Dalton Quality Growth Resource Team report

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GQGP
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Dalton Quality Growth Resource Team Report June 2001

Meet the Resource Team

Community Resource Team Visits and final presentation reports are coordinated and produced by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
The electronic version of this publication (PDF) may be found online at: www.dca.state.ga.us/publications/dalton.html
CDs are available upon request. Contact: Julie Brown jbrown@dca.state.ga.us phone: 404.679.0614

Jorge H. Atiles Assistant Professor, Extension Housing Specialist, University of Georgia
Philip Braswell Field Services Representative Home Builders Association of Georgia
Jack Crowley Dean, School of Environmental Design University of Georgia
Carolyn Hoffman Recreation Program/Scenic Byway Manager, Chattahoochee/Oconee National Forests
Lucy Jenkins Principal, Jenkins Planning, Ltd.

Steve Hendricks Recreation and Wilderness Program Manager, U.S Forest Service
Richard Laub Community Planning Coordinator Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division
Bill Tunnell President, Tunnell-Spangler & Associates
Cindy Cox Architect, Tunnell-Spangler & Associates
Marjorie Callahan Adjunct Instructor, College of Architecture The University of Oklahoma

GEO ERSHIP

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GQGP

The Georgia Quality Growth Partnership (GQGP) is a collaboration among

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diverse public and private entities that seeks to provide local governments and citizens with the tools and knowledge to transform the way we define, create, and sustain high quality Georgia communities.

The primary purpose of the GQGP is to facilitate local government implementation of quality growth approaches by:
Disseminating objective information on the various approaches. Developing tools for implementing these approaches. Sharing of best practices learned from other places, times, and cultures. Promoting acceptance of quality growth by the general public and community leaders.

Founded in March, 2000, the GQGP has grown to more than thirty organizations, each contributing time, in kind services, or financial resources to fostering Partnership efforts.

Students
The University of Oklahoma, College of Architecture Daniel Dunigan Eric Long Lindsay Brown Darshan Patel Alex Eberle Tim Brennan
The University of Georgia, School of Environmental Design Carol Bowles Jacob Lindsey
Georgia Department of Community Affairs Staff Jim Frederick Director, Office of Community Redevelopment Martha Reimann Community Development Coordinator Steve Storey Area Projects Coordinator Patty Williams Assistant Director, Office of Research and Communications Leamon Scott Region 1 Representative Christy Botkins Region 1 Resource Coordinator Julie Brown Community Redevelopment Assistant Andrea Stein Senior Graphic Designer, Office of Research and Communications

Introduction
The Quality Growth Resource Team for Dalton and Whitfield County was brought together in March, 2001 through a collaboration between the City of Dalton, Whitfield County, the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Georgia Quality Growth Partnership, a statewide coalition of state agencies, universities, non-profits and business groups working to provide technical assistance on "smart growth" issues to Georgia communities. The multi-disciplinary team was made up of academics, professional design practitioners, planners, students from the University of Georgia's School of Environmental Design and the University of Oklahoma School of Architecture and state agency staff chosen with the city and county's particular concerns in mind.
The team's mission was initially defined by meeting with a local Quality Growth Task Force appointed by the governments of Dalton and Whitfield County and facilitated by the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the team spent two days in discussions with groups and organizations identified by the chamber, city and county as having insights into local problems and opportunities. Broad public input was also gathered through a visual preference survey administered to about 200 citizens at the beginning of the team's visit. Student volunteers from Northwest High School tabulated the survey results, and the findings were used to inform the resource team's design process. A summary of the visual preference survey can be found in the Appendix.
The team lived and worked in Whitfield County for a week. They conducted interviews, took photos, visited specific sites under consideration, reviewed local ordinances and developed schematic design solutions and sketches. The visit culminated with a final presentation to the public on Friday, March 30th. The team's recommendations were then passed to DCA staff for formatting into this final report.
This report is organized into sections based on the major issues and opportunities identified by the team during their visit to Dalton and Whitfield County. These include: Downtown and Surroundings; Infill Development; Transportation; Housing; Economic Development and Tourism; Gateways and Corridors; Arts and Culture; Historic Preservation; Greenways and Open Space; and Development Regulations.
The Resource Team would like to thank city and county staff and elected officials, the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce, participating commercial sponsors and especially the citizens of Dalton and Whitfield County for making us feel so welcome. The ideas and solutions proposed here are only a beginning intended to stimulate interest in sustainable development, good urban design and community self-determination. The Resource Team wishes Dalton and Whitfield County great success in achieving your goals.
1

Downtown and Surroundings
In spite of fairly good building stock and adequate parking, Dalton's downtown lacks the vitality one might expect for a city of its size. The Resource Team had extensive opportunity to observe downtown both during the day and at night. Their observations are summarized below:
There is a significant lack of pedestrian activity and street life. Downtown merchants seem to be struggling to compete with other
commercial areas such as Walnut Avenue. The ratio of shopping activities to professional services could be improved. Dalton Green, the city's historic central park has been encroached upon
by commercial activities so that it no longer presents a memorable civic gathering space -- a component which every great city has at its heart. Street trees and other downtown amenities stop at the edge of the "traditional" central business district so that surrounding blocks on the periphery of downtown have an un-cared for appearance. There appears to be a healthy market for upstairs apartments, but there is not yet a critical mass of downtown housing to create a lively street scene. Thornton Avenue, the historic entry corridor to downtown, has been denuded of most trees and many of the grand homes that once graced the Avenue have been replaced with architecturally uninspired commercial buildings.
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Recommendations
Market Downtown Dalton as a unique arts, entertainment and shopping district.
Create a grand entrance to downtown along Walnut and Thornton Avenues (see Gateways and Corridors section).
Reclaim Dalton Green as a shady public park designed to accommodate major civic gatherings (see detailed plan on the following page).
Re-evaluate the new streetscape plan to ensure that it reinforces the historic urban design of downtown.
Encourage the installation of rear viewing decks for buildings along the railroad and sidewalk dining on Hamilton, King and Crawford Streets.
Expand the existing boundaries of the Dalton Downtown Development Authority (DDDA) so that funding can be made available for revitalizing underutilized areas on the periphery of downtown such as Glenwood Avenue and older commercial districts on the eastside of downtown.
Provide incentives to attract Latino businesses to the areas on the periphery of downtown.
Rebuild a significant housing base within walking distance of the central business district to support downtown shopping and street life. This could include appropriate single-family infill in historic neighborhoods, upscale townhouses, lofts, senior housing and student apartment housing (see Infill Development section).
Make Downtown Dalton the hub of a regional public transportation network centering at the Old Norfolk Southern Depot (see Transportation section).
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Dalton Green should be restored as an important greenspace and gathering place for the community. Where commercial intrusions have occurred, public acquisition and relocation of businesses should be used to restore the Green to its original dimensions. The restored Green might include an amphitheater for outdoor performances and reuse of the Old City Park School for arts, cultural, or governmental purposes.
4

Infill Development
The Resource Team identified a number of intown areas of Dalton where more intensive levels of development could be supported by existing infrastructure. These areas are typically either vacant or dedicated to marginal land uses that fall far short of the "highest and best use" that would seem to be supportable for the area. Encouraging infill development or redevelopment of these areas could yield a number of benefits:
Supporting revitalization of Downtown Dalton by increasing the population and vitality of surrounding neighborhoods.
Providing affordable worker housing near existing employment centers.
Increasing both the city and county tax bases by raising property values in intown areas.
Putting underutilized infrastructure capacity to use, thereby reducing the need for expensive infrastructure extensions into greenfield areas.
Replacing blighted areas that give a negative first impression of Dalton with vital, attractive neighborhoods.
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Recommendations
The Redevelopment Opportunities Map on the following page shows areas that the Resource Team identified as having significant potential for infill development. The larger infill areas are listed below and identified by number on the map. Individual smaller parcels are identified with dots.
1) Crown Mill Gateway 2) Morris Street District 3) Freedom Place 4) Walnut Square Village 5) New Thread Mill
Develop detailed small area plans for intown areas that are suitable for redevelopment and new infill development. These plans should include:
-- detailed representation of the desired development of the area once it is fully redeveloped. (See pages 10 and 11 for an example of detailed representations of desired redevelopment for the East Dalton area.)
-- needed changes in land use regulations to promote the desired development patterns.
-- design guidelines for ensuring that new infill development matches the character of the existing neighborhood.
-- public investments in infrastructure and public facilities (such as public gathering spaces, community centers, neighborhood parks and open space, sidewalks, streetlights, street trees, underground drainage and utilities, or bike trails) to support redevelopment of the area.
In addition to letting developers know what kind of development the city expects in target neighborhoods, small area plans can be excellent marketing tools for selling neighborhood residents and businesses on the future potential of their area.

