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Town approves Historic Downtown Garner plan

Staff reports

Will seeing a plan make people believe in downtown Garner?

A 3D model of one possible configuration in downtown Garner. COURTESY OF GARNER REVITALIZATION ASSOCIATION

Both the town and its redevelopment organization are banking that it will as they introduce their recently completed plan for the area to the public and potential investors.

With the plan finalized, its supporters will try to persuade others in the region to see the town’s former business district as they do: a future hub of activity and commerce.

“We now have a plan that we can show [potential investors] as they decide on projects to look at as the economy improves,” said John Hodges, director of the Garner Revitalization Association. “A year ago, we didn’t have projects lined up for them to look at.”

So far, the plan’s benefactors like what they see.

Town Council members unanimously approved the downtown plan Tuesday, April 20 after nearly a year of study by Atlanta-based firm Urban Collage, which the town paid $68,000.

Town leaders praised the firm for an inclusive process that produced what they called a well thought-out final plan. Since last summer, the group studied the area’s market potential for future residential and commercial development. Planners collected input from the town, a steering committee and community members through workshops and planning exercises.

The plan’s area covers 660 acres in North Garner along Garner Road bounded on the west by Vandora Springs Road, Jones Sausage Road on the east and Hwy 70 on the south. It promotes four geographic districts, each thematically tied to existing facilities in the area.

The districts include a Main Street district, an arts and culture district around Garner Historic Auditorium, a sports and recreation district and a town center district connecting Main Street to Hwy 70.

Downtown has some historical significance in the town’s development. In 1878, a railroad stop and post office there helped foster what would become the town. Later, local businesses and even a former Town Hall located there.

With the necessary improvements, Hodges believes the area can again be viable. Newcomers may know about Garner but not its plans. That needs to change in the coming year, Hodges said.

“We need to go out and market this plan to folks and make them aware of it so that when they make their next investment opportunity, they know we have something to look at.”

The long-term plan has three phases and identifies 34 projects with a total cost estimate of $21.6 million. Though complete, the plan is conceptual, Hodges said. It is subject to change depending on the availability of funding and land as well as overall economic conditions.

“The plan is as detailed as it is going to get for now,” Hodges said. “As we start attacking each of the phases and the steps within each one, we’ll get a more refined idea of what is involved with each one.”

The town is trying to get started on the first phase. Given the economy, Town Hall will have to get creative to pay for the plan’s projects, the mayor said.

“It is well-thought out,” said Mayor Ronnie Williams. “But my greatest fear is that it will have to sit on the shelf for a number of years.”

Related articles:

• Downtown Garner planning workshop gathers citizen input
• Public can see initial plans for downtown Garner
• Have thoughts about the future of downtown Garner?

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