College Hill Progress Report:

Dec. 2012-CurrentPresented to:

CHA Steering Committee 4.10.13

Prepared by:

1624 B Coleman AvenueMacon, GA 31207

collegehillmacon.com

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Branding & Wayfinding SignageIn an effort to change perceptions and make an excellent first impression, branding through wayfinding signage has been a priority. In 2012, a $131,000 Knight Neighborhood Challenge (KNC) grant was awarded to the College Hill Alliance (CHA) for planning and wayfinding signage. Last week marked the beginning of installation of monumental signage in Washington Park, with construction slated for completion this month.

Through cooperative efforts between CHA, Friends of Tattnall Square Park, and WT Design, monumental signage for Tattnall Square Park will occur in two phases. Phase I will begin next month and include a new park entrance at Oglethorpe and Adams Streets. Phase II will coincide with roundabout construction and the Transportation Enhancement improvements.

Wayfinding signage research, location planning, and permitting are complete. At this time, estimates are being compiled and installation could begin as soon as next month, per the schedule of Macon Public Works.

The Basics: Clean, Safe, and Branded

Renderings of selected wayfinding signage designCurrent progress at Washington Park

Phase II Tattnall Square Park monumental

concept

Phase I Tattnall Square Park

monumental plan

Second Sunday Concert Series The 2012 Second Sunday season attracted a broad segment of the community to Washington Park with a wide array of musical talent, ranging from folk to reggae. Attendance during the 2012 season was outstanding, despite back-to-back rain dates in both May and June. In the end, the series brought 4,100 cheering neighbors together in the Corridor.

On April 14, 2013, CHA will help celebrate the beginning of spring with the 3rd Annual Magnolia Street Soapbox Derby and Second Sunday Concert Series. With over 22 Derby entrants, six different food trucks and a jam-packed day of live music, this year's series promises to be the biggest and best yet.

The Vibe: College Town Cool

The Center of Creative Expression in the Region The Alliance works to encourage and support local events and happenings that cultivate "college town cool.” Through a concerted marketing effort, we have seen an increase in annual events, been able to create new "twists" on old ideas and expanded partnerships to begin development of entirely new projects.

Magnolia Street Soapbox Derby race co-chairs and volunteers

Photo credit: Maryann Bates

Second Sunday Concert in Washington ParkPhoto credit: Maryann Bates

Big Screen Movie Night in Tattnall Square ParkPhoto credit: The Brainstorm Lab

The Vibe: College Town Cool

Christmas in Mercer VillageThe merchants of Mercer Village partnered with CHA to provide a festive atmosphere in celebration of the Christmas season on December 8, 2012. The merchants reported an increase in sales during the day-long event which provided them an opportunity to showcase their business to new customers.

The Village was brimming with spirit and hosted a Christmas tree lighting, free trolley rides through the InTown Macon residential decorations and even had a special visit from Santa Claus. The night concluded with an outdoor viewing of Elf, drawing an estimated crowd of 350.

Christmas in Mercer VillagePhoto credit: Mercer University

Mardi Gras & St. Paddy’s Day in Mercer VillageThe Alliance, in partnership with the merchants of Mercer Village, developed a new marketing and sustainability strategy for the Village. The group identified several opportunities for seasonal celebrations that were not already being hosted in the area. Mardi Gras and St. Paddy's Day both inspired an immediate response from both the businesses and community.

By developing events around holidays already widely known, we were able to leverage the traditional expectations of the public to draw large crowds. This was proved when winter storm Nemo didn't dampen the Mardi Gras celebration. Though outdoor events were canceled, the party simply moved inside. Combined event crowd estimates, for both the Mardi Gras event on February 12, 2013, and St. Paddy’s Day celebration on March 16, 2013 were over 1,000 and merchants reported an average increase in sales of 350%.

St. Paddy’s Day in Mercer VillagePhoto credit: Mercer University

Bike the Corridor GrantCollege Hill Alliance was awarded $11,323 from the latest round of Knight Neighborhood Challenge grants to raise awareness of cycling in the Corridor.

The grant will fund new bike “sharrow” markings along College St., from Forsyth St. to Riverside Dr., which will connect the existing sharrow route that runs from Mercer Village to City Hall.

