Baker said the plan focused on an area known as Monument Square. City officials wanted a location for all of the historic monuments to be housed and a fountain was added to this site to give a visual impact to Russell Street. The streets would be fully bricked and could be closed for events such as street festivals.

As a result of the aforementioned highway bypass, Russell Street offered a sparse canvas for revitalization. Baker said four feet of sidewalk was gained on each side of Russell Street, which was more conducive to pedestrian traffic. This also allowed for street trees to be planted along the sidewalks and provided more opportunities for merchants and passersby to use the outdoor areas.

The conceptual design of the streetscape included studying crosswalk options, roadway narrowing, on street parking, streetscaping and storefront elevations.

Parallel parking was made available on Russell Street, which added to the sense of safety by slowing down traffic, and the streetscape features new streetlights and iron bollards. In another nod to safety, pedestrian crossings feature a change in materials to signify to drivers that they are approaching the crossing.

On the Russell Street portion of the project, one side of the street was completed first, then the other in an effort to lessen the time and impact to businesses as a result of construction.

Crossings throughout the project area have been given a plaza feel, which Theodore said allows for pedestrians to stop and have a chat similar to days gone by. Benches were also placed at some of the crossings to allow visitors to enjoy the streetscape.

Theodore and Baker said the first phase of this project set the standard for the area. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

A mid-block pedestrian crossing is provided where a breezeway corridor links to a primary public parking facility located next to the city block. Pavement changes, bollards, signage and bump out curb islands all contribute to alerting the pedestrian and the driver to the crosswalk zone.
Photo Courtesy of Wood+Partners, Inc.

Courthouse Site is Key Ingredient to Plan

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Courthouse Square is built on the site of Swainsboro?EUR??,,????'?????<

The dramatic transformation of Courthouse Square is illustrated in this photo. In some areas, streets are narrowed while sidewalks are widened. Hard edge retaining walls are pulled back for public gathering areas and historic corner benches are integrated into perimeter walls facing street intersections. Utility boxes have been relocated to less prominent areas and an existing traffic computer box is hidden with a kiosk. The central axis of the plaza maintains the alignment of the old courthouse with the existing historic building and an existing flag pole that has been relocated to a more prominent position along the axis.
Photo Courtesy of Wood+Partners, Inc.

Baker said that although the marble courthouse did not burn, the building was poorly constructed. Debris from the 1938 fire was pushed to the basement of the building rather than removed, with the marble building being constructed on top of the debris. When it came time to abandon the marble courthouse, the decision was to move it to a different location.

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The courthouse area had traditionally been a center of activity for Swainsboro residents and the fear was that without the courthouse, the downtown area would fade away. The site sits at the intersection of two main highways ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Charleston benches, black metal lamp posts, hand-casted brick walls, bluestone and brick paving contrasting with green lawn and colorful landscaping all contribute to the timeless place-making, human scale environment.

Theodore said John Morgan and his father Jimmy Morgan of the Mill Creek Foundation were heavily involved in the project that would ultimately result in Courthouse Square.

Courthouse Square was designed to be an important space that offers multiple uses as well as being pedestrian friendly.

This street level view shows an entrance to Courthouse Square, with bollards in place to keep vehicle traffic from entering the square. Nuttal Oak trees add a contrast color to the pavers.

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Theodore noted that the pavers and the bluestone complement each other, adding that with such a large open space, using only brick pavers would give a feel of too much brick.

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The fountain at the center of the square was designed to cure the need for a dynamic aspect to the area. The pre-cast concrete shelf used on the brick benches that wrap around the Courthouse Square ties the new to the old as this benching mimics the old courthouse benches. Iron bollards were placed around portions of the square to prevent vehicle traffic from entering the plaza area.

Monumentation, seatwalls, changes in paving materials, widths of walks and visual opacity of the landscaping are all carefully calculated and designed for optimum results.
Photo Courtesy of Wood+Partners, Inc.

A vertical element was given to the square with the placement of Palmetto trees inside the square. Canopy trees were placed along the perimeter of the square, and the decision was made to not use canopy trees throughout the site because it would cause too much shade.

In addition to proceeds provided by the Mill Creek Foundation, the project was co-funded by Emanuel County and Transportation Enhancement Act funds. The new Courthouse Square has been well received by Swainsboro residents.

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A traditional cast stone fountain feature is centrally located in the plaza and becomes a dynamic focal point that not only softens the noise of perimeter vehicular traffic, but also becomes a place making icon that adds a sense of coolness on a hot summer day and a place where dreams are only a penny away.
Photo Courtesy of Wood+Partners, Inc.