Project Goal Town of Halifax Revitalization Project RRRC Living Towns Planning Workshp July 12, 2006 Town of Halifax Halifax County *** Revitalization Project Goal*** To create Economic Opportunity and renew Quality of Life The Town and County of Halifax seek the shared community vision to promote the economic vitality of the Town of Halifax downtown commercial area, its approach corridors and gateways in an effort to provide new employment opportunities, capital investments and civic activities which improve the integrity of the historic county seat. Project Purpose Project Overview Dynamic Planning & Management Duo: Jerry Lovelace-Halifax County & Carl Espy-Town of Halifax Project Area-Regional & Local Setting Project Area-Streetscape Setting 1
Project Area History Vision to Action-1974 Concept Downtown Preservation Sketchbook Recommendations Vision to Action-2003 Reality Community Input & Interaction Halifax County War Memorial Community Inventory Subcommittee Project Issues & Recommendations Signs, Materials and Themes - Carl Espy & David Martin Parking, Walking and Greenspace - Emmy Bass & Carl Espy Traffic -Leon Plaster Water, Sewer, Drainage, Sidewalks - Jack Dunavant, III Overhead Utilities - Bob Greene Land Use - Carol Throckmorton Overall Master Plan Roadway Improvements Streetscape Enhancements Overhead Utilities Parking Pedestrian Circulation Signs and Facades Gateways Phasing and Budget 2
Downtown Halifax Master Plan Core Area Master Plan Project Issues Roadway Improvements Core Area Roadway Section Typical and Consistent Road Section Traffic Calming Defined Parking Intersection and Turn Lanes Controlling Access Core Area Roadway Section w/turn Lane Streetscape Enhancements Pressed Concrete Sidewalks in Core Area Colored Asphalt Crosswalks and Center Turn Lane Courthouse Wall Lowered with Historic Treatment Varied Street Furniture Appropriate Street Trees Add Pedestrian Scale Lighting 3
Streetscape Enhancements Streetscape Enhancements-Streetlights Project Issues Overhead Utilities Utility Relocation Approach Area Recommendations Approach Area Roadway Section Remove Overhead Utility Crossing Wires Retain Most Curbs and Walks Retain Parallel Parking Both Sides with Bumpouts Add Median Islands Defining Continuous Left Turn Lane Continuous Left Turn Lane Pressed Asphalt Add Pedestrian Scale Lighting 4
Project Issues - Parking Parking Assessment Existing 507 spaces Proposed 525 spaces Houston Street Parking Project Issues Pedestrian Circulation Pedestrian Circulation Recommendations Pedestrian-Parking Hybrid : Town Plaza Improve Sidewalks and Curbs Create Safe Pedestrian Crosswalks Connect Public Parking Areas to Main Street Create Public Plazas Tie to Overall Greenway Plan 5
Pedestrian Circulation - Greenways Comprehensive Plan Update-Transportation Project Issues Image and Theme Project Issues Private Signs and Facades Preservation Sketchbook Facades Hill Studio Renderings Facades 6
Hill Studio Design Guidelines Project Issues Public Signs Recommended Public Signs Northern Gateway Recommendations Sign at Town Limits Organize Existing Signs Add Gateway Sign at each Bridge Mountain Road Gateway Recommendations Southern Gateway Recommendations Improve Roadway Sign Location, Quantity and Organization Relocate Utilities around the War Memorial and Intersection of Mountain Road and Main Street Add Town Parking Lot Greenspace and Trees Improve Site Treatment of Buildings at Intersection Improve Welcome Sign at Town Limits Cleanup area at Toots Creek and Railroad Create Main Gateway Treatment at New Project location Gateway Sign Emphasizes Entrance to Approach Area Slow Traffic with Chokers before Median Planting and Sign Additional $70,000 in CDBG funding secured: Debris & Site Clearing Historic Register Eligibility Adaptive Uses & Cost Estimates 7
Southern Gateway Redevelopment-HSPC Halifax Roller Mill Redevelopment-HSPC Community Background Work Community Involvement for Future Activities Downtown Preservation Sketchbook, 1974 Better Models for Development in Virginia, 2001 Downtown Business & Consumer Surveys, 2002 General Greenway/Walking Concepts, 2002 Downtown Revitalization Plan, 2003 -LandMark Design Group Downtown Historic District Survey, 2003 -Department of Historic Resources Downtown & Gateway Façade Improvements, 2004 -Hill Studio Multi-Use Trails & On-Road Bike System, 2004 -Halifax County Trails Advisory Group Southern Gateway & Rollermill Project, 2004 -Hill Studio Halifax Courthouse Historic District, 2005-06 -Designation Eligibility Halifax County Historical Society Town of Halifax Comprehensive Plan Update, 2005-06 -Hill Studio & Town of Halifax Planning Commission Halifax Last Mile Fiber Project, 2006-07 -Halifax STEM Academy & Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative Halifax Woman s Club Halifax County Improvement Council Halifax Village Business Association Southside Master Gardeners Association Banister River Garden Club Halifax County Historical Society Halifax County-South Boston Museum Friends of Halifax-South Boston Library Halifax County Tourism Department Halifax County-South Boston Chamber of Commerce Community Project Management Team Revitalization Impact on Town Tourism Beth Ann Gillis Carol Throckmorton Dr. Charles Parker Darnell Abbott Emmy Bass Jack Dunavant, III Rev. Roger Ford Mayor Leon Plaster Supervisor Doug Bowman William H. McCaleb Gerald V. Lovelace Gail P. Moody Tina P. Englebright Carl Espy, IV Interactive Mountain Road Walking Tour 8
Revitalization Progress in Boydton, Virginia Revitalization Progress in Halifax, Virginia Revitalization Progress- All in the Timing Revitalization Progress-www.townofhalifax.com Town of Halifax Downtown Revitalization Project NEWS RELEASE 07-02-06 Streetscape construction will begin July 5, 2006. The work will entail the installation of storm drainage improvements, new sidewalks, the removal of the existing paved street surfaces, the installation of decorative streetlights and street resurfacing. Additional improvements to water and sewer facilities which started in the fall of 2005 will be completed during this time as well as the installation of fiber optic conduit as the first phase of the Town of Halifax Fiber Optic Project. The construction time frame will last until November 20, 2006, approximately. Revitalization Project Timeline FACADES Final Drawings Completed April/May 05 Bids Submitted July 05 Construction Begins May/June 06 STREETSCAPE VDOT Review (60-90 days) April 05 Bids Awarded October 05 Construction Begins July 06 9