The City of Monroe Design Considerations | 2016

Monroe THE CITY OF

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Georgia Downtown Renaissance Summer Fellowship Report 2016

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Downtown Monroe Street View

Monroe The Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellows Program pairs the resources of the Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia Cities Foundation, and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government with emerging design professionals from the University of Georgia College of Environment & Design to enhance downtown development in communities across Georgia.

With the assistance of the Georgia Municipal Association and the Georgia Cities Foundation, the City of Monroe was selected as one of three communities to take part in the 2016 Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellows Program. Partner cities are selected based on the criteria of strong local leadership, community commitment, and fiscal readiness to act on projects. We thank the people of Monroe for their steadfast commitment to community improvement and invaluable role in the partnership.

Through the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fellows Program, Siyu Hou, a summer Fellow (intern), was assigned to the City of Monroe and worked 40 hours per week over a 12-week period during the summer, beginning the week of May 16th. Hou worked from the Spectrum Design Studio, located on the UGA campus at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, under the supervision of Danny Bivins and Kaitlin McShea.

Hou, an undergraduate landscape architecture student from the University of Georgia’s College of Environment & Design, worked directly with Sadie Krawczyk, the Monroe Ecomomic Development Specialist, to provide technical and design services to downtown Monroe. She visited the city several times in order to create a plan that captures and addresses the community-identified priorities to aid in downtown and community development.

Hou worked from the Spectrum Design Studio, located on the UGA campus at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, under the supervision of Danny Bivins and Kaitlin McShea. She worked with two other Renaissance Fellows, Jacob Harrison Schindler who supported the city of Jesup, and Daniel Shinkle, who assisted the city of Chatsworth.

This report addresses four different project sites by proposing conceptual design solutions: 1) gateway and welcoming enhancements, 2) downtown infill development, 3) streetscape improvements, and 4) the creation of a downtown park.

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Partners and Credits The Georgia Municipal Association

Chris Higdon, Community Development Manager

Created in 1933, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) is the only state organization that represents municipal governments in Georgia. Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit, and technical consulting services to its members.

The Georgia Cities Foundation

Perry Hiott, Director of Community Development

Founded in 1999, the Georgia Cities Foundation is a nonprofit subsidiary of the Georgia Municipal Association. The foundation’s mission is to assist cities in their efforts to revitalize and enhance downtown areas by serving as a partner and facilitator in funding capital projects through the revolving loan fund. Its services include the Revolving Loan Fund Program, the Heart and Soul Bus Tour, the Peerto-Peer Mentoring Tour, the Downtown Development Authority Basic Training, and the Renaissance Award.

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government

Danny Bivins, Renaissance Fellows Supervisor, Principal Investigator Kaitlin McShea Messich, Senior Community Designer T. Clark Stancil, Landscape Designer

For more than 85 years, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia has worked with public officials throughout Georgia and around the world to improve governance and people’s lives. The Institute of Government has helped government leaders navigate change and forge strong directions for a better Georgia.

The College of Environment & Design

The UGA College of Environment & Design hosts various degree programs, including landscape architecture, historic preservation, and environmental planning and design as well as a specialized certificate program in environmental ethics.

Special thanks to Jacob Schindler and Daniel Shinkle, Renaissance Fellows.

The city of Monroe Economic Development Department Sadie Krawczylk, Economic Development Specialist, The city of Monroe Economic Development Department Leigh Ann Walker, Downtown Main Street Coordinator

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Arrival Signage The city of Monroe continues to treat its downtown as an economic engine for growth and community pride. The investments are paying off, downtown is attracting more visitors, especially millennials. However, finding the downtown for first time visitors can be a challenge, especially if one is entering downtown Monroe from the four-lane bypass. Both landscape improvements and better signage would help to encourage visitors to exit the bypass and explore the downtown. Thus, designing a welcoming entrance should be a priority for Monroe.

