Urban Collage was retained by The City of Acworth to lead an effort to revitalize the historic neighborhood immediately north of the city’s lively Downtown area.  Capitalizing on the neighborhood’s assets including three historic churches, a 50-acre park, a rich fabric of historic homes and even a potential long-term commuter rail stop, the plan creates a wide array of new intown housing types with a focus on affordability.  The plan now serves as the centerpiece to an Opportunity Zone redevelopment area that was approved by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in February 2010.

This year, the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Best in Atlanta Real Estate Awards” recognized the “Deals of the Decade.”  Identified through several categories including Commercial, Residential, and Mixed-Use, projects were awarded for their creative vision and contribution to the economic sustainability of the metro Atlanta area.  Perhaps the highlight of the event was the “Overall Deal of the Decade,” which was awarded to the Midtown community, including several key development teams and the Midtown Alliance.  Having worked as a key advisor to the Midtown Alliance for over 10 years, Urban Collage congratulates the Midtown community on its significant achievements.

The Northeast may have snow, but January and February have been a flurry of activity as Urban Collage prepared for and conducted three “eco-charrettes” across the Southeast.  A key element in several HUD competitive grants awarded last year as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these green workshops are part of a larger initiative to substantially improve the energy and environmental efficiency of the nation’s public housing stock.  Urban Collage worked with the housing authorities of Little Rock (AR), Wilson (NC) and Chesapeake (VA) and their design and development teams to assemble a broad spectrum of technical professionals, community and resident stakeholders, and local sustainability advocates to engage in roundtable dialogues on site and water ecology, energy efficiency, and green materials.  The results of each eco-charrette are synthesized into a Green Development Plan that provides a sustainability template for the project as it moves forward.

For a sample of the Wilson workshop, click HERE.