Existing Conditions of the College Hill Corridor

_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic Economics

College Hill Corridor / Mercer Village Master Plan

Why are we here?The College Hill Corridor is

historic and unique but also a missing link. The Master Plan is an effort to help the College Hill Corridor Commission, City, University, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders:

• create an urban design framework to guide future growth within the area,

• calm traffic and encourage alternative modes of transportation,

•

• respect and honor the past,• improve open space,• add vitality and interest,• engage the public, and • build excitement about the

University, downtown, and Macon as a whole.

Why are we here today?



536 Acres


Public Outreach: our process in Macon


This Is What We Heard[quotes from interviews]

“This corridor is not a one-way street.”

“What’s great for kids and older folks won’t make young people fall in love with this City.”

on town-gown

“It takes a long time for perception to catch up to reality.”

on perception and vibe

“There is a lack of creative centers and energy.”

“There is no place on the face of the Earth like Macon.”

on pride and potential

_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic EconomicsFirst, a little history…

“The historic area makes Macon’s identity.” [quote from

interview]

The City of Seven Hills…

College Hill began as a weave of location, topography and landscape…




College Street

Courtesy of the: Middle Georgia Archives, Washington Memorial Library, Macon, GA

_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic EconomicsCourtesy of the: Middle Georgia Archives, Washington Memorial Library, Macon, GA







Is the medium the message?


Asphalt is not historic…

_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic EconomicsCollege Hill today

“It’s time to turn the music a little bit louder.” [quote from interview]

Recent population trends


DemographicsClaritas, 2008 “People have different needs and priorities.

Students want to be able to walk and bike and go to bars,

young families want parks and ice cream stores,

seniors are looking for a quiet retirement.” [quotes from interview]


DemographicsU.S. Census 2000

_interface studio // Land Strategies, Inc // Polis Studio LLC // Civic EconomicsWhat does College Hill look like?

“There is a lack of entrances to the corridor, there is no sense of arrival.” [quote from interview]

Land Use

Land Use… simplified greatly


Surface Parking


Is the glass half full? Half empty?

Or twice as big as it needs to be?

Parking Usage

Commercial Land Use

Commercial Uses


Commercial Uses

“What good is a corridor if you don’t have a destination?” [quote from interview]

Institutions

Employers by Size

Just over 2% of employees live in zip code 31201.

25% of employees live in zip codes 31204 and 31210.

Distribution of Medical Center Employees



Sales Since 2000: Median Sale Price

30% of properties in the study area have sold since 2000

23% of properties sold for less than $100

There’s room for change…

“We are turning the corner.” [quote from interview]


Vacancy


Trees and Parks


Tree Coverage

7.3 acres/ 1,000 people

Park Space

Only 9 of the 31 acres of park space is programmed for recreation


Tattnall Square: A park with split personalities…


Recreation space but largely unconnected

Where do I walk?

A lack of paths and poor stormwater drainage

Some facilities and some abuse…


And some underutilized space

Topography

Frontages

3.25 miles or 26% of street lengths

2.57 miles or 21% of street lengths




? ?Are there ghost houses in College Hill?

Getting from here to there

“There is an attitude,

a suburban mentality.” [quote from interview]

Connections

High Speeds – Pedestrians + Overbuilt Roads– Bicyclists + Large Parking Supply

Car Culture

Macon’s Car Culture

Accident History (2004-2008)

A typical intersection has 4 correctible accidents per year…

Lack of Pedestrian Protection

Macon’s Car Culture

Encouraging High Speeds

Pedestrian Environment


Pedestrian Environment Rating

Bicycling in Macon

Where are all the bicyclists?

Transit

Any fool can make things bigger, more complex. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction.

connect / spontaneous and planned events / sustainable project

economic vitality / recruit and retain best use retail / infill / attract students and neighbors to use the corridor /

respect history / calm traffic /

walkable & bikeable / preserve / increase visual appeal / beautiful / redevelopment of the corridor / “college

town” / build consensus / enjoyable cycling / improve public parks / safe / mix of uses / inspire / reinforce

anchors / physical and social links / market the area / tie it all together / new student housing /

authenticity

Your Turn to Talk


Date post:	22-Mar-2016
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Existing Conditions of the College Hill Corridor

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