UGA’s Institute of Government created the roadmap guiding the Georgia city’s bustling development
In 2015, Gainesville residents and business owners were asked what could be done to improve their downtown area. They had some thoughts.
“Business needs to stay in Gainesville.”
“Increase downtown housing.”
“More variety.”
Gainesville city officials took the challenge head-on. Working alongside the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, they developed a plan that has helped make Gainesville one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation.
The Institute of Government, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach, created the Downtown Renaissance Strategic Visioning and Planning (RSVP) Process as a way to reimagine a city’s potential. For Gainesville, a city of 43,000 an hour northwest of Athens, that meant replacing empty train yards with lush green spaces, upgrading rundown buildings to house thriving businesses, and turning an underused bridge into a pathway for economic development.
“Downtowns are the heart and soul of our communities,” says Danny Bivins, who co-developed and manages RSVP, which is celebrating its 10th year in 2023. Gainesville was one of the program’s first partners. “Making downtowns more inviting, lively, and functional is part of the formula for success in 21st-century economic development.”
Investing in Gainesville
For more than a decade, the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere” has been a common topic of conversation for Gainesville residents. Built in 2012, the charming white bridge crosses over Jesse Jewell Parkway, leading pedestrians to a beautifully green but empty lot.
The RSVP suggested building a mixed-use residential community on the lot where residents could also enjoy restaurants and retail services.
“The RSVP is a roadmap that we can use to show developers what we want to provide for our community. It doesn’t have to give us the end result, but it offers a…
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