Take advantage of the Georgia Urban Redevelopment Law to promote desired redevelopment. This law permits local governments to use eminent domain to assemble key parcels and resell these for private redevelopment that is consistent with the small area plans discussed above. (See the Appendix for more details on use of this important redevelopment tool.)
Offer incentives to encourage developers to undertake projects consistent with the small area redevelopment plans. These incentives might include writedown of land acquisition costs, property tax breaks, new public facilities or infrastructure to support the project, waiver of specific requirements in local development regulations, or other financial incentives derived from creative use of public funds (for example, see the recommendation below).
Restructure the local "affordable housing infrastructure fund" to provide more direct incentives for desired redevelopment and infill. This fund was established to encourage developers to pursue intown development of affordable housing, but has been little used to date. Program requirements clearly need to be revised to be more attractive to developers. At the same time, new program requirements should specifically target the funds to support projects that are clearly consistent with the small area redevelopment plans discussed above.

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Redevelopment Opportunities Map

ela nd Highway

Clev North By-pass
Hamilton St

Tibbs Rd

Thornton Ave

Waugh St

1 2

Emery St Walnut Ave

3
Mu rray Ave 4

5

South By-pass

South Dixie H ighway

N

LEGEND REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES 1. CROWN MILL GATEWAY 2. MORRIS STREET DISTRICT 3. FREEDOM PLACE 4. WALNUT SQUARE VILLAGE 5. NEW THREAD MILL STREETS/ROADS/HIGHWAYS WATER RAILROAD INTERSTATE 75 CITY BOUNDARY COUNTY LINE
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East Dalton
a) East Dalton area b) Shuttle bus c) 5th Avenue plaza concept d) East Dalton linkages

a) d)

Glenwood Ave

aug h

W St

Underwood St Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd

Thornton Ave

5th Ave

Emery St

Walnut Ave

N

A concept for a plaza that

could serve as the focal

c)

point of the neighborhood.

The design could have an

international/Latin flavor,

with colorful paving patterns,

fountain, and a small pavilion

for music or other events.

Murray Ave

LEGEND STREETS/ROADS/HIGHWAYS RAILROAD PROPOSED GREENSPACE REVISED PLAZA REPEAT PLAZA PAVERS PROPOSED DOWNTOWN CULTURAL CENTER DOWNTOWN EAST DALTON INDUSTRIAL AREA SMALL SHUTTLE ROUTE

b)

railroad Glenwood Ave

Underwood St Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Murray Ave
Walnut Ave

Transit routes (shuttle service) should connect new worker housing areas to places of employment and major shopping areas.
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East Dalton
a) Small area plan b) Proposed Transit routes
a)

East Dalton has potential to transform from an industrial/warehousing area interspersed with run-down mill village housing, to a revitalized neighborhood at the heart of a rapidly growing Latino community. In order to foster this transformation, industrial and distribution warehousing uses which interrupt the neighborhood fabric should be encouraged to relocate to areas of the city better able to accommodate truck traffic. As these industrial/warehousing blocks are made available for redevelopment, the private sector should be allowed to provide the infill housing and supporting neighborhood commercial facilities in small increments, in order to adapt to the wide variety of site conditions and needs. Development regulations should be adjusted to ensure maintenance of an intimate neighborhood scale, while public investment should be focused on building appropriate infrastructure, including parks, community facilities, schools, and sidewalks.
b)

PROPOSED SINGLE FAMILY PROPOSED MULTI-FAMILY EXISTING RESIDENTIAL PARKS/GREENSPACE PROPOSED COMMERCIAL EXISTING COMMERCIAL PROPOSED CIVIC USE EXISTING CIVIC USE

BUS ROUTE-CROSSTOWN BUS ROUTE-LOCAL PEDESTRIAN ROUTE BIKE PATH SECONDARY BIKE ROUTE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING RAILSHUTTLE

PROPOSED SINGLE FAMILY PROPOSED MULTI-FAMILY EXISTING RESIDENTIAL PARKS/GREENSPACE PROPOSED COMMERCIAL EXISTING COMMERCIAL PROPOSED CIVIC USE EXISTING CIVIC USE

9

Transportation
The Dalton and Whitfield County Area is extremely limited in highway capacity due to a dependency on a limited number of arterial through streets such as Walnut Avenue. Those arterials are also rapidly being clogged by strip commercial uses that are reducing their capacity to handle the necessary volumes of traffic. Most developments since the 50's have been cul-de-sac subdivisions with few secondary collector streets to serve as alternative routes for local traffic. Since the local carpet industry relies heavily on free flowing traffic for trucking their goods, maintenance of a high level of transportation service and avoiding crippling congestion are important economic concerns. The growth of Whitfield County's Latino population has created special issues and opportunities that must be considered in planning future transportation improvements. Since many Latinos are unable to obtain driver's licenses or auto insurance due to language barriers and lack of required documentation, use of private automobiles for commuting and errands is frequently not a viable option for the community. A number of private taxi services have sprung up in recent years in response to this demand for transportation service, but this is an expensive way to get around. The Latino need for transportation service provides Dalton and Whitfield County a unique opportunity to develop successful alternative transportation options, including a public transit system, bikeways, and pedestrian amenities linking work destinations, shopping areas and neighborhoods. These alternative transportation options would benefit other segments of the local population as well, including low-income families, the elderly and bicycle enthusiasts.
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Recommendations
Develop a comprehensive alternative transportation plan that includes public transit, bikeways and pedestrian amenities, all working in concert.
Establish the Old Norfolk Southern Depot as a multimodal transit facility, serving as welcome center and trail head for regional recreational/bike trails and central hub for a local public transportation network. (This would be eligible for DOT's TEA grant program, paying up to 80% of the total project costs.)
Start off small with public transit and let the system grow over time. Begin with small vehicles (shuttle vans) and a limited service area linking worker housing with employment centers (see concept map). As usage increases, expand service to include major shopping areas, public facilities and more residential areas.
Re-evaluate and adjust local development regulations, small area redevelopment plans (see Infill Development section) and the comprehensive plan to ensure that higher density development is encouraged along planned public transit routes and bikeways.
Control commercial zoning and curb cuts along existing arterials and the Bypass (see Gateways and Corridors section).
Encourage new developments to incorporate neotraditional design elements, particularly connective grid street patterns (vs. cul-de-sacs) that offer alternatives to forcing all traffic onto the nearest arterial.
Take advantage of opportunities to build new street connections (particularly in older commercial and industrial areas) to reduce traffic on major arterials.
Cluster public facilities in or near downtown to encourage single destination transit and more efficient use of parking facilities.
Campaign for a commuter rail stop in downtown Dalton, preferably at the proposed Old Norfolk Southern Depot multimodal facility.

