An Urban design studio was divided into two phases. In phase I, we applied community planning principles to an urban infill location by team work that focused on an overall masterplan for a Westside Atlanta Health Improvement District named Grove Park West. In phase two, I studied how to design for specific sites and building types through an individual project named The Elinor Park East within the Grive Park West area.

     Phase I: Two proposals anchor each entryway, the Theatre Arts Complex and Proctor Creek Platforms on the west, “Grove Park Station” transit-oriented development on the east. Two alternatives for the new school and “Y” suggest methods for establishing connectivity to the new Theater Arts Complex, while new street extensions, sidewalks and bike corridors provide enhanced connectivity from east to west. A proposal for a new local mixed-use, live-work, provides a walkable center on the south side of the Parkway. A new Children’s Museum and micro-retail in new live-work units in extended Elinor Place lots. provide a center on the north side of the Parkway. Two proposals suggest alternatives for “Chappell Circle,” a residential development between Proctor Creek Park East and Dobbs street. Connections to the Westside Reservoir Park link bike and walking trails from these new proposals, through “Grove Park Heights,” a ring of larger single-family lots along the northern edge of the neighborhood. The neighborhood plan seeks to re-establish Grove Park as a green oasis and community center for the northern edge of Westside Atlanta.

   Phase II: The Elinor Park East is a new live/work community option for Elinor Place homeowners to develop. Positioned on the east end of the Elinor Place homeowners’ lots, the live/work units face a newly relocated Dobbs Street that connects to a new mixed-use development emerging in the area between Dobbs Street and the Bankhead MARTA Station. The current lots along the east side of Elinor Place range from 160 to 179’ in depth. In this proposal, Dobbs Street would relocate slightly east, and the former Dobbs Street right-of-way would provide the Elinor Place homeowners with an additional 25’ of depth, which enable the construction of 24’x24’ live/work units that could be sold or rented. The ground floor of these units would provide neighborhood retail to the Elinor Place environs, as well as to the residents along the east side of the newly positioned Dobbs Street. The buildings are proposed to utilize local materials of brick and wood siding currently seen along Elinor Place, and to emulate local gable-roof pitches. Gardens between the live/work units could be individual to the unit or serve as shared gardens among homeowners. The median along Elinor Place is proposed as a series of greens and play areas, culminating in an expansive green at the top of the hill. The newly relocated Dobbs street would support 12’ sidewalks and bike lanes to connect to the larger network of Grove Park bike trails.