Outreach Project List

The Downtown West Point Development Authority (DWPDA) has acquired a 12.68-acre commercial logging site on the Chattahoochee River. The primary goal is to repurpose this property for future use as a river park, creating a public space that leverages its natural and strategic assets on a prime location near downtown and the Chattahoochee River. The project seeks to maximize public benefit and encourage partnerships, making incremental improvements that add up to a significant impact.

Founded and operated by Army veterans, Rooster Egg Farms is a working regenerative farm that integrates pasture-raised poultry, ecological land management, food production, water conservation, agritourism, and community development. Over the past three years, the farm has evolved into a growing demonstration site for sustainable agriculture, resilience planning, and innovative land stewardship. We are seeking student-generated ideas in order to develop the farm into our vision: a local food producer and a regenerative eco-resort. The overall goals for the project are to improve aesthetics and functionality; design accessible trails for the mobility-impaired; utilize ecosystem-friendly, appropriate plants (low maintenance, native preferred, edible landscaping preferred); improve amenities for guests & customers, incl. firepits & natural pool & pond; and add classrooms and space for art events/concerts.

The City of Albany is seeking assistance from CED to initiate the “Heritage Trail” component of the Downtown Albany Master Plan (Section 06). As envisioned in the plan, the Heritage Trail would connect key historic and cultural assets through coordinated wayfinding, interpretive storytelling, and a legible walking route that complement the Freedom Trail. This is a high-impact, community-forward project that is well-aligned with CED’s disciplines and provides applied research opportunities for students. The Master Plan is serving as the foundation for project execution and is being actively used, not just sitting on a shelf.

Partner with a local African American history organization to help transform the historic county jail into a community museum and educational resource. Students can contribute to research, public history, museum planning, preservation, interpretation, and community engagement efforts focused on sharing important local stories. Key themes include the case of John Dowman, who was executed for a crime he may not have committed, and the legacy of William Henry Heard, an enslaved and self-educated man who later became a U.S. Ambassador to Liberia. The project also offers opportunities to document and interpret the historic jail building itself, including its preserved jail cells and architectural features, while helping make these stories accessible to the public.

The Bigger Vision Homeless Shelter is looking to double the capacity of their IMPACT program and overnight shelter from 36 to 72 beds. In addition, they look to enhance the facility by increasing the capacity of the dining room, providing office for outside services, increasing overflow capacity, adding low-income housing options, adding a library, adding a multipurpose room for classes and other activities, among many other changes. Interested in a site plan for the new location at 155 Evelyn C Neely Dr. Much of this project relies on the transfer of this property from ACC Gov. In order to get their approval and the property transferred, they need to have a Project Design and are reaching out to CED for assistance.

The City of Royston is seeking student assistance in planning a new community park on recently acquired property that includes an existing historic home and landscape connected to Victoria Bryant, for whom the nearby Victoria Bryant State Park is named. The goal of this project is to create an inclusive park space for residents featuring walking trails, biking trails, recreational areas, pickleball courts, and a potential bed and breakfast component while honoring the historical significance of the site. As a city that is new to parks and recreation planning, Royston sees this project as an opportunity to establish a thoughtful vision for how the space can best serve the community. Key challenges include early-stage planning, cost considerations, and identifying funding and grant opportunities to support implementation. Stakeholders include the Mayor, City Council, and local citizens. The city is seeking ideas for how the property can be used and improved.

The Arbor Montessori School has just completed an expansion project- adding a new primary school building to its campus. The organization is looking to integrate a nature playground that supports healthy child development and is blended into the larger landscape design for the school. The school is set to open mid to late February. Additional information on documents including digital construction plans and budget is available upon request.

The city of Chattahoochee Hills holds 24 Antebellum homes and is looking to conduct historical research on each site to document historic provenance. The city is seeking assistance with interpreting archival work, architectural documentation, and connecting these resources to broader scholarly frameworks. The goal of the project is to translate rigorous scholarship into applied outcomes such as interpretive reports, heritage tourism initiatives, and preservation strategies that enrich both the academic field and public understanding of Georgia’s cultural history. The research findings will be compiled and converted into QR code format for self-guided driving tour.  

Agnes Scott College’s 1.6-acre campus research site, now known as the Forest Garden, serves as a hands-on climate action learning space focused on improving soil health, biodiversity, and stormwater management. The college seeks a site design incorporating native plantings, rain gardens, and other green infrastructure in collaboration with students, faculty, staff, the Athletics Department, the City of Decatur, and the joint Climate Resilience Plan Subcommittee. Building on the Guiding Principles for a Sustainable Landscape developed by MLA students in 2011 under David Spooner, the project supports Agnes Scott’s 2037 carbon neutrality goal and serves as a model for campus and community replication. Recent research by STEM Scholars confirmed significant soil health improvements since 2021, enabling plans for larger, non-irrigated plantings. No current design or implementation budget exists, and fundraising will be pursued to support future phases.

Family Counseling Services (FCS) offers therapy services to individuals, families, and support groups. This property is uniquely situated in a wooded setting, tucked back off a heavily trafficked road. There are over 4 acres of land with existing pine, poplar, oak, and river birch trees. Despite this idyllic setting and research about the benefits of outdoor therapies, there is no designated spot for outdoor therapy sessions. Much of the outdoor space is currently unused and inaccessible; the space is terraced, and the upper portion is too steep to safely access.

Counselors have cited the demand from clients for a therapy