Downtown MTG 01
Auburn University juniors Sarah Lewis and Ashley Shorter create their own downtown master plan during the second Downtown Auburn Master Plan public meeting.
Posted: Saturday, February 1, 2014 9:26 pm
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Updated: 9:29 pm, Sat Feb 1, 2014.
oanow.com
Next week, Auburn residents will have another opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions about the future of downtown.
The city is hosting the third and final meeting about the Downtown Master Plan on Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Harris Senior Center, located at 425 Perry St. Residents are encouraged to attend.
According to a statement from the city, the meeting gives residents the opportunity to help prioritize downtown projects they want to see completed first, and identify were they want to encourage certain uses in Auburn. Those attending will also be able to review the downtown plan process and the feedback that has been provided by more than 200 residents in earlier meetings.
“Serving as the connection between the city and the university, Downtown Auburn represents the city of Auburn’s historic, service and retail core,” the city states. “Since the Downtown Master Plan process began, over 200 people have attended public meetings to share their thoughts on the future of downtown Auburn. In November, over 75 people joined us to create their own personal downtown master plans, showing their ideas for how and where future development should be focused, and what types of streetscapes are desirable for different parts of downtown. The individual plans allowed city staff to better understand what residents value, how they envision the future of downtown, and how downtown improvements should be prioritized.”
“We know we can get better, and we’re striving for that,” City Manager Charlie Duggan told residents at the November meeting.
Bob Begle of Atlanta-based Urban Collage emphasized in the November meeting that downtown is “not a failing place.” Survey participants enjoy downtown’s proximity and association with Auburn University, but also expressed major concerns about parking.
“Parking is the No. 1 concern,” Begle said.
Seventy-nine percent of respondents said downtown can be improved.
Downtown’s “Main Street feel” along with sidewalk dining are considered positives to continue pursuing. So are wider sidewalks, landscaping and even pocket parks.
Respondents believe coordinated signal timing would help with traffic flow, but they do not want an additional travel lane. They also said they enjoy the special events held in downtown. Fifty-one percent of respondents would like to see more events, while only 5 percent believe there are too many.
College Street, Magnolia Avenue, Gay Street and Glenn Avenue are among areas that need attention, according to the survey. Some respondents also said the bar scene could be negatively impacting downtown.
A final plan could come before the Auburn City Council for a vote by this spring.
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Saturday, February 1, 2014 9:26 pm.
Updated: 9:29 pm.
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