The GA -11 bridge that crosses over Highway

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78 functions as one of the main entrances into downtown Monroe. However, the bridge itself is not atheistically attractive and does not communicate a sense of arrival. Due to its location, the bridge could also act as a welcome sign for downtown Monroe. Only a few slight adjustments would be needed.

GA-11 Bridge Existing

Highlight “Monroe”

Reverse Graffiti

The difficulty lies with adhering to

the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) signage policies, which can prohibit creative signage. One idea that might work and not conflict with the DOT regulations would be using a technique referred to as “Reverse Graffiti,” a method of creating a temporary or semi-permanent image on hardscape by removing dirt from the surface. Because the bridge is covered in things like dirt, grease, and exhaust, one could simply clean away that layer to create art and signage—a creative and unqiue solution.

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Night View In addition, colored lights underneath the bridge, if al-

lowed, would also provide a unique and welcoming attraction for people driving through—creating a landmark by simply adding lighting.

Other options would be to soften the arrival by plant-

ing trees and shrubs around the ramps for general beautification.

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GA-11 Bridge

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HWY 78 Welcome Signage Highway 78 functions as a major gateway for the city of Monroe. Add ing down-

town restaurant and shop signage to the DOT-approved exit signage is a simple way to inform visitors about downtown amenities.

While still adhering to DOT requirements, the signage now includes restaurants logos.

Greening the median by planting creek meadow and wildflowers along the Highway 78 is another way to improve the driving experience, signaling a sense of arrival.

1.Planting The Median -- welcoming --sense of arrival --affordable

Wildflowers / Creek Meadow 10

HWY 78 Signage

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Urban Mixed-use Infill Downtown Monroe is in the process of redevelopment. Monroe

has the opportunity to encourage thoughtful infill development that integrates the look of the new development with the city’s historic character. Along Broad, Spring and Midland Avenues, there are parking lots that interapt the building rythme, causing a feeling disconnectivity.

Mixed-use infill development in some of these parking lots would increase the number of shops, restaurants, lodging, and, of course, people downtown. The new infill development would also create a more walkable and pleasurable pedestrian experience.

These vacant lots (shown on the map) could be replaced by two mixed-use buildings and an outdoor plaza.

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Mixed-use Infill

Off street parking size analysis

parking lots

1.

structures

Spring St. 3.

parking lots

Broad St.

structures

Midland Ave

2.

parking lots

structures

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Corner Mixed-use Infill Before: The corner parking lot is located at West Highland Avenue and Broad Street, across from City Hall.

After: The corner lot is now the sight of a three-story, mixed-use development that houses retail, restaurants, and lodging. This building will address the corner with its entrance and will signal arrival into historic downtown Monroe.

Beforeˆ Plan View

corner mixed-use infill

infill

infill

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Afterˆ

Corner Infill

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W Spring Mixed-use Infill Before: This parking lot is located at the corner of West Spring Street and North Wayne Street.

After: The lot is now home to a three-story, mixed-use development that houses retail, restaurants, and lodging. The mixed-use building warps around a parking garage. This infill development increases the downtown footprint and signals arrival into downtown Monroe.

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Beforeˆ Plan View mixed-use infill

infill parking garage infill infill

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Afterˆ

W Spring Mixed-use Infill

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Beforeˆ

This alley, located off North Wayne

Street, acts as a pedestrian shortcut from the West Spring Street parking lot to the historic Courthouse on Broad Street. The alley in its current configuration allows for pedestrians and automotive access.

A few small design improvements

transform the middle of the alley and the rear of adjacent buildings into a plaza space. This flexible space still allows for pedestrian and delivery traffic.

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Afterˆ

Alley

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Beforeˆ The central plaza is designed to be a flex-

ible park space that could hold all types of events like a “Friday Food Court,” a farmers market, and musical performances.

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Afterˆ

Alley

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Midland Ave Retrofit

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Pedestrian Corridor Midland Avenue is a two-lane

road that extends from Monroe’s south side historic mill community to its north side residential district. Midland Avenue is more automobile-centric than Broad Street.

