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Presentation by Interface Studio and the master planning team outlining the existing conditions and opportunities within the College Hill Corridor. Presented to the public November 19, 2008 at 7pm at Newton Chapel
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_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
College Hill Corridor / Mercer Village Master Plan
Why are we here?The College Hill Corridor is
historic and unique but also a missing link. The Master Plan is an effort to help the College Hill Corridor Commission, City, University, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders:
• create an urban design framework to guide future growth within the area,
• calm traffic and encourage alternative modes of transportation,
•
• respect and honor the past,• improve open space,• add vitality and interest,• engage the public, and • build excitement about the
University, downtown, and Macon as a whole.
Why are we here today?
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
536 Acres
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Public Outreach: our process in Macon
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
This Is What We Heard[quotes from interviews]
“This corridor is not a one-way street.”
“What’s great for kids and older folks won’t make young people fall in love with this City.”
on town-gown
“It takes a long time for perception to catch up to reality.”
on perception and vibe
“There is a lack of creative centers and energy.”
“There is no place on the face of the Earth like Macon.”
on pride and potential
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic EconomicsFirst, a little history…
“The historic area makes Macon’s identity.” [quote from
interview]
The City of Seven Hills…
College Hill began as a weave of location, topography and landscape…
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
College Street
Courtesy of the: Middle Georgia Archives, Washington Memorial Library, Macon, GA
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic EconomicsCourtesy of the: Middle Georgia Archives, Washington Memorial Library, Macon, GA
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Is the medium the message?
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Asphalt is not historic…
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic EconomicsCollege Hill today
“It’s time to turn the music a little bit louder.” [quote from interview]
Recent population trends
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
DemographicsClaritas, 2008 “People have different needs and priorities.
Students want to be able to walk and bike and go to bars,
young families want parks and ice cream stores,
seniors are looking for a quiet retirement.” [quotes from interview]
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
DemographicsU.S. Census 2000
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic EconomicsWhat does College Hill look like?
“There is a lack of entrances to the corridor, there is no sense of arrival.” [quote from interview]
Land Use
Land Use… simplified greatly
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Surface Parking
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Is the glass half full? Half empty?
Or twice as big as it needs to be?
Parking Usage
Commercial Land Use
Commercial Uses
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Commercial Uses
“What good is a corridor if you don’t have a destination?” [quote from interview]
Institutions
Employers by Size
Just over 2% of employees live in zip code 31201.
25% of employees live in zip codes 31204 and 31210.
Distribution of Medical Center Employees
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Sales Since 2000: Median Sale Price
30% of properties in the study area have sold since 2000
23% of properties sold for less than $100
There’s room for change…
“We are turning the corner.” [quote from interview]
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Vacancy
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Trees and Parks
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Tree Coverage
7.3 acres/ 1,000 people
Park Space
Only 9 of the 31 acres of park space is programmed for recreation
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Tattnall Square: A park with split personalities…
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Recreation space but largely unconnected
Where do I walk?
A lack of paths and poor stormwater drainage
Some facilities and some abuse…
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
And some underutilized space
Topography
Frontages
3.25 miles or 26% of street lengths
2.57 miles or 21% of street lengths
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
? ?Are there ghost houses in College Hill?
Getting from here to there
“There is an attitude,
a suburban mentality.” [quote from interview]
Connections
High Speeds – Pedestrians + Overbuilt Roads– Bicyclists + Large Parking Supply
Car Culture
Macon’s Car Culture
Accident History (2004-2008)
A typical intersection has 4 correctible accidents per year…
Lack of Pedestrian Protection
Macon’s Car Culture
Encouraging High Speeds
Pedestrian Environment
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics
Pedestrian Environment Rating
Bicycling in Macon
Where are all the bicyclists?
Transit
Any fool can make things bigger, more complex. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction.
connect / spontaneous and planned events / sustainable project
economic vitality / recruit and retain best use retail / infill / attract students and neighbors to use the corridor /
respect history / calm traffic /
walkable & bikeable / preserve / increase visual appeal / beautiful / redevelopment of the corridor / “college
town” / build consensus / enjoyable cycling / improve public parks / safe / mix of uses / inspire / reinforce
anchors / physical and social links / market the area / tie it all together / new student housing /
authenticity
Your Turn to Talk
_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics