University of North Georgia L05 and L22

L22

L05

Near the heart of historic downtown Dahlonega, two surface parking lots owned and operated by the University of North Georgia Real Estate Foundation currently provide weekly permitted parking for UNG employees and surplus weekend parking for visitors. Situated between West Main Street and Warwick Street along Waters Street, lots L05 and L22 both offer convenient access to UNG’s Downtown Office Building and the nearby square. Although these lots are adjacent to each other, slight differences in the circulation and surroundings significantly affect usage.

Of the two lots, L05’s location between West Main and Warwick Street is more visible and is easier for downtown visitors and vehicles traveling along Main Street to access. Featuring two-way entrance/exits on both West Main Street and Waters Street and two-way circulation within the lot, the overall layout of L05 is more efficient and user-friendly than that of nearby L22. In addition, L05 features pedestrian access and connectivity with sidewalks lining two sides of the parking area. Leading to the public square and beyond, these sidewalks connect visitors and UNG employees to the nearby heart of downtown. Bordering L05 are the Conner Memorial Garden and several commercial properties, many of which feature significant rear setbacks. The two-way parking access of L05 also helps create a buffer between these properties and the parking area. Notably, some of the properties adjacent to L05 are also controlled by UNG.

Overall, vehicular access at L22 is more difficult and complex than at L05. The two one-way entrances to this parking area are located on Warwick Street, a one-way street with largely local traffic. This restricted circulation and lack of direct access from the square limits the amount of traffic that passes by L22. For drivers, the need to navigate away from the square onto non-arterial streets makes this parcel seem farther away from the square than it really is. Along with limited visibility, pedestrian access to this lot is also somewhat restricted. Although there are multiple sidewalks that connect the parcel to the square, only one side of the parking lot has direct access to a sidewalk. L22 directly abuts several downtown businesses, including the busy rear patio of downtown restaurant and tavern Shenanigan’s and Kaya Tasting Room, but it is largely surrounded by noncommercial properties.

The plan for L05 features an “I”-shaped building in the lot. This shape allows for the addition of on-street parking and widened sidewalks along Waters Street as well as employee parking and service areas behind the building. The sidewalk has been modified to completely wrap around the building for easier pedestrian access. A two-way access road connecting West Main Street and Warwick Street has been added behind the proposed infill for easier service vehicle access.

PROPOSED INFILL

The plan for L22 parking lot redesigned to be more functional and attractive. This economical option for UNG leaders maintains parking capacity, while addressing issues of stormwater runoff. Preserving this site as a parking area would allow for more development opportunities in the future. The circulation has been changed to make the lot easier to navigate for visitors. Planted bump-outs have been added to manage stormwater, provide shade, and beautify the site. The existing sidewalk has been extended to make pedestrian access easier and to encourage use of this lot.

The types of properties surrounding each parcel has an impact on the user base of these parking areas. High visibility, ease of access, and other features make L05 a much more desirable place to park than L22 for most downtown visitors. The current condition of the parcels also affects their appeal. Although the hardscape in L22 may appear to be newer, the landscaping in L05, including canopy trees, shrubs, and grass, make it much more appealing to park in. In addition, at 23,300 square feet, L05 is significantly larger than the 16,800 square foot L22 lot. This size difference allows for a parking capacity of 45 at L05 versus 32 spaces at the smaller L22.

The convenient location, high visibility, and good circulation of L05 make this a popular parking area. These same qualities make this parcel an ideal location for future infill development and preferable to L22. Although the L22 lot is only one block away from L05, its poor circulation and lack of visibility from main arterial roads make it less desirable. In the long term, however, L22 would be well suited for mixed-use or residential development, such as town homes or condominiums for UNG employees or graduate students. While both L05 and L22 offer important parking capacity for UNG’s Downtown Office Building and campus visitors, parking may not be the

best use for these convenient downtown parcels. In future decades, redevelopment of these spaces could further activate this area. A high-quality, mixed-use infill development at L05 or L22 would help extend the vibrancy and economic activity of the square toward the UNG campus. Development on these sites would tie the bustling area around the square to the Holly Theater, UNG, and surrounding destinations, creating a more walkable, lively, and connected downtown for visitors and residents.

The rendering below shows proposed infill development on L05 at the corner of Waters Street and West Main Street. New 90-degree on-street parking has been added along Water Street to serve first-floor businesses. The existing sidewalk has been set back and widened to accommodate features like outdoor seating and to act as a safety buffer for pedestrians. The bottom floor features an open glass façade so customers can easily see bottom-floor retail.