100 Block Street Art Competition

https://m.facebook.com/events/276953819139022 

100 Block Street Art Competition

Art Park 

Downtown Albany, GA

It takes a place to create a community, and a community to create a place

regenerate

The best way to regenerate your city is to maintain momentum with small strategic projects that push forward the vision. #urbanpurpose 

Roles

Opinion. The role of government is to make the minimal public investment that will maximize private sector investment. #urbanpurpose

Top Ten Myths of Downtown Revitalization

Top Ten Myths of Downtown Revitalization

Myth No. 1: Our downtown just needs one "big ticket" development to turn things around. 

Rarely does a "quick fix" really repair a downtown over the long haul. Downtowns that have reversed their downward spirals have typically done so incrementally, through numerous small steps over time. The key to transforming downtown will be found in creating a relevant and meaningful pedestrian experience throughout the downtown.

Myth No. 2: Replacing some existing buildings with parking lots will bring more shoppers downtown.
People do not visit downtowns to park their cars those (parking lots) fronting directly onto streets create dead spaces along the streetscape and are visually unattractive. Parking is one of the favorite topics concerning downtown. Some people think you have too much parking, the other half thinks there is not enough. The problem is not inventory; it is the ease of access and knowledge of location for pedestrians to be able to better utilize parking facilities.

Myth No. 3: Our strategy for revitalizing downtown should focus on retail.
Successful downtowns enjoy a rich mixture of diverse uses however, a singular focus on retail is usually an ill-advised strategy in fact, given its importance to most downtowns, housing is often the best bet of any component residents make their downtown feel inhabited and safe thereby attracting those living outside of downtown to visit for shopping, dining, cultural events and other activities.Retail and entertainment is part of the downtown strategy. However, a fundamental rule of real estate or business is that retail needs consumers. A short-term but highly critical strategy is to establish a primary downtown consumer base utilizing the inner ring neighborhoods around the Central Business District.

Myth No. 4: Attractive new brick sidewalks will bring more people downtown.
New sidewalks, as with streetscape improvements in general, are certainly useful in broadcasting a message that downtown is important to the community. As part of a comprehensive urban design strategy, they will sometimes even stimulate adjacent private development, which can indirectly attract more people to the downtown. However, very few people visit downtowns simply to enjoy their high-quality sidewalks, so their value must always be kept in perspective. Having aesthetically pleasing pedestrian routes would help to contribute to a lively pedestrian experience as high volume corridors of our downtown are developed. 

Myth No. 5: Downtown needs a large national department store to compete with the suburban malls.

National stores numeric trade criteria for trade-area are typically too high for all but the largest downtowns. Most downtowns are better served by focusing on niche retailing that suburban malls are not filling, in addition to other uses such as offices, housing and institutions unique, independently-owned stores are among the strongest draws for most downtowns. Most people realize that turning back the clock and making Downtown a home for large national department stores is not the answer at this time. However, downtowns have proved they can be relevant to the consumer by providing a walkable, inviting environment of smaller independently-owned retailers.

Myth No. 6:  On-street parking should be converted to another driving lane to improve traffic flows for the benefit of downtown. and
Myth No. 7:  Existing one-way streets should be maintained for traffic flows that will benefit downtown.
The inability of vehicles to flow quickly through its streets is not the root of downtowns problems the conversion of on-street parking to driving lanes simply results in faster moving traffic that makes downtowns less pedestrian-friendly for most downtowns, one-way streets prove unnecessary and even counterproductive because they encourage speeding, limit the visibility of retailers and are confusing to new visitors to downtown.

Myth No. 8:  Downtown special events are a waste of time and money because few dollars are spent in businesses during the events and a great deal of preparation and cleanup are required.
In most cases, special events are more important for their long-term benefits than for their short-term gains. Special events often attract some people who rarely or never frequent downtown a positive visitor experience during special events can reap tremendous future rewards, including word-of-mouth advertising special events are a worthwhile form of promotion when strategically linked to the downtowns particular marketing strategies. Events are the easiest way to transform the downtown and to build consumer support and loyalty. Special events are significant differentiators from all other suburban options as they are unique to downtown and it builds on our downtown assets.

Myth No. 9:  One of downtowns primary streets should be closed to traffic and converted into a pedestrian mall.
Pedestrian malls typically work only in downtowns that have a high resident or employee density, large volumes of tourism, or some other unique characteristic, such as an adjacent university. A balanced approach that integrates the car and the pedestrian is the common ground that will work in Downtown.

Myth No. 10:  Too many regulations will kill downtowns businesses.
Well crafted and detailed codes, such as design standards for buildings and signs can clearly elevate the quality of the built environment if used properly. A physically and aesthetically-enhanced downtown typically results in higher property values.

