City Council approved a contract with Lawrence Group Architects for architecture and engineering services related to the Downtown West plan during its June 9 meeting.
The first phase of the plan would redevelop the former library building at 808 Martin Luther King Jr. Street and the Georgetown Communication and Technology Building at 510 W. Ninth St. to serve as city hall and the city’s municipal court building respectively, Deputy City Manager Laurie Brewer said.
The second phase includes developing design and programming concepts for the historic Light and Waterworks Building located at 809 Martin Luther King Jr. Street and a proposed park/green space along West Eighth Street that could have an amphitheater and be used for events and smaller festivals, she said.
Some residents from the adjacent neighborhood said they were concerned about the traffic, noise and parking issues that could arise.
“My biggest concern is that the people in the community found out about new structures and new things that are taking place at the last minute—it’s already been decided at a City Council meeting,” Georgetown resident Cassandra Johnson said. “No notices were sent to any of the communities nor were they sent to the churches. … A lot of the people that make comments here are not saying ‘no’ to anything. It’s just we would like to have a voice so that we help those that do not live here with the issues that we face when they are not here at nighttime.”
“Everybody got to express their concerns, and that’s a good thing. That’s part of what this [meeting was] for, is to be heard,” Brewer said. “Knowing what the [community’s] concerns are helps us address it in the design so we can take care of those concerns upfront.”
Community members and downtown stakeholders were asked to provide feedback on various portions of the Downtown West plans, including the building functions and design as well as plans for the outdoor space and landscaping.
Some downtown business owners were concerned the city planned to move festivals, including Red Poppy Festival and Christmas Stroll, away from the Square to the new civic center; however, Brewer said there were no plans to do so.
Earl Swisher, a principal withLawrence Group Architects, said any changes would be determined by the community.
"We believe most of those traditions [and events] will remain on the Square," Swisher said during the meeting. "As you grow you will have other traditions, and some of those traditions can occur in [this space]."
The space could be used for other events, such as farmers markets or live music, but would mostly serve as open space during most of the year, Brewer said.
“Everybody got to express their concerns, and that’s a good thing. That’s part of what this [meeting was] for, is to be heard,” Brewer said. “Knowing what the [community’s] concerns are helps us address it in the design so we can take care of those concerns upfront.”
Planners will use the feedback gathered during the July 15 meeting as well as information gathered from city staffers to help develop the plan’s details and will present initial results during a meeting on Aug. 12. Residents will also have opportunities to provide additional comments during the meeting, Brewer said.
Brewer said the project will be a part of ongoing City Council budget discussions.
If approved by City Council, schematic design could begin this fall with construction tentatively scheduled to begin next summer, according to a news release from the city.
