town festivals, concerts, and other special events over the last decade. This site already generates significant community engagement and commercial success, but it could be improved to reflect the standards of other beloved public spaces like Cornelia City Park. City leaders envision transforming the former dealership into a convention center or meeting space, and transforming the acres of asphalt on site into a green extension of nearby Oak Street Park, with an amphitheater designed to host the beloved community events and festivals that help make Cornelia the special place it is. Daylighting the existing stream beneath the asphalt paving on site and incorporating features like those shown in the following concepts will allow this space to better serve the community as Cornelia continues to grow.
CORNELIA MOTORS EVENT SPACE
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PROPOSED: This rendered plan shows a proposed park design for the dealership lot. This concept includes an amphitheater, a mixed-use building, a hammock park/play area, a restored stream, and 156 total parking spaces. The proposed mixed-use building on the corner was adapted from the design of the new Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Thomasville, Georgia. This development could be anchored by a hotel and restaurant, with potential retail or office spaces on the bottom floor.
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CORNELIA MOTORS FAÇADE REDESIGN
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TOP IMAGE: Cornelia Motors is pictured above in a 1950 issue of the Tri County Advertiser.
MIDDLE: A view of the Cornelia Motors lot filled with inventory and customers, looking north.
BOTTOM: Formerly: This circa 1990 image of Cornelia Motors shows façade redesign visible today.
INFILL DEVELOPMENT DESIGN CONCEPTS
MIDDLE / PROPOSED: This rendering shows some proposed short-term changes to the building façade, including roll-up doors on the left side, a repainted roof, an apple motif mural, signage on the front, and a landscape strip with street trees along Main Street.
BOTTOM / PROPOSED: This rendering shows proposed long-term changes to the building façade that help restore the historic appearance of this prominent building. This design shows the metal façade removed and the original brick stepped façade repaired. A streamlined metal awning, seating, and outdoor lighting further enhance the façade.
TOP IMAGE / EXISTING: The former Chevy dealership has been altered from its original form, with an overhanging roof and removal of the original brick façade.
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EXISTING: This image of existing conditions at the corner of South Main Street and Dolson Street shows two small structures, no sidewalk, and acres of uneven pavement.
INFILL DESIGNDEVELOPMENTCONCEPTS
INFILL BUILDING AT STREETANDMAINSOUTHSTREETDOLSON
PROPOSED: This rendering shows a proposed infill building at the corner of South Main Street and Dolson Street. Developing a hotel with retail, restaurant, and office space on this site could create a new gateway to downtown Cornelia and allow the city to host a larger variety of conferences and events. The footprint of this development was adapted from the design of a new downtown hotel in Thomasville, Georgia, with approximately 100 rooms. New sidewalks shown in this concept extend down both South Main Street and Dolson Street, with new street parking and bump-outs for shade trees.
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PROPOSED: This rendering shows the far corner transformed into a natural play area and hammock park where kids can play as their parents relax. Native plants surround the stream with a rock crossing where kids can explore.
INFILL DESIGNDEVELOPMENTCONCEPTS
PLAYNATURALAREA
EXISTING: During an early summer event at this space, the far corner of the lot was mainly being used by children throwing balls during the event.
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EXISTING: The community has used this property as an informal event venue. This aerial view shows many people gathered for a concert. This image and a tour of the site in use inspired the design for a terraced lawn amphitheater.
MUD AMPHITHEATERCREEK
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INFILL DESIGNDEVELOPMENTCONCEPTS
The concept (see plan on pages 60-61) illustrates a more comfortable space that could efficiently host such events.
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INFILL DESIGNDEVELOPMENTCONCEPTS
PROPOSED: This rendering shows the acres of asphalt replaced with a rolling event lawn, a covered stage, and an amphitheater inspired by Suwanee, Georgia’s Town Center Amphitheater. South Fork Mud Creek in the background is shown restored, creating an attractive backdrop to this event space. Proposed trees throughout the site provide much-needed shade. A path leads up the hill to connect this site with Oak Street Park.
MUD AMPHITHEATERCREEK
EXISTING: The existing property is entirely paved and is often used for events.
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