Build the Bike Bridge

This is the 17th post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

We have a $3 million federal earmark for this bridge.  All Roswell needs is for Sandy Springs to commit $360k to the project.  Unfortunately, Sandy Springs has been waffling around on this one. I may not have the most up to date info on it but back in May, Sandy Springs mayor Eva Galambos reportedly said "Nobody in Sandy Springs rides bikes" when discussing the proposal.

I think this is a fantastic idea even with both cities needing to contribute matching funds of approximately $350k.  The enhanced connectivity will benefit both cities.  It will further connect the park system with potential recreation users and will offer a safer, healthier route to bike. 

image: City of Roswell

A Weekend Trolley Around the Historic Corridor

This is the 16th post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

This is definitely more of a dream.  I understand that the city has tried something similar in the past and I've seen the trolleys running during the Alive After 5 events.  However, I think this idea would go a little further.  It would be a commitment by the city and the businesses in the historic district to run a jitney or trolley in a loop around the historic district.  The cars would be similar to the old fashioned streetcar pictured above on wheels of course.  The more conventional option would be to use the standard historic trolleys that virtual every city trying to be nostalgic uses.  Roswell is too good to use a played out concept like that.  The frequency would be every 10-30 minutes depending on the time of day and year.  It would run Friday nights, Saturday, and Sunday.  

The route would be fixed and go down to Riverside and Azalea parks and up to the Canton Street/Woodstock Road intersection.  There would be stops all along the way near our attractions and there would be no fare to ride.  The route that I like is below.  The orange leg would run on a less frequent basis and take riders over to the Chattahoochee Nature Center.

I love this idea because it gives people the ability to get out of their cars and walk around without being bound to one certain parking lot.  You can rest assured that every 15 minutes you can catch a ride back to your point of origin for free.  This type of system encourages a park once strategy and allows visitors and residents alike to enjoy all that the historic district has to offer.  The set up of the historic district is unique because it is linear and long which makes it hard to walk.  The trolley would change that.  The succdess of the BucRide in Buckhead has been a boon to many businesses in that area.  We don't want to become Buckhead and we couldn't if we tried but we sure can take a good idea and make it work here.

Let us know what you think by adding your comments below.

images: Shayne Kaye @ Flickr, Google Maps

A Holcomb Bridge Upgrade...

This is the 15th post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

Well, I really don't have the most coherent idea around this wish list item.  However, I do think that the current situation on Holcomb Bridge needs improving

1. Improve the 400 Interchange and Create a Gateway to our City.

2. Organize the corridor by neighborhood nodes.  I see 6 logical nodes that would either be neighborhoods or districts.  Either way, they should be organized around the principles of new urbanism which would create diverse, walkable environments that have a mix of uses incorporated.  Those areas from west to east are Hardscrabble Rd, Woodstock Rd, Alpharetta Hwy, 400, Eves Rd (See our previous post about building a bridge over the hooch that would further feed this node) & Nesbit Ferry. 

3. Create the appropriate zoning system such as a Form Based or Transect based Code that will encourage development around neighborhoods and districts rather than allowing the entire corridor to be over-zoned with commercial.  The Midtown Roswell Redevelopment Plan uses an overlay zoning code to encourage the proper type of development.  I'd like to see it go further and extend to Holcomb Bridge and I'd also like to see it fully adopted instead of being an overlay.

4. Connect the area with a coherent, reliable and frequent transit system that feeds into a larger regional transit system.

5. Add better street trees, sidewalks, signage and aesthetics.  The city has done a good job on the sidewalks piece but we can go further.

Here are some images of projects that are either active, on hold or dead that illustrate what could happen along the corridor.

Gateway to Roswell @ 400

 

Roswell East @ 400

Centennial Walk @ Eves Rd

Holcomb Bridge @ Alpharetta Hwy Redevelopment Plan

images in order of appearance: The Suss-Man Mike @ Flickr, ASD, SoldOnRoswell.com, Tunspan, Roswell Gov

Bring a School to the Historic District

This is the 14th post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays! 

This is one of my favorites on the wish list.  Every day when I drive up Atlanta Street, I pass the Presbyterian church on the left and Krispy Kreme on the right.  The intersection at Atlanta and Oak Streets is pretty barren except for those two landmarks.  As most of you know, the Presbyterian church has a large parking lot that Oak Street dead ends into and then on the west side of that lot is the Teaching Museum North and North Crossroads school.  What if we could do something with that entire space and bring a logical civic presence into the heart of the historic district?  Look at the size of the space on the Google map below.

I would envision either a charter elementary/middle or a county run elementary school in this location.  The main entrance would be on Atlanta street.  This would be a grand facade in Greek revival style to complement the historic homes in the area such as Bulloch and Barrington Halls.  The bus and car entrance would be along Mimosa however to ensure that traffic along 9 is not impacted during the morning rush hour.  

