23 minute read
Designs by Street: Dame Avenue
Homerville DAME AVENUE
Like Plant Avenue to the south, Dame Avenue was converted in the early 2000s from a two-way street to part of the one-way pair of streets that make up Highway 84. As such, Dame Avenue features many of the same accessibility issues as Plant Avenue. Both corridors include unclear on-street parking areas, absent or faded crosswalks, no bump-outs to separate parking from travel lanes, and two one-way travel lanes that encourage unsafe travel speeds. Dame Avenue became a primary commercial corridor in downtown Homerville after the road was extended to the Valdosta Highway in the 1930s.
Many of the buildings along Dame Avenue date from the 1950s and 1960s, when it served as the primary east-west corridor in Homerville. Unlike the historic zero-lot-line, traditional commercial buildings seen along Plant Avenue, buildings along Dame Avenue often reflect the autocentric nature of postwar development. Typical features of post1950s development, including large front parking areas, inappropriate setbacks, drive-through lanes, and continuous curb-cuts, are common along Dame Avenue. These features prioritize vehicles over pedestrians and are inappropriate in dense downtown areas. Sidewalks along Dame Avenue are less well defined than those along Plant Avenue, and the number of continuous curb-cuts along the corridor create potentially hazardous conflicts between drivers and pedestrians. Many of the designs and plans that follow attempt to address these conditions through design interventions like extending landscape strips, shrinking excessive curb-cuts, and installing landscaped bump-outs to create a safer and more pleasant pedestrian experience.
In addition to streetscape improvements, Dame Avenue features a number of sites well positioned for long-term redevelopment. Homerville should look to the FRESH method of infill development to guide future redevelopment along Dame Avenue as well as the rest of the downtown core. A detailed description of the FRESH approach can be found on the following page. In addition to the guidelines of the FRESH method, local leaders should take care to prevent future developments from including features like front parking lots and excessive curb-cuts that harm the fabric of downtown.
a Fresh
APPROACH INFILLto
Simple tools are available to guide successful infill development of vacant and underutilized lots downtown, a common issue brought up in public input sessions with Homerville 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
1. FOOTPRINT: The outline of a building as seen from above
• 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.
2. ROOFLINE:The profile of or silhouette made by a roof or series of roofs
• 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. • If the infill area is significantly wide, consider a series of bays. • New infill on corner lots should address the corner.
4. SKIN: Materials used on a building’s façade
• New structures should be clad in visually and physically similar materials. • New infill façade construction should be of similar materials and colors but should not imitate features of historic styles. • 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. • Holes should maintain the rhythm established by adjacent buildings.
Homerville EAST ENTRY
Historical photos of East Dame Avenue show a wide turf median flanked with massive oaks. Over time, the welcoming canopy along Dame Avenue was lost. Today little to no shade exists between the Clinch County Courthouse and the eastern end of downtown. In the 1800s, Homerville’s early citizens banded together to plant 100 oak trees around the community. These majestic trees served as everyday gathering places for residents and sheltered public events. Over time, the oaks became a symbol of Homerville’s sense of community. When many of these trees fell during a tornado half a century later, the community again came together to replant oaks throughout downtown. Homerville treasures the 20 designated grand trees that remain as a tangible link to the city’s past.
Moving forward, Homerville leaders should work to incorporate largecanopy oaks and street trees wherever possible downtown. Committing to planting trees in the spirit of Homerville’s early citizens creates a legacy to leave to future generations. The many trees shown in the renderings that follow include large-canopy laurel or Shumard oaks as well as smaller trees appropriate for difficult urban conditions. Using a mix of large-canopy oaks and tough, adaptable street trees like Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) and Natchez crape myrtle (Lagestroemia ‘Natchez’) for tight spaces and tree grates would create a diversified and resilient tree canopy that contributes to downtown long into the future.
East Dame Avenue Arrival, Proposed: Enhancing this lot with added maintenance, large-canopy oak street trees, and a welcome mural could improve the experience of driving downtown.
