RVCCD: Marion County

CITY OF BUENA VISTA AND MARION COUNTY

A VISION FOR COMPATIBLE USE SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITIES AROUND FORT MOORE, GEORGIA

Contact Information

River Valley Regional Commission

Jim Livingston, Executive Director

Email: jlivingston@rivervalleyrc.org

Ph: (706) 256-2910

Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

Scott Pippin, Public Service Associate

Email: jspippin@uga.edu

Ph: (706) 542-2736

Funding information: This project was prepared under contract with the River Valley Regional Commission, with financial support from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, Department of Defense and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation.

More information about the project and an interactive asset map may be found at www.rivervalleyccd.com. The plan was released in spring of 2023.

The Marion County Plan BACKGROUND

This plan describes community development opportunities in Marion County that were produced in collaboration with local stakeholders as part of the River Valley Community Compatible Development Plan (RVCCD Plan). The RVCCD Plan reflects a strategy to promote economic development and prosperity in the River Valley region of Georgia and Alabama while preserving the landscape and land uses that align with Fort Moore’s military mission and protect the region’s natural resources. A key goal of the RVCCD Plan is to maintain the region’s rural character and support a good quality of life for area residents. The plan reflects a two-year effort involving a team from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the River Valley Regional Commission, Fort Moore and its Army Compatible Use Buffer partners, and six rural counties around Fort Moore: Marion, Chattahoochee, Stewart, Taylor, Talbot, and Russell. This effort produced local recommendations for each participating county and its cities. This document summarizes that effort in Marion County.

The full RVCCD Plan is available at https://www.rivervalleyccd.com/.

CREDITS

River Valley Regional Commission

Jim Livingston, Executive Director

Allison Slocum, Historic Preservation Planner and Senior Planner

Patti Cullen, Consultant

The Nature Conservancy

Deron Davis, Conservation Project

Director - North America Region

Monica Thornton, Executive Director

Dan Ryan, Director of Conservation

Michael Hensley, Chattahoochee

Fall Line Project Director

LuAnn Craighton, Chattahoochee

Fall Line Outreach Director

Brant Slay, Chattahoochee Fall Line Conservation Manager

US Department of the Army, Fort Moore

Kirk Ticknor, Director, Directorate of Public Works

Brent Widener, Chief, Environmental Management Division - DPW

ACUB Advisory Board

US Department of the Army, Fort Moore, Brent Widener

The Nature Conservancy, Deron Davis

Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Ted Will Georgia Forestry Commission, Tim Lowrimore

US Department of AgricultureNatural Resources Conservation Services, Sharon Swagger

US Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Don Imm

Georgia Forestry Commission

R.T. Lumpkin, Prescribed Fire Center Coordinator

Cusseta-Chattahoochee County

Steering Committee

Chairman Charles Coffee

Commissioner Damon Hoyt

Laura Lee Bernstein

Josh Abercrombie

Kristy Brooks

Joe Addison

Mordie Askew

Marion County Steering Committee

Mayor Kevin Brown

Commissioner George Neal

Jay Wells

Claudine Morgan

Will Johnson

Debbie Ford

Jim Gilland

Ralph Blue

Russell County (AL) Steering Committee

Chairman Chance Corbett

Dennis Beason

Tracie Hadaway

Victor Cross

Commissioner Cattie Epps

Mayor Eddie Lowe

Lisa Sandt

Wallace Hunter

Paulette Colbert

Stewart County Steering Committee

Mac Moye

Mayor Jimmy Blount

Commissioner Joseph Williams

Chip Jones

Diane/Charles Lee

Randy Butts

Robert Lee

Mikayla Murphy

Ruthie Hamlin

Christina Garner

Talbot County Steering Committee

Pam & Frank Jordan

Dan Coffey

David Jordan

Tom Persons

Carol Ison

Sher’londa Walker

Debbie Buckner

Mary Stevens

Taylor County Steering Committee

Shonda Blair

Commissioner Tameka Harris

Mayor Barry Whitley

Lenda Taunton

Jarrod McCarthy

Mayor Butch Turner

Tom Queen

Vicki Wainwright

Milton Harris

Rex Robinson

Georgia Municipal Association/ Georgia Cities Foundation

University of Georgia Carl Vinson

Institute of Government

Scott Pippin, Public Service Associate

Saralyn Stafford, Assistant Director, Rural Development

Shana Jones, Assistant Director, Planning and Environmental Services

Danny Bivins, Senior Public Service Associate

Daniel Wyatt, Public Service Assistant

T. Clark Stancil, Landscape and Urban Designer

Kaitlin Messich, Public Service Associate

Leigh Elkins, Senior Public Service Associate

Kelsey Broich, Creative Design Specialist

Natalie Bock, Research Professional

Eleonora Machado, Creative Design Specialist

Karen DeVivo, Editor

Theresa A. Wright, Associate

Director, Survey Research and Evaluation Support

Brian W. Simmons, Public Service Assistant

Erik Thompson, Research Professional

Darrell Robinson, Research Professional

W. Tyler Cagle, Research Professional

Anna Brodmerkel, Graduate Assistant

Garrison Taylor, Graduate Assistant

Franco Conocchiari-Scherer, Graduate Assistant

Scott Luis, Law Fellow

University of Georgia, College of Environment + Design

Jon Calabria, Associate Professor

University of Georgia, Warnell

School of Forestry & Natural Resources

Kyle Maurice Woosnam, Professor

University of Georgia, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

John Salazar, Professor

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Army’s mission is to deploy, fight, and win this nation’s wars. Accomplishing that mission requires rigorous training and preparation at places like Fort Moore. The RVCCD Plan presents strategies to promote compatible land uses in the region around Fort Moore. Compatible land uses are those that do not encroach on the Army’s ability to use its lands and resources to execute its mission, and therefore they can accommodate the smoke, dust, noise, and other impacts of the Army’s training activities. In addition, compatible uses reduce the environmental compliance burdens of the Army’s activities. The RVCCD Plan promotes compatible land use development by going beyond the traditional regulatory approaches such as zoning and other land use practices, and proposing bold, locally derived proposals for proactively supporting development and economic growth compatible with Fort Moore’s mission.

The primary findings and recommendations of the RVCCD Plan include the following:

• Survey respondents perceived the greatest strengths of the region to be Fort Moore’s presence (74%) and the region’s natural features, including natural resources (63%) and outdoor recreation (68%).

• Promoting compatible use in the region must be driven by local residents embracing compatible development practices because it makes economic and quality of life sense for them to do so.

• In addition to supporting Fort Moore, protecting areas surrounding Fort Moore through land conservation programs maintains the region’s rural character, something residents strongly value and want to preserve.

• Rural counties surrounding Columbus have the strong potential to tap into a vibrant regional tourism economy by showcasing their natural and cultural resources.

• Addressing systemic poverty, promoting long-term economic prosperity, and enhancing local capacity for planning and infrastructure investments will be critical to ensuring that the rural communities within these areas thrive in ways compatible with the nation’s national security mission.

• A robust accounting of the economic benefits the conservation buffer areas surrounding the installation have provided and will increasingly provide is an important next step in helping these communities recognize the full value of these lands and expand on it for their long-term prosperity.

Proposed Next Steps for Long-Term Systemic Investment

Develop infrastructure project proposals suitable for funding through the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot (DCIP) Program and other infrastructure funding opportunities, focusing on water and sewer upgrades.

Conduct an analysis in conjunction with Russell County on potential land use changes that could impact the Fryar Drop Zone, particularly any development requiring sewer line extensions in the area.

Conduct a feasibility analysis of sewer line extensions to Chattahoochee County and a study of related land use controls necessary to prevent incompatible development.

Undertake analysis and planning to ensure the transportation network can support community and military needs, including EV charging needs as the installation transitions its nontactical fleet to electric vehicles.

