Placemaking and Livability Initiative --We share information, create design plans and recommend policies with a goal to enhance livability and develop impactful places throughout the city. The focus is on improving the quality of the shared urban environment; including but not limited to public spaces and parks, streets and trails, neighborhoods, downtown and neighborhood business district revitalization, public art and programming. Urban design plans support economic and community development by enhancing the quality, health, safety, and performance of the public places that connect the City and its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods.

 PLACEMAKING 2020 AT ROTARY PARK

Renovation of Rotary Park began in 2017 with the creation of a dog park along the eastern edge of the park to support the growing number of downtown residents and a mural by artist Sunny Paulk in honor of the Rotary Club which partnered with the City to fund these park improvements. In 2019, dog agility equipment was donated and added by Pet and Playground, making the spot quite unique for dog owners across the City. This newest round of renovations kicked off in late 2019 with the elimination of the traffic “slip” lane that cut through the green space. The 2020 renovations include three new designated spots for food trucks with 50 amps of provided power at each spot. We have also planted 10 new trees, added three new picnic tables with shade umbrellas, repaired the historic cobbles, and will be adding a new sculpture in fall. The idea is to enhance Rotary Park as a vibrant downtown public open space for residents, downtown workers and visitors alike. Starting on August 14, 2020, the City celebrates its downtown residents and employees by kicking off “Food Truck Fridays” to continue through fall 2020.

Check out the 2020 Placemaking Story Map!

THIS MAP FEATURES LOTS OF GREAT PLACES IN THE HEART OF MONTGOMERY!

 Livable communities goals

• Green building and environmental sustainability 

• Urban design and architectural excellence 

• Walkable, safe, vibrant neighborhoods

• Small and local business opportunities

• Creative and public placemaking 

• Community health equity  

In implementing City Plans, Development staff seek opportunities that might help nurture and support community vibrancy and quality of life in the great city of Montgomery

• Through specific Project Areas work (see Project Areas)

• In Consultation and collaboration with or for other departments

• If needed as a liaison among owners, designers, builders and the City

• When requested for specific non-profit organizations

When not connected to a larger City project, some activities are short term, perhaps not more than 2-10 hours. Work is not intended and cannot be used for construction documents. Activities include:

Technical assistance and advice

• Information sharing and discussions

• Site and building visits or assessments

• Contextual designs and layouts

• SmartCode assessments and explanations

• Smart City development strategy

Please see this poster series (recently produced for a workshop at EAT South Urban Teaching Farm) for an overview of Universal Design for Public Places: Universal Design for Public Spaces

More examples of our work in action are coming soon…….