East Dame Avenue Arrival, Existing: The vacant lot and icehouse to the left signal arrival to downtown Homerville.
Homerville LIVE OAK POCKET PARK
Existing: The large live oak adjacent to the Clinch County News building anchors this corner park space.
Proposed: This design shows improved turf, fresh mulch, attractive hanging swings, and a new interpretive sign explaining the history of Homerville’s legacy oaks. This concept shows the declining pine tree growing through the oak canopy removed.
Night: Up-lighting this magnificent tree and incorporating string lights could create a memorable downtown evening landmark.
Homerville EAST DAME INFILL
Proposed: This design formalizes the existing parking arrangement while expanding sidewalks and bringing attractive plantings of Natchez crape myrtles to the area. An attractive infill development to the left conforms to the style and form of other downtown buildings.
Existing: This image shows existing conditions along East Dame Avenue near the Clinch County News building.
Homerville STRICKLAND FAÇADE
Proposed: This concept shows an attractive outdoor café space defined by the “L”-shape of the historic Strickland Building. Tables and chairs, attractive street trees, hand-painted signage, and string lighting create a welcoming ambiance for patrons. A rooftop patio like the one shown would offer great views of downtown.
Existing: This image shows the vacant former hardware store at the intersection of Carswell Street and East Dame Avenue.
Concept: “Bees, Trees, and Blueberries!” was the enthusiastic answer given by a public input participant to the question, “What is Homerville all about?” That comment captures some of South Georgia’s agricultural products that Homerville and Clinch County proudly export.
Light dances through the pines across Clinch County and the sight of handwritten “honey for sale” signs dot the roads surrounding Homerville. The county has more than 22,500 beehives, with an astounding farm gate value of over $2.9 million. Blueberries are so abundant in the area that residents could eat them with every summer meal and still have plenty left over for preserves and homemade pies.
This mural concept is inspired by the locally grown, locally made items of the area that are part of the South Georgia menu and lifestyle. Drawn in the style of a vintage blueberry preserves label, this mural design captures the heart like the taste of fresh honey on a buttered biscuit.
Bees, Trees, and Blueberries Products: In addition to the downtown mural, this same concept could easily be used to create a variety of merchandise options, such as candles (blueberry, honey, and pine-scented of course!), T-shirts, mugs, prints, and more.
Homerville PANTHER ALLEY
Following the kickoff of the Homerville RSVP process, an enthusiastic group of Homerville citizens began purchasing and rehabilitating previously vacant and blighted properties downtown. Aided by new tools and incentives like Homerville’s Rural Zone Tax Credits and the city’s façade grant program, local residents are ushering in a renaissance downtown, saving longneglected buildings from demolition and growing the local economy.
The designs that follow feature a number of improvements to the Carswell Building. At the request of the property owner, Institute of Government designers developed façade renderings and conceptual plans for the rear alleyway behind this prominent downtown building. These concepts transform a formerly unkempt back-of-house service area into an attractive rear courtyard honoring the pride of Panther Nation.
The design for Panther Alley utilizes reclaimed brick as pavers from the soon-to-be-demolished Clinch County High School, a custom-designed panther track crosswalk, and other elements celebrating Clinch County’s athletic legacy. During the 1988-89 academic year, Panther football, basketball, and baseball teams all captured state titles. The vibrant community space proposed could memorialize this unprecedented feat and get more students invested in downtown, a frequent request in conversations with community members in step one of the RSVP process. Homerville could also consider painting a select number of downtown parking spaces with Panther-themed artwork, continuing the tradition seen at Clinch County High School and getting more people involved in downtown revitalization. Existing: The vacant alleyway between the Strickland Building and the Carswell Building could be reimagined as an attractive shaded outdoor event space.