THE END 

Out of the ashes

All Cities are fighting (ATLEAST THEY SHOULD BE!) to retain and attract the millennial generation (Born after 1980). From my perspective, some places are on fire when it comes to this generation; the State of North Carolina, parts of South Carolina (Charleston), Austin, Denver, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio just to name a few. This group of people tend to be mobile and armed with superior technology. This is an advantage the Millennials will have over the past generations. They stay connected (online) and share with their (social) network the good and bad of the places they live or visit.  One question, are you #trending as "the place to be"? This is important because this generation is choosing where they want to live and make an impact first, then finding a job. So what are they looking for in a City?

One word: Walkability

Two words: Cultural Arts

Three words: Great Urban Environment

It’s hard to retain, let alone attract, people who want the option of walking when your downtowns are built for cars. It’s sad, but today we build our downtowns for cars. I was recently reading a story that stated almost 75% of the cities surveyed said that their on-site parking requirements were one of the biggest impediments to downtown development. Right or wrong, I would say that my City has many that feel the same way. Look at parts of Cincinnati and many of the cities along Long Island that have successfully re-energized their downtowns by limiting parking rather than maximizing it. The goal was to encourage walkability thus increasing the likelihood of retail success and creating a greater sense of place and identity.

Final Thought. Those of us who have been charged with leading our cities out of the ashes must be willing to make the hard decisions and recommendations, and be willing to accept the stress that comes with the job of fighting to be the best City we can be. It starts with winning this generation. We will have to refuse to accept anybody’s negative premise about our city and always be an advocate. If I have anything to do with it my city will be #trending #smile :)

One way vs two way

One way traffic does one thing, it moves cars fast. Congestion is good for a downtown.

#smile

Today I spent some time to combat the negative sentiment that surrounds our City with one simple thing, a smile!

urban living as an alternative

In this era of high energy prices, economic uncertainty, and demographic change, an increasing number of peoples are showing an interest in urban living as an alternative to the traditional automobile-dependent suburb. This is why we must protect the urban core.

Protector of the Core

Today many downtowns have become increasingly popular places because they have an authentic character not found in shopping malls and strip centers (Although, developers are trying to duplicate this character) . This appeal, however, can be lost if the downtown’s authenticity is gradually diminished. The destruction of one historic building may not seem important, but if such losses continue, the entire downtown will lose its special standing in citizens’ minds. The destruction of the urban fabric can take millions to replace. It is our duty as urban planners to be the protector of the urban fabric, and voice for good urban design. 

If we dont do it, who will? 

The art of creating Downtown

I believe one of the reasons Downtowns are becoming popular again is that they are among the last places in America where you can actually be surprised. Where in this country anymore can you find a place, or store, or district that isn’t predictable? How many chain stores, how many housing developments, how many strip malls do you have to pass before you begin to ask: haven’t I been here before? Downtowns aren’t immune; too many are trying to compete with suburbs by imitating them.
Let’s say clearly and without question: Downtown Albany does not want to be a franchise. Downtown Albany does not want to be “McCity.” We want to be a group of diverse people who are creating varied businesses that can’t be imitated. And we should hold ourselves accountable to support our local businesses by shopping local. If you just talk about neighborhood hardware stores and spend all your money at Home Depot, you’re not going to have a neighborhood hardware store.

To revitalize the city you must revive the  neighborhoods

DtownAlbany: Cultural Arts Core

You may or may not have experienced it yet but, it’s happening. There is a new buzz around town as we watch the rebirth of Downtown Albany as the cultural hub of Southwest Georgia.
Reflecting its role as Southwest Georgia’s capital city, Downtown Albany is the cultural core of the region. A new art and culture movement will pave the way for an even more vibrant “capital city” and continue to build momentum for art-based economic growth. I support a downtown art and culture movement as an economic development tool for the entire region, and as the most effective way to build a culturally engaged population.
Cultural Attractions Can Drive Urban Growth

There are plenty of examples of the globe where arts and culture have played a pivotal role in neighborhood revitalization as artists transform derelict neighborhoods into vibrant cultural districts, and performing arts centers become anchors for commercial and residential developments. These new neighborhood attractions become lures to bring suburban residents in for an evening of entertainment. Downtown Albany can and will be another success story of this type of effort.

Across the United States most Cities are experiencing that most "Downtown growth is from young professionals and older 'empty nesters' who want to be near entertainment, restaurants and cultural amenities," reports an article in the May 7 edition of USA Today. “This trend is not simply a turn of the millennium phenomena. As the nation's 79 million baby boomers reach retirement age, experts predict that more will be trading in suburban homes for downtown condos near restaurants and theaters.” This is something we will capitalize on in Downtown Albany.

As we continue to grow Downtown Albany I believe it will be seen that art and cultural attractions spur new business development. It has been long recognized that corporations base their decisions on where to relocate on the local quality-of-life, including the availability of cultural resources. The rebirth of Downtown will show that the arts play an important role in fostering emerging businesses. We are looking to develop the quality-of-life amenities, and cultural art attractions that appeal to young professionals, families, and the older 'empty nesters'.