Transit Concept Map

Clev
North By-pass
Hamilton St

Tibbs Rd

Waugh St

Thornton Ave

Emery St Walnut Ave

Mu rray Ave

South Dixie H ighway

N

South By-pass
LEGEND STREETS/ROADS/HIGHWAYS WATER RAILROAD INTERSTATE 75 CITY BOUNDARY COUNTY LINE COMMUTER RAIL LINE PUBLIC TRANSIT LINE PUBLIC SERVICES DOWNTOWN EMPLOYMENT RETAIL
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Housing
Housing is a critical component of Dalton and Whitfield County's economic development strategy. In fact, limited availability of suitable workforce housing may be restricting economic growth of the entire region. For example, the carpet industry can only grow if an adequate local labor force can be accommodated with housing appropriate to its needs. Dalton and Whitfield County appear to have a shortage of stick-built homes in the price ranges that are affordable to the average. Although manufactured homes could provide an affordable housing option, stick built housing is the clear preference of local leaders and the general public.
There are a number of housing issues specific to the growing local Latino population. For example, some Latinos are reportedly being taken advantage of due to their lack of understanding of local development regulations, and many are not aware of affordable loan opportunities or do not feel they can access financing from a traditional lender. Landlords frequently require documentation that recent immigrants do not possess (past credit history in the US, Social Security Number, etc.) which causes problems when trying to enter a traditional lease agreement. As a result, many Latinos choose manufactured homes or substandard housing options, which works against the community's general desire of promoting quality housing development to revitalize intown neighborhoods.
In the visual preference survey, clustered homes with plenty of open space and nearby water features (ponds, streams etc.) received the highest scores. This points to the potential marketability of traditional neighborhood developments and conservation subdivisions in rural parts of Whitfield County. This type of development is particularly suited to areas with environmentally sensitive features (such as steep slopes) and, given the limited availability of sewer in rural areas of the county, can easily be served by small, batch sewer treatment systems.
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Recommendations
Encourage development of housing in targeted redevelopment areas near downtown (see Infill Development section). Promote a neotraditional housing mix that includes granny flats, garage apartments, duplexes, small apartment complexes, loft-type conversions of commercial buildings, rehabilitation of historic structures and other affordable housing options. Include housing options that appeal to the Latino community: higher density development with shared public open space; proximity to jobs, shopping and other services; minimum of three bedrooms (due to larger average family sizes); architectural features reflecting Latino culture (such as arched doorways, bright colors, balconies, enclosed courtyards); and solid construction (concrete flooring and plaster walls).
Use redevelopment tools and incentives (see Infill Development section) to encourage incompatible uses (those that generate heavy truck traffic, noxious smells or excessive noise) to relocate from areas slated for housing redevelopment to more appropriate sites in other parts of the county.
Review local land use regulations and building codes to ensure that they will permit the neo-traditional development patterns recommended above, including: minimum lot sizes of 5000 square feet, alternative construction methods and materials, and mixing of commercial and residential uses.
Adopt design codes for intown neighborhoods to ensure that new development is compatible with traditional neighborhood character. Traditional architectural styles, housing sizes and setbacks should be reinforced through these design codes.
Enlist the local Housing Authority or establish a community housing development organization (CHDO), either of which have access to public funding sources for affordable housing that may be used to make housing grants and low interest loans available to lower-income working households.
Provide Spanish-language information on housing-related topics, including: home buying, accessing financing (including lower-income financing incentives), creating a credit history, maintaining and operating a home, negotiating a lease and local development regulations.
Review local development regulations to ensure that they allow and encourage traditional neighborhood developments and conservation subdivisions in greenfield areas of the county. Encourage the local development review officer to promote use of these development options whenever possible.
13

Economic Development and Tourism
Dalton and Whitfield County have primarily relied on the carpet industry for their prosperity. Local leaders indicate that diversification of the local economic base will have to enlist industries that require little water or sewer capacity and draw upon a different sector of the labor market than the carpet industry. Two economic activities that happen to meet these requirements are tourism and the array of enterprises reliant on state-of-the-art broadband communications capacity. Dalton is well equipped to meet the demands of broadband-dependent businesses, with excess capacity just waiting to be put to use. It is up to the Dalton-Whitfield Economic Development Initiative or its successor to make the most of this opportunity.
With the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, the Walnut Square Mall, Tanger Outlet Center, an adequate supply of hotel rooms and strong tourism expertise at the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the groundwork is in place for a full-scale tourism initiative. However, the Resource Team noted several obstacles that must be overcome for the city and county to succeed with a long-range tourism strategy:
Interstate 75 and its exits into Dalton and Whitfield County are unattractive. The proliferation of big billboards do little to inform visitors of cultural, historic or recreational assets available in the area.
The major road corridors in Dalton and Whitfield County are visually unappealing, creating a negative first impression for the visitor. All commercial corridors are practically devoid of trees, with lots of signs and bare concrete parking lots.
Local scenic resources are not being adequately protected. Insensitive grading practices, ridgeline development and tree removal and architecture incompatible with steep sloped terrain threaten to destroy beautiful mountain scenery that is important to the tourism appeal of the area.
There is no major attraction or theme to serve as the focal point for local tourism efforts. Although there are individual sites scattered around the county that could draw tourist interest, Dalton and Whitfield County lack a major drawing card for pulling tourists off the interstate.
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Recommendations
Designate a single point of contact for local economic development recruitment activities. This is critical to effectiveness in sustaining/attracting new businesses and industry.
Provide reliable public sector funding, such as dedicating a percentage of property tax millage for economic development, tourism and quality of life activities (including greenway development, arts and culture activities, etc.).
Factor recruitment of broadband-dependent enterprises into the local industrial recruitment strategy. Consider creating incentives (such as tax breaks, provision of needed infrastructure, workforce training) to encourage these types of businesses to locate in the city or county.
Identify suitable locations for siting new broadband-dependent businesses, preferably along planned public transportation routes (see Transportation section).
Upgrade the appearance of the Interstate 75 interchanges and major commercial corridors, particularly those most likely to be used by visitors (see Gateways and Corridors section).
Institute regulations requiring appropriate development of steep slopes and ridgelines throughout the county. (Examples of appropriate hillside development practices are included in the Appendix.)
Build a tourism marketing and development plan around distinct themes. These might include:
Textile Arts and Carpet Industry. Developing a dramatic new museum building on the periphery of downtown would be in keeping with Whitfield County's international "carpet industry" reputation. The museum could focus in areas such as: rug and textile making techniques from around the world; display of rare carpets and a respected collection of international textiles; history of Dalton's Carpet Industry (featuring old equipment); interpretation of women's handiwork (including women's role in founding the local carpet industry). Because of insurance liability issues, a replica of a working carpet mill or other virtual experience might be the most practical way to give visitors the experience of the carpet making process.

