GDRP Report

YEAR IN REVIEW G EO R G I A D OW N TOW N R E N A I S SA N C E PAR T N E R S H I P

GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE PARTNERSHIP (GDRP) MEMBERS GEORGIA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION GEORGIA CITIES FOUNDATION LYNDHURST FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA CARL VINSON INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT

GDRP DESIGN SUPPORT FACULTY AND STAFF CARL VINSON INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATE, PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR DANNY BIVINS PUBLIC SERVICE ASSISTANT, SENIOR DESIGNER KAITLIN MESSICH LANDSCAPE AND URBAN DESIGNER T. CLARK STANCIL SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATE LEIGH ELKINS CREATIVE DESIGN SPECIALIST KELSEY MARIE BROICH GRAPHIC DESIGNER ELEONORA MACHADO EDITOR KAREN DEVIVO SUMMER FELLOW KAYLA ADAMS SUMMER FELLOW AND GRADUATE ASSISTANT ANNA SHOJI SUMMER FELLOW AND GRADUATE ASSISTANT NICK RIKER

COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR COMMUNITY DESIGN AND PRESERVATION JENNIFER MARTIN LEWIS CED ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DOUG PARDUE

LAFAYETTE, GEORGIA WCAAHA Committee Input, see page 14

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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESIGN CHARRETTE FOR HAWKINSVILLE, GEORGIA 2021 collaboration with CED, see page 16

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Introduction: 2021 Year in Review

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Program: Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan (RSVP) City of LaFayette, Georgia and City of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia

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Program: Downtown Renaissance Fellowship City of Colquitt and City of Gainesville

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Program: One Design Charrette Collaboration Hawkinsville, Georgia

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Design Studio: Museum for the Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA)

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Program: Targeted Technical Assistance for Partner Communities Jasper, Jesup, Bainbridge, Hinesville, Trenton, Young Harris, and Hawkinsville

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Conclusion: 2022 Update GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE PARTNERSHIP

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Institute of Government Located in Athens, Georgia, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government supports the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership

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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

Ye ar in Revi ew / 2 0 2 1

THE GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE PARTNERSHIP 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

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Founded in 2013, the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership works to foster vibrant downtowns across Georgia through community engagement and implementation of citizen-defined visions and plans.

The partnership recognizes that downtowns are the heart and soul of our communities and are the engines that drive local economies. The partnership’s mission is to provide cities with the customized planning and design assistance necessary to help ensure economically vibrant, community-focused downtowns.

In 2021, Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), Georgia Cities Foundation (GCF), and Lyndhurst Foundation support allowed planners and designers from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, along with faculty and students from the College of Environment and Design (CED), to work with local leaders to develop the following:

Two Renaissance Strategic Visions and Plans (RSVPs), one for LaFayette and one for Fort Oglethorpe Two Summer Downtown Renaissance Fellowship Plans, one for Colquitt and one for Gainesville One Design Charrette Collaboration with CED included in the Hawkinsville RSVP that was finished in 2021.

Participants included 13 undergraduate and graduate students under the direction of Jennifer Martin Lewis One CED Fall Studio focused on the Walker County African American Historical Association Museum Grounds Plan in LaFayette Participants included 16 undergraduate students led by Professor Doug Pardue Design assistance provided to seven cities through the Targeted Design Assistance Program

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

Walker

Project Brief: The LaFayette RSVP arose from ongoing revitalization improvement efforts of the local government. Planners and designers from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government collaborated with a steering committee composed of a cross-section of community leaders, downtown business owners, and local citizens. Following recommendations from the steering committee,

the project included downtown streetscape and connectivity enhancements, façade improvements, and policy recommendations. Informed by the critical input of over 1,200 local citizens, the LaFayette RSVP aims to improve downtown connectivity, enhance the look of the downtown area, attract investment, and create a community anchor downtown.

