Title
GRU/Kelly Plant Site Redevelopment (B)
Explanation
For a number of months, the CRA has utilized the planning and design expertise of Lord-Aeck-Sargent in formulating an approach to GRU redevelopment. As the CRA will recall, Lord-Aeck-Sargent completed the planning, design, and architectural components of the Technology Square project in Midtown Atlanta, and the firm is experienced in redevelopment comparable to the magnitude and character of the GRU site. Lord-Aeck-Sargent has significant experience in redevelopment, including mixed-use development and scientific/technology oriented facilities. Additionally, the consultants provide a unique and essential knowledge of broad-scale urban design principles and an understanding of how to organize the public and private components of a redevelopment area to ensure a lasting, flexible, and functional framework.
Since July, the consultants have engaged the community in a number of public meetings, presentations, and input sessions. Through this process, the consultants demonstrated the importance of properly delineating public infrastructure from private property. The most important component of the public realm is the public street and the land "blocks" that streets create. The public realm framework creates a long-term strategy for development that allows for flexibility in uses over time. While a variety of individual development projects and land uses can (and will) change over time, a properly designed configuration of streets and blocks will remain constant, able to accommodate both the present and the futures unknown.
Consultants from Lord-Aeck-Sargent will attend the November CRA meeting and will present findings for the GRU/Kelly Power Plant site, including a proposed redevelopment strategy to the board. This information will include a number of components such as: a master plan delineating the public and private realms, public works standards, building design standards, and development controls. The findings will also include discussion on potential uses, as well as a suggested catalyst project.
The CRA Project number is DRAB-25-ST-2007: GRU/Depot Area Master Plan - Downtown.
Fiscal Note
Lord-Aeck-Sargent is contracted to provide services for $33,800, which is funded by the Downtown Redevelopment Trust Fund (account# 610-790-W736-4110-5520). Once the project is completed, GRU and General Government will be charged $11,266.67 each via an inter-department billing to cover their portion of the project.
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to CRA: 1) Hear a presentation; and 2) accept and approve the report from Lord Aeck Sargent.