RVCCD: Taylor County

CITIES OF BUTLER AND REYNOLDS AND TAYLOR 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 Taylor County Plan BACKGROUND

This plan describes community development opportunities in Taylor 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 Taylor 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

CITIES OF BUTLER AND REYNOLDS AND TAYLOR 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 Taylor County.

VISION FOR THE CITIES OF

The cities of Butler and Reynolds are already investing in their historic downtowns as centers of development and community life in Taylor County.

Butler and Reynolds and for Taylor County

The cities of Butler and Reynolds are already investing in their historic downtowns as centers of development and community life in Taylor County. These downtowns boast improved infrastructure, enhanced streetscapes, downtown murals, and other amenities that make them attractive hubs of local activity. They feature restaurants, shops, offices, and other small businesses of the type that make rural communities thriving and vibrant. To promote these efforts and help Butler, Reynolds, and Taylor County build on their success, the following additional proposed improvements are designed to enhance their existing downtown character.

Transforming underutilized striped paving into landscaped beds and bump-outs can impact downtown.

BUTLER STREETSCAPE PLAN

Butler’s downtown square sits at the convergence of several highways. These intersections create a confusing traffic pattern with significantly oversized paving. This conceptual plan shows potential improvements to the streetscape in downtown Butler. This design shows the impact of transforming underutilized striped paving into landscaped beds and bump-outs. Sidewalks are also shown expanded where feasible, with oversized paving reduced and parking reorganized along Ivy Street for a more pedestrian-friendly corridor.

Existing, Ivy Street

Proposed, Ivy Street

Proposed, Butler Courtyard

Existing, Butler Courtyard

Proposed, Main Street

Existing, Main Street

BUTLER COURTYARD

EXISTING: This vacant space between two restaurants in downtown Butler could be programmed to enhance these local businesses.

PROPOSED: This concept shows the same space transformed into an attractive dining courtyard with string lights, Chinese elm trees, and an inviting new mural.

MAIN STREET

EXISTING: This photo shows existing conditions of Main Street in downtown Butler, including an attractive new mural.

PROPOSED: Incorporating large bump-outs at corners reduces pedestrian crossing distances, removes unnecessary paving, and creates spaces for attractive large-canopy street trees. These trees frame the beautiful new mural downtown and add much-needed shade to the area. A proposed EV charging station at the corner could give drivers passing through a chance to recharge while enjoying downtown restaurants and shopping.

IVY STREET

EXISTING: This photo shows existing conditions at Ivy Street on the eastern side of the courthouse square in downtown Butler.

PROPOSED: This design concept shows new sidewalks and bump-outs along Ivy Street in downtown Butler. Features like large sidewalks, formalized on-street parking, and landscaped bump-outs with large trees could easily be incorporated within the large paved right-of-way. These features make exploring downtown on foot safer and more enjoyable and invite motorists driving through the area to stop and enjoy downtown businesses and restaurants. This design includes a convenient corner EV charging station at the new downtown mural.

REYNOLDS STREETSCAPE PLAN

Downtown Reynolds is located at the intersection of two large highways. Several unused paved areas along these corridors and secondary streets could be converted to bump-outs to make traveling through downtown on foot safer and more enjoyable. This concept plan adds both large-canopy and smaller ornamental street trees to screen parking areas and create welcoming cover and shade.

Efforts are underway to extend the Flint River Water Trail (flintriverwatertrail.com) from Spalding County down to Lake Seminole, which includes Talbot and Taylor counties.

Improving the experience of visiting downtown.

REYNOLDS FAÇADES

EXISTING: In downtown Reynolds, this existing façade and streetscape features underused buildings, stunted street trees, and a lack of shade.

PROPOSED: Adding large-canopy street trees, an EV charging station, and patio seating could improve the experience of visiting downtown. The repainted façades shown include new upper-story windows and refurbished storefronts.

EV WELCOME CENTERS: OPPORTUNITIES FOR REVITALIZATION AND TOURISM

Georgia is leading the nation with anticipated EV manufacturing jobs and is at the forefront of efforts to build out the charging network. Providing EV charging is one way rural communities are seeking to bring travelers to their communities. For this region, creating welcome centers with EV charging stations in each community would be a way to not only provide charging but also encourage those passing through to learn about the community, buy local products, use a clean restroom, and stroll through downtown.

The proposed welcome centers in this plan exemplify this concept. Throughout the region, a number of abandoned gas stations sit unused, likely because of perceived environmental contamination. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s brownfields program provides funding support to assess and redevelop brownfield sites. In recent years, the agency has been encouraging, through funding priorities, the redevelopment of these sites into EV charging stations. Thus, communities have the opportunity to retain the nostalgic charm of old gas stations while also projecting a 21st-century sensibility and bringing EV drivers downtown. This plan embraces this trend by envisioning abandoned gas stations throughout the study region transformed into welcome centers, with EV and e-bike charging stations.

Proposed

WELCOME CENTER

EXISTING: This prominent corner in the heart of Reynolds is currently a vacant expanse of concrete. The sidewalks surrounding the site are relatively new, with a new crossing bump-out. As a former gas station, this site could be eligible for brownfield certification and funding opportunities.

PROPOSED: This rendering shows a potential shipping container welcome center with EV charging and e-bike rental. Green space is added within the site, along with street trees for shade.

Existing

Improving the experience of visiting downtown.

Proposed

CHARGING STATION

EXISTING: The attractive headquarters of Flint Energies occupies a prominent location along GA-540 in downtown Reynolds.

PROPOSED: The Flint Energies headquarters could be an appropriate location for two prominent EV charging spots in the front parking area.

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