by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Response to the Laura Street Façade Grant program has been “very positive,” according to Chris Flagg of Flagg Design Studio, who has been retained by the City to consult with property owners along the street concerning ways to enhance the nearly completed renovation from the Landing to Hemming Plaza.
The program is designed to leverage a $100,000 pool of funding made available by Downtown Vision Inc. to encourage property owners and businesses to redecorate their buildings and storefront areas to attract more pedestrian activity.
Grants up to $20,000 per property are available. Up to $1,500 is a direct grant, with the larger applications requiring a matching contribution from the stakeholder equal to the grant amount.
Applications are due by Aug. 5, when a committee of DVI board members and City officials will begin to evaluate requests.
Flagg presented a conceptual plan Wednesday to Landing partner Toney Sleiman, General Manager Janice Lowe and Michael Chambliss, director of marketing.
“From Magnificat Café to the Landing, there is a variety of sizes and opportunities and challenges at every level,” said Flagg.
“We’re not talking about redesigning the site, we’re talking about embellishing it,” Flagg said in terms of the concept for the north side of the Landing along Independent Drive.
He presented a range of options from umbrella-covered tables and chairs behind a flexible railing to “shade sails” above the sidewalk to a fountain or gazebo at the former location of the statue of Andrew Jackson on the west side of the property.
Flagg said the area also might be suitable for a public art installation.
One concept would install shade sails above the wide sidewalk area, which would cool the surface and create a public gathering area, he said.
Lighting was another concept presented as a way to draw attention to the Landing from any point on Laura Street up to Hemming Plaza.
“It could make Laura Street what we want it to be — the heart of Downtown,” said Lowe.
Part of Flagg’s presentation was a list of vendors and products that could be part of the enhancements he called a “shopping list.”
DVI Executive Director Terry Lorince said grant applicants can use either the list provided or obtain bids and materials from other sources.
“We’d like to see a street-level presence that would grab attention toward the Landing. Downtown needs to look better and this is an opportunity,” said Lorince.
After about 45 minutes of reviewing concepts and products, Sleiman took the next step.
“I think you’re on track. Show me what we can do for $50,000.”
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