Carpet and Rug Institute
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Recommendations
Adventure and Recreation Tourism. Whitfield County could be promoted as "the adventure gateway to the Georgia mountains." The city and county's plans for an extensive greenway system, proximity to the Chattahoochee National Forest and the Johns Mountain Wildlife Refuge, the Pinhoti Trail and the Conasauga River (up for "wild and scenic" designation) are all assets that could be used to attract eco-tourists. In addition, action sports such as cross county hiking, mountain biking, equestrian activities, whitewater rafting and hang gliding could offer significant local tourism development opportunities.
Railroad Heritage. Due to the convergence of tracks in the area, Dalton has one of the highest volumes of train traffic in the state. Train buffs are a loyal, enthusiastic group who advertise train related attractions among themselves. Train viewing platforms could be provided in the downtown area and the area's railroad history could be interpreted with exhibits in a restored Old Norfolk Southern depot. The Tunnel Hill connection might be exploited with a seasonal steam locomotive ride during foliage season.
Ethnic Diversity. Dalton and Whitfield County's diverse demographic makeup could create color and variety for the visitor. Enhancing multicultural ambiance in ethnic neighborhoods, encouraging clustering of ethnic businesses, holding "international" festivals and cultural events or even providing brightly colored "south of the border" style public shuttles to carry visitors to various attractions could enhance the city's unique international image and celebrate its diversity.
Native American and African American History. Until recently, significant historical resources in these areas have generally been ignored. These aspects of the area's history could be interpreted and celebrated.
Civil War Sites. Dalton and Whitfield County have a wealth of Civil War Historic sites, however so does the rest of the region. Carving out a unique identity as a civil war history destination may be difficult and careful attention must be paid to linkages with other civil war attractions, driving tours etc. throughout the region.
Select one of the Interstate 75 interchanges as the primary "tourist entrance" to the community where a combined visitor center/tourist shuttle hub would be located.
Develop and implement a consistent informational signage design that clearly distinguishes tourist-oriented directional signs from commercial advertising.
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Gateways and Corridors
As previously noted, the Resource Team felt that Interstate 75 and the major entry roads from the interstate into Dalton and Whitfield County are unattractive, creating a negative first impression for the visitor. The visual clutter along these roadways detracts from the tourism potential of the area and has a negative impact on residents' sense of pride in their community.
Secondary gateways to Dalton and Whitfield County include Old Dixie Highway (US 41), Cleveland Highway (GA 71) and Chatsworth Highway (GA 52). While Interstate 75 has caused a decline in commercial viability of these old state highways, these roads remain the most interesting entry routes to Dalton. There is significant potential for upgrade of these corridors to take advantage of regional promotion of the routes as scenic alternatives to the interstate.
The recently completed Bypass provides an opportunity to avoid past mistakes. By instituting appropriate land use and landscaping requirements along this route before it is overrun by commercial clutter, it may be possible to preserve its appearance and traffic-handling efficiency. An attractive Bypass could be very desirable location for the types of new businesses needed to diversify the local economy.
Finally, there is no good (or easy) way to get from the interstate to the downtown area. Most visitors who stop along the interstate in Whitfield County probably leave wondering if there is a "downtown" Dalton. Clearly, the original and most important entry to downtown would be along Walnut and Thornton Avenues. Both of these roads could benefit from aesthetic upgrade, signage and roadway reconfigurations that would make it easier and more likely for visitors to "discover" the downtown area.
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Sidewalks should be at least 6 feet wide and no less than 6 feet from the curb with street trees planted between the curb and sidewalk.
18

Recommendations
Adopt requirements for major corridors to ensure that new development does not add to the commercial clutter. These should include:
A landscaped buffer next to the street that includes a sidewalk/bikeway and other standard amenities (street trees, signature street lamps, benches, bus stops, etc.) desired by the community.
Maximum setbacks for buildings, requiring them to be located close to the street with parking in the rear or to the sides of businesses.
Minimum floor-area ratios, requiring new commercial centers to build up, not out. Two-story shopping centers can be very attractive and consume less land.
Reduced parking requirements, based on average demand for parking instead of peak demand.
Parking lot landscaping standards.
Upgrade corridor appearances where commercial clutter has already happened by:
Seeking streetfront landscaping easements from property owners. In exchange for granting the easement the local government provides free landscaping that enhances the visual appeal of the property and the entire corridor.
Using powers granted under the Georgia Urban Redevelopment Law (see Appendix) to acquire marginal or poorly maintained properties and offer them for new development that is consistent with the community's redevelopment plan for the area. The brief period while property is in public ownership (between acquisition and sale to a new developer) is an opportunity to clean up the property by removing non-conforming signs, demolishing unattractive buildings, or eliminating unnecessary curb cuts and paving.
Using powers granted under the Georgia Urban Redevelopment Law (see Appendix) to acquire marginal or poorly maintained properties and offer them for new development that is consistent with the community's redevelopment plan for the area. The brief period while property is in public ownership (between acquisition and sale to a new developer) is an opportunity to clean up the property by removing non-conforming signs, demolishing unattractive buildings, or eliminating unnecessary curb cuts and paving.

Recommendations
Re-evaluate existing zoning along major corridors. Reduce the amount of commercial zoning where possible or shift zoning districts to promote nodal commercial concentrations at intervals along these roadways. To avoid downzoning conflicts, consider adoption of overlays to encourage properties already zoned for commercial development to be developed as mixed-use Planned Unit Developments instead.
Restrict the number of curb cuts along the major corridors. Coordinate with GaDOT where these roads are also part of the state highway network. Take advantage of opportunities to close existing curb cuts whenever possible (such as including this in negotiations with property owners for the "streetfront landscape easements" discussed above).
Adopt more restrictive sign regulations that are consistent for the city and county. On premise signs should be strictly limited in size, number and height and new billboards should be completely prohibited.
Create a grand entrance to downtown along Walnut and Thornton Avenues:
Upgrade the appearance of the commercial leg of Walnut Avenue (between Interstate 75 and Tibbs Road), using the approaches recommended above. Also encourage GaDOT to extend the planned landscaped median for Walnut Avenue (to begin at Tibbs Road) to include this commercial area.
Continue to hold the line on commercial intrusion into the attractive residential segment of Walnut Avenue between Tibbs Road and Thornton Avenue.
Redesign the intersection of Walnut and Thornton Avenues so that traffic easily flows between the two avenues. This intersection should include a dramatic fountain or monument to make a "statement" of arrival to residents and visitors.
Enhance Thornton Avenue by planting trees along the street, installing a landscaped center median and encouraging replacement of non-traditional buildings with more attractive architecture.
Use consistent informational signage, landscaping treatments and signature lampposts along both avenues.
Equip all light poles along Walnut and Thornton Avenues to display banners celebrating special occasions, festivals and promotions.

Old photos of Dalton may reveal appropriate prototypes for streetlamp design. Lighting color should be consistent throughout the entire area. Incandescent streetlamp lighting is warmer and more attractive than sodium vapor lights.

Landscaping should feature a palette of low-maintenance native trees that will give a distinctive horticultural identity to major corridors and gateways. Trees should be long-lived species that will eventually rebuild a shady canopy -- not just "green sugar" like crepe myrtles and token shrubs. Some suggested types are detailed in the Appendix.
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Arts and Culture
The visual preference survey conducted by the Resource Team indicated that the community is interested in being recognized as something more than a manufacturing center. There appears to be strong public enthusiasm for both the visual and performing arts. Dalton and Whitfield County have an excellent arts organizational structure that makes a huge contribution to quality of life in the area. A dynamic Creative Arts Guild, two exceptional community theaters and excellent dance, gymnastic and music programs provided through local schools are all community assets which can be built upon to strengthen the importance of arts and culture in Dalton and Whitfield County.
Recommendations
Incorporate planning for cultural activities and facilities into the regular recreation planning process. Focus plans on enhancing the importance of Downtown Dalton as the cultural heart of the community.
Organize more arts-related festivals and promotions downtown and at Prater's Mill. Hold weekend film screenings at the Wink Theater. Establish a warm weather public concert series in downtown. Develop a long range plan for adding public art throughout the city
(see Suggested Public Art Locations in the Appendix).
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Historic Preservation
Dalton and Whitfield County are rich in historic buildings, as well as significant archeological and Civil War sites. Although the historic downtown core is protected by a local historic district and supporting ordinances, significant downtown buildings have recently been demolished. Beyond the downtown historic district, some important buildings have been saved by recent private efforts, yet many more historic resources have been lost in the past 50 years. In general, important historic sites and resources scattered throughout the city and county, outside of designated historic districts, are extremely vulnerable to loss.
Although much of Dalton's historic urban fabric has been destroyed by fire and insensitive development, Dalton was originally a carefully planned community. Restoring the physical patterns of the city's original urban design should be an integral goal of local redevelopment efforts.
Recommendations
Expand the existing downtown historic district along Pentz Street to the railroad crossing.
Designate the Historic Crown Mill and Village as a local historic district.
Apply for Certified Local Government money (available through the Department of Natural Resources' Historic Preservation Division) to develop updated design guidelines for the downtown historic district, the Murray Hill historic district and the proposed Crown Mill and Village historic district.
Promote rehabilitation of historic structures in the targeted redevelopment areas near downtown (see Infill Development and Housing sections) by:
Providing grants, loans or other incentives for renovation of historic properties.
Contacting absentee owners of older buildings, encouraging them to sell or renovate.

