PLACEMAKING, DESIGN & Incremental development

Design is an essential component in any commercial district revitalization program.  Innovate Fulton, Inc  is committed to design in the commercial corridor that is not only pleasing to the eye but that is equitable while meeting the needs of the entire community—from residents to business owners to visitors.   Design Matters!

Innovate Fulton, Inc recently crafted an initial vision to address design with our commercial corridor.    Please note, that this is only an initial approach and will continue to undergo the rigorous community engagement to which Innovate Fulton is committed.  THIS IS DESIGNED GET THE CONVERSATION STARTED!   WE ALREADY HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF FEEDBACK—BUT WOULD LOVE MORE! Please take a look at the attached designs and send us an email or give us a call—tell us what you think.  We want your feedback—and again these designs are intended just to start the discussion.

Throughout 2020, Innovate Fulton will be holding a series of online sessions to gather community feedback on design for the commercial district.  In addition, we will be hosting small socially-distanced meetings to gather as much community input as possible.  Several design sessions called charrettes will be held to ensure maximum input.  We will not rest until every voice that wants to be heard—is heard.

THE DESIGN CHALLENGES FACING OUR COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

Before developing a design approach we need to take an honest look at the design challenges and problems facing the commercial district.

 There are large building setbacks with too-large parking lots creating a “sea of asphalt.” There is poor pedestrian and bicycle access and a noticeable lack of green space and trees.  In fact, much of the district is designed for cars rather than people.  Many buildings are tired and could use a facelift.  Public art, apart from murals, is absent, as are public gathering places.  Many of the buildings need a facelift and a sense of place is elusive. 

PLACEMAKING - A PLACE FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

The word “placemaking” has become increasingly popular.  It is bandied about so much in the media, popular culture, and at public meetings that the word loses meaning.  A succinct explanation of placemaking can be found here.

For Innovate Fulton, the idea of placemaking is simple— we want our commercial district to be an attractive welcoming place for all with a seat at the table for everyone—or as Innovate Fulton’s vision statement puts it:

“We envision a thriving, walkable and aesthetically pleasing mixed-use commercial district that provides opportunities for shopping, employment, essential services, public gatherings, recreation and green space.”

When it comes to Design and Placemaking, Innovate Fulton understands that numerous elements must be considered.

Design Strategies

PUBLIC DESIGN

State and local government can contribute significantly to creating a sense of place and improving the overall sense of design within the commercial district.  As a long-underserved neighborhood Greater Fulton’s commercial district is lacking elements that many neighborhoods now take for granted.

Transit, Walkability and Transportation

 Innovate Fulton calls on our public leaders to address issues of mobility throughout the district.  How people get around matters.  The Greater Fulton neighborhood was not provided a PULSE rapid transit bus stop.  We will advocate for a site in the next funding round.   In the meantime, the public sector can act boldly to improve mobility options within our commercial corridor.

A Green District + Green Infrastructure = A Priority

Innovate Fulton is committed to becoming a “green” commercial district and is actively advocating to make that a reality.

Reducing the amount of pavement in our commercial corridor and replacing it with trees and green space is a major goal of Innovate Fulton.  Certainly, City government will need to play an active role, but Innovate Fulton will also be working with private building owners to reduce the amount of asphalt I and paving the business district.  Our commercial corridor, like so many, is a heat island and Innovate Fulton, Inc is committed to reducing our contribution to that unfortunate situation.

The strategic planting of trees and enhancing our tree canopy is another goal of Innovate Fulton, Inc. In addition to improving the overall look of the district, trees provide a number of other benefits.

There are other environmentally sound strategies and initiatives that Innovate Fulton is advocating.

INCREMENTAL DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT - NO MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

There are opportunities for development and redevelopment in the Greater Fulton commercial district and Innovate Fulton, Inc. will be marketing those opportunities.  Commercial districts are after all, centers of business and real estate.  However, Innovate Fulton supports incremental development that aligns with the character of our neighborhood—not large-scale development projects that accelerate gentrification while placing an undue burden on our neighbors.

This does not mean that Innovate Fulton, Inc is opposed to projects which increase the density in our commercial corridor—not at all.  Increased density aligns with the principle of Smart Growth and allows additional opportunities for community amenities—including affordable housing.

 We support zoning that allows for increased density in the business district and we are aligned with the City of Richmond’s recently released Master Plan for our neighborhood commercial district. 

Innovate Fulton fully supports the national trend away from massive development projects and toward incremental development.  You can read more about the concept of incremental development here.   

Incremental development allows for greater community engagement and for smaller development firms to enter the marketplace—especially minority and women-owned firms.  Innovate Fulton is supportive of community benefit agreements with developers outlining precisely what the community can expect from a development project.   A community benefit statement can address host of issues including : hiring of minority-owned firms, hiring neighborhood residents, supporting neighborhood nonprofits, the use of green building practices, support for public transit options, alignment with smart growth practices, and of course ongoing community engagement,

 Affordable housing is a goal Innovate Fulton shares with numerous other nonprofit and governmental entities.  The commercial district in Greater Fulton provides a wonderful opportunity for developers to craft affordable housing options.   The incremental development of much-needed affordable housing would also help stem gentrification which is an ongoing concern in many neighborhoods—including Fulton.

Assistance for Current Business Owners

Just as we honor the many businesses that have invested in the Fulton Commercial District, so too do we honor the building owners within the corridor who have invested in our neighborhood.

We will continue to work closely with building owners who seek to upgrade their buildings.  Through matching building owners with design assistance and financial incentives we can ensure they are a vital part of our commercial district for years to come.  

There are always opportunities for upgrades to facades, signage, and interior design.