A sandwich board within the College Square Plaza, located on the block between College Avenue and Broad Street, provides guidelines for usage of the common space. According to Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz, the need for outdoor seating and dining in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic was the inspiration for the plaza. “(College Square Plaza) really is in the heart of Downtown, so it’s equidistant from the Classic Center or Clocked on the other end of Downtown, and so no matter where you’re getting a meal from, you’d be able to very quickly get to a comfortable seating area and be able to enjoy your meal or your beverage,” Girtz said. Photo by Elena Webber
At a special called meeting on June 25, Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz and the ACC Commission voted on Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax 2018 project nine, which consisted of implementing a pedestrian safety improvement at the intersection of College Avenue and Broad Street, now called College Square Plaza.
This project was executed on Oct. 8, 2020 with the closure of the block of College Avenue between East Clayton Street and East Broad Street. The closure is part of a six-month pilot project to temporarily convert the area to a pedestrian and dining space.
“There had been a lot of conversation over a variety of public places downtown that could be activated for many, many years (for an outside dining area), and I think some of those will still come to pass,” Girtz said. “Particularly in the midst of COVID-19, recognizing the recurrent scientific and medical advice to move as many activities as possible outdoors, this (project) seemed like a natural fit.”
“In the few weeks that it’s been up, I’ve really received positive feedback from members of the public, so I’m glad it’s in effect.”
— Kelly Girtz,
Athens-Clarke County Mayor
According to Girtz, after the six-month period has ended, the ACC Government will evaluate the functionality of College Square Plaza based on feedback to determine whether it will become a permanent space or not.
“We had some level of traffic analysis already to understand that we really wouldn’t reduce downtown traffic capacity by closing this block, so a six-month pilot project with the possibility of a permanent closure following that really made sense right now,” Girtz said. “And in the few weeks that it’s been up, I’ve really received positive feedback from members of the public, so I’m glad it’s in effect.”
Athens community member Shana Henson believes College Square Plaza is a valuable addition to Downtown and is excited to use it.
“What a great way for everyone to enjoy (outdoor dining and sitting) without worrying about traffic. There weren’t that many parking spots there anyway, and it is a much better utilization of the area,” Henson said.
One concern about the design of College Square Plaza was how deliveries to businesses, which include Chick-Fil-A, The Grill, Walker’s Coffee and Pub and more, on the block would be carried out. However, Girtz reassures the community that there is a travel lane through the middle of the plaza that also serves as an emergency lane.
“Fortunately it’s a short block, so if you’re either on Clayton Street or on East Broad Street you’re very close to any of those businesses. If you travel to a lot of downtowns or a lot of core urban areas, you find that it’s typical that (the) delivery vehicle doesn’t park immediately right next to the business,” Gritz said. “If you just went up to Greenville, South Carolina, their delivery vehicles park kind of a block off of the main drag and then bring on cart or wheeled apparatus whatever deliveries they have to the business.”
The space currently consists of several tables with umbrellas and planters on either end of the block as well as on the street, but Girtz hopes to expand the amenities.
“(The plaza), in the longer term iteration, could also be a space for performances (with) a temporary platform, something that’s hugging East Broad Street. We really have a couple of different ways the space could be manipulated,” Girtz said. “It also is a chance to have more visual appeal outdoors too, so a longer term version of it probably would include more art and signage and probably some attractive lighting – catenary lighting, that’s like string lighting – that could go from building to building overhead.”
According to Athens HipHop Community Ambassador Montu Miller, the space currently lacks a vibrant aura, and he would like to see more additions in order to make it a true community space.
“(I want the ACC Government to) make it a real square where people can bring their families, the students can come, if you’re just walking downtown, maybe you just stop and just chill for a second – a real meeting place.”
— Montu Miller,
Athens HipHop Community Ambassador
“I think having a permanent stage there would be dope, and maybe putting in a little bit more green space in it, nothing crazy. A couple more trees would be dope. I could see it having some kind of public art down there somewhere, maybe a sculpture or two,” Miller said. “(I want the ACC Government to) make it a real square where people can bring their families, the students can come, if you’re just walking downtown, maybe you just stop and just chill for a second – a real meeting place.”
Although Miller thinks there’s room for improvement, he feels it adds character to Downtown Athens.
“I don’t know if it’s something that could be permanent, but I wouldn’t be mad if it was,” Miller said. “I think it kind of adds to the flavor Downtown and makes it look a little cooler. I think it’s kind of dope.”
