BWSC chosen for Mill Street project

By Lisa Majors-Duff

Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon of Knoxville has been chosen to design and oversee construction of Sylva's Mill Street streetscape project, said SPIR Director Richard McHargue. The Mill Street project represents Phase II of SPIR's downtown revitalization effort, he said.

" One of the reasons we picked this firm is that they are good at helping their clients get grant money," McHargue said. " They also have a lot of experience with similar projects in this region, and they can take the project from start to finish."

In addition to designing Jackson County's new jail and law enforcement center, BWSC is currently working with Cherokee Tribal planners to revitalize that town's main thoroughfare and recently completed a project for Gatlinburg that incorporated the Ripley's Aquarium into their downtown.

BWSC developed from what was initially a consulting civil engineering firm into a diversified design firm offering capabilities in architecture, civil, electrical, environmental, structural, mechanical, transportation and chemical engineering, landscape architecture, planning and surveying, said Vice President Rick Russell.

" This broad scope of capabilities serves a client base ranging from small municipalities to major developers and manufacturing corporations," Russell said.

" I felt that we had a really tough decision to make considering the firms on the short list," said SPIR design committee chairman Odell Thompson. " We couldn't make a bad decision."

BWSC was one of two firms being considered for the project. McGill Associates of Asheville was also in the running, McHargue said.

" I feel like we are in good hands," Thompson said. " They understand the reality of construction, and they know the hurdles we'll face, especially with utilities."

One of BWSC's first assignments will be to review a public visioning process sponsored by SPIR for Mill Street early last year, McHargue said. That process asked citizens to list their likes and dislikes about Mill Street and to prioritize the needed street improvements.

Those participating in the visioning process listed air conditioners, visual clutter, signage, insufficient parking, traffic congestion and vacant store fronts among their list of Mill Street drawbacks. Opportunity for improvement topped the list of what people said they liked about Mill Street.

Other ideas for improving Mill Street generated during the visioning process included better pedestrian access, second- and third-story balconies, outdoor seating, landscaping, a pavilion on the site of the old depot and murals.

A six-month design process is projected for Mill Street, though it's too early to predict an exact time line, McHargue said.

Another reason BWSC was chosen, said McHargue, is the firm's commitment to community involvement. Local citizens, as well as Mill Street business and property owners, will be encouraged to participate in a design charette later in the process, he said.

" Design charettes are a means to clarify visions, establish objectives and develop a plan of action," McHargue said. " The one-day session will give everyone an opportunity to walk in and talk about the project in a more informal setting."

" One of our main tasks is to support the process Barge/Waggoner will go through," Thompson said of the 13-member design committee. " We'll be available to help stir up interest in the community for the project and to extract and digest what Jackson County and Sylva want for Mill Street so their design can be informed."

Construction on Phase I of Sylva's streetscape project got under way during the summer of 1998. That project, funded by the Sylva Town Board and private donations, included the installation of intersection pods with benches, trash receptacles, engraved brick pavers and landscaping, new traffic signals and street lights, and a new surface for Main Street.

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