Recommendations / Downtown Development / Big Idea #1: Streetscape to Greenspace: Bringing Baldwin Downtown

Big Idea #1: Streetscape to Greenspace: Bringing Baldwin Downtown

Part of the "MILLY RISING" initiative

Downtown DevelopmentMilledgeville/Baldwin$1,000,000+

Overview

Create a pedestrian-only greenspace in downtown Milledgeville where residents with different backgrounds, ages, and interests can gather and form a sense of community. The space would include places to hear musicians on sidewalks, eat under a canopy, play in a splash pad, relax in a pocket park, shop at local retail spots, and connect by bike paths to the Oconee River Greenway or Central State Hospital grounds.

Action plan

Short-term
Establish a strategic planning and implementation committee. Hold community forums to assess the desires of Milledgeville/Baldwin County concerning the design of the green space. Also seek approval from GDOT to reroute State Road/Hancock Street/Highway 49 and provide a feasibility study with cost estimates and design mock-ups.
Medium-term
Announce the Streetscape to Greenspace design competition. Secure required funding. Secure permits needed to reroute traffic and utilities. Allow the community to provide feedback on submitted designs. Select the final winner of the design competition.
Long-term
Convert Streetscape to Greenspace. Attract festivals, farmers’ markets, concerts, and other events.

Expected impact

Students Staying Beyond GraduationEconomic

Tracks whether higher numbers of students stay in the area beyond graduation.

New Businesses OpeningEconomic

Tracks whether new businesses open because of the project.

Design Competition AnnouncedCommunity

Tracks whether the Streetscape to Greenspace design competition is announced.

Strategic Planning and Implementation CommitteeInstitutional

Tracks whether a strategic planning and implementation committee is established.

New Job CreationEconomic

Tracks whether new jobs are created.

Festivals, Farmers’ Markets, and Concerts AttractedCommunity

Tracks whether the greenspace attracts festivals, farmers’ markets, concerts, and other events.

Expansion of Downtown FootprintInfrastructure

Tracks long-term success through expansion of the downtown footprint.

Total Project BudgetOperational

Tracks the total estimated budget shown in the report.

Projected: $4,250,000 dollars
Splash Pad CostOperational

Tracks the budgeted cost for the splash pad.

Projected: $250,000 dollars
Greenspace Creation CostOperational

Tracks the budgeted cost for creation of the greenspace.

Projected: $4,000,000 dollars
Support of Elected Officials, Store Owners, and ResidentsInstitutional

Tracks whether support is obtained from elected officials, downtown store owners, and residents.

Required Funding SecuredEconomic

Tracks whether required funding is secured to complete the project.

Economic DiversityEconomic

Tracks whether the project contributes to increased economic diversity.

New Industries Moving to AreaEconomic

Tracks whether new industries move into the area.

Growth of Downtown Retail and RestaurantsEconomic

Tracks short-term success through growth of downtown retail and restaurants.

Timeframe: Long-term
Resident Volume Throughout All HoursCommunity

Tracks whether resident volume increases through all hours of the day.

Pedestrian-Only Greenspace ScopeInfrastructure

Tracks the proposed physical scope of the greenspace.

Projected: Hancock Street and Wayne Street to Hancock Street and Clark Street, plus a portion of Wayne Street Project area
Welcoming Environment for AllEquity

Tracks whether the new greenspace creates a welcoming environment for all.

Timeframe: Short-term
Final Design Winner SelectedOperational

Tracks selection of the final winner of the design competition.

Community Feedback on DesignsCommunity

Tracks whether the community is allowed to provide feedback on submitted designs.

Bike Path ConnectionsInfrastructure

Tracks whether bike paths connect the greenspace to the Oconee River Greenway and Central State Hospital grounds.

Permits for Traffic and UtilitiesInstitutional

Tracks whether required permits are secured to reroute traffic and utilities.

Increased Foot TrafficEconomic

Tracks whether the project results in increased foot traffic.

Timeframe: Short-term
Community ForumsCommunity

Tracks whether community forums are held to assess design desires.

Increased Number of EventsCommunity

Tracks short-term success through increased numbers of events.

Employees Moving Closer to WorkEconomic

Tracks whether employees currently working in Milledgeville/Baldwin County move to live and raise families closer to work.

GDOT Reroute ApprovalInstitutional

Tracks whether GDOT approval is secured to reroute State Road/Hancock Street/Highway 49.

Streetscape Converted to GreenspaceInfrastructure

Tracks completion of the conversion from streetscape to greenspace.

Feasibility Study and Design Mock-UpsOperational

Tracks completion of a GDOT feasibility study with cost estimates and design mock-ups.

Key stakeholders

Kim AdamsKat CannellaBridget DanielHugh DarnleyHeather EvansMary Kathryn GriffinJohn JacksonKara LassiterClay McElhenyElizabeth McMahonDavid NuckollsAndrew StricklandMilledgeville/Baldwin CountyWorkers commuting from surrounding countiesProfessionalsCollege studentsRetireesResidentsVisitorsFamiliesDowntown retail and restaurantsMusiciansElected officialsDowntown store ownersCity of Milledgeville GovernmentBaldwin County GovernmentGeorgia Department of TransportationGeorgia College & State UniversityConvention and Visitors BureauMilledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of CommerceMilledgeville Main StreetChamber and Development AuthorityLocal downtown businessesCarl Vinson Institute of Government, University of GeorgiaKnight Foundation grantsNational Main Street Program grantsNon-profit organizations focused on open street / pedestrian-only street conceptsLocal Maintenance & Improvement Grant via GDOTRoadside Enhancement and Beautification Council Grant via GDOTOconee River GreenwayCentral State Hospital groundsStrategic planning and implementation committeeCommunity forum participantsDesign competition participantsFestival, farmers’ market, and concert organizers

Estimated budget

Creation of the Greenspace: $4,000,000; Splash Pad: $250,000; Total: $4,250,000.