ACC Commissioners last week heard a progress report on their efforts to partner with a private developer - still to be selected - to build a county parking deck on the block surrounding the Georgia Theatre. But commissioners want something more than just a 500-space parking deck; they want private businesses and apartments or condos, and perhaps some public space too, integrated into an appealing package. “The timing actually couldn’t be better, in a way,” urban planner David Green told commissioners at their Sept. 9 work session, because builders are looking for work in today’s slowed market. “I think you’re probably going to be surprised by how many responses you get from very reputable developers.” Green helped to work up a “request for proposals” from private developers for what commissioners hope will be an innovative project.

“We’re hoping that we’re going to get some interesting answers,” Green said, when builders respond with proposals that they hope will fit in with the county’s plan. As part of a complex “public/private partnership,” developers will operate the commercial spaces while the county will own the parking deck. The proposals won’t be the final word, but “will create a dialogue” for picking a developer who best understands commissioners’ concerns, said Kirby Glaze of consulting firm Public Private Partnership Management. “What we hope to be able to do is tap into the visioning process of those private developers who understand, and can help the community frame that vision. This whole thing will be a process of evolution,” he said; and the commission’s “we’ll know what we want when we see it” attitude could be a virtue, he indicated.

Plans should consider alternate uses for parking areas, too, Green said, in case the county later decides it doesn’t need them for parking. Commissioner Carl Jordan said he hopes the deck might diminish the need for parking along Washington Street (presumably including the block alongside City Hall) in what he said should be “public” space.

John Huie

jphuie@athens.net