Results: The LaFayette Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan was delivered in April 2022. Already, the community has implemented several key recommendations from the plan. Over the past year, LaFayette has taken the following steps: • The city has hired a full-time Main Street manager.

• The city has dedicated a six-figure budget to support downtown programming, marketing, and property acquisition.

• The LaFayette Downtown Development Authority has unveiled a new façade grant program.

• As part of the RSVP process, designers from the Institute of Government collaborated with downtown property owners to create façade renderings for 10 different properties interested in applying for the grant.

• In the summer of 2021, the city acquired the vacant corner property at Main Street and Villanow Street.

• LaFayette is working with a dedicated project manager to improve Villanow Street and Patton Street and expand tree planting downtown.

• The city is actively developing the first phase of a planned greenway along the Chattooga River.

• LaFayette was officially awarded Rural Zone status in November 2021.

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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

Read digital report

Existing: This image shows the vacant east-side corner lot. The brick pallets and debris shown have since been removed, and the city recently repaired the brick sidewalk.

T Clark Stancil proposed:

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

Rendering by T Clark Stancil

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

Walker

Project Brief:

With the support of GMA, GCF, and the Lyndhurst Foundation, in 2021 designers and planners from the Institute of Government collaborated with officials from the City of Fort Oglethorpe to develop a downtown masterplan focused on the city’s historic Barnhardt Circle and surrounding historic area.

During the RSVP process, Institute planning staff gathered public input through a community survey and multiple rounds of interviews and

focus groups beginning in April and extending through July of 2021. To date, concepts proposed include a unifying community brand to promote the historic area, streetscape improvements, and redevelopment ideas to help transform a block of city-owned warehouses. After the design phase of the RSVP is completed, delivery of the Fort Oglethorpe RSVP and final presentation are expected to take place in July 2022.

Results: Institute designers have presented designs, plans, and community branding concepts to the Fort Oglethorpe RSVP Steering Committee and city officials. Following the delivery of public input results to city officials, Fort Oglethorpe began taking steps to become the type of vibrant area desired by community members. To date, Fort Oglethorpe has taken the following actions: • The city acquired key properties in the historic district, including a block of former warehouses.

• Following plans developed as part of the RSVP, local officials preserved a former warehouse. The city is actively renovating this space and an adjacent paved area for community use.

• Local officials are incorporating the Fort Oglethorpe community brand into signage in historic Barnhardt Circle.

• Following concepts developed during the RSVP, city leaders are renovating and reprogramming the long-vacant former library in Barnhardt Circle.

• Fort Oglethorpe hired a full-time recreation and leisure services director to support recreational programming in the historic area.

• The city is actively improving outdoor recreation facilities in Barnhardt Circle and installing updated fencing that matches elements used in other public spaces in Fort Oglethorpe.

• On April 11, 2022, Fort Oglethorpe adopted an overlay ordinance for the LaFayette Road corridor.

The city is working to develop incentives to encourage redevelopment in the historic district overlay.

• Fort Oglethorpe is actively expanding community events in the city’s historic Barnhardt Circle.

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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

Existing: This concrete pad was once the site of Fort Oglethorpe’s Stable 41, removed over the past 10 years. This open space could be used for downtown events, and the adjacent open warehouse could be incorporated into the design.

T Clark Stancil proposed: This concept shows the existing concrete pad reimagined as a vibrant events space. Rechristened Stable 41, this complex could create a regular attraction in the historic area. Elements shown in this design include large-canopy street trees, nostalgic signage, branded murals, and hanging string lights. This concept includes a vehicular entry for food trucks and farmers’ markets.