Proposed: This concept shows the same space transformed into “Panther Alley,” with an attractive forged metal gateway, bricks from Clinch County High School, attractive Chinese elm street trees, and movable café tables. A plaque like the one shown or inscribed bricks could honor hometown sports heroes and Clinch County’s 1988 Triple Crown season. This concept shows façade renovations to the neighboring buildings, including fresh paint and a new storefront at the adjacent proposed restaurant space. A new exterior stairway could lead to second-floor lodging or residential space. A whimsical panther paw crosswalk links this space with the nearby Empire plaza.
Panther Alley, Proposed, Night: This design shows the same concept with attractive string lighting and twinkling lights in the Chinese elm street trees.
Homerville PANTHER ALLEY REAR FAÇADES
Existing: The Carswell Building and adjacent property are currently being renovated. The property owner requested a second rear entry similar to the one being constructed on the right.
Proposed: Paving this rear alleyway with bricks from Clinch County High School helps transform this space into Panther Alley. Chinese elm street trees, movable café tables, and attractive string lighting create a warm and informal ambiance. This design includes two new storefronts accessible from both Panther Alley and Carswell Street. A panther statue like the one shown could create a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity.
Panther Alley, Proposed, Night: With attractive lighting, Panther Alley could serve as a perfect post-game venue for ice cream socials, food trucks, or other events.
Homerville PAINTED PARKING
The parking area at Clinch County High School features dozens of hand-painted parking spots decorated by local students. Many of these spaces include elaborate, beautiful designs that speak to the personalities of the individual student. Near Panther Alley, a select number of parking spaces could be painted to continue this tradition downtown. These spaces could be painted by students or volunteers and could be reserved for key community partners or raffled off as a fundraiser for improvement efforts. These examples include designs that celebrate the “bees, trees, and blueberries” that make Homerville special. If this concept proves successful, it could be applied to other areas downtown.
Homerville HERITAGE BANK + PARKING
Heritage Bank, Proposed: Installing a low-maintenance groundcover like Asian jasmine, creeping fig, or liriope could soften the look of the exterior and provide a more elegant landscape solution than gravel. This concept also illustrates the building trim and shutters painted to refresh the dated façade.
Heritage Bank, Proposed, Option II: This concept includes the landscape improvements featured previously but adds a handsome white portico that emphasizes the building‘s traditional features. Existing: Dating from the early 1980s, Heritage Bank occupies a large lot in the center of downtown Homerville. The owners of this property recently removed hedges and shrubbery and requested assistance updating the façade.
Parking Median Island, Existing: This image shows the existing parking area adjacent to the Heritage Bank.
Proposed: This design extends the existing planted median and brings new large-canopy laurel oak street trees downtown. This concept shows the existing parallel parking formally striped to indicate this parking to visitors. Dumpster screening shown in the background of this image could help hide necessary service features, enhancing the visitor experience.
Parking Median Island, Proposed, Option II: This concept shows the same improvements with the addition of a rain garden and street tree if permitted by GDOT.
Homerville BIG DADDY’S RESTAURANT PLAN
Big Daddy’s on 84 Plan, Existing: This aerial view shows property lines at the proposed restaurant Big Daddy’s on 84. The proprietor of this business reached out for design assistance to envision improvements to this building and property. The parcels highlighted in yellow are controlled by the property owner. A large area at the intersection and the parcel to the northwest of the site are controlled by GDOT. Currently, the site includes a mix of asphalt and brick paving and the concrete slab foundation of a former coffee shop on site.
Proposed: This proposed plan shows a new parking area and shaded dining patio facing Church Street. Developing such a parking area would be contingent on working with GDOT to acquire or receive an easement for the property to the northwest of the site and provide access the parking area. The proposed 25’ x 75’ dining area is shown shaded with a large metal awning, three graceful Chinese elm street trees, and two large-canopy laurel oaks in the proposed parking area bump-outs. This concept also shows formalized parallel parking on US-84. Two bump-outs shown in the adjacent parking area eliminate two difficult-to-navigate spaces and add much-needed shade.
