Project Description – Phase I:

 

This project implements the first phase of the key recommendations of the MidTown Project master plan by improving pedestrian, vehicular, and transit facilities along Wynnton Road in the heart of the Wynnton Village historic district. It includes sides of Wynnton Road for 2,300 linear feet from approximately Peacock Avenue to Hilton Avenue.  In doing so, the project will support the continue revitalization of MidTown, improve safety for pedestrians and drivers, provide an improved safe route to Wynnton Elementary School, and support community desires for the corridor.  In December 2007, the Georgia Department of Transportation announced that Columbus would receive a $1 million grant, including matching funds, to implement Phase I of this project plan.

 

 

Pedestrian facilities will be approved along both sides of Wynnton Road from approximately Peacock Avenue to the west, to Hilton Avenue to the east, including those areas adjacent to the Wynnton Elementary School. The plan proposes establishing a typical six foot wide landscape strip adjacent to the curb, and a six foot wide sidewalk beyond it within existing right-of-way.

 

 

Within the typical six foot wide landscape strip, street trees and street lights are proposed. The exact species and placement will be as approved by the Georgia DOT, but it is hoped that the agency will utilize the flexibility provided by the State’s Pedestrian and Streetscape Guide, as well as other precedents for Context Sensitive Design from other parts of the State. Street trees and the shade they provide are a critical component of the MidTown Project’s vision, and will greatly improve pedestrian comfort and visual aesthetics along the corridor.

 

 

The plan anticipates replacing an existing painted median between Cedar Avenue and Forest Avenue with a planted median. The median would average five feet in width and be planted with crape myrtle. Maintenance for the median would be the responsibility of the City of Columbus. Other options to install small medians in existing painted areas may also be achieved at Wildwood Avenue, and west of Hilton Avenue.

 

Improved wheelchair accessibility is also critical to the project. The corridor currently lacks ramps at several intersections. This project will install ADA-accessible facilities along extent of the project. It will also install high visibility crosswalks to improve their visibility to pedestrians.

 

The proposed project will benefit pedestrians, disabled persons, transit riders, school children, and drivers. It will also support the continue revitalization of adjacent land uses.  Pedestrians, school children, and disabled persons will benefit directly from the rebuilt pedestrian facilities. New, smooth sidewalks will reduce trip hazards and provide safe walking routes. Similarly, adjacent street trees will physiologically buffer them from cars and provide much needed shade.

 

The implementation of the pedestrian facilities will also benefit transit riders and drivers. Transit riders utilizing the two METRA bus routes along the corridor will benefit from improved shade and benches that will be incorporated into the plan, subject to approval by METRA.  Drivers will benefit from reduced turning conflicts resulting from potential curb cut consolidation and width reduction.

 

MidTown, Inc. Received $50,000 Grant For Wynnton/Macon Road Corridor

MidTown, Inc. has received a $50,000 grant from the National Trust of Historic Preservation to establish a common streetscape vision for the Wynnton/Macon Road corridor and to propose a redevelopment plan for the properties adjacent to the corridor.  The grant makes possible consultant services:  to provide a streetscape master plan for the Wynnton/Macon corridor stretching from 10th Avenue to I-185; to identify key redevelopment sites and determine necessary public infrastructure improvements; and to prepare concept plans and marketing materials for any proposed redevelopment sites.  The consultants have already begun meeting with city officials, gathering necessary data, and identifying and interviewing  property owners and stakeholders along the corridor.  The streetscape plan will be completed by June 2007, and the redevelopment plan will be completed by September 2007.

 

Improved Streetscape Design at Brown/Peacock Avenues and Wynnton Road

An exemplar design, similar to that of the intersection of Brown/Peacock and Wynnton

MidTown, Inc. has enjoyed early accomplishments. Most remarkably, breaking ground on a collaborative road improvement design for the first intersection of the Wynnton Road retail corridor.  MidTown, Inc. partnered with the Georgia Department of Transportation and the city government to negotiate the use of federal and state transportation funds in a manner that would spur economic renewal as opposed to destroy the neighborhood and retail properties adjacent to the intersection of Brown/Peacock Avenues at their intersection with Wynnton Road.  Thanks to this cooperation initiated by MidTown, Inc.:  the road design width and turn radii were dramatically reduced; utilities will be placed underground; traffic lights and street lights will be replaced by attractive black aluminum posts; the pedestrian crosswalks will be stamped and stained in a red brick pattern; there will be 4-foot planting strips; and 5-foot sidewalks.   The end result will be a highly functional road for vehicle and pedestrian use; yet a road which pays homage to the historic neighborhood and the remnants of the 1920’s retail district that abuts Wynnton Road at this intersection.  MidTown, Inc. will continue to pursue the further revitalization of the Wynnton retail corridor through, at least, its intersection with Hilton Avenue.

“This is a great example of how the GaDOT, local governments and private groups can reach consensus on a road improvement project that is functional for vehicular purposes and sensitive to the residential and retail context of the project” says Thomas Howell, District Engineer of the Georgia DOT. 

“This intersection improvement will kickoff MidTown’s revitalization of the Wynnton retail corridor,” said Teresa Tomlinson, Executive Director of MidTown, Inc., “we are very fortunate the DOT was willing to work with us to come to this exciting resolution of a road issue that has troubled the residents in this area for some time”.  

David Arrington, the Assistant City Manager, added that “the city believes this is a good resolution to an important road project and is pleased the project is expected to move forward in the early part of next year”.