Build capacity among residents for community leadership and entrepreneurship through state and university leadership and capacitybuilding programs.

Develop regional partnerships to foster effective planning, asset management, code enforcement, and zoning administration.

Formulate more robust estimates of the economic and environmental service values provided by the conservation and recreation lands in the region.

Support dark sky efforts to prevent excess light pollution.

Connect river and stream corridor planning to larger conservation efforts.

Support arts, culture, and other community programs to build upon existing cultural assets and interest.

Improve communication between Fort Moore and the rural communities in part by initiating regular community briefings where installation staff brief community leaders on Army issues and needs, and community leaders brief installation leadership on community needs.

INTRODUCTION TO LOCAL PLAN

CITY OF BUENA VISTA AND MARION COUNTY

Each community engaged in the RVCCD process has a distinct character and individual assets, needs, and opportunities. To promote these unique local assets, each participating community was engaged to identify key resources that could be accentuated to foster future compatible growth and development. These local plans are rooted in the following key principles, which arose from the public input sessions held across the communities in this region.

• Preserving the small-town rural character of these communities and maintaining downtowns are top priorities for residents.

• Investments in vibrant downtowns promote compatible uses and preserve rural character.

• Emphasizing historic downtown development accentuates the distinctive and marketable assets of these rural southern communities while aligning with Fort Moore’s interest in seeing concentrated development in downtown communities as well to further compatible use.

• Strategic infrastructure investments in downtowns and other key areas will further promote compatible growth.

Based on the community engagement and input described in the RVCCD Plan, the following concepts were developed to promote compatible development and economic growth in Marion County.

VISION FOR THE CITY OF

Buena Vista and Marion County

The municipal leadership in Buena Vista chose to focus on two main items: (1) restoring and preserving their downtown square, streetscape, and park infrastructure, and (2) highlighting the community value of the Marion County Courthouse as a centerpiece of revitalization efforts. These priorities put into action the community’s vision for a lively, entertaining community hub that offers expanded shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreation options. These amenities are aimed at making Buena Vista and Marion County a better place to live for its existing residents and more attractive to visitors to boost the local tourism economy. The designs and plans that follow outline concepts to revitalize the downtown.

A variety of restaurants and shopping opportunities exist within the historic downtown square, with event space at Moon Family Theater and one-of-a-kind experiences at Swamp Fox Distilling Company. Additionally, the city contains multiple civic spaces. Working with Downtown Renaissance Fellow Franco Conocchiari-Scherer and design professionals from the RVCCD team, community leaders outlined local priorities, including improving streetscaping, developing a more accessible community park, and assisting downtown business owners with façade renovations. More details about these concepts are available in the report published for the Renaissance Fellowship, which can be found at this link: issuu.com/rsvpstudio/docs/buenavista2022

Downtown streets currently emphasize vehicular travel. Opportunities therefore exist to improve safety by expanding sidewalks, adding safe pedestrian crossings, and making other accessibility improvements to help establish a more walkable and attractive downtown. The desire to concentrate development close to the city center could be addressed by creating a more central community park. Many commercial properties around the courthouse square would benefit from beautification and

updating, which could boost tourism and encourage economic growth.

As Buena Vista looks ahead to grow the local economy, local leaders have not forgotten to look down. A community’s streets and sidewalks help make the first impression of the community for visitors and residents. Buena Vista is known for being the commercial center of Marion County and the meeting point of multiple state highway routes. Commercial trucks and through-traffic continually pass through the heart of downtown. While creating a source of business, this traffic volume also comes with challenges, including heavy truck traffic, dangerous speeding, unsafe pedestrian crossings, and unorganized parking opportunities. Citizens see these conditions as issues that must be addressed to grow downtown, support local businesses, and create the active local destination desired by residents. The following designs focus on encouraging safer vehicular speeds, creating accessible pedestrian walkways and destinations, and improving downtown commercial streets through more efficient on-street parking.

