by Stanford Harvey on August 5th, 2009 | No Comments »
project: LEXINGTON DISTILLERY DISTRICT
date: 2008
location: LEXINGTON, KY
client: LEXINGTON DISTILLERY DISTRICT, LLC
contact: BARRRY McNEES
The Lexington Distillery District is located on Manchester Street less than 2,000 feet to the west of Rupp Arena and the central business district of downtown Lexington. Manchester Street as it stands today is heavily industrial, characterized by a tow yard, rail yard, decrepit infrastructure, and old warehouses remaining from a time when Bourbon Distilleries were plentiful in this area. The Old Tarr Distillery and James E. Pepper Distillery still stand and are the center pieces for the adaptive re-use plan. The plan calls for revitalization of many of the interesting and historic buildings as well as residential, commercial and mixed-use infill development.
The Distillery District plan calls for programming that would include but not be not limited to: a boutique hotel, bourbon museum, small batch bourbon distillery, office space, commercial and retail space, condominiums, live work units, multi-family units, open public space, and the Town Branch Trail.
Implementation Hightlights:
- The Distillery District received the state approval for a TIF amount of $45 million in October 2009. The Distillery District is one of the first in Lexington to seek Tax Increment Financing and had received unanimous support by the Urban County Council who had approved the plans to help revitalize Manchester Street on December 2008. The Distillery District also received $2.2 million in bond funds from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) for the Town Branch Trail and Manchester Street improvements.
by Stanford Harvey on August 5th, 2009 | No Comments »
project: BUTLER-AUBURN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATE
date: 2004 – 2005
location: ATLANTA, GA
client: CITY OF ATLANTA
contact: GARNETT BROWN, SENIOR PLANNER
In 1994, the Butler-Auburn Community Redevelopment Plan (CRP) was approved by city council to address the needs of the blighted, historic Sweet Auburn Avenue neighborhood. With pressure from a strong market resurgence in urban living, Auburn Avenue was facing challenges to preserve not only its low-scaled historic buildings but its commercial orientation. The 2005 Redevelopment Plan Update combines the earlier CRP’s emphasis on specific redevelopment projects with a new sensitivity to Auburn’s historic context and narrative.
The plan update evolved over three phases and several months. A first phase of recording and analyzing existing conditions was supplemented by identification of the conceptual redevelopment projects and the key ownership interests for each. The second phase focused on hosting community workshops, refining the projects and their economics in line with community input. Phase Three consisted of the final drafting of the Plan Update, illustrative drawings, virtual models, final economics, and revising the text of the MLK Landmark Zoning District.
The plan garnered a 2005 ‘Best Planning Document’ award from the Georgia Planning Association.
Implementation Highlights:
- Plan approved by Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU)
- Plan was adopted by the Atlanta City Council in December of 2005
by Stanford Harvey on August 5th, 2009 | No Comments »
project: CUYLER-BROWNSVILLE MASTER PLAN
date: 1999
location: SAVANNAH, GA
client: HOUSING DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH
contact: MARTIN FRETTY, DIRECTOR
In the Spring and Summer of 1999, Urban Collage, in collaboration with Al Lindsay, AIA and Saussy Engineering, worked with the Housing Department of the City of Savannah to develop a plan for new single-family housing in a long-neglected community, Cuyler-Brownsville.
Initial work focused on the inventory of existing physical conditions in the eleven acre site just southeast of Downtown and the Garden District. Conceptual site plan alternatives were created for new housing construction, with associated infrastructure and open space improvements. Finally, a preferred plan of development was illustrated and detailed. The master plan involved 35 new homes, one new park, new street construction, re-subdivision of existing parcels and new public improvements. In addition, Urban Collage designed three housing prototypes to be developed in the first phase and prepared design guidelines to direct future development in the neighborhood. All work was done with community review and input by the Cuyler-Brownsville Neighborhood Association.
Urban Collage was then hired to prepare a Phase II companion master plan for 15 additional acres in the neighborhood.
Implementation Highlights:
- Single Family Housing constructed
- Community Park and Gazebo built
- Multi Family projects built
by Stanford Harvey on August 5th, 2009 | No Comments »
project: ROSEWOOD HILLS MASTER PLAN
date: 2003
location: COLUMBIA, SC
client: THE COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY
contact: JULIA PRATER, DEPUTY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOPE VI
In 2003, the Columbia Housing Authority retained Urban Collage to produce a market-based development plan along the lines of the HOPE VI model for the 19-acre Hendley Homes public housing site. The plan emphasized public involvement and architectural compatibility to rally the adjoining neighborhoods around a new vision for the area. The plan and public involvement process sought to position the project not only as public housing redevelopment but also as a traditional neighborhood plan, a unique combination that drew on Urban Collage’s diverse skill set.
Urban Collage built on the consensual vision of four participatory workshops, the continuing involvement of key stakeholders and the Columbia Housing Authority to develop a plan that significantly reworks existing infrastructure to result in a new series of public open spaces. No unit of the diverse mix of housing is more than one block away from a neighborhood park; and the greenway that unites them is anchored on either end by revitalizing commercial and cultural nodes. The plan subsequently became the basis for a successful HUD 2004 HOPE VI application. Since then, Urban Collage has gone on to create sets of design guidelines for both the mixed-use and senior living components of the plan, as well as consulting on the detailed design of the infrastructure.
Implementation Highlights:
- Project awarded $10.5 million dollars as part of a successful 2004 HOPE VI Grant Application
- $4 million dollar infrastructure improvements package funded by the City; streets and public spaces complete
- Design guidelines completed for solicitation of development partners
- Final Phase of development, with the senior complex slated for occupancy late 2009 and a future mixed-use building awaiting final design
by Stanford Harvey on August 5th, 2009 | No Comments »
project: EAST END SMALL AREA PLAN
date: 2008
location: LEXINGTON, KY
client: LEXINGTON FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT
contact: JIM DUNCAN, DIVISION OF PLANNING
Urban Collage, Inc. in association with EHI consultants created a revitalization plan for the historic East End Neighborhood. A diverse neighborhood originally home to professionals, entertainers, and even some of the first African-American jockeys. Plans center on balancing affordability while creating new investment, including plans for a rejuvenated Third Street Corridor.
The East End Small Area plan makes recommendations for revitalization of the neighborhood such as;
- Residential infill and rehabilitation throughout the neighborhood
- Revitalization of the once thriving commercial core at the intersection of Third and Race Streets as well as along Midland Avenue
- Increased ecological awareness and standards throughout the industrial core
- Infrastructure upgrades; sidewalks, roadways, and green space
- Increased connectivity throughout the East End Neighborhood as well as improving connections to surrounding areas and Downtown Lexington
