Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Vision calls for major development in Garner

Town could have cultural and sports districts, planning firms say

In the future, North Garner could be split into cultural and sports districts, Main Street could see new life, and a wooded area near U.S. 70 could become a town hub.

That's what some planning firms hired by the town envision in preliminary sketches. In the coming months, those firms, working with the Garner Revitalization Association, will unveil final plans that could shape development in Garner for years.

An arts and cultural district could be built around the Garner Historic Auditorium, said Eric Bosman of Urban Collage, an Atlanta firm. "It's sort of an island that's sitting here in the middle," he said.

Coffee shops and restaurants that could come to Benson Road and Garner Road would be great spots for theatergoers, Bosman said.

The preliminary plans also call for development on either side of the auditorium -- maybe a pharmacy and a cafeteria, he said.

Farther east, a sports and recreation district could define the Creech Road area to Jones Sausage Road, the planning firms said. Garner Recreation Park is already in the area, and maybe Garner Baseball could relocate its fields, Bosman said.

The town could then market the area for major sporting events, he said, and local trails could link to other trails across the region. If more people come to Garner for sports, more retail could crop up, Bosman said.

In the downtown area, from St. Mary's Street to New Rand Road, the town could improve the sidewalks and signs, Bosman said. The area could attract more businesses and be home to more downtown events, like the concerts the town already holds there in the summers.

The railroad tracks that run parallel to Main Street, long seen as a barrier that cuts off the heart of downtown, could be an asset, Bosman said. "There's really an opportunity to use the railroad as a central spine" connecting the various parts of North Garner, he said.

A town center could be built between U.S. 70 and Main Street, according to the early plans. In one scenario, the trees at the intersection of Montague Street and U.S. 70 could be cleared to make way for green space, said Bob Begle, also of Urban Collage. The area could be used for festivals, concerts or a farmers market, he said. An "anchor," like a community center or town hall, could be built around it. Or the anchor could be closer to U.S. 70, with green space behind it, Begle said.

The plans several residents saw last week depend on a few variables. Property owners in the area would have to be willing to sell. And businesses -- as well as the town -- would have to invest major cash.

A big question has been what will anchor future development.

At a planning meeting a couple of weeks ago, residents were asked what they wanted to see downtown: a community center, transit center, county office building, library, YMCA or town hall.

The top vote-getters were a community center, YMCA and town hall, Begle said.

The town would have to get the ball rolling to make any plans become a reality, Bosman said. Property owners and the private sector could then follow suit.

"This is something I think will develop some energy, hopefully some anticipation," said Buck Kennedy, Garner's mayor pro tem.

Follow-up stakeholder meetings will be ongoing. And the Town Council will likely see final plans early next year.