Business
Downtown Dalton developing plan
Downtown Dalton is nearing the “next phase of downtown’s revitalization.”
The Downtown Dalton Development Authority recently signed a contract with PBS&J;, an Atlanta consulting firm, to produce a plan to will help attract business to the district, said Sarah Harrison, executive director of the DDDA.
“This plan is conceptual in nature, that’s the No. 1 thing to keep in mind,” Harrison said. “It’s not going to be something that says we have to do this here. It’s to help us realize some things we might not have thought about before, to help us expand our vision and give us ideas.”
The city of Dalton is funding the project with a $20,000 economic development grant, Harrison said. With a $151,300 budget this year, Harrison said the organization could not afford a larger master plan, which typically costs between $75,000 and $150,000.
PBS&J;’s experience includes streetscape and aesthetic design guidelines, downtown redevelopment plans, park design, creating downtown zoning districts and site plan development.
The project is already under way and should be completed within three months. After the firm completes the survey, Harrison said the DDDA plans to hold a “charrette,” an informal meeting allowing residents to express their ideas.
Harrison said this ties into a town hall meeting the DDDA held in January to glean suggestions on improving downtown. At the meeting, Dalton residents and business owners said downtown needed a central attraction to draw visitors downtown. Suggestions included turning the freight depot off Morris Street into a museum.
Kellie McBee, DDDA board chairwoman called the partnership “a dream come true.”
“PBS&J; is a premier consulting firm that has performed magic in many Georgia downtowns, and we are most fortunate to have procured their services,” McBee said. “We are also very appreciative of the city’s $20,000 contribution to this effort, because it has been many years since a plan of this type has been done strictly for downtown.”
The push to revitalize downtown began almost six years ago with the beginning of the $7.5 million streetscape project.
Its goal is to increase business by beautifying the district, including turning Hamilton Street into a two-lane road, lining the streets with trees and burying above ground utilities. Work is slated to end in October, weather permitting.
Hamilton Street from Morris Street north had the brunt of the rehabilitation, with a section of Pentz Street also receiving a facelift.
The work will end past the intersection of West Gordon and Pentz Streets because of lack of money to continue to project.
Harrison said the group brings an added level of expertise and experience, working with downtowns across Georgia including Brunswick, Canton, Decatur, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Marietta and Norcross.
“We just felt it was a good idea to bring someone in fresh, totally unfamiliar with downtown Dalton and could look at it with a new eye,” Harrison said. “We want to see what they see and know what someone looking at it for the first time sees and what they can imagine.”
The project is comprised of three primary tasks, the first of which is an urban design site plan. PBS&J; team members have met with members of the DDDA to tour downtown and will now produce development concepts that will identify suggested land use type or types, recommended square footage/total units, estimated sales price/rent levels and estimated land price/value.
PBS&J; will also create conceptual building elevations illustrating building heights and design, as well as streetscape elements.
PBS&J; will evaluate sections of the Whitfield County Zoning Ordinance to determine whether they are consistent with proposed land uses and development standards. Also, PBS&J; will recommend development incentives to help with the implementation of potential redevelopment sites. These work products will be conceptual.
The group may suggest updating ordinances and zoning regulations that are not conducive to development, such as those not allowing large-scale residential developments. Harrison said the current housing code only allows four units per building and does not provide for multi-level lofts. Also, no offstreet parking is required for developments, she said.
“Conceivably, someone could come in and build a five-story office building or something and not have to provide any off-street parking,” Harrison said.
PBS&J; is joined by Bleakly Advisory Group, a real estate and economic advisory firm that helps local governments conceptualize and implement major redevelopment projects.
“There’s a great foundation to work with here,” said Paige Hatley, city planner and former Main Street Manager.
“The area’s unique history, a growing mix of businesses, and the city’s commitment to downtown as evidenced with the streetscape projects are all pluses. We’re excited about working with the DDDA to build on this foundation and find opportunities to bring more people and activity to downtown Dalton.”
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