Rendering by T Clark Stancil GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE PARTNERSHIP

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Downtown renaissance

Fellowship

Program: Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellowship Partner Community: Colquitt and Gainesville, Georgia Project brief: During the summer of 2021, Colquitt and Gainesville participated in the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellowship. Over the 12week program, Renaissance Fellows Anna Shoji and Kayla Adams worked directly with community leaders in their partner cities, producing renderings and plans under the direction of design faculty from the Institute of Government. Designs produced by Anna Shoji for the Colquitt Downtown Development Authority focused on improving the downtown square and surrounding streetscaping, illustrating the redevelopment of vacant buildings and lots, and addressing the appearance of buildings in the historic area. In Gainesville, Kayla Adams

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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

worked with Institute faculty member Leigh Elkins to develop designs, propose pedestrian improvements, and illustrate appropriate infill development along Gainesville’s Highway 129 and Athens Street corridors.

Example from colquitt: Designs created for Colquitt include pedestrian and accessibility improvements to the courthouse square.

Example from gainesville: This design created for Gainesville shows landscape and gateway improvements to the city’s prominent Highway 129 corridor.

Gainesville

Anna Shoji Design for Colquitt's courthouse square

Kayla Adams Design for Gainesville's Highway 129 corridor GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE PARTNERSHIP

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CED Collaboration

Design Charrette

Program: CED Collaboration, Hawkinsville Design Charrette Partner Community: Hawkinsville, Georgia

Project brief:

During the development of the Hawkinsville RSVP in 2020, Institute design professionals collaborated with Jennifer Martin Lewis, director of UGA’s Center for Community Design and Preservation at the College of Environment and Design. With faculty support, CED developed a design charrette team of 13 graduate and undergraduate students. These students worked with local leaders and property owners to develop innovative concepts to bring activity to underutilized properties and improve Veterans Park downtown. Provided at no cost to the community, these concepts formed the basis for the Veterans Park improvement plan and other designs included in the Hawkinsville RSVP.

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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

Developed by students at the University of Georgia’s College of Environment and Design, these designs show a vacant industrial building transformed into an active brewpub overlooking the Ocmulgee River.

community partners CITY OF HAWKINSVILLE »

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Sandy White, Executive Director, Hawkinsville–Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, Hawkinsville/Pulaski Economic Development, Hawkinsville Main Street Shelly Berryhill, Chairman, City Commission Ken Clark, City Commissioner Sara Myers, City Manager Sherrié Raleigh, Archway Professional, Pulaski County

UGA COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN »

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Jennifer Martin Lewis, Director, CED Center for Community Design and Preservation Devin Butler, Charrette Assistant, Master of Urban Planning and Design Victoria Arenz Gretchen Bailey Freja Carlson William (Michael) Coulter Elizabeth Crimmins Phillip Jones Sara Kaminski Alexis Kellner David Riddle Kaitlin Salley Anna Shoji Patricia Stupp

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MUSEUM plan

Design Studio Course Program: Walker County African American Historical Association (WCAAHA) Museum Design Studio Course Partner Community: LaFayette, Georgia Project brief: In 2021, the partnership supported additional student design and outreach in LaFayette.

An undergraduate design studio at the UGA College of Environment and Design paired student designers with community members in LaFayette. Sixteen students under the direction of Doug Pardue worked with the Walker County African American Historical Association to show a former restaurant reimagined as a museum honoring African American heritage and cultural significance in the community. This building will allow the historical association to curate special exhibits and programming. Student-produced site plans show the opportunity for planned events to be extended into the surrounding, complementary landscape. Community members have received the final student designs and are taking them under advisement in renovation efforts.

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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

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

community partners WALKER COUNTY AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION (WCAAHA) »

Beverly Foster, Chair

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Andy Arnold, Mayor

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

Douglas Pardue, UGA CED Associate Professor

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Ryan Cherry

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Savannah Clark

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Rob Cleland

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Ash Daniel

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Maggie Dyer

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David Eskew

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Nora Gellona Wagoner

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Alexis Kellner

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Hannah Lee

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Margot McLaughlin

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Alex Panel

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Steven Petty

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Alexa Pfeiffer

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Patricia Quinonez

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Emma Rhodes

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Annie Rochner

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Henry Vencill

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targeted

Design Assistance Program: Targeted Design Assistance Seven Partner Communities: Bainbridge, Chickamauga, Cordele, Jesup, Madison, Ringgold, and Trenton Project brief: Over the course of 2021, GMA and GCF support provided funding for a variety of technical assistance projects in seven communities across the state. Projects ranged from updating marketing materials to developing façade renderings and park plans. Specific targeted technical assistance projects included the following:

Project for cordele: • Marketing and Promotional Material Design, Downtown Development Brochure, Cordele

Projects for bainbridge:

Project for jesup:

• Façade Design, 200 South Broad Street, Bainbridge

Park Design, Jesup Railroad Park, Jesup

• Façade Design, 232 East Water Street, Bainbridge

Project for madison:

• Mural Design, Scoops Ice Cream, Bainbridge

• Redevelopment Plan, Madison Boxcar Alley and Artist Village, Madison

• Infill Design, Broad Street Mixed-Use Development, Bainbridge

Project for ringgold:

• Infill Design, Broad Street Hotel Concept, Bainbridge

• Highway 151 Corridor Planting Plan, Ringgold

• Park Design, Food Truck Park, Bainbridge

Projects for chickamauga: • Façade Design: 101 Gordon Street, Chickamauga

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• Thomas Avenue Parking and Flexible Event Space Plan, Chickamauga

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

Projects for trenton: • Marketing and Promotional Material Design, Town Creek Trail Signage, Trenton • Logo Design, Town Creek Trail Logo Concepts, Trenton

Project for jesup:

T Clark Stancil EXISTING: This image shows the existing condition of the pocket park in downtown Jesup, including the overgrown Leyland cypress, broken sign, and messy railroad right-of-way. PROPOSED: This concept illustrates the pocket park transformed into an open and inviting community space. Rendering by T Clark Stancil

Project for madison:

Kaitlin Messich This illustrative rendering shows Madison’s proposed Boxcar Alley as an inviting destination for residents and visitors. Elements shown include train car–themed microbusinesses, a proposed multiuse trail, hanging string lights, and a canopied dining area.

Rendering by Kaitlin Messich GEORGIA DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE PARTNERSHIP

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Hawkinsville Mural Design by: Kaitlin Messich and Kelsey Broich

Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership 2022 Update

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In the spring of 2022, Institute planners and designers initiated the Homerville RSVP process with robust community input. Following the public input process, three prominent, formerly vacant downtown buildings, are under contract. The prospective owners of these properties are working closely with Institute design staff to develop design concepts to inform redevelopment of these properties. The final Homerville RSVP plan will be delivered to the city by December 2022. Much of the spring has also been dedicated to finalizing both the LaFayette RSVP and the Fort Oglethorpe RSVP. In spring of 2022, Doug Pardue continued his community development work in LaFayette through an ongoing CED studio class. During this course, Pardue and students have continued collaborating with the Walker County African American Historical Association. This course has focused on creating memorial park designs for an additional parcel downtown.

The cities of Cornelia and Buena Vista have been selected to participate in the 2022 Downtown Renaissance Fellowship.

The summer fellowship will take place over twelve weeks beginning in early May.

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Three CED graduate landscape architecture students have been hired as Renaissance Fellows to support the program: Allison Krausman, Franco Conocchiari-Scherer, and Garrison Taylor.

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

To date, seven cities have been assisted through the Targeted Design Assistance program. Projects to date include the following: Hotel and Conference Center Design, Jasper Farmers Market Park Plan, Jesup Infill Design, Chason Park Downtown Hotel, Bainbridge Façade Design, Blue House Restaurant, Bainbridge Infill Design, 135 South Main Street, Hinesville Park and Trail Wayfinding Signage, Town Creek Trail, Trenton Redevelopment Plan, 1055 Main Street, Young Harris Mural Design, Ocmulgee River Mural, Hawkinsville

Rendering by T Clark Stancil