Downtown Revitalization

I have dreamed, since I was in college, of putting together a real, viable project that would help to revitalize Downtown Montpelier - downtown "anywhere" for that matter.  My real-life experience, however, has demonstrated that the REAL part is easy, it's the VIABLE part that is the problem.  Investing money in a REAL project that lacks VIABILITY is a waste.

One other problem with downtown projects is that they are inherently complicated.  Research and experience have shown that success only comes when you have three elements:

1) satisfaction - a successful downtown needs to have a diverse cross-section of venue to satisfy needs and wants - too much specialization can kill - a significant lack can kill too

2) residents - people who actually live in and near the downtown and shop/eat/entertain in the downtown

3) attraction - the downtown needs to be attractive enough to ALSO draw people from outside the downtown

So, I am currently involved with several groups that are working on a few elements resembling both REAL and VIABLE projects for Montpelier: cultural, residential and commercial (need/want).

ArtSpace, First National Building, and Iron Horse Tavern.  These projects - when combined - present some awesome opportunities in Montpelier.  ArtSpace is the most pressing.  I hope to post soon with some updates on how this success is spurring other conversations.

Residential Development: Compact House

It is important for a residential development to provide options for prospective home-buyers.  The market seems to respond better when there are a few options available.

The Compact House is intended for the smaller, narrower lots in the development plan I am working on for Montpelier.  The compact plan allows for a more efficient and flexible use of the site - read good options for pools or other site improvements.

Residential Development: Linear House

A huge part of marketing home sites is showing what you could put on that home site.  I have been asked to develop some conceptual house designs in order to generate some enthusiasm for the new development in Montpelier.

  

The first is the "Linear House", rather generically named (at this point) because the spaces are arrayed along a single internal circulation datum - from one end to the other.  The house contains approximately 1,800 SF in 1 1/2 stories.

Rotary Park Shelter Update; Photo Simulations

The Park Shelter is ready to go - Construction Drawings are finished, budget is approved, and the Village has given its blessing.  We are just waiting on the final OK on the funding to submit for State permit.

In the meantime, some people wanted to see what this thing would look like on the site.  So we took some photos and dropped in the model (or at least a very sketchy version of the model).

Looking West along Main Street

Residential Development: Site Plan

All projects have a process - a methodical series of steps that take the project from concept to reality.  Such is the case with residential development.  This is the process that I became VERY familiar with while working in New York: start with an empty lot, add in the zoning restrictions, identify the ideal number of units (houses, townhouses, or apartments) and suggest a few layout options.

Early in 2011, I was approached by some local business people who are looking to develop some property in Montpelier for a new residential neighborhood.  This group has several objectives for this new development:

  1. a neighborhood that appeals to young professionals and families
  2. extend the existing fabric of the community (rather than ignore it)
  3. walk-able and interconnected streets

Residential Project #3: Schematic Design

All of the steps up to this point are completely necessary, but this is where the FUN begins.  Schematic Design takes all of the hard work, technical information and lists and combines them with the art part of Architecture.  The result is the emotional and compelling drawings that get the client excited...and that usually get the job going.

Williams County has a lot to offer!

So my work is much more public now and I thought it would be good to revisit how Williams County fits into the midwest.  I am consulting with the Northwest Ohio Rail Commission (NWORC).  This group is charged by the Williams County Commissioners with collecting information on the potential for using the County's existing rail infrastructure, industry, and workforce potential as a marketing tool to bring new jobs and development to the County.

Many local leaders refer to Williams County as "the best kept secret in the Midwest" due to our great connectivity to highways, rail, and ports - both air and sea (via the Great Lakes).  Further, Williams County is within a days drive of approximately 1/8 (one-eighth) of the nation's population.  Sounds great!  Show me...