Foster preservation of Civil War resources throughout the county by:
- Purchasing, fee simple, as many of these resources as possible.
- Encouraging landowners who have Civil War resources on their property to donate conservation easements to an eligible land trust.
- Adopting a countywide historic preservation ordinance that designates Civil War archaeological resources for protection.
The chart on the following page summarizes Resource Team recommendations for adaptive reuse of several notable historic resources, singled out because they are integral to the city's overall tourism and redevelopment strategies, or because they need immediate attention.

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Resource Team recommendations for adaptive reuse of notable historic resources

Building/Site

Existing Condition/ Characteristics

Old Norfolk Southern Depot

Building in good condition

Fort Hill School

Building in generally good condition

Manley Jail Works Old City Park School
Trevitt Hall Crown Mill
Crown Mill Village

Needs new roof; 85% of interior is open space -- very flexible; parking could be made available north of building
Needs some foundation repairs
All but faade has burned; facade needs restoration
Buildings in good condition; great location near downtown and other attractions (Hamilton House, springs, etc.)
Historic houses being lost due to lack of repairs; problems with noise and litter

Possible Adaptive Reuse
Multimodal alternative transportation facility (see Transportation section)
Reactivate as a school; redevelopment as residential lofts; or high-tech business incubator
Farmers Market; performance space for live music in warm weather months
Performing arts/exhibit space
Preserve faade as gateway to outdoor restaurant or biergarten
Mill buildings converted to residential lofts and office space for Creative Arts Guild; grounds restored as a public botanical garden
Rehabilitate houses as affordable intown residences; Add neighborhood commercial within walking distance

Funding Strategies
TEA-21 with 20% city match
Dependent on use
Public/private partnership; State and Federal historic rehab tax incentives
County, SPLOST Facade Grant, State and Federal historic rehab tax incentives City purchase of site; Public/private partnership; State and Federal historic rehab tax incentives
State and Federal rehab tax incentives

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Greenways and Open Space
Whitfield County's Open Space Plan was recently adopted. As specified under the Governor's Greenspace Program, the plan establishes priorities for protection of at least 20% of the county's land area as permanent open space. Admirably, Whitfield's plan places priority on protecting stream corridors, mountain ridgelines and lands bordering national forests and similar federal or state controlled natural areas. There is an opportunity to build upon the Open Space Plan, to plan for establishing an extensive network of greenways criss-crossing both city and county to provide linkages between natural areas, tourist attractions and other important local destinations. Greenways are corridors set aside for pedestrian and bicycle connections between schools, churches, recreation areas, city centers, residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. They provide safe, efficient pedestrian linkages and at the same time give users an opportunity to enjoy the natural environment. Properly designed greenways can serve as an alternative transportation network, accommodating commuting to work or shopping as well as recreational biking, skateboarding, walking and jogging. Greenways have an important role in bringing neighborhoods together and creating a sense of community while also providing many benefits for wildlife.
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Recommendations
Expand the county's Open Space Plan to address opportunities for establishing a countywide network of greenways and parks, including: Inventory of existing utility easements, stormwater retention areas, reservoirs and environmentally sensitive lands (such as riparian buffers, wetlands, floodplains and steep slopes) that should be integrated into the local greenway network. Identification of logical greenway connections between high-use pedestrian areas, public destinations and major places of shopping and employment. For example, link the East Dalton community to major places of employment and shopping or recreation facilities frequented by the Latino population. Planning for linkages to regional trail systems, such as the recently developed Pinhoti Trail, soon to be designated part of the National Recreational Trail system.
Development of a comprehensive map of planned greenways and a detailed strategy for acquisition and development of the system.
Implement the greenways plan incrementally, even if this means that the network cannot be fully interconnected for several years: Make trail right-of-way acquisition a priority. It is important to secure rights-ofway early, while land is still undeveloped and affordable. Explore alternatives to fee-simple acquisition of greenway rights-of-way. For example, property owners can be encouraged to grant conservation easements in return for tax and legal benefits.
Make greenways an integral part of the local tourism marketing effort. Use greenway informational signs and system maps to encourage visitors to make use of the network.
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Greenways Concept Map

ela nd Highway

North By-pass

Clev
Hamilton St

Tibbs Rd

Waugh St
Emery St Walnut Ave

Thornton Ave

Mu rray Ave

South Dixie H ighway

N

South By-pass

LEGEND STREETS/ROADS/HIGHWAYS WATER RAILROAD INTERSTATE 75 CITY BOUNDARY COUNTY LINE BIKE PATHS DOT BIKE PATH PINHOTI TRAIL
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Development Regulations
Although separate school systems and city control of public utilities pose significant difficulties in managing development patterns in Dalton and Whitfield County, the Resource Team noted several positive factors that could form the basis for a coordinated approach to smart growth management in the city and county:
A joint city-county planning commission already exists and works well with both the city and county governments.
Both governments have access to professional planning services through the North Georgia Regional Development Center.
The city and county are updating their joint comprehensive plan. Both governments seem willing to amend their existing land use
ordinances to foster better growth management. Dalton Utilities has the resources to provide additional water and
sewer service in the county, and is eager to have a comprehensive plan to guide extension of this service. The community as a whole demonstrates a commitment to preservation of local natural and scenic resources and better management of growth in the area.
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Recommendations
Hire a consultant to audit city and county development regulations for barriers to smart growth. This audit will evaluate local ordinances and make recommendation for revisions to make it easier for "smart growth" forms of development (like mixeduse projects, traditional neighborhood developments and higher density infill development) to be implemented in Dalton and Whitfield County.
Adjust local development regulations to address recommendations contained elsewhere in this report, including:
Permitting sidewalk dining in the downtown area.
Allowing higher density development along planned public transit routes.
Limiting commercial zoning along major road corridors.
Allowing neotraditional design elements in new developments or infill redevelopment projects. These include elements such as connective grid street patterns, mixing of uses, smaller street widths, lot sizes and building setbacks.
Establishing design codes for intown neighborhoods and historic districts to ensure that new development is compatible with traditional neighborhood character.
Encouraging conservation subdivisions in greenfield areas of the county.
Requiring appropriate development of steep slopes and ridgelines.
Upgrading the appearance of new commercial development along major roadways, including landscaping requirements, minimum setbacks, reduced parking requirements and minimum floor area ratios.
Establishing more restrictive sign regulations that are consistent for the city and county.
Ensure that the new joint comprehensive plan provides clear guidance on the location of new public facilities and infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer lines or fire stations. This will help ensure that the provision of infrastructure works handin-hand with land development regulations to bring about the future development patterns envisioned in the plan.
Evaluate city and county development regulations for consistency, and make revisions as necessary. Also negotiate a joint city/county agreement on provision of public utilities to new development projects throughout the county. Consistency in development regulations and utility availability will bring more rationality to growth and development in both the city and county.

Images on this page provided by Tunnell-Spangler & Associates.

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Students from Dalton's Varnell Elementary School created this mural, which represents their ideas for the future of Whitfield County.

Implementation Plan
This section identifies the recommendations that are suggested for most immediate implementation by Dalton and Whitfield County, and proposes detailed first steps for carrying out these recommendations. The city and county may wish to amend some of these implementation steps into the short term work program of their joint comprehensive plan, since doing so may provide support for related grant applications. A chart of funding sources is included to provide details on programs that may be used to fund some of these implementation activities. The city and county are encouraged to contact Resource Team participants for follow up assistance and information.

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Recommended First Steps

Recommendation

Comments

Re-evaluate the new streetscape plan to ensure that it reinforces the historic urban design of downtown.

Re-evaluate as soon as possible, before construction work begins.

