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MidTown in Motion
E-NEWSLETTER
May 2007
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Dear MidTown Stakeholder:
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It has been about a year now since MidTown, Inc. was birthed from the MidTown Project. So what's been going on in that year? While it is true that the planning and redevelopment of a community is not for someone who needs instant gratification, much has happened.
MidTown, Inc. has been a leader in facilitating the public input into the future of the library site. The organization was a catalyst in the school board's and city's agreement to a property swap that benefited the constituents of each.
MidTown, Inc. has approached major property owners and has assisted them in investigating the redevelopment of their holdings. MidTown, Inc. has helped facilitate the process and funding of the planning for the renewal of the Wynnton/Macon Road corridor.
And through meetings, presentations and this newsletter, the story of the progress and benefits of MidTown, Inc.'s efforts is being told. Last month's inaugural issue of the newsletter generated tremendous interest. Forward this issue to your e-mail lists - your neighbors and friends. Encourage them to use the "Join Our Mailing List!" link above to sign-up for future newsletters.
Keep your eyes open. As suggested by the title of this newsletter, MidTown is moving!
Ed Burdeshaw
Chairman of the Board
MidTown, Inc.
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Sears/Library Site Property - The Facts |
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All Columbus citizens are eager to see the realized potential of the property surrounding the old Sears and the new library sites: All interested parties envision a great civic resource and significant community greenspace.
When MidTown, Inc. first entered discussions-over one year ago-regarding the future use of this property, there were many obstacles to making a park a reality. Residents asked thoughtful questions: Who would pay for the construction of a park? Which public entity would own and maintain it? Would soil that was blanketed with asphalt for decades sustain trees and other plantings? How could a functional, safe park be designed? Could government and private interests come together to increase the potential of available resources? In looking for answers to these and other questions, MidTown, Inc. worked with elected and administrative officials, planning and economic consultants and hundreds of interested stakeholders, and facilitated the creation of a conceptual plan for this significant site.
Park Space
The consensus plan utilizes both the remaining Sears and excess library properties in order to obtain the maximum amount of sustainable park space on the Sears/Library site, 26.6 acres!
o An 18.5 acre central park, with a reclaimed Lindsey Creek.
o Greenspace acreage that wraps around the back of the library and creates a grand tree-lined vista with an unobstructed view of greenspace to the site of the new Rigdon Road School (blue asterisk, upper left on the plan above).
o This conceptual plan also incorporates numerous pocket parks and the 6 acre front lawn of the library.
o The plan features a 100,000 square-foot MCSD administration building (blue rectangle, upper right); and six acres (indicated by the adjacent yellow shape)-recently transferred to the City by the MCSD-that will be used for a City services center, a competition natatorium and shared parking.
o This plan also allows for the possibility of increasing the 26.5 acres of greenspace by collaborating with adjoining property owners in future planning opportunities.
Residential Development
An essential element of this tremendous civic center and park space is the development of a residential component: single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums. (Condominiums are shown in the plan as the orange box in the upper right corner; all other homes are single-family and town homes, NOT apartments.)
- The development of homes (primarily on the site of the old Sears property) allows a collaborative undertaking between private developers and local government.
- The developer would purchase excess Sears and Library property and construct the central park, pocket parks and grass vistas in conjunction with the construction of residences. This allows for a return on the public investment in these properties and a savings in tax dollars as the parks and greenspaces will be built by private interests according to contractual agreement.
- After park and greenspace construction is complete, those properties will be transferred to the local government authority best suited to own them. Park maintenance will be supported with property tax revenue generated by the new homes. This model of private/public collaboration has been successfully employed in Georgia and nationwide.
- We look to Lakebottom/Weracoba as a model for a lively and beloved community park. Part of its success lies in the fact that it is surrounded by residences, a design echoed in the consensus plan for the Sears and Library property and in successful parks in cities everywhere.
- There is no commercial development anticipated for the Sears/Library property.
For more information on MidTown, Inc.'s efforts to maximize the civic use and redevelopment potential of this property, and to see samples of the high quality residential development propsed click HERE .