Building Cultural Organizations into Economic Assets

We have a couple basic strategies that we are using to build local cultural organizations into cultural art assets. First, we are looking into every area of Downtown and how we can support or create new homes for local organizations. For example, we are transforming the old NAPA building on Pine Ave into a vibrant outdoor Art Park. This one project could be one of the most important projects that the region has seen in sometime. Second, we will be reaching out to all regional cultural art institutions to see how they can partner with us and each other, to further the cultural arts experience Downtown. Again, the creation of the Art Park has already began to jump start those partnerships in our community. Finally, we continue to create signature events that promote our identity and give visitors a reason to come. The perfect example of this is the monthly Downtown event Nights@dtown “Deck of Arts”. For those of you have frequented this event you can testify that this a diverse cultural arts experience like no other in the region.

Final Thoughts

For the entire region, more focus on Downtown Albany will result in more things to do and a greater quality of life for all citizens. As our region grows, our Downtown becomes more important and future citizens expect more out of it. In the end, our creative engines at the central core of our region has the ability to attract industry, maintain property values, and retain the most creative and intelligent of its citizenry. This effort will continue to make the area economically viable and relevant over the coming decade.

Im Back!

Been gone for sometime on the Blog end. Well Im back!

Where did the Sidewalks Go?

24/7 Pace of Life Bad for the Soul?

During the 60s and 70s developers quit putting in sidewalks. I ask, "what happen to the Sidewalks?" I grew up in a neighborhood with sidewalks, but its very common now to not have sidewalks at all. Today, developers are trying to recover them, but we went through a whole phase when we didn't have sidewalks. What does that say, what does that speak too, why??

What is a sidewalk?

A Sidewalk is shared space.

A Sidewalk is something that connects us.

A Sidewalk is something that makes us neighbors.

Sidewalks are for WALKING, very little of that is being done. If your on a sidewalk it means your outside. All of these things have begun to fade away in our modern culture. The absence of sidewalks screams of INDIVIDUAL, ISOLATION, and INACTIVITY; all which are bad. We don't want to be connected, we don't want to have neighbors, we don't want to share, it speaks of our impatience.

Come on be honest who walks anymore, we want to get there at 70mph. We can't walk, who walks.

LIVING BEHIND THE GATE

Are gated communities really safer? I say no, gated communities are not any safer than non-gated communities. Although vandalism and smash-n-grab incidences are relatively lower in gated communities, home burglaries and car theft incidences are about the same. This definitely underlines the oft-cited sense of security value concept that real estate developers hobnob about. People are willing to shell out extra cash for that sense of protection that they are safe in their little haven even though they really aren’t.

I have always lived in non-gated communities. My personal experiences tell me that the gates were only a psychological barrier in the minds of the residents and not the potential criminal. In most communities, visitors could mention any random condo number or name that we were supposedly visiting and the guard would let you in. Others are controlled by access codes that any Tom, Dick, and Harry seem to know. Pizza delivery guys, Fedex/UPS delivery employees, local Chinese takeout guys, etc know the code and the codes rarely changed. Anyone could easily tailgate their way in if they were quick enough and if you could not, residents usually offer their card just because you're blocking their way.

Gated communities thus offer only a sense of security that doesn’t seemingly exist. So what do gates do? They slow down cars, make it hard to visit people, and cost you additional association fees.

What really matters.
What matters in terms of neighborhood safety is who's living there: Are residents looking out for their neighbors?(THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE LIVING BEHIND THE GARAGE DOOR) Are they taking responsibility? If it's a rental community, is there professional management? Are renters being screened for criminal records?

My suggestion
Get out from behind your garage door and meet your neighbors. Spend time being part of the community that you live in. Surprise some people, sit in your driveway and say Hi to people who pass by.......

Creative Collision

Creativity is not an on/off switch. If you are not creating a habit of constantly soaking in creative inputs, you can’t be surprised when the well is dry when you go looking for a new idea. Step outside and take in new things. The greatest creativity comes when two unrelated thoughts, ideas, inputs collide. That means looking outside of your walls, looking at things from different perspectives … become a sponge. This includes people, look at the fringes, engage in those who have different interests than you.

LIVING BEHIND THE GARAGE DOOR

Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density, auto-dependent development on rural land, with associated design features that encourage car dependency; LIVING BEHIND THE GARAGE DOOR.

Just comments on urban Sprawl:

Residents of sprawling neighborhoods tend to emit more pollution per person and suffer more traffic fatalities.(drive everywhere)

Sprawl is also linked with increased obesity since walking and bicycling are not viable commuting options.(car, garage, car, garage)

Urban sprawl may be partly responsible for the decline in social interaction in the United States. Compact neighborhoods can foster casual social interactions among neighbors and local store owners, while sprawl creates barriers. Sprawl tends to replace public spaces with private spaces such as fenced-in backyards.(drive though the gate, into the garage)

Another great Urban Street Performer.....

Another great Urban Street Performer in Santa Monica, just drums.