Because of the close distance

between Midland Avenue and the main downtown districts, there is an opportunity for the road to be reconfigured to increase walkability in the city by connecting residential areas with downtown.

In the future, Midland Avenue has the potential to become the main walking and biking district in downtown Monroe. The reconfigured road could support various social gatherings, connect nearby housing, and encourage redevelopment within downtown.

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Beforeˆ

The proposed walking and biking trail

on Midland Avenue would connect to the existing rail line for future usage. A shared road would encourage biking and walking ,while slowing down traffic onMidland Avenue

A 36 foot ROW rail & trail is proposed

with natural planting buffer on two sides of the trial. This part of trail aims to bring residents from nearby communities into downtown Monroe.

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Afterˆ

Rail & Trail

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1.

South Mill Community

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Davis St.

Rail & Trail

Rail & trail section is 36 foot wide in total, including a twelve foot existing rail line, an eight

foot planting buffer and a sixteen foot multifunctional trail for biking , running and walking.

Since the existing rail line is 66 feet ROW, the other 36 feet wide of road functions as natural buffer and has potential for future development.

The sixteen broad trail may be constructed by porous concrete , asphalt

or rubber mulch.

Wildflowers such as creek meadow is suitable for natural buffer between rail line and flexible trail.

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Beforeˆ

A 80 foot ROW includes road functions

like free parking space. Because of the broad road width and its direct connection to the downtown area, this section of the road is proposed to be the starting plaza within the whole pedestrian corridor, functioning as the main public gathering as well as bike rental center.

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Rail & Trail Head-----Plaza

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2.

Davis St. 30

Rail & Trail Head-----Plaza A 80 foot ROW road is proposed to provide sidewalk, bike lanes as well as on street parking.

This part of corridor is divided into two sections, as two section drawillustrated below.

Both sections are designed to have a twenty foot shared road with

athirteen foot wide angled parking either on one side or two sides of the road, provding enough capacity for both people and automobiles on Midland Ave.

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Beforeˆ

A 40 foot ROW road section (E Church to

E Washington) on Midland Ave functions as two way drive lanes as well as friday concert space.

Compare to the main street in downtown, the Midland Ave has a light traffic and noise. In order to increase pedestrian and biking accessibility on this section of the road, the shared lane concept is used.

Light planting buffer on two sides of the

road provides safety to residents who walk along the road. The pavement changes at the interesction also highlight pedestrian priority, at the same time, it provides flexible events space.

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Afterˆ

Shared Road

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3.

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E Washington St.

E Church St.

Shared Road

Shared lanes are roadways open to both cars and bicycles .

They are designed to slow vehicular traffic down and allow bicyclists and pedestrians to have the right of way.

Shared lanes are typically used in areas

where increased pedestrian or bicycle traffic is desired or where a community wants to slow down cars or decrease the traffic flow. A shared lane typically requires 10 to 14 feet of roadway space. General directional signage may be needed to better guide drivers and bicyclists.

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4.

Midland Ave

E Spring St.

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Court St.

Shared Road with on Street Parking

This section of the road is similarly to the section 3. Considering the availability

as well as convenience of downtown parking, extra on street parking is added in this section of Midland Ave. Moreover, section 4 of the road may be an alternative design for section 3 as well.

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Beforeˆ

A 40 foot ROW road section (E Highland Ave to Edwards St.) on north end of the Midland Ave functions as two-way street.

Compare to other sections of the Midland

Ave, this section has very little traffic and noise. In order to increase pedestrian and biking accessibility, the shared lane concept is continued.

Light planting buffer on two sides of the

road also provides safety to residents who walk.

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Afterˆ

E Highland Ave to Edwards

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5.

40

E Highland Ave

d r a Edw

t.

S s

E Highland Ave to Edwards

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S. Madison St. Improvement

S. Madison St. Improvement Before: South Madison Street, which runs parallel to Broad Street, functions as the city’s second major thoroughfare. Unlike Broad Street, South Madison is a cut-through for automobile traffic.