Ensure that the new joint comprehensive plan provides clear guidance on the location of new public facilities and infrastructure.

Coordinate with North Georgia RDC and the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.

Hire a consultant to audit city and county development regulations for barriers to smart growth.

DCA can provide further information (from the GQGP toolkit), assist with drafting the request for proposals, and provide a mailing list of consultants.

Adjust local development regulations to address recommendations contained throughout this report

May want to combine this with above step, using the same planning consultant. Revisions should address all items listed for this recommendation in the Development Regulations section.

Designate a single point of contact for local economic development recruitment activities.

Provide reliable public sector funding, such as dedicating a percentage of property tax millage for economic development, tourism, and quality of life activities (including greenway development, arts and culture activities, etc.).

Recommended First Steps

Recommendation

Comments

Develop detailed small area plans for intown areas that are suitable for redevelopment and new infill development.

Prioritize areas to be redeveloped. For top priority areas, engage professional planning assistance to develop small area plans that:
Meet the requirements of the Georgia Urban Redevelopment Act
Address all items listed for this recommendation in the Infill Development section
Include provisions for the mix of housing options recommended in the Housing section
Include a step-by-step implementation strategy with funding sources for carrying out each step

Restructure the local "affordable housing infrastructure fund" to provide more direct incentives for desired redevelopment and infill.

DCA financial assistance programs staff are available to help with redesign of this program.

Build a tourism marketing and development plan around distinct themes.

Engage professional tourism planning assistance to develop a plan that includes:
Evaluation of themes that are most likely to succeed for the Dalton/Whitfield area;
Identification of needed tourism infrastructure and services (such as visitor center, shuttle service, etc.);
A step-by-step implementation strategy with funding sources for carrying out each step.

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Recommended First Steps

Recommendation

Comments

Expand the existing boundaries of the Dalton Downtown Development Authority so that funding can be made available for revitalizing underutilized areas on the periphery of downtown.

Create a grand entrance to downtown along Walnut and Thornton Avenues.

Engage professional design assistance to develop a plan that includes the elements detailed for this recommendation in the Gateways and Corridors section. Consult with GaDOT during plan development. Include a step-by-step implementation strategy with funding sources for carrying out each step.

Upgrade corridor appearances where commercial clutter has already happened.

Prioritize corridors to be redeveloped. For top priority corridors, engage professional planning and design assistance to prepare redevelopment plans that:
Meet the requirements of the Georgia Urban Redevelopment Act;
Include landscaping plans for roadside and medians;
Include a step-by-step implementation strategy with funding sources for carrying out each step.

Develop a comprehensive alternative transportation plan that includes public transit, bikeways, and pedestrian amenities, all working in concert.

Engage professional transportation planning assistance to develop a plan. Consult with GaDOT during plan development. Plan should include:
A step-by-step implementation strategy with funding sources for carrying out each step.
Provisions for starting out small with public transit (along high-demand routes) and expanding over time.

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Recommended First Steps

Recommendation

Comments

Establish the Old Norfolk Southern Depot as a multimodal transit facility, serving as welcome center and trail head for regional recreational/bike trails and central hub for a local public transportation network.

Negotiate with railroad for transfer of ownership to the city or county. Once in public ownership, engage professional architectural assistance to develop a plan for adaptive reuse of this building. Apply to TEA grant program for implementation money.

Campaign for a commuter rail stop in downtown Dalton, preferably at the proposed Old Norfolk Southern Depot multimodal facility.

Designated local "point of contact" for economic development should establish contacts with key decision-makers at Georgia Rail Transit Authority and GaDOT.

Reclaim Dalton Green as a shady public park designed to accommodate major civic gatherings.

Engage professional design assistance to develop a plan for the park, including a step-by-step implementation strategy with funding sources for carrying out each step.

Incorporate planning for cultural activities and facilities into the regular recreation planning process. Focus plans on enhancing the importance of Downtown Dalton as the cultural heart of the community.

Coordinate with parties responsible for local recreation planning. Include a step-by-step implementation strategy with funding sources for carrying out each step.

Recommended First Steps

Recommendation

Comments

Provide Spanish-language information on housing-related topics.

Pursue adaptive reuse of several notable historic resources (see chart in Historic Preservation section).

Prioritize properties to be redeveloped. For top priorities, meet with property owners to explore rehabilitation ideas and role of public financial incentives as encouragement. Where property owners are uncooperative, consider use of Georgia's Urban Redevelopment Law to acquire property and offer for private redevelopment.

Expand the county's Open Space Plan to address opportunities for establishing a countywide network of greenways and parks.

Engage professional planning assistance to expand the plan to address all items identified for this recommendation in the Greenways and Open Space section. Include a step-by-step implementation strategy with funding sources for carrying out each step.

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Program Title
Employment Incentive Program

Possible Funding Sources

Program Description

Administering Agency/Contact

Eligible Activities: Grants for local projects intended to facilitate and enhance job creation and/or retention, principally for persons of low and moderate income. Total Funding: Approximately $5 million per year. Maximum per Project: $500,000 Match Requirements: Dollar for dollar private leverage minimum.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329

Andy Yarn (404) 679-1589 ayarn@dca.state.ga.us

Mitch Griggs (404) 679-0593 mgriggs@dca.state.ga.us

Georgia Commission for National and Community Service/Americorps State

Eligible Activities: Grants to meet community service needs which match national need areas as determined annually by the Corporation for National Service. Total Funding: Approximately $4.4 million per year. Maximum per Project: Varies dependent on need. Match Requirements: 15% local matching funds required.

Georgia Commission for National and Community Service 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329
James P. Marshall, Jr. (404) 327-6844 jmarshal@dca.state.ga.us

Georgia Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Housing Program

Eligible Activities: Loans for predevelopment activities (CHDO Predevelopment Loan Program), acquisition, new construction, and rehabilitation of rental housing developments for multi-family, special needs, and elderly tenants of 20 or more units that are targeted to low-income households. Total Funding: Approximately $4.7 million per year. Maximum per Project: $2,800,000 Match Requirements: N/A

Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Doug Scott (404) 327-6881 douscott@dca.state.ga.us

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Program Title
Capital Outlay for Public School Facilities Construction

Possible Funding Sources

Program Description

Administering Agency/Contact

Eligible Activities: Grants for new construction, renovation, and modifications of public school facilities. Total Funding: Determined annually by the Georgia General Assembly. Maximum per Project: Determined by project application. Match Requirements: 10% - 25% local matching funds required.

Georgia Department of Education Facilities Services Unit 1670 Twin Towers, East Atlanta, Georgia 30334
William Jerry Rochelle, Ph.D. (404) 656-2454

Community Development Block Grant Program -- Regular Round

Eligible Activities: Grants for housing improvement projects, public facilities such as water and sewer lines, buildings such as local health centers or headstart centers, and economic development projects. Total Funding: Approximately $43 million per year. Maximum per Project: Single-Activity: $500,000; Multi-Activity: $800,000 Match Requirements: Grants up to $300,000, or grants for single activity
housing projects - no matching funds required.
Grants of $300,000 to $500,000 5% local matching funds required.
Grants of more than $500,000 10% local matching funds required.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Susan McGee (404) 679-3176 smcgee@dca.state.ga.us

Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund (DD RLF)

Eligible Activities: Loans to non-entitlement cities and counties for small and middle-size communities in implementing quality downtown development projects. Total Funding: Approximately $2.3 million per year. Maximum per Project: $200,000 Match Requirements: N/A Other: Interest Rate: below-market rates, depending on project requirement Repayment Period: up to 20 years, depending on the assets financed and project requirements. Security: usually project collateral and backing by the applicant.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Steed Robinson (404) 679-1585 srobinso@dca.state.ga.us
Russell Morrison (404) 679-4825 rmorriso@dca.state.ga.us

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Program Title
Georgia Heritage Grants

