Coming soon to the Knox Theatre: The Awakening of a City Block!

Guiding Principles for site development:

1Character of downtown area is informal, informality in new design should perpetuate the existing character.

Guiding Principles for site development:

2Lots flow from one to another without strong physical separation. These sites will continue that tradition when considered as a whole.

Guiding Principles for site development:

3No tree canopy should be lost.

Guiding Principles for site development:

4No historic buildings should be demolished.

Guiding Principles for site development:

5Permeable surfaces are the rule; asphalt should be the exception.

Guiding Principles for site development:

6Unpainted surfaces should remain unpainted.

Guiding Principles for site development:

7Informal groupings of plants and street decorations should be in odd-numbered clumps instead of in straight rows.

Guiding Principles for site development:

8Linkages between activity areas is the primary goal.

Guiding Principles for site development:

9A repetition of greenspaces connected by pedestrian and vehicular paths creates a vibrant cityscape.

Guiding Principles for site development:

10Overhead wires and other public utilities should be minimized and co-located where possible.

Guiding Principles for site development:

11Signs should relate to buildings in scale and placement; signs should not be plastic or internally-lit.

THEAPPROACH

Approach:The approach taken on these three lots should set the standard for additional downtown improvements.

Approach:Less formal arrangements of plants and improvements as downtown transitions into neighborhoods. More formal arrangements and more orderly improvements as you get closer to commercial row.

Approach:When making streetscape improvements downtown, new features should follow the rule of being simple and functional.

Many communities have a tendency to select ornate and historically-themed sidewalk decoration. This will detract from your beautiful historic buildings rather than compliment them.

The same rule applies for awnings, signs, and all contemporary changes taking place in your historic downtown.

Approach:All improvements must be accessible to persons with disabilities, persons of all ages. Universal design is a better solution than having to retrofit areas solely for disabled access. Ie. It is better to have no curbs and surface-level sidewalks than to have to put ramps and handrails on new design. Better to have restrooms that are accessible to all persons than specific ones for disabled.

Approach:New paved areas should be permeable so that mature trees are not damaged and storm water percolates rather than gush from paved surfaces causing erosion. Creative paving surfaces exist that are both ecological, functional and beautiful-that's the best of all worlds!

Approach:Any other large site consideration can take its cues from these simple standards. In many cases this approach has less negative impact on the environment and often is less expensive.

THE CORNER LOT

This is a classic example of 20th century automobile-oriented architecture and should not under any circumstances be demolished.

Georgia (and the nation) have several great examples of successful conversions of this type of architecture into clever reminders of the past.

The buildings are functional, and can accommodate a variety of uses. It costs more money to demolish and build new than to rehabilitate and use an existing structurally sound building. This building should be saved!

The value of saving of the structure is confirmed by only looking across the street in Warrenton. A contemporary

incompatible convenience store is now an eyesore.

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A Vision for the Future!

The rehabilitation of this building would be the catalyst for recognizing other vintage buildings from the early-mid 20th century.

THE KNOX THEATRE

Knox Theatre:This is a jewel in your crown.

Development:Development that surrounds this building should enhance this building and not compete with it. A fine example of a rehabilitated small town theater, a beautiful park-like area to park cars, and a rehabilitated service station makes the perfect urban ensemble.

Parking:Theater parking should not dictate the design of the surrounding lands. It is important, but not of more importance than creating a successful development. Our approach to the Knox and other sites would be to minimize the presence of parked automobile and emphasize buildings and trees.

We endorse the preservation planning as demonstrated in the Hill and Associates report.

Insure that all work meets The Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.

HILL and ASSOCIATES

REPORT

A Vision for the Future!

THE DEPOT

Depot:This building, while being moved to a location where it never existed before, should be faithful to traditional siting of depots:

• Placement in center of parcel with relationship to transportation corridor,

Depot:

Positioned parallel to the corridor-not perpendicular,

Depot:

Traditionally depots and other train related structures are surrounded by open space usable as multiple functions-gathering spaces, car parks, goods storage or pedestrian platforms.

Depot:Depots are rarely lusciously landscaped-and are often simple utilitarian buildings that we now value a great deal.

The tendency is to over-restore or over-landscape. However, a better approach is one of simplicity and informality.

A Vision for the Future!

THE SERVICE STATION

Warrenton has two vintage treasures sitting side-by-side. The two early 20th century buildings can easily be rehabilitated into great contributing units of the “Knox Block.”

The corner building is ready to be converted into a clever use. Many communities have used them as Welcome Centers and space for community functions. Uses like a flea market, antiques consignment shop, sandwich shop, ice cream parlor or farmers market fit easily into this building type.

The successful reuse of these two buildings will make a handsome pair. Sensitive color schemes and well utilized outdoor space will make the buildings eye-catching and attractive to travelers passing by.

A Vision for the Future!

THE CONVENIENCE

STORE

This convenience store exhibits all the characteristics of highway architecture that does is not compatible to the historic architectural character of downtown Warrenton. A jumble of power lines; signs are posted on every surface and freestanding signs occupy any space that is not used for parking. The corner is no longer anchored by a solid image.

The visual chaos caused by haphazard development detracts from its neighbors.

What can be done with these kinds of properties?

The first step is to begin removing the visual clutter.

Signs on poles are eliminated and some are replaced by monument type signs that do not compete for attention. Piece by piece the basic form of the building emerges and seems like it is

floating in space, not anchored to the ground or to the corner.

A Vision for the Future!

The final adjustment to make the former negative image fit in is to create an “urban edge” with plant materials. The addition of small under story trees or shrubs and planting beds beneath them will define the corner and provide space for pedestrians to walk.

Production Team Credits:Pratt Cassity - Center for Community Design and Preservation Director, College of Environment and Design

Danny Bivins – AQG Coordinator, Carl Vinson Institute of Government

Eleonora Machado – Graphics coordinator, Center for Community Design and Preservation

Chrissy Marlowe – Planning coordinator / DCA Office of Planning and Quality Growth

Mike Sutton – Final Renderings, bachelor of landscape architecture student

Carmine Fischetti – AQG member/ DCA landscape designer

Leah Gardner – Charrette participant, master of landscape architecture student

Jennifer Martin Lewis – Certified Local Government Coordinator

Will Hart – Graphics assistant, master of landscape architecture student