Bridge Street corridor under review

A strategic study of Dublin's "core" includes the future of Historic Dublin, the Village Center development on Sawmill Road and the intersection of Riverside Drive and state Route 161.

The city began the study of the Bridge Street corridor last month to determine future development in the area as well as redevelopment and infrastructure improvements.

The corridor is bordered by the Interstate 270/U.S. 33 interchange to the west, Sawmill Road to the east, I-270 to the north and by properties along the south side of state Route 161.

The study was listed on City Manager Terry Foegler's to-do list when he was hired and is a city council priority.

The study also was triggered by possible developments such as an expansion by OCLC and a senior community near the Digger & Fitch restaurant at Riverside Drive and state Route 161.

"All those create elements of corridor enhancements ... that should be looked at," Foegler said.

The city has hired Boston-based Goody, Clancy and Associates to conduct the study.

Foegler said the firm, which works on urban planning, historic preservation and development, recently has done strategic planning in New Orleans and helped Dublin with an economic development study in the 1990s.

The consultants will meet with stakeholders, developers and landowners over the next few months to develop the strategic plan.

"In the next six to eight months you'll see a major piece of work get advanced," Foegler said. "Opportunities for development will be better defined."

The timeline could put Dublin in a good position by having a plan for development when the economy improves.

The economy also has helped get stakeholders involved. Foegler said developers currently have more time for long-range planning because the economy has slowed business.

"We're seeing a more deliberate planning approach," he said.

Foegler said market-based research will take an important role in the plan to keep development in the Bridge Street corridor sustainable and successful.

The consultants will look at demand from the current and future population of Dublin and plan accordingly. They'll also look at the needs of Generations X and Y, the "baby boom bubble" and more for possible housing and business planning in the corridor.

"If there is no market demand then this won't be a meaningful project," Foegler said.

Whatever form the development takes, it will be walkable, sustainable and dynamic, Foegler said. He envisions development in which people can walk from home or the office to local restaurants for lunch or dinner.

"If we can create these types of developments it will become a major value add for the subdivisions in Dublin today," Foegler said.

The development also should keep Dublin office space competitive and in demand, he said.