Possible Funding Sources

Program Description

Administering Agency/Contact

Eligible Activities: Grants to assist eligible applicants with the rehabilitation of Georgia Register-listed historic properties and related activities. Total Funding: $307,000 for FY2001, $250,000 for Development Projects, $50,000 for Predevelopment Projects. Maximum per Project: $40,000 for Development Projects, $20,000 for Predevelopment Projects. Match Requirements: 40% local matching funds required.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division 156 Trinity Avenue, SW Suite 101 Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Cherie Blizzard (404) 651-5181

Grassroots Arts Program

Eligible Activities: Grants to arts organizations and other groups to support Grassroots arts activities that broaden and deepen public participation in the arts. Total Funding: N/A Maximum per Project: $2,000 Match Requirements: N/A

Georgia Council for the Arts 260 14th Street, NW Suite 401 Atlanta, Georgia 30318 (404) 685-2787

Home Buyer Program
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
34

Eligible Activities: Loans at fixed, below market interest rates to qualified low to moderate-income home buyers. Total Funding: Approximately $120 million per year. Maximum per Project: Individual maximum loan amounts vary by type of unit (new or existing), location, and type of loan (FHA, VA, RECD, or Conventional). Match Requirements: N/A
Eligible Activities: Grants for acquisition of real property and development of facilities for generalpurpose outdoor recreation. Total Funding: Dependent upon annual congressional appropriations. Maximum per Project: $35,000. Match Requirements: 50% local matching funds required.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Carmen Chubb (404) 679-4846 cchubb@dca.state.ga.us
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division Grants Administration and Planning 205 Butler Street, SE Suite 1352 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Antoinette Norfleet (404) 656-3830

Program Title
Local Development Fund

Possible Funding Sources

Program Description

Administering Agency/Contact

Eligible Activities: Grants to fund community improvement activities of local governments in Georgia Total Funding: Approximately $650,000 per year. Maximum per Project: $10,000 for single community. projects; $20,000 for multi-community projects. Match Requirements: Dollar for dollar local matching funds required.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Rhonda Gilbert (404) 679-1744 rgilbert@dca.state.ga.us

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program OneGeorgia Equity Fund Program

Eligible Activities: Provides a federal income tax credit to building owners for the acquisition, construction or rehabilitation of low income rental housing affordable to low and moderate income families. Total Funding: Approximately $9.5 million per year. Maximum per Project: 30% of the present value for developments involving acquisition; 70% of the present value for developments involving new construction or rehabilitation. Match Requirements: N/A
Eligible Activities: Grants and loans to finance activities that will assist in preparation for economic development. Eligible projects include traditional economic development projects such as water and sewer projects, road, rail and airport improvements and industrial parks as well as workforce development projects, technology development or tourism development proposals, just to name a few. Applications considered for projects in Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3 (with conditions) counties only. Total Funding: Approximately $10 million per year. Maximum per Project: $500,000 Match Requirements: N/A Other: Application deadlines are: January 16, 2001/Awarded March 30 May 15, 2001/Awarded July 31 September 14, 2001/Awarded November 30

Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329 Nathan Mize (404) 679-0616 nmize@dca.state.ga.us
OneGeorgia Authority 1202-B Hillcrest Parkway Dublin, Georgia 31021 Laura Meadows (478) 274-7734 lmeadows@georgia.org
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Program Title

Possible Funding Sources

Program Description

Administering Agency/Contact

Georgia Cities Foundation Program

Eligible Activities: Loans to cities requesting financial assistance in their efforts to revitalize and enhance their downtown areas. Total Funding: Not to exeed one-third of the project cost Maximum per Project: $200,000 Match Requirements: Interest Rate: below-market rates Repayment Period: generally not to exceed 15 years Project collateral and backing by the cities and Downtown Development Authority.

Georgia Cities Foundation 201 Pryor St., SW Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Greg Fender (888) 488-4462 gfender@gmanet.com
Linda Wilkes (888) 488-4462 lwilkes@gmanet.com

Organizational Grants

Eligible Activities: Grants designed to provide support to arts organizations and other groups administering arts projects. Total Funding: N/A Maximum per Project: $5,000 Match Requirements: 25% local matching funds required.

Georgia Council for the Arts 260 14th Street, NW Suite 401 Atlanta, Georgia 30318 (404) 685-2787

OwnHOME Program
Public Library Capital Outlay Grant Program
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Eligible Activities: Loans for first-time home buyers with a deferred payment to cover most of the down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses associated with their home purchase. Total Funding: Approximately $3 million per year. Maximum per Project: $5,000 Match Requirements: 1.5% personal matching funds required.
Eligible Activities: Grant program providing financial and consultant assistance for the construction of public library facilities. Total Funding: Dependent upon annual appropriation. Maximum per Project: $2,000,000 Match Requirements: 10 15% local matching funds required.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Carmen Chubb (404) 679-4846 cchubb@dca.state.ga.us
Georgia Department of Education Office of Public Library Services 1800 Century Place, NE Suite 150 Atlanta, Georgia 30345 Thomas A. Ploeg (404) 982-3560

Program Title
Recreation Assistance Fund (RAF)
Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
Regional Assistance Program (RAP)

Possible Funding Sources

Program Description

Administering Agency/Contact

Eligible Activities: Grants for the purchase of real property, facility development or rehabilitation of existing facilities to increase the local supply of public recreation lands and/or facilities. Total Funding: Approximately $1 million per year. Maximum per Project: $12,500 Match Requirements: N/A

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division Grants Administration and Planning 205 Butler Street, SE Suite 1352 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Antoinette Norfleet (404) 656-3830

Eligible Activities: Grants for acquisition and/or development (80% federal / 20% local) of motorized and non-motorized recreational trails including new trail construction, maintenance/rehabilitation of existing trails, trail-side and trail-head facilities. Total Funding: Approximately $1.2 million per year. Maximum per Project: $100,000 Match Requirements: 20% local matching funds required.
Eligible Activities: Grants for Regional Economic Development Total Funding: $1,128,125 per year. Maximum per Project: $500,000 Match Requirements: Applicants for facilities and construction grants in local governments within Tier 1 counties or in joint development authorities including a Tier 1 county are not required to match the requested grant amount. Applicants for facilities and construction grants in local
governments within Tier 2 counties or in joint development authorities including a Tier 2 county must match at least one-half (50%) of the requested grant amount. Applicants for facilities and construction grants in local governments within Tier 3 counties or in joint development authorities including a Tier 3 county must match an equal or greater amount of the requested grant amount. Applicants for grants for multi-county activities that do not involve construction must match at least one half (50%) of the requested grant amount.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division Grants Administration and Planning 205 Butler Street Suite 1352 Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Antoinette Norfleet (404) 656-3830
Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329 Mitch Griggs (404) 679-0593 mgriggs@dca.state.ga.us
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Program Title
Transportation Enhancement Program

Possible Funding Sources

Program Description

Administering Agency/Contact

Eligible Activities: Federal grants for twelve categories of transportation enhancement activities. Total Funding: Approximately $23 million per year. Maximum per Project: $1,000,000 Match Requirements: 20% local matching funds required.

Georgia Department of Transportation Planning Division No. 2 Capitol Square Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Marta Rosen (404) 657-5226

Type II Eisenhower Professional Development Program Competitive Grants

Eligible Activities: Grants for demonstration and exemplary projects for improving instruction in mathematics and science. Total Funding: Approximately $12,130,000 per year. Maximum per Project: Determined by project application. Match Requirements: 33% local matching funds required.

Georgia Department of Education Division of School Support 1852 Twin Towers East Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Brendon Long (404) 657-8300

Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program

Eligible Activities: Grants designed to encourage citizen involvement in creating and supporting longterm and sustained urban and community forestry programs throughout the state. Total Funding: Determined annually by the US Forest Service. Maximum per Project: Determined by project application. Match Requirements: 50% local matching funds required.

