COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Corridor Development Best Practices

As development moves forward across the River Valley Region, local leaders should prioritize growth in the traditional downtown areas. Focusing on revitalizing downtowns could allow the communities surrounding Columbus to grow in a sustainable way. Concentrating growth in areas with existing infrastructure preserves the natural abundance of the region, expanding regional prosperity without sacrificing the critical mission of Fort Moore. Leveraging rural landscapes surrounding traditional downtown areas for recreation and agriculture — from kayaking and canoeing to biking, birding, backpacking, farming, hunting, and fishing — could also help grow local economies and preserve the unique cultural landscape of this corner of the South.

While some areas of the River Valley are now attracting development along major highways, strip corridor development directly competes with economic activity and growth in downtowns across the region. Irresponsible corridor development in the form of chaotic sprawl poses a direct risk to the mission of Fort Moore. This type of growth irrevocably alters the natural environment, destroys important habitat for critical plant and animal species, unsustainably extends infrastructure costs and service areas of local governments, and destroys the sacred cultural landscapes that make the River Valley an inviting destination for regional tourism and recreation. While uncontrolled growth along corridor areas should be discouraged, such development is nearly certain to occur in communities across the region. The examples that follow illustrate potential interventions and easily implementable best practices to lessen the negative impacts of corridor development. Examples of proper night lighting, green stormwater infrastructure, connectivity between parking areas, and other best practices show how low-impact development could be incorporated as needed in areas with intense corridor development pressure.

The Highway 280 corridor in Cusseta–Chattahoochee County is developing rapidly. As an important link connecting growing Columbus and Fort Moore with surrounding communities, the Highway 280 corridor will continue to have high growth potential for the foreseeable future. Because of growth pressure along the corridor and potentially adverse impacts on the local environment, quality of life, and operations at Fort Moore, local leaders should prioritize planning for responsible, functional, and sustainable growth.

Light pollution generally refers to sky glow, the effect where the sky appears bright at night and stars are obscured. Many outdoor areas are very brightly lit at night, even when not being used. The result can be excess energy use and expenditure as well as the interruption of the activities of wildlife like migrating birds. Many nocturnal species avoid well-lit areas at night, which reduces the size of their viable habitat. Dark sky areas have also been shown to attract tourists interested in stargazing and to enhance the experience of those engaged in other recreation activities.65 Light pollution can also impact military training by interrupting night-vision exercises, something important so close to Fort Moore.

Many rural communities are choosing to reduce outdoor lighting at night. For example, New Hampshire encourages municipalities to reduce light pollution to help preserve “rural character” with clear, dark night skies. High star visibility is a tourist draw in many places, including Marfa, Texas.