At a recent town hall meeting in Loganville, Georgia, local residents and stakeholders proposed ways to revitalize the city's downtown and build improved amenities for the city's residents.
City officials in Loganville, Georgia are asking residents to contribute to a new vision for the city's downtown, reports Tyler Wilkins in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Approximately 50 residents, city leaders and county officials showed up to a Thursday town hall held at the Historic Rock Gym. About 10 residents shared their vision of the future of downtown Loganville, while others listened to the conversation." Loganville is a town of about 12,000 people, according to 2019 Census estimates.
The residents in attendance "overwhelmingly" rejected new multi-family housing but most "agreed that Loganville needs a makeover with new shops, parks and aesthetic upgrades in a walkable city center." One resident "called for the city to borrow ideas from the neighboring cities of Grayson and Monroe by installing new street lights and planting trees along highways while keeping up with grass overgrowth in the medians."
Local business owner Melanie Long suggested "[t]he city should build a larger playground, walking trails, open spaces or a park for food trucks" and add community programming to attract more businesses. "I want to challenge our city officials to stop trying to build for those who don’t yet live in Loganville, but instead create for the faithful taxpayers that have lived here for decades and hope to continue living here for decades to come," she said.
"City officials plan to meet at a retreat in July to hammer out what kind of development to attract and how to fund it, using feedback from the town hall and a survey."
FULL STORY: Loganville turns to residents for planning new downtown
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Opinion: Congress Should Expand the Opportunity Zone Program
The federal economic development program has brought over $100 billion in private investment to revitalize struggling communities.
Major US Cities Still Suffering Downtown Decline
Research shows that the “donut effect” hollowing out central business districts since the pandemic continues to cause economic decline in the 12 largest American cities.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie