Lowry Street Revitalization Overlay Study press release

Latest press release from the Town of Smyrna about the revitalization study being done.


Public Open House for Lowry Street Revitalization Overlay Study
Post Date:05/03/2016 8:41 AM
Public Open House Thursday, May 12th for Lowry Street Revitalization Overlay Study

A public open house, to hear from Smyrna citizens, business owners and community leaders their ideas for revitalizing a three-mile stretch of Lowry Street, is set for Thursday, May 12, from 5:30pm until 7:30pm at Smyrna Event Center at 100 Sam Ridley Parkway East (formerly the Smyrna Town Centre)

The Lowry Street Revitalization Study area covers Smyrna’s Lowry Street between Sam Ridley Parkway and Lee Victory Parkway, a distance spanning approximately three miles.  The purpose of the study is to identify the possibility of a new mixture of uses for Lowry Street and improve visual conditions along the corridor.  The study is considering two primary development uses---commercial and residential---and is focusing on character areas, key “nodes” and intersections, throughout the corridor to identify opportunities and connectivity with other key areas of Smyrna.

The public open house will begin with a short presentation to review the project’s goals, and attendees will be invited to place stickers on the goals that are most important to them.

Following the presentation, attendees can tour four information stations on the following topics specific to the Lowry Street Study area, including economic development, transportation and marketing, land use and community character, and landscape, streetscape and pedestrian/bike access. Light refreshments will be provided.

“Lowry Street is a very important corridor for the entire town, containing the ‘heart of Smyrna,’” said Kevin Rigsby, AICP, Smyrna’s Town Planner. “Now, with the foundation of work that has been accomplished by so many in the Depot District, we want to hear from Smyrna citizens about what they want to see along this key stretch of Lowry Street.  We invite everybody to come out and participate in what we believe will be a very informative meeting and a chance to tell us in person your thoughts and ideas.”

To connect with the study via social media, please go to https://www.facebook.com/lowrystreetrevitalization/ and like the page.  More than 60 comments, including topics such as traffic challenges, senior housing needs and landscaping ideas, have been made so far regarding the study on this page.

Market research, including public input, is a central focus of the study.  The nine-month planning study will result in a future land use plan, a corridor overlay and design guidelines, possible infrastructure improvements, and market recommendations focused on retail and residential uses.
   
For information about the Lowry Street Revitalization Overlay Study, contact Kevin Rigsby, Smyrna Planning, at 615.355.5706 or via email at kevin.rigsby@townofsmyrna.org.