Architects start initial work on town green

Along with jB+a, Braselton has enlisted Mulkey Engineers and Consultants to design the town green.

At this point, there is no design for the town green and architects told the Braselton Downtown Development Authority on Thursday that it isn’t presenting any plans yet. Instead, the two firms are seeking public comments on what folks want in the space before design work starts.

“We want this to become a central point, a gathering point (and) a nice focal point for the community to gather and to have festivals and meet in small groups or big groups,” Provost said. “But also, it’s critical that it be a place that Braselton can do business.”

In the near decade since the town green concept was initially proposed, Braselton officials have generally looked to Suwanee Town Center Park as a model. That park features an interactive water fountain that has been a big draw for families, along with an amphitheater and nearby shops.

The Atlanta-based firm jB+a designed the Suwanee Town Center Park and its interactive water fountain.

Provost said in his experience, he has learned that the most successful public places allow people to stroll, play, sit, dine, shop and play games. They may also feature facilities for public showings of movies, concerts and festivals.

“If we can provide 10 different things to do for people in that space, then you’re going to have a variety people who are coming in and out of the space all of the time,” he said. “And the more people you have in and out, the safer your space is because you’ve got eyes out seeing what’s going on.”

However, the challenge for the architects will be designing a town green that not only draws visitors to its park, but also allows the surrounding businesses to function.

Braselton DDA members tossed around ideas on how to potentially allow vehicles to drive closer to the entrance of businesses in the store complex. Currently, a parking lot in front of the building remains open. The authority also considered options for handicapped parking.

Provost said it’s possible that the town green could allow pedestrians and vehicles to co-exist in the space.

“Don’t be afraid to challenge us, we’ll figure out how to make things like that work,” he said.

Another limitation of the town green project is its relative small space — estimated at 100 feet wide and 600 feet long.

A piece of land at the end of the town green is owned by Braselton Ventures, LLC, according to Jackson County tax records. In 2009, the company donated the Braselton Brothers Store complex to the town. The company still owns about 70 acres around the town green and new alignment of Davis Street.

“We have this wonderful piece of land, but one parcel isn’t owned by the town,” said Raigan Carr, a project manager at jB+a.

Town employee Danielle Austin, who helps organize many special events in Braselton, said the space may be too small to host concerts and festivals. The town’s free monthly movies in the Braselton Park typically draw an estimated 700 to 1,200 people, she said.

“If you want an ornamental park, where you just have tables and benches and stuff like that — that’s fine,” Austin said. “But if you want a park where you are going to draw in people for movies and concerts and stuff like that, then you have to decide what you want the town green to be.”

Instead, the DDA members discussed making the town green one of several community spaces in downtown Braselton — including its existing park.

Town manager Jennifer Dees said the Braselton Park — located near Countryside Antiques — is about an acre and was too crowded during the recent Independence Day festival.

The Braselton Town Council is slated to do a study this year that will look at the long-term parking issues in downtown, Dees said. In the past, Braselton officials have also discussed the possibility of having an amphitheater in the area — although the location and funding haven’t been determined.

Provost said architects are seeking ideas for the town green and will post some items online seeking comments. For now, the design work remains preliminary. Meanwhile, Braselton is also working on reconfiguring the Braselton Brothers Store and moving forward with its streetscape projects in downtown.

And while he doesn’t know how it will be done, Provost said the town green may include a nod to the town’s history in a “signature piece.”

“I love the idea of looking to tell the Braselton story in this space,” he said.

—Kerri Testement