August 7, 2019 Architecture Students Propose Ideas for East 快活视频鈥檚 Burlington
Our college connects our students, faculty and staff with local communities to help design for a better future. During spring 2019, students in Architecture Professor Marleen Davis鈥 studio proposed ideas for the future of Burlington, a historic neighborhood of East 快活视频.聽
Although the Burlington community is reported to sit in a high-crime area of 快活视频, its historic architecture and once-thriving business district create great future potential. Our students鈥 designs hope to help restore this area to its former character.聽
Students in Davis鈥 studio worked with the , which has been working to restore the Burlington community for three years, the Burlington Area Residents Association, local architects and City of 快活视频 officials to fully understand the community鈥檚 goals, opportunities and challenges.
During community meetings with Burlington residents, students learned about residents鈥 goals for their beloved community, such as renovating older buildings, adding lighting and sidewalks for pedestrian traffic and encouraging new business such as restaurants, theaters and other recreational facilities.
Students also learned about an opportunity for Burlington that exists within the rezoning of the city of 快活视频.聽 The city鈥檚 proposed update of its zoning code, called , establishes land-use regulations that include dictating where mixed-use聽commercial and residential development is allowed.
Burlington is included in that potential rezoning, expanding the possibility for revitalization for the community.
Addressing these opportunities, students designed a walkable neighborhood filled with affordable housing, public spaces and various businesses. Specifically, students included ideas for housing units, such as condos, micro-units, veteran housing, lofts and townhouses, along Magnolia Avenue with retail and commercial uses on the ground level. In addition, the students suggested creating a new arena for the 快活视频 Ice Bears and a practice rink for local ice skating teams in Chilhowee Park, an area south of Magnolia Avenue.
Throughout the design process, the students participated in three separate reviews of their work with many community members, who provided feedback and thoughts.聽
The students鈥 designs provide a glimpse into Burlington鈥檚 potential.聽 While the future design of Burlington is unknown, our students sparked ideas for this reimagined area of 快活视频, where innovation will flourish into realities for the community.
