University to Host Master Plan Workshop :: Sewanee Downtown District Final Master Plan Workshop will be Aug. 10–13

The University of the South, working with planning consultants Town Planning and Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC), will host a public design workshop Aug. 10–13, with the purpose of developing a final Master Plan and Implementation Strategy for the Sewanee downtown area. TPUDC has been hired as the University’s town planner and charged with finalizing the Master Plan, overseeing design and development in the Village, and implementing the action items developed in two previous studies, the Sewanee Village Vision Plan (2012) and the Sewanee Village Action Plan (2014).

The multi-day visioning and design workshop will begin at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 10, in Lower Cravens Hall, with an opening session and public presentation on the process. [See full schedule at right.] The workshop will conclude at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 13, when the team will describe the preliminary plan for the area, explain elements of the plan, show illustrations and present findings and work products developed during the workshop. Throughout the workshop, a design studio will be open in Lower Cravens for community members to contribute their ideas.

Brian Wright of TPUDC visited Sewanee in March 2015, when he and Becky Timmons met with various University and neighborhood groups and conducted an open town meeting to gain an understanding of how residents, students and visitors view the downtown area and what they envision for its future. During their three days in Sewanee, they gained an in-depth understanding of what makes Sewanee unique and special. The workshop set for August will be a time for TPUDC’s team of planners and designers to continue this planning process. 

During the August workshop, TPUDC will work with the public and the University to develop a plan that meets the goals of the Vision Plan and Action Plan, including a more vibrant downtown area that attracts increased investment and mixed-use development at a village scale. The Master Plan will emphasize walkability, integration of the campus community, increased housing options at a variety of income levels, and improved streetscape and architecture. Following the workshop, the consultant will refine the master plan that will be used as the road map for future development in the downtown district.

For additional information email <becky@tpudc.com>.