The City of Gainesville recently released its master plan for the Athens Street Highway and Highway 129 South Corridor revitalization. This project aims to improve these areas, which serve as entrances to Gainesville and as historical landmarks for the Black community.
The Athens Street area was once a thriving spot for many Black-owned businesses. It had businesses such as a Black theater, a drugstore, several restaurants and cafes and a tourist home.
However, industrial development like the additions of 129 South and Interstate 985 forced many Black-owned businesses and residents from Athens Street.
The University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government is assisting the City with this project. Faculty interviewed business owners, residents and other community members about their vision for the future.
From these numerous interviews, researchers were able to create short-term, medium-range and long-term plans for the revitalization project. Short-term plans could be completed between one and three years, while long-term plans could take up to five years or more.
Some short-term goals include improving traffic conditions between Athens Street, MLK Boulevard and E.E. Butler Parkway and adding more crosswalks to these areas.
A committee will be formed to create a Black History Walk digital tour. Gainesville City Schools students will assist with this tour to decide which former landmarks, existing resources or important individuals should be highlighted. QR code technology will allow visitors to scan signs along the walk that will connect them to online historical resources.
The City of Gainesville additionally hopes to annex the Belulah Rucker Museum and Education Center to create more opportunities for grants.
City officials are also aware that differences in code regulations on Athens Street can make for a confusing and frustrating experience for residents and property owners. The City of Gainesville wants to work with Hall County in order to standardize these codes. This will ensure standards apply to all properties in the area, regardless of what jurisdiction they belong to.
A joint code enforcement agreement between the City and the County will also create more housing opportunities on Athens Street.
The Gainesville Housing Authority currently owns Midtown Villages at Butler, which has 22 housing units, and Harrison Square Apartments, which has 75 units. The GHA would replace these existing apartments with 140 to 160 new units near Harrison Square. Then, the existing property will be redeveloped to provide 120 to 130 senior housing units.
Other medium and long-term goals include the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the intersection of Athens Street and 985 and extending the greenway to Athens Street.
The City wants to install a grocery store in these pedestrian-friendly areas to ensure residents have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified the Athens Street/129 South corridors as a “food desert,” which means it lacks a walkable distance to a reliable grocer.
You can read the Athens Street and 129 South Corridors revitalization plan in full here.
