Downtown Master Plan Update
Joint Meeting of Onslow CountyBoard of Commissioners and Jacksonville City Council September 25, 2007
The Jacksonville City Council and the Onslow Board of Commissioners met in a joint session to receive a presentation from the Lawrence Group on the Draft Downtown Master Plan. They also accepted public comment on the Draft Plan at this meeting. The meeting took place on Tuesday, September 25, 2007.
A representative from the Lawrence group gave a Power Point presentation on the outline of the new Master Plan, focusing on five major tenets to the success of Downtown revitalization:
1) "It's all about the river:" The plan suggests that "every public project, every new development, every initiative must ask how it will impact the river." As Tourim is one of Onslow County's biggest industries, activities along the river will be one of downtown Jacksonville's primary draws.
2) "Clear out the blight:" The Lawrence Group's study found that there is a vast over-supply of commercial space in downtown Jacksonville. In order to encourage development, the Group suggested that large areas of commercial buildings, excluding historic sites, be demolished to "eliminate visual eyesores and to better market redevelopment opportunities." Mixed-use building and urban-scale housing is the suggested form of redevelopment for these properties.
3) "Focus on the neighborhoods:" The plan emphasizes improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods by promoting new high-quality infill housing in our established neighborhoods and mid-density urban-scale housing along Riverwalk Crossing Park.
4) "Destination, Sturgeon City:" The Lawrence Group foresees Sturgeon City as the main attraction for visitiors downtown. The plan suggests that we "build continued brand identity with Sturgeon City and recast the downtown as a gateway to this resource." Signage and wayfinding should be installed directing visitors to this future eco-tourism hot-spot, and it is suggested to rename the direct route down Chaney/Railroad/Court Street "Sturgeon City Parkway." The plan also envisions public art displays downtown focusing on Sturgeon City.
5) "Housing, tourism, and then shopping:" According to the plan, promoting new business in the downtown area at this time is "putting the cart before the horse." The plan suggests that only when we have a sufficient residential population downtown will we be able to support a more robust retail environment.
The public may review the Draft Downtown Master Plan on the OnslowCounty website at www.co.onslow.nc.us.A printed copy of the Draft Plan is also available for public inspection in the CountyClerk’s Office during regular business hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at OnslowCounty Administration, 118 Old Bridge Street, Jacksonville, NC28540.
The previous Downtown Jacksonville Revitalization Plan
as presented by Allison Platt in November 1998, is available as a .pdf document.
The new Downtown Jacksonville Master Plan Revision is reaching completion! Please read below to find out how the revisions have progressed, and where to get more information.
New Downtown Jacksonville Master Plan Progress:
In partnership with OnslowCounty, the City of Jacksonville has engaged The Lawrence Group (a town planning and architecture firm) to revise the downtown Jacksonville Master Plan. Throughout the last two weeks of March, The Lawrence Group hosted a series of public meetings at City Hall to seek feedback from residents, business owners, business operators, and other interested stakeholders. These meetings were broadcast on G10TV, the local Government Access Channel.
These Charrette meetings (roundtable discussion groups) resulted in many positive ideas about the future vision of Downtown Jacksonville. The final compilation of this first round of ideas, as well as suggestions from the Lawrence Group, were announced on Thursday, March 29th. They were presented in a public meeting via a power point presentation. That presentation is available online through the City of Jacksonville's website, www.ci.jacksonville.nc.us, and is also being rebroadcast on G10TV. To view the presentation online, click on the below link.
The Master Plan draft then went into the hands of The Lawrence Group for further revision. Over the past few months, The Lawrence Group has been developing a more detailed, semi-final draft of the Master Plan. This draft encompasses recommendations, suggested changes to development ordinances, and an implementation strategy. The recommendation will include an estimated timeline and order of operations needed to focus on various initiaitives, all of which will be dependent upon available funding.
The semi-final draft of the Master Plan was presented to public September 25th, at 5:00pm at City Hall for public comments and feedback. Please visit our site again for periodic updates, or check back with the City's website.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS OR INTERESTS ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN, Please Contact:
Master Plan Ideas / Suggestions: Contact Your City Councilman or the Jacksonville City Manager’s Office. Mr. Kristoff Bauer, 910-938-5221; kbauer@ci.jacksonville.nc.us
Questions about the Master Plan Process: Contact The Lawrence Group. Mr. Craig Lewis, 704-896-1696; craig.lewis@thelawrencegroup.com
Interest in Supporting Downtown Revitalization: Bettering Our Local Downtown (B.O.L.D.). 910-937-7222; BOLDassist@eastnc.twcbc.com
CONTACT US Bettering Our Local Downtown B.O.L.D. of Jacksonville, Inc. 421 Court Street ~ Jacksonville, NC 28540
P.O. Box 32 ~ Jacksonville, NC 28541
Ph: 910-937-7222 / Fx: Same - please call first.
Email: BOLDassist@eastnc.twcbc.com
CONTACT US