As far as design goes, I really just don't get how our country started designing its schools in the same vernacular as its prisons.  No wonder our educational standing in the world keeps falling.  The first image below is that of the Clinton Middle School in Tulsa, OK.  This particular image was the Eyesore of the Month on James Howard Kunstler's blog back in March 2010.  After that, take a look at the Royal High School in Edinburgh, Scottland which was designed in the Greek Revival style in the early 1800's.  

Which one of these two buildings is going to inspire more learning?  

Fortunately, we don't have anything as dismal as the Clinton Middle School building here in Roswell but we could do a lot better.  Now, the Edinburgh school is a touch over the top.  Maybe we could go for something a little more tame such as the Providence High School in the Village of Providence in Huntsville, AL

The topography and size of the lot would require a multiple story school most likely on top of parking.  The parking would be shared with the church in the evenings and on Sundays.  It could also be used to provide extra space for city events.  I know this one is just a dream but if Roswell is going to focus on the Atlanta Street corridor for growth, a new elementary school is going to be vital.  I believe that focusing on education and giving it a prominent position in the community in the heart of the historic district will pay dividends for years to come.  

Additional reading:

Here's a great blog post on school size and design from Stephen Mouzon that focuses on Providence High School in the Village of Providence.  

Here's another excellent post from Kaid Benfield at NRDC on Great Principles for Smart Growth Schools.

images: Google, Kunstler.com, Wikipedia, Stephen Mouzon

Build Brownstone & Live Work Units @ Magnolia & Canton

This is the 13th post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

I would love to see a nice classy row of Brownstones and Live Work uints at the intersection of Magnolia and Canton.  They would complete the block by extending the buildings down to the corner south from Pastis and over to Mimosa.  The way I see it, the Wachovia building would go and the auto shop next to Pastis would be repurposed and get a facelift.  Additionally, the gas station across magnolia would get reversed.  Essentially the building would be brought to the street and the gas pumps would be behind the building,  hidden from the street.  Here's an example of the 'gas backward' concept that was coined by architect Seth Harry.  It's not the best image but you should get the gist.

This would continue to revitalize the Canton Street/Atlanta Street corridor within the historic district and start to  move some development further south from Canton.  My vision would be similar to the homes in Canton Street Walk just off of Canton Street behind the antique store.  I can see some issues with the traffic volume at that intersection which is why you would need to buffer the homes with wide sidewalks and trees along Magnolia.  The live work units along the road would further buffer the actual residences from the street by putting business on the first floor.

Here's an example of some live works that work pretty well on a well traveled street in Smyrna.  The frontage and setback would need to be a little different in Roswell but the idea is very similar.

images: Jay Woodsworth @ Flickr, Hamden.com, Google

Bring a University Campus to Roswell

This is the 12th post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

This is part of my Complete Roswell kick.  Most great cities, big or small have a reputable university campus within their city limits.  The university doesn't have to be world class but it should be more than just a vocational college or two year community college (although that would be preferable to what we have now).  

So, what are the options?  Ga State expanded early last decade to Alpharetta.  Another case where the sprawl mecca to our north beat us out.  I actually went to that campus for a semester when I was working on an MBA.  It was no fun.  It just didn't feel like college.  It felt more like work.  I guess that is appropriate since the campus is in an office building.  I highly doubt Ga Tech would be looking to expand but they are definitely starting to run out of room downtown, having jumped the connector with offices and classrooms along Spring Street.  Emory isn't going anywhere.  What does that leave?  Well, it looks like Gwinnett Tech is looking for a North Fulton location and our neighbors are also interested.  

Don't get too excited though because it looks like Johns Creek or Alpharetta may have the upper hand.  The empty parcel just south of North Point Parkway and Mansell Rd is a prime spot.  So, once again, Roswell will be close but not close enough.  Now, is Gwinnett Tech what we really want?  I say it's better than nothing.  Would an expansion of Ga Tech or Emory be more prestigious?  Yes.  But, what is more likely?  I think the city should go after it with zeal.  

Now, what sites would be ideal?  How about these two for starters?  The south east intersection of Holcomb Bridge & 400 or the Town Center Shopping Center (my favorite town center).  

Ramping up a college presence takes time but Roswell should really jump on this.  It would bring an additional job driver, a more diverse population, and it would encourage some of our youth to stick around and get their education near their home.  Now, I do have to add that the one thing that I think would be unacceptable is to build a typical commuter campus with large parking lots and buildings separated like those on office parks.  So, whatever would be built would have to be in a district that adheres to the principles of new urbanism.

