Recommendations / Tourism / Big Idea #3: Get Here, Stay Here

Big Idea #3: Get Here, Stay Here

Part of the "I SAW THE SIGN" initiative

TourismMilledgeville/Baldwin$1,000,000+

Overview

Create an increased sense of community by capitalizing on branding opportunities and investing in corridor improvements beyond gateway signage. The recommendation extends the sense of arrival and makes a good first impression last longer by improving approaches within county boundaries. It recommends using blank canvases such as water towers, power boxes, traffic boxes, empty walls, crosswalks, and sides of buildings to enhance natural beauty, express Milledgeville/Baldwin’s brand, showcase local talent, and support placemaking.

Action plan

Short-term
The city and county should create an inventory of locations appropriate for tactical urbanism and creative placemaking interventions. They should engage residents in listening sessions and conduct community surveys to identify reinvestment opportunities, possibly with help from a firm like 8-80 Cities Foundation.
Medium-term
Develop a strategic plan for corridor improvements by commissioning a consultant team to lay the framework for tactics, construction, landscaping, and weekly maintenance. Engage community organizations and educational institutions to “adopt” blank canvases and community spaces for improvements such as murals, programs, or small improvement projects.
Long-term
Form a permanent advisory board of key public and private community stakeholders to oversee continued maintenance and expansion of the community corridor initiative.

Expected impact

Tourist Traffic IncreaseEconomic

Tracks increase in tourist traffic resulting from corridor improvements, creative placemaking, blank canvas art, information kiosks, and improved visitor orientation.

Increased Local Spending PotentialEconomic

Tracks whether residents and tourists are more likely to invest money and time in the community after improved access and orientation.

New Business DevelopmentEconomic

Tracks long-term success through the number of new businesses developed after the improvements.

Timeframe: Long-term
Positive Community PerceptionCommunity

Tracks whether visitors and residents leave with a positive perception of the community after improved orientation, beautification, and access.

Art Proposal SubmissionsCommunity

Tracks people engaged through submitting proposals for art or participating in blank canvas artwork efforts.

Community Meeting ParticipationCommunity

Tracks number of people engaged by attending community meetings connected to corridor improvement and placemaking efforts.

Visitor Orientation ImprovementCommunity

Tracks whether residents and tourists are better oriented through kiosks, signage, and improved information access.

Increased Sense of PrideCommunity

Tracks the intangible measure of success: an increased sense of pride in the community.

Creative Placemaking ActivationCommunity

Tracks whether underutilized spaces are activated through pop-ups, blank canvas projects, tactical urbanism, or other creative placemaking approaches.

Highlighted Attraction VisitsEconomic

Tracks visits to attractions highlighted through signage, kiosks, corridor improvements, or creative placemaking efforts.

Key stakeholders

City and county governmentsCity of Milledgeville GovernmentBaldwin County GovernmentGeorgia DOTGeorgia Department of Economic DevelopmentGeorgia Cities FoundationGeorgia Municipal AssociationMiddle Georgia Regional CommissionOconee Greenway AuthorityConvention and Visitors BureauCentral State Hospital Local Redevelopment AuthorityBusinesses that would benefit from signageLocal businesses and contractorsGeorgia PowerKnight Foundation Fund for MilledgevilleCommunity Foundation of Central GeorgiaLocal higher post-secondary institutionsGeorgia Military CollegeGeorgia CollegeCentral Georgia Technical CollegeGeorgia College Art DepartmentGeorgia Military College Art DepartmentLocal schools / art programsCivic organizationsRotaryKiwanisUnited WayYoung Professionals of Milledgeville/Baldwin CountyBenevolent Lodge #3 Local Masons LodgeLions ClubShrinersHistorical SocietyAllied ArtsLocal artistsKeep Milledgeville BeautifulTwin Lakes Library SystemProject for Public SpacesResidentsCommunity organizationsEducational institutionsConsultant teamPermanent advisory board of public and private stakeholders8-80 Cities Foundation

Estimated budget

Total: $1,125,000. Corridor Improvements: Landscaping $250,000. Creative Placemaking: Tactical urbanism $50,000; existing park improvements $500,000; information kiosks $25,000-$75,000; parklet program $50,000. Blank Canvases: blank canvas art program $200,000.