The grant also allows for the purchase of 10 new bike racks, fabricated with the College Hill insignia and placed throughout the Corridor based on input from the College Hill Corridor Commission.

This project is a public-private partnership, wherein the Macon-Bibb Co. Engineering Department has agreed to install the sharrow markings as well as bike racks, and is expected to be completed this year.

The Connection: Cooling the Streets

Existing bike racks and sharrows

Reclaim the CorridorCHA, with the support of Mercer University, KNC and the College Hill Commission has successfully partnered with local government to facilitate and encourage the use of alternate means of transportation in the Corridor.

The streets are being reclaimed by bikes and pedestrians making the neighborhood healthier and connected.

Bicyclists in Mercer VillagePhoto credit: Mercer University

The Connection: Cooling the Streets

Electric Vehicle Charging StationsCHA ,in partnership with the Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition and Mercer University, applied for and was granted 4 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to be placed in and around Mercer Village. The stations are being provided free of charge as part of the federally funded EV Project.

These stations will not only encourage the use of EVs and assist Mercer in earning LEED points, but they will make Mercer Village the only location in the region offering EV parking adjacent to restaurants and public green spaces. All EVs feature GPS systems that are updated with the location of available chargers and Mercer Village’s proximity to I-75 makes it an ideal stop for travelers and adds to its appeal as a destination.

The map to the right indicates all of the EV chargers in Bibb County and the immediate surrounding area. There are only 4 chargers within a 30 mile radius and only 1 of the 4 is open to the public. Installation of the charging stations should begin within the next 45 days.

Transportation Enhancement GrantThe Alliance continues to support the implementation of the $1 million Georgia Department of Transportation Transportation Enhancement (TE) Grant awarded to the City of Macon for roadway improvements to College St., along Tattnall Square Park, as well as ensure that accurate communication occurs between stakeholders. WT Designs, the project management team, currently reports that they are awaiting final utility certification but have filed all plans and been assigned a let date of August 20, 2013.

Concept rendering of College St. at Coleman Ave.

Map of EV charging station in Bibb and surrounding counties

Friends of Tattnall Square ParkUnder the leadership of Dr. Andy Silver, Friends of Tattnall Square Park (FTSP) has arisen as an incredibly active community organization. Fueled by a passion for the park and multiple KNC grants, FTSP has emerged as a leader in the Corridor and exemplifies of the kind of change and activism The Alliance was created to inspire.

CHA has partnered with FTSP to offer support to many of their initiatives, including the planting of over 100 trees, the planning and placing of additional trash cans, and the planning and addition of new entryways and signage.

FTSP has already accomplished many of recommendations found in the College Hill Corridor Master Plan and we look forward to a continued partnership with them.

The Environment: A City Within a Park

Example of plaques being affixed to trashcans

Example of solar powered Big Belly Trash Compactor

Tattnall Square Park tree planing ceremonyPhoto credit: Mercer University

Remember Our RootsShowcasing the beauty of our "City in a Park" requires constant vigilance in regards to the environment. The Corridor continues to see both public and private investment in an effort to beautify, maintain and develop the public realm. CHA has worked to further the areas identified in the College Hill Corridor Master Plan as well as seize opportunities when they present themselves.

Signature Dentistry ribbon cuttingPhoto credit: Ken Krakow

Hip and HistoricInvestment in the historic neighborhoods is crucial to the success of College Hill. Great effort has been made to see that the design of new in-fill properties in the Corridor honors the historic integrity and character of the neighborhoods.

The Look: Macon’s Urban and

Historic Center

New Businesses in the CorridorSince the announcement of College Hill 2.0, three new businesses have located in the Corridor. • Learning Solutions of Middle Georgia officially opened on

December 4, 2012, at 1044 Washington Ave. Learning Solutions is an alternative to remediating and repeating instruction that teaches individuals with and without disabilities strategies to increase academic performance. They also have a speech and language pathologist.

• Signature Dentistry celebrated its grand opening on February 27, 2013. The business is located at 1495 Forsyth St. and owned by Macon native, Dr. Amber Lawson. Thanks to her dedication, the office building was transformed from a vacant and dilapidated space to a beautiful, state-of-the-art office.

