Creating a sustainable, smart, and creative community-led vision
to further enhance
historic downtown Galax
Plan Renderings
Before
after
Galax Grove
Before
after
Galax Grove - Grayson Street Stage
Before
after
Rex Lane
Before
after
Mixed Use Development
Plan Purpose
To create a community-led, 15-year vision that will guide future development in the historic downtown district of the City of Galax.
The Action Plan is led by the City of Galax and the Galax Main Street organization with funding from the Virginia Main Street Program.
Through a community listening process, the Plan will establish a shared community mission and vision for the downtown Main Street organization. In addition, specific projects, enhancements, and priorities will be established in accordance with community direction. Grants and other sources of funding will be identified to help implement transformative projects.
This shared vision will ultimately increase the social and economic vitality of downtown, help grow the visitor economy, further create a “sense of place”, and improve quality of life for local residents.
The Action Plan is led by the City of Galax and the Galax Main Street organization with funding from the Virginia Main Street Program.
Through a community listening process, the Plan will establish a shared community mission and vision for the downtown Main Street organization. In addition, specific projects, enhancements, and priorities will be established in accordance with community direction. Grants and other sources of funding will be identified to help implement transformative projects.
This shared vision will ultimately increase the social and economic vitality of downtown, help grow the visitor economy, further create a “sense of place”, and improve quality of life for local residents.
Plan Goals
Assets
Inventory quality-of-life assets and buildings within the historic downtown district and evaluate their current condition and ability to create a sense of place, drive economic development, and provide a quality experience for all.
Partners
Engage government, the public, and community leaders to identify projects currently being planned and developed that will enhance quality of life for locals and visitors.
Gaps
Identify new, compelling infrastructure projects to enhance quality of life, promote the downtown economy, create a sense of place, and drive private investment.
Unity
Identify projects that also help achieve broader community goals, such as connecting downtown to outdoor recreation assets, maximizing the local art and music talents, linking past with present and future, and sustainable development.
Visual
Create a 15-year Action Plan that generates community interest and casts an inspiring vision by creating compelling renderings, site master plans, 3-D illustrations, and other graphics to effectively communicate recommendations.
Strategy
Provide the steering committee and their partners with clear strategies and a prioritization schedule for implementing the plan recommendations.
Plan Process
01
Research and Preliminary Analysis
The consultant team will conduct a direction-setting meeting with the steering committee to discuss key opportunities and constraints, develop a database of existing downtown assets, and assess existing resources and assets.
02
Stakeholder and Public Engagement
Conduct a series of interviews and focus groups with government and community leaders. Disseminate an online community survey to capture input from citizens. Produce a project website that serves as a portal for sharing information throughout the planning process.
03
Plan Development
With guidance from the steering committee, stakeholders, and citizens, the consultant team will create a plan framework that features preliminary recommendations for improving and expanding quality-of-life assets. The consultant team will then conduct another round of public engagement.
04
Final Plan
The final 15-year Action Plan will include all recommendations, a phasing schedule, an estimate of probable cost, and an outline of grant funding sources. Copies of the plan will be available for the public to view on the project website.
Project Coordinator:
Jolena Young
City of Galax
Grants Administrator
276-233-3231
[email protected]
Consultant:
Eric Woolridge
President, Principal Planner
Destination by Design
(828) 386-1866
[email protected]