Adopt the Smart Code

This is the 11th post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

This one goes along with the DPZ charette.  I know it's not going to happen but we need it to.   We are already behind the curve on this one.  If you don't know what the Smart Code or other Form-Based Codes are about, check out this wikipedia link.  To summarize, form-based codes regulate the form of the urban fabric while used based codes regulate what types of land uses can go where.  Used based codes are extremely limiting and do not give developers, builders, citizens and governments flexibility in what they want to build and where.  

It has become common knowledge that our zoning has in large part led to the sprawling mess that America has in its suburbs today.  The old Euclidean, use based zoning codes are on their way out and are making way for form based codes such as the Smart Code which essentially make it easier to create mixes of uses and consistent blocks, streets and neighborhoods which then create places where people want to be rather than places where cars want to be.

The trend is accelerating.  Currently Georgia has 13 form-based codes.  These include Woodstock's downtown, Lawrenceville's downtown, and the city of Mableton among others.  Georgia trails six states in the number of codes adopted.  The top three states in order are Florida, California and Texas.  For more information check out the Code Study. The current economic slowdown is the exact time that we as a city should be demanding a new code.  The days where the answer to our problems was to zone more commercial to bring in more tax revenue are over.  If you'd like a primer on why more commercial zoning is akin to monkeys pushing buttons, check out Chuck Mahron's post on his Strong Towns Blog.  So, we've reached a point where we are saturated in retail as a city, state and country.  We have six times the amount of retail square footage per capita than our next closest consumer rival.  We don't need more of what we have.  We need to prioritize and make what we have better.  

Here is a graphic that compares traditional zoning with form-based codes:

I think it's hard to argue that form-based codes offer some distinct advantages when looking to rebuild a city.  So, my wish list couldn't be complete without a shiny new Smart Code to completely replace our existing zoning codes.  

images: Form-Based Codes Institute, 1000 Friends of Florida

A Canopy Tour

This is the tenth post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

This is kind of a dream item on my wishlist that I'm sure a ton of people would hate to see here in Roswell.  However, it is my wishlist and this is what I want.  I'm convinced that a canopy/zip-line tour of the national recreation area and Vickery Creek from the Mill down to Riverside Park would be a big success.  The other location that I can think of would be at the Chattahoochee Nature Center but I think the Mill location would be a bigger draw and tie in more business and recreation into the historic district.  

Here's how I can see it operating.  Ticket booths at both locations.. the Mill and Riverside park and run a shuttle back and forth.  There would be a guided zip line, canopy tour and hike from the Mill all the way down to Riverside Park (I have a better less realistic location but that's for another post).  If done right, it could expose people to a number of Roswell's lesser known gems (Mill Park, Mill Village, Vickery Creek, rock climbing at Allenbrook and the beautiful national recreation area) all on the way down the zip line..  This could be a regional draw if done right and increase tax revenue while having a synergistic effect on local restaurants, retail and cultural sites.  

I'm sure the permitting, insurance, and other processes would be brutal and I'm not signing up for them but if someone likes this idea, I'd be more than happy to give my $0.02.

image: baxterclaus @ flickr

Build Another Bridge over the Hooch

This is the ninth post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

There are only two bridges over the Chattahoochee in Roswell.  Only one (pictured above) is really meant for the residents of Roswell and that one is aging. The other, GA400, is meant for through trips and commuting.  So, what would I do?  I'd build another bridge.. 

Where do you ask?  To the east.  I'd put a crossing where it could easily connect Spalding Drive in Dunwoody to Riverside/Eves Drive in Roswell.  It might ruffle some feathers but it is a location that would definitely realize a demand by serving an area of both cities that currently is very out of the way.  I wouldn't do this to reduce demand on the other two bridges, per se.  Rather, I view this as increasing mobility by creating more connections.   

The likelihood of this happening is pretty low from what I understand but it's something that I think needs to be considered if our city is going to remain relevant.  People don't want to live in a city that is difficult to get in and out of.  

images: Roswell Historical Society, Google Maps

Sidewalks.. Sidewalks.. Sidewalks

This is the eighth post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

 

What a dismal sight.  In many cases, you can't even call what we have a sidewalk.  The sidewalk up the east side of Hwy 9 from the river to Canton Street is deplorable.  Where there is a sidewalk, it four feet wide or less in most spaces.  There is no buffer between the sidewalk and the road.  Where there is a contiguous section, Ga Power was nice enough to put a utility pole right in the middle of the sidewalk making it unpassable by anything other than a single individual. 

Sidewalks should be an integral part of our historic district and the rest of our city for that matter.  This wish is to have the sidewalks throughout the entire historic district repaired and upgraded.  Canton Street isn't the only spot in Roswell where people walk.  Also, we would see more walking if the sidewalks were inviting.