project: DAHLONEGA DOWNTOWN PLAN & DESIGN GUIDELINES
date: 2007 – 2008
location: DAHLONEGA, GA
client: CITY OF DAHLONEGA
contact: JOEL CORDLE, DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BETTER HOMETOWN PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Urban Collage, leading a team comprised of PBS&J and Bleakly Advisory Group, prepared a 10-year development master plan for the future of downtown Dahlonega. Recognized as the Jewel of the North Georgia Mountains and the Gateway to the Appalachian Trail, Dahlonega is a historic community surrounded by lush forests and vineyards. Downtown’s Public Square is noted for its 1836 courthouse, the oldest surviving in the state; while nearby Price Hall on the campus of North Georgia College marks the site of the U.S. Mint which was erected during the county’s first Gold Rush.
The team lead an investigation to find alternatives that would allow the downtown to grow without sacrificing its unique character and valuable historic resources. The master plan recognizes the downtown’s special context by creating several character districts which draw the surrounding natural and cultural landscapes in, but leave room for new infill development and major redevelopment of underutilized commercial land. The team also prepared a companion set of design guidelines that used the district framework and vernacular building typologies as organizing elements for standards for new construction and public improvements.
Implementation Highlights:
- Plan adopted by council in 2008
- Programming completed for new city hall
