Hyde Park Charrette

Fanning Institute faculty members Courtney Tobin and Skip Teaster collaborating with the College of Environment and Design joined Hyde Park neighborhood residents, state and local elected officials and professionals from US EPA Region 4 and Georgia Environmental Protection Division to present a final charrette report and discuss the future of the neighborhood. Hyde Park is a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Augusta surrounded by abandoned industrial sites. Contamination, dilapidated buildings, crime and a mistrust of local officials have plagued the neighborhood of approximately 200 homes for decades. Following a planning process with neighborhood residents and an intensive three day brownfields charrette involving neighbors, elected officials and 13 College of Environment and Design students, the final presentation was a discussion of the possibilities for redevelopment and reuse of properties. Over 45 people reviewed the plans suggested by residents and illustrated by UGA students, allowing everyone to talk about concrete next steps for redeveloping the neighborhood.