This view shows the proposed plan with the owner’s parcels highlighted in yellow. These property lines were replicated from maps from the Clinch County Tax Assessor’s online parcel search. A survey would be necessary to determine precise property boundaries.
Homerville BIG DADDY’S RESTAURANT
Big Daddy’s on 84 Façade, Existing: This image shows existing conditions at the restaurant at 31 East Dame Avenue in downtown Homerville. Likely constructed in the 1950s or 1960s, this building features design elements typical in midcentury modern structures, including a streamlined metal awning and a stack bond masonry façade. West Façade, Existing: This photo shows existing conditions along the western wall of the restaurant space. The parking and drive-through area shown in the foreground includes a mix of materials from a former coffee shop once on this site. The black masonry wall shown is highly visible from Church Street (Highway 441) and could be an appropriate location for signage or a mural.
Implementation: This image shows the completed renovation of Big Daddy’s on 84, which opened in the summer of 2022.
Façade, Proposed: While retaining the font and style of the business logo, the horizontal signage shown in this concept creates a more legible and attractive façade. The script font used for “Bag Daddy’s on 84” could incorporate periodappropriate neon signage, a common element in 1950s façades. Similarly styled LED lighting could be used to replicate traditional neon.
West Façade / Outdoor Dining, Proposed: This concept shows the same space transformed into an attractive outdoor dining area with convenient downtown parking. This concept includes three landscaped bump-outs and planting beds. Planted with lush liriope groundcover, handsome Chinese elm street trees, and a large-canopy laurel oak, these spaces help define the proposed patio and add shade to make this a more comfortable and inviting space. Mirroring the style of the front awning, this design shows a similar awning along the western wall to provide shade and a sense of enclosure yearround. This concept prominently displays the restaurant logo as a mural and pedestrian-oriented hanging sign.
Homerville 441 AND 84 CORNER PARKING
Existing: This photo shows the corner of Church Street (Highway 441) and East Dame Avenue (Highway 84) in downtown Homerville. Currently, this lot features a mix of paving, with an unclear parking arrangement for patrons of Big Daddy’s on 84.
Proposed: This design shows an improved parking area and outdoor dining space at the new Big Daddy’s on 84 restaurant. Newly planted large-canopy oaks improve the appearance of this prominent corner.
Homerville CORNER BUILDING
Existing: This historic two-story building at the corner of Church Street (Highway 441) and East Dame Avenue (Highway 84) in downtown Homerville has long been home to Homerville Jewelry. This beautiful, historic building could benefit from improved maintenance.
Proposed: Removing overgrown vines and cleaning or replacing awnings would improve the appearance of this building.
Homerville FILLING STATION CAFÉ
Proposed: This concept transforms the vacant former gas station into a prominent and attractive downtown dining destination. Elements shown include attractive string lighting, a playful 1960s-inspired color palette, café tables and chairs, and attractive landscaping. Existing: This aerial image shows the former gas station at the intersection of US-441 and US-84 in the heart of downtown Homerville.
Proposed: This proposed plan transforms the former gas station into a unique restaurant with a canopied outdoor dining patio. Improvements shown include formalized on-street parking with landscaped bump-outs along Smith Street and Courtland Avenue and street trees such as Chinese elms, laurel oaks, and crape myrtles. This design removes excessive asphalt paving while incorporating an efficient surface parking area for restaurant patrons.
Existing: This image shows the former gas station at the intersection of US-441 and US-84. This vacant property was frequently cited as an issue during step one of the RSVP process.
Proposed, Night: This evening view shows the same improvements with the addition of attractive and inviting lighting.
Homerville CORNER PLAZA
Existing: The prominent corner adjacent to the Merry Averitt and Dre’s Snack Shack could be rearranged to incorporate outdoor seating.
