With Phase 1 of the downtown development complete in Flowery Branch and numerous events happening almost weekly, the city is now looking toward Phase 2 of the continued renewal.
The motivation for such a huge facelift to the downtown area of Flowery Branch came from the result of a previous research study that recommended creating a “sense of community and a sense of place,” according to Community Relations Director Renee Carden.
“I can tell you that it has just transformed our downtown into a place where people can come and they can be proud of it,” Carden said. “And we can do more of that, our events have just flourished since we have completed our development. And that's where I see things. And I've seen more families coming into town and it's just been really sweet watching them come to every event, every farmer's market, and bring in their kids.”
Another aspect that has helped guide the development was a mission statement the city council adopted a while back at a retreat they were on. The goal of that statement was to have a quaint downtown area and a walkable community where people can gather and create more memories, City Manager Tonya Parrish said.
Parrish noted that that goal is quickly becoming a reality.
“Everything that we do, the council has been so supportive of and has loved seeing the development as much as anyone else,” Parrish said.
Some of the fun events that have been utilizing the new downtown space include weddings and birthday parties, farmer’s markets, block parties and movie nights. Additionally, one popular event that is fast becoming a tradition is the Music in the Branch series, featuring artists in concert on Sunday afternoons.
“It's a couple of smaller bands, whether it's bluegrass or country or a little southern rock, it's been very simplistic,” Carden said. “And so they bring their long chairs and bring their food and drinks, we do have food trucks and that sort of thing. But just that event has been really a lot of fun.”
The city has also hosted live theatrical performances and has plans of sprucing up the space even more with local art.
In terms of the movement into Phase 2 of the downtown development, not much is known about what venues or businesses may be offered specifically. However, Parrish indicated Phase 2 would focus on the space between City Hall and Main Street, along Pine Street.
Along with that, the City hopes to see improvements on the parcel northwest of City Hall at Pine Street and Church Street and a parcel north of City Hall along Chesnut Street and Church Street.
Flowery Branch has currently bid out a parking and mobility study, but as of now, no contract has been awarded in that endeavor.
“There are so many people that want to come down for events, which is a great problem to have, but we don't always have somewhere for everyone to park and we have to work on that,” Parrish said.
Parkside Partners, LLC, has been awarded the exclusive development contract for Phase 2 of the downtown area. While officials know development is coming to the space, it is not yet known what types of zonings or structures will be included in that plan exactly.
“There will be public surveys going out, there'll be website surveys, there'll be QR codes that will take people to surveys,” Parrish said. “And that will be both for the parking and mobility study, as well as the Phase 2 of downtown.”