Georgia Forestry Commission Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program 5645 Riggins Mill Road Dry Branch, Georgia 31020
Susan Reisch (912) 751-3521

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Appendix
Summary of the Visual Preference Survey
A visual preference survey involving approximately 200 local citizens was conducted during the Resource Team visit. During the survey, participants rated various slides of the built environment in terms of their visual attractiveness. Participants were shown slides from the local area and other parts of the world, selecting their favorites. The slides included such things as alternative housing types, building styles, development patterns along roadways, or landscaping schemes.
The results of the visual preference survey were evaluated to determine community preferences that were factored into the Resource Team's design and planning recommendations. For example, paving patterns that received a high score were incorporated in a plaza design for the 5th street area. Negative reactions to strip development patterns along Walnut Avenue led the team to recommend a strategy for reducing the visual clutter in this area. Strong reaction against inappropriate development of mountain tops and hillsides led to team recommendations for new development regulations to control these types of development.
The chart below provides an overview of the visual preference survey results.

High-Scoring (Popular) Images Fountains Landscaped streets and parking lots Parks or community gardens Urban plazas with greenery Public sculpture Subdivisions with open space Sidewalk dining Historic homes

Low-Scoring (Unpopular) Images Billboards Manufactured homes Walnut Avenue-style strip development Excessive signage/banners/balloons Unscreened parking lots Clear-cutting and grading of hillsides Dense hillside development

Summary of Georgia's Urban Redevelopment Act (O.C.G.A 36-61-1)
Purpose Gives cities broad powers to redevelop blighted or threatened areas of the community.
Allows communities to use eminent domain to buy and assemble property for revitalization and resale.
Encourages involvement of private enterprise and use of public/private partnerships to redevelop selected areas of the community.
Allows the city to negotiate variances or wave other requirements of its existing zoning and development requirements in order to achieve the optimum economic and aesthetic results in the redevelopment area.
Guides city investments in infrastructure to support redevelopment.
Lets the public and developers know what is being planned for the redevelopment area.
Permits use of tax-exempt bonds for redevelopment purposes.
Process Draft an urban redevelopment plan (a general blueprint for redevelopment
and targeting of public investments in the redevelopment area).
Hold a public hearing.
Adopt the plan.
Appoint an organization (urban redevelopment authority, Downtown Development Authority, or city redevelopment agency) to implement the plan.
Implement the plan.

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Required Components of the Urban Redevelopment Plan
Statement that the redevelopment plan is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan.
Clearly defined boundaries of the redevelopment area (need not be contiguous).
Explanation of negative conditions (slum and blight) in the area necessitating redevelopment.
The city's land use objectives for the area (types of uses, building requirements, zoning changes, and development densities).
Identification of land parcels to be acquired and structures to be demolished or rehabilitated.
Public infrastructure to be provided (transportation facilities, water, sewer, sidewalks, lighting streetscapes, public recreational space, parking, etc.) to support redevelopment of the area.
Any covenants or restrictions to be placed on properties in the redevelopment area in order to implement the plan.
A workable plan for leveraging private resources to redevelop the area. A strategy for relocating any displaced residents. A workable financial strategy for implementing the plan.
Appropriate Hillside Development Practices
Discourage long roof tops running parallel to the hillside. Large buildings should be broken up to follow the terrain. Require natural colors and building materials. Minimize land disturbance and tree removal. Roads should follow natural contours and be narrow without curbs and guttering.
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Share driveways to minimize land disturbance.
Round off edges to create a grade that looks more natural than the standard chopped-off cut.
lane lane
existing grade
Separate street lanes on steep hillsides where appropriate.
On steep slopes buildings should step down the hillside. Avoid massive blocky structures, excessive grading and removal of all trees.

Suggested Trees for Landscaping
The following species tend to be drought and disease resistant and would be appropriate for use in gateways, entrys, or streetscape plantings. For specific recommendations on planting requirements, including tree sizes and planting distances, contact Dr. Kim Coder at the University of Georgia's School of Forestry.

Acer rubrum Amelanchier arborea Asimina triloba Betula nigra Bumelia lanuginosa Castanea alnifolia Celtis laevigata Celtis occidentalis Cladrastis kentukea Cornus alternifolia Fraxinus americana Fraxinus pennsylvanica Halesia carolina Ilex cassine Ilex decidua Ilex myrtifolia Ilex opaca Juniperus virginiana Liquidambar styraciflua Liriodendron tulipifera Magnolia grandiflora Magnolia virginiana Morus rubra Nyssa sylvatica

Red Maple Downy Serviceberry Common Pawpaw River Birch Chittamwood Florida Chinkapin Sugar Hackberry Hackberry American Yellowood Kousa Dogwood White Ash Green Ash Carolina Silverbell Dahoon Possum Haw Myrtle-leaved Holly American Holly Eastern Red Cedar Sweet Gum Tulip Tree Southern Magnolia Sweetbay Magnolia Red Mulberry Black Tupelo

Oxydendrum arboreum Pinus virginiana Platanus occidentalis Prunus caroliniana Quercus alba Quercus coccinea Quercus falcata Quercus laurifolia Quercus lyrata Quercus marilandica Quercus muehlenberrgii Quercus nigra Quercus palustris Quercus phellos Quercus prinus Quercus rubra Quercus shumardii Quercus stellata Quercus virginiana Rhus coppalina Taxodium distichum Tilia caroliniana Ulmus americana

Sourwood Virginia Pine American Sycamore Cherry Laurel White Oak Scarlet Oak Southern Red Oak Laurel Oak Overcup Oak Blackjack Oak Chinquapin Oak Water Oak Pin Oak Willow Oak Chestnut Oak Northern Red Oak Shumard Oak Post Oak Live Oak Flameleaf Sumac Bald Cypress American Linden American Elm

Suggested Public Art Locations
It is important that an ongoing funding source be established, not only for creation of the public art works, but also for maintenance of the pieces over time.

Murals It is recommended that the murals be viewed as a "collection," centering around a specific theme (e.g., history of Northwest Georgia) or a consistent look (established through color palette, etc.). The murals do not need to be paintings, exclusively. They can be created with ceramic tiles, colored glass, plexiglas, carpet squares and a host of other materials. Suggested locations: 1. The Old Dollar Store -- owned by First Bank of Dalton
(entrance to the depot restaurant area.) 2. Glaze Supply -- the wall facing Pentz Street. 3. Suntrust -- the wall perpendicular to Hamilton Street. 4. Lee Printing -- the wall perpendicular to Hamilton Street. 5. Shaw Plant -- immediate eastside of the railroad tracks, facing Hamilton Street. 6. Back Facades walls of the stores facing the historic passenger depot
(after the depot's restoration.) 7. Corner of Hamilton and Morris Street, facing Morris Street
(this corridor is in desperate need of additional enhancement.)
Sculpture Local governmental commitment to public art could be demonstrated by locating sculpture on following public properties: 1. Gordon, Cuyler and King streets. Building upon General Johnson's statue at
Hamilton and Crawford, figurative pieces depicting significant events, allegorical themes, or people should be considered for these locations. Possible themes include Robert Loveman, Katherine Whitener, Mr. Willis or a local representative of the civil rights movement, a representation of pre-carpet industry, Native American history, Latino emigration, etc.) 2. Under the Waugh Street Bridge (on the railroad side of Hamilton). This underutilized public property is a good site for an interactive piece, and should include surrounding green space. The piece does not necessarily need to be realistic or representational. 3. Public green spaces at or surrounding the Courthouse, New City Hall, Dalton Green, and Gateway Park are also good sites for interactive sculptures.
Temporary Public Art Activites These activities might help build public support for ongoing funding of a public art program: 1. Banners created by artists (either student or professional) under commission. 2. Public music events, on a small scale, in green areas. 3. Window art displays in vacant storefronts. 4. Arts festivals (fine arts, county arts, multi-cultural arts). 5. Bench design competition and exhibition for artists, designers and architects.
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06/2001