Located about 30 miles southwest of Atlanta, Palmetto is a charming small town with tons of potential. Urban Collage led teams to complete an LCI study for the City’s Downtown area in 2008 and a citywide Comprehensive Plan in 2010. Both plans outline strategies for adding new historically-compatible mixed-use alongside the downtown’s old retail storefronts, include market-based concepts for a range of new housing typologies, and identify areas for new open space throughout the city.

Urban Collage and RossTarrant Architects recently completed schematic designs for new non-traditional housing at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. The site and building design helps set a new standard for the gateway between WKU and downtown Bowling Green.

Urban Collage prepared for and conducted three “eco-charrettes”, in Little Rock (AR), Wilson (NC) and Chesapeake (VA). A key element in several HUD competitive grants awarded last year as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these green workshops are part of a larger initiative to substantially improve the energy and environmental efficiency of the nation’s public housing stock. Urban Collage worked with the housing authorities and their design and development teams to assemble a broad spectrum of technical professionals, community and resident stakeholders, and local sustainability advocates to engage in roundtable dialogues.

We have completed an exciting update and overhaul of our portfolio, “Assembly”. Please click here for a graphic summary of the firm, our clients and some of our most rewarding work!

Urban Collage, Inc. held its 2010 Retreat on February 10th and 11th at the Amicalola Falls State Park, in Dawsonville, GA. The staff from both offices also enjoyed a tour of the City of Dahlonega and a delicious Italian dinner at Piazza.

The Columbia (SC) Housing Authority was recently awarded the 2009 Affordable Housing Developer of the Year from the U.S. Green Building Council for their work at Rosewood Hills. Urban Collage assisted CHA in preparing the community-based master development plan, HOPE VI application and design guidelines for this environmentally-conscious development near the University of South Carolina.

After an intensive effort led by Urban Collage over the past year, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council approved rezoning of 68 acres at the Red Mile harness racetrack on January 14, 2010. The rezoning to Mixed Use Entertainment was the result of a community-based process instigated by the property owners and the LFUCG Division of Planning that included the creation of a refined mixed use zoning classification for the city. In addition, a TIF application for this exciting project is presently being considered by the city.

The Little Rock Housing Authority and the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock were awarded $15M in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds to address inner-city housing foreclosures and other blighting factors related to the economic crisis. As part of the grant application team, Urban Collage surveyed and analyzed existing housing in eleven census tracts containing over 800 housing units. The work included identification of priority areas and recommendations on institutional partnerships and public investments to support stabilization.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) approved $2.2 million in bond funds for the Lexington Distillery District. The funding is available for the Town Branch Trail and Manchester Street improvements. The Lexington Distillery District also received the 2009 Urban Innovation Award from the Downtown Lexington Corporation.