Proposed: This design shows a new seating plaza tucked into a currently unused corner at Church and Dame Street. The paved plaza allows ample space for movable seating and other flexible uses while leaving room for pedestrians. The existing building housing the Snack Shack is shown with a fresh coat of paint, attractive signage, and a new glass door. The olive trees currently on the site are relocated to the planting strip between the sidewalk and road, buffering the plaza from the street.
Homerville COURTHOUSE SQUARE STREETSCAPE
Existing: Adjacent to the Clinch County Courthouse, public parking along Smith Street is not clearly indicated and the look of this civic space could be improved. Currently, this street’s excessive width creates an unclear traffic and parking arrangement.
Proposed: Streetscaping like new sidewalks, landscaped bump-outs with large-canopy oaks, and ADA-accessible curb ramps could improve the appearance of the courthouse grounds. This concept shows parking and crosswalks clearly indicated and striped. This design incorporates a small concrete plaza around the existing World War II monument.
Homerville CORNER BUMP-OUT
Existing: The large front parking area at the Clinch County Courthouse could be formalized to reduce unnecessary paving.
Proposed: This concept shows the impact of attractive streetscaping, including a large landscaped bump-out at the corner. Clearly marked crosswalks and ADA curb ramps make exploring downtown safer for pedestrians. Street trees including laurel oaks and Natchez crape myrtles improve the appearance of this prominent public space.
Homerville MURPHY’S SEAFOOD PARKING
Existing: Murphy’s Seafood and the adjacent Subway feature large front curb-cuts and parking areas that create conflicts for pedestrians. This image also shows a missing hanging sign and a sign in need of repair.
Proposed: This concept extends attractive streetscaping and sidewalks to this section of US-84. Reducing excessive curbcuts and unnecessary paving could allow for attractive landscaping and pedestrian connections. It also shows the signage repaired and a new sign installed on the large post. Clearly marked crosswalks alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians.
Homerville GAZEBO MAINTENANCE
Existing: This image shows the gazebo across from the Clinch County Courthouse along Dame Avenue. While more modest than the courthouse or city hall, this structure still serves as a public space worthy of maintenance and investment.
Proposed: Elevating the standard of maintenance at public buildings creates a positive example for surrounding properties to follow. This concept shows landscape improvements including low-maintenance Asian jasmine, oakleaf hydrangeas, and large-canopy oaks that elevate the appearance of this community gathering space. This design adds fans, string lighting, and other elements to extend the usability of the space seasonally and into the evening hours. A sign indicates that wi-fi service is available in the gazebo.
Homerville FIRE STATION
Existing: This image shows the fire department building in downtown Homerville.
Proposed: Screening the bare metal exterior façade with creeping fig could improve the appearance of this building. The stenciled logo of the fire department on the doors proudly showcases these local heroes.
Homerville FAÇADE MAINTENANCE
Existing: This image shows the existing condition of the property at 119 West Dame Avenue. This business could benefit from enhanced maintenance.
Proposed: Cleaning this attractive midcentury façade, repainting where necessary, and installing a new banner make this business more inviting to potential patrons. This concept also shows the concrete pressure washed, lawn areas mowed and edged, and shrubs pruned.
Homerville LITTLE MCs SALON
Existing: Located just west of the fire station, Little MCs Salon could benefit from enhanced maintenance and façade updates. Existing: Taken from Dame Avenue looking west, this image shows the blank cinderblock side wall of the salon.
Proposed: This design replaces the weathered cedar overhang with a dark canvas awning. Trim, doors, and other elements are shown in a similar color. This design includes planters for the owner’s collection of exotic plants. Nostalgic signage with a crisp color palette ties this design together.
Proposed: Adding fresh signage, edging, and a large-canopy street tree could invite more patrons to this downtown business.
This concept shows new Little MCs Salon signage. This textured, nostalgic signage option features a vibrant red, white, and blue color scheme and a hand-painted appearance.
This custom-designed signage concept could be used on promotional items like T-shirts or baseball caps.