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| $8 Million MidTown Medical Complex |
 May 2007 will see the Grand Opening of an $8 million medical office complex located at 1538 13th Avenue -near the intersection of 13th Avenue and 17th Street - in MidTown Columbus. The office complex, the MidTown Medical Park, boasts 45,000 square-feet of space, with only 4,000 square feet yet to be leased. The architectural design of the complex suggests an old town square with single-story brick buildings flanking each side of the grand multi-story central structure. Individual physician waiting rooms are more akin to the doctors' own living rooms, with each physician's (and physician's decorator's) superb taste reflected in the elegant and personal decor. "This is not your typical doctors' office", says construction project manager, Tommy Davis. Tommy is right about that. State of the art medical facilities have been married with impeccable attention in order to emulate the comfortable aesthetic of one's home. Most of the physicians making this significant investment in MidTown are life-long or long time Columbus residents. The central location, reasonable land prices and proximity to nearby area hospitals made this MidTown site ideal for their investment. There are four ObGyn's: Tommy Stewart, Serena Tidwell, Jim Dorchak and Bill Simpson; two neurosurgeons: Mike Gorum and Marc Goldman; three urologists: Todd Jarrell, Chris Sigmund, and Charles McCall; and one pulmonologist: Chris Tidwell. Drawing from their success in this venture and their vision for the future possibilities of this area, these physician/investors already have plans for the expansion of this complex. |
| Wynnton/Macon Corridor Planning Grant |
| MidTown, Inc. has received a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to develop a common vision for the Wynnton/Macon Road corridor. We reported last month that the intersection of Wynnton Road and Peacock/Brown Avenues is being improved with many extras such as underground utilities, brick stamped crosswalks, and tree planting strips. This intersection, however, is just the beginning of remaking the Wynnton and Macon Road Corridor.
(Proposed Wynnton/Macon Corridor Study Area,
running between 10th Avenue and I-185)
The National Trust grant will fund the creation of a comprehensive streetscape plan for the entire Wynnton/Macon Road Corridor. The grant will pay for developing a plan for the rehabilitation and reuse of historic properties in this area, as well as a plan for appropriate in-fill (new) development along Wynnton Road. Planning consultants have already begun their work, meeting with city officials and property and business stakeholders in the area. The streetscape study is expected to be complete in June 2007, and the property revitalization proposal will be complete in September 2007. For more information on this subject click on the Wynnton/Macon Corridor Quick Link above.
This grant is the result of MidTown's selection as one of eight National Trust/Knight Foundation "Preservation Development Initiative" (PDI) cities nationwide. The National Trust's PDI program seeks to revitalize through good planning and thoughtful development communities that have significant historic resources. MidTown, Inc. was also awarded a $25,000 grant for a joint marketing effort for it and the MidTown Merchants Association; and, a $25,000 grant for a MidTown, Inc. organization structure and sustainability study.
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| Announcements |
- The Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission is sponsoring a MidTown Garden Tour Saturday May 5, 2007, 9 am - 1 pm. Gardens on the tour include those of Mr and Mrs. Madden Hatcher, Jr.; Judge Julie Lumpkin; Mr. and Mrs. John Sheftall; Messrs. Jim Gray and Warren Foley, and many more. Tickets are $20 (in advance) and $25 (at the door), and can be purchased at MidTown, Inc. Headquarters (1236 Wildwood Avenue); the office of Keep Columbus Beautiful (685 Front Avenue); or Lee Bayard Nursery (1210 - 13 Street).
- Arts in the Park - The annual Arts in the Park festival sponsored by the Park District neighborhood association will be Sunday May 20th at Lakebottom/Werocoba park. For more information on this exciting event click here.
- Purchase "MidTown: Live it" T-shirts ($10); License Plates ($5); Bumper Stickers ($1) at Dinglewood Pharmacy, Meritage Cafe, The Butler's Pantry or MidTown, Inc. headquarters.
- Check out Smokin' Hot MidTown Properties at the following links: Prestigious Slate Avenue; Spacious Charm
- To join the MidTown Merchants Association, contact Association president Frances Malone at (706) 322-2004 or contact MidTown, Inc. at the number provided below. Dues are $150 per year and should be made payable to MidTown Merchants Association.
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| Support the organization that supports MidTown Columbus. Invest in MidTown's future. MidTown, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization. Contributions made to MidTown, Inc. are tax deductible. Send contributions to: MidTown, Inc., 1236 Wildwood Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31906. |
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MidTown, Inc. | 1236 Wildwood Avenue | Columbus | GA | 31906
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