After: South Madison is transformed into a downtown commercial and community-centric street by retro-fitting the street to make it pedestrian friendly.

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S. Madison St. Improvement

S. Madison St. Improvement To provide a sense of place, welcome signage

now greets visitors as they enter the downtown district. In addition, new natural plantings and shade trees improve the look and feel of the area. Sidewalks, street lights, and crosswalks encourage pedestrian traffic and instill a sense of safety.

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Town Green

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This two -acre greenspace

is located along South Madision Avenue. An abandoned warehouse sits on the north-ed of the lot, which is covered in weeds and wild grass.

The greenspace has the potential to be transformed into a second city park. In the long term.

the development of a park will increase the nearby land value and bring new business to downtown Monroe.

1660

510,550.95

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Legend: 1. warehouse 1.

2. outdoor stage

3.

3. wedding terrace 4. audience lawn

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5. playground splash pad

2.

4.

6. board walk 7. entry plaza 5.

8. mixed-use infill 9. on street angled parking

9.

10. large shaded trees 11. parking lot 12.

12. green lawn

10.

7.

8.

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Rail & Trail Head Plaza

6.

Town Green

Culture + Community + Commerce

The park is programed to be a multifunctional space: open flexible space, playground, large concert venue, outdoor plaza as well as the wedding venue.

The location of the park is also tied into the Midland Avenue pedestrian corridor. The pathway within the park creates continued connectivity from Midland Avenue to South Madison Street, which has potential to bring new business along these two streets. To encourage pedestrian access to the park and regulate the traffic flow, more street parking is proposed on both Midland Avenue and South Madison Avenue.

Moreover, a corner mixed-use development is also proposed as part of the park development. The new development would front South Madison and East Church St. With acting like the beach front amenity for retail, restaurants, and lodging.

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Entry Plaza

Beforeˆ

The

entry plaza of the park is designed to maximize public activity and promote fitness and health. The entry plaza also functions as a gateway to the proposed corner infill, connecting nearby restaurants, businesses, and residents.

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Town Green

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Outdoor Event

Beforeˆ The south end of the park is de-

signed to be an outdoor event space as well as a family-friendly splash pad and playscape. The splash pad would draw families from throughout the area and act as an impromptu public gathering space. The splash pad and playscape are designed to function in all four seasons, working as a splash pad in the warm weather months.

The outdoor stage is proposed to benefit flexible events such as a Friday night concert, outdoor movie nights, fresh market or outdoor gallery. Moreover, the splash pad, play scape area is designed so it can act as seating for large audiences during outdoor events.

Afterˆ 52

Town Green

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Wedding Ceremony

Beforeˆ

The south corner of the park

(the lawn in front of the warehouse) is designed to be a terrace garden that could host wedding ceremonies and other private events. In this way, the abandoned giant warehouse becomes not only a landmark but also a unique backdrop. Large shade trees are proposed to enclose the space to screen the traffic along Madison Street.

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Town Green

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Mixed-use Infill

Beforeˆ

In the long-term, a mixed-use

infill development could be built on the north corner of the park, connecting to the entry plaza.

This development could offset some of the costs associated with creating the park, attract new businesses, and encourage further land development within downtown Monroe.

Afterˆ 56

Town Green

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Community Forest Management Plan ---2008

Chaste Tree

Sycamore Tree

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Crapemyrtle

Japanese Zelkova

Winged Elm

Southern Sugar Maple

CONTACTS Carl Vinson Institute of Government The University of Georgia 201 Milledge Avenue Athens, GA 30602 (P) 706.542.2736 (F) 706.542.9301 www.cviog.uga.edu

Siyu Hou

Renaissance Fellow College of Environment + Design The Universtiy of Georgia siyuhou@uga.edu skellyyh@gmail.com

Danny Bivins

Renaissance Fellows Supervisor Carl Vinson Institute of Government dbivins@uga.edu

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