project: NORTH AVENUE CORRIDOR STUDY
date: 2007 – 2008
location: ATLANTA, GA
client: GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
contact: HOWARD S. WERTHEIMER, AIA
Acquisition of the North Avenue Apartments combined with Georgia Institute of Technology’s land holdings and continued development of research facilities along North Avenue created a need to develop a strategic plan for the future of the North Avenue Corridor. The North Avenue Corridor Study was developed to establish a conceptual plan for campus development along North Avenue, more fully integrate the corridor into the Georgia Tech Campus, and identify necessary transportation improvements.
Specific recommendations called for consistent streetscaping of North Avenue from the Downtown Connector to Northside Drive, a new plaza in front of Bobby Dodd Stadium, and removal of walls and fencing to open the lawn at Tech Tower to North Avenue. Future campus development on the south side of North Avenue may include student support facilities, expansion of the Alumni House, administrative office space, and/or faculty housing opportunities.
The plan outlines a series of circulation improvements including potential modifications to the North Avenue Bridge over the Connector, reorientation of traffic on Techwood Drive, and potential re-routing of Tech Parkway to better connect North Avenue and Marietta Drive. The plan incorporates previously recommended improvements along Northside Drive at North Avenue and Hollowell Parkway.
In 2008, Georgia Tech retained Urban Collage, Inc. to move the North Avenue Corridor Plan toward implementation. In cooperation with Kimley Horn & Associates, Inc., Urban Collage oversaw the design of the campus and open space improvements along North Avenue between Williams Street and Tech Parkway. The design included a drop off area and pedestrian improvements in front of two dormitories, a pedestrian and event plaza in front of Bobby Dodd Stadium, significant renovations to the Lawn at Tech Tower and North Avenue streetscape enhancements.