• William Alexander Salon and Spa was welcomed to Mercer Village on April 2, 2013. William Alexander is located at 1305 Linden Ave. and is a full-service salon and spa, specializing in haircuts and color, skin care and makeup application, manicures and pedicures, as well as massage.

Learning Solutions of Middle Georgia ribbon cuttingPhoto credit: Ken Krakow

William Alexander Salon and Spa ownerPhoto credit: Mercer University

Innovation in the Corridor

Regional EntrepreneurshipThe Alliance has contracted with JumpStart America to develop a regional entrepreneurship plan that will capitalize on our area’s assets while attracting and retaining highly-skilled professionals. Future entrepreneurs will help complete the College Hill Corridor Master Plan vision for Macon as a wonderful place to live, play and work.

CHA engaged JumpStart based upon their work in Cleveland, Ohio. They were able to support entrepreneurs and turn the area into a technology business hub. T he Alliance’s work with JumpStart focuses on eight counties in Central Georgia: Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Jones, Houston, Monroe, Peach and Twiggs.

The 18-month project began in December 2012 andconsists of three phases:

• Phase I - Market Assessment• Phase II - Pilot Programs• Phase III - Regional Entrepreneurship Plan

Thus far, our efforts have focused on Phase I. CHA and JumpStart have conducted 116 interviews to better understand our region’s entrepreneurial potential, including our assets and support gaps, and seek insight, input and partnership from the region.

The Alliance has participated in meetings with the region’s six colleges and universities. We have also met with representatives from economic development authorities and business support organizations as well as local entrepreneurs and investors.

On April 1, 2013, an Advisory Group was formed and convened to guide the development of the regional entrepreneurship plan. CHA also issued a Communications RFP, with guidance from the Knight Foundation. Proposals are due April 30, 2013.

Map of eight-county region focus area

Entrepreneurial ecosystem concept

Shop Local MaconShopLocalMacon.com was launched by College Hill Alliance in November 2010. The website hosts business profiles, articles, coupons and events for College Hill and Downtown Macon’s locally-owned stores free of charge. For many businesses the site is the only web presence they have. The site, which now has over 300 business listings, is designed to showcase local businesses, attract customers and boost our local economy.

In January 2013, the Alliance officially transferred the ownership of ShopLocalMacon.com and future maintenance to Main Street Macon. This is another public-private partnership that ensures the continuation an important Alliance project after the office sunsets.

Long-term Sustainability

Second Sunday Concert SeriesThe Alliance has worked since 2009 to develop the Second Sunday Concert Series. It has emerged as a signature event of the College Hill Corridor that embodies the ideals and spirit of the College Hill initiative. The concerts remain free and open to the public, showcasing a beautiful Corridor greenspace to crowd that includes a wide range of ages, races and hometowns. Second Sunday allows us to support our local artists and expose outside artists to the wonderful aspects of College Hill and Downtown Macon.

Second Sunday has an audience that averages over 600 people and receives both local and regional media attention. The success of the event makes it a prime candidate for transferring ownership to a local non-profit, rooting in promoting in the arts. CHA has initiated discussions with the Macon Arts Alliance, The Big House and Bragg Jam Festival and is currently developing a package that will transfer ownership of the event more gradually, with the Alliance supporting the event in some capacity until 2014.

Screenshot of new ShopLocalMacon.com homepage and design

Second Sunday Concert in Washington ParkPhoto credit: Maryann Bates

Downtown CollaborationThe Alliance has become actively engaged in collaboration with the Macon-Bibb Co. Urban Development Authority, Main Street Macon and NewTown Macon regarding business recruitment and retainment in College Hill and Downtown Macon. Representatives from these organizations communicate frequently both online and in person to ensure business development efforts are complementary, not redundant.

One project spurred by collaboration with our downtown partners is the development an interactive map, hosted online, to showcase property information, including building use and occupancy status, in the Corridor. The project is an extension of an existing map created by the Middle Georgia Regional Commission. The current map, which contains data for downtown, can be accessed at mgrcmaps.org/newtownmacon. The addition of College Hill Corridor data will be completed this year.

Long-term Sustainability

Screenshot of Downtown Macon Interactive map