The plan for downtown Buena Vista extends attractive streetscaping elements throughout the area. Expanded sidewalks throughout

the historic square area improve pedestrian safety and could encourage additional outdoor seating and other uses. Large-canopy street trees shown throughout the plan bring muchneeded shade and enhance the appearance of the area. Formalized on-street parking throughout the square ensures easy accessibility for business patrons.

Proposed Streetscape Plan

Flint Energies funded this mural in Buena Vista, Georgia, painted by Christopher Johnson.

BUENA VISTA MARION COUNTY

PROPOSED STREETSCAPE PLAN: The improvements to McDuffie Street create a more pedestrian-friendly experience in downtown Buena Vista. The streetscape plan shows a new sidewalk encircling the courthouse square, bump-outs with large-canopy street trees, formalized on-street angled parking, EV charging spaces, RV parking, new crosswalks, and expanded sidewalks. Together, these improvements make exploring downtown safer and more inviting for pedestrians.

MCDUFFIE STREET

EXISTING: McDuffie Street in downtown Buena Vista features a wide paved area with limited street trees and shade.

PROPOSED: The improvements to McDuffie Street create a more pedestrianfriendly experience in downtown Buena Vista. This concept shows the road resurfaced with fresh crosswalk striping and new parking lines. The new angled parking spaces include EV chargers to promote regional tourism. Landscaped bump-outs adjacent to angled parking spaces slow traffic and offer space for new street trees like willow oaks or laurel oaks that would provide shade to the road and sidewalk. On the east side of the street, wider sidewalks allow room for businesses to have outdoor tables and more street trees in tree grates. An expanded central median planted with native grasses also calms traffic and allows for safe crossing at the busy 6th Avenue intersection.

MARION DRUG BUILDING

EXISTING: The façade of the historic Marion Drug Building features a lot of worn paint and mismatched colors. A safety door on the second-floor hints at what was once a balcony.

PROPOSED: This rendering shows an updated and more cohesive color scheme that echoes the iconic Marion Drug Coca-Cola sign on the side of the building. A balcony has been reinstalled to take full advantage of second-floor rental potential. Expanded outdoor seating space under the balcony and street trees makes the site more comfortable for patrons as well.

Streets and sidewalks help make the first impression of the community for visitors and residents.

EXAMPLE: PARK DEVELOPMENT

JOSH GIBSON COMMUNITY PARK

Buena Vista leaders requested design assistance to plan a more accessible community park. The proposed park design detailed here was inspired by the idea of the Southern front porch, a place that brings neighbors together in the heart of the community. The bold colors and geometric forms found at nearby Pasaquan informed the look of elements within the park, including paving patterns, play structures, and other site elements. This proposed community park, named in honor of baseball legend and Buena Vista native Josh Gibson, could include a dedicated space for physical activity within convenient walking distance of downtown. Park elements, such as a splash pad, playground, basketball court, and walking trails, could bring much-needed recreation options to the community.

PROGRAMMING ELEMENTS

The park proposed by city leaders includes a variety of programming elements:

• Splash pad where children can play and cool off in the summer

• Play area with opportunities for intergenerational play

• Putting green, which can double as lawn/greenspace when not in use

• Basketball court for recreation and as a public art and community-building opportunity

• Pavilions to provide shaded gathering spots

• Walking trail that connects to the existing sidewalk network

• Stage for community events

• Restrooms for park users and those visiting downtown

The proposed community park is named in honor of baseball legend and Buena Vista native Josh Gibson.

Streets and sidewalks help make the first impression of the community for visitors and residents.

Existing

EXISTING: This image shows the property proposed for a new community park. The many mature trees in place provide shade, and the relatively flat topography is ideal for many planned amenities.

PROPOSED: This design concept shows the vacant lot transformed into an active community destination. New on-street parking and sidewalks along 7th Avenue ensure access to the park. Elements shown include a restroom facility, splash pad, playground area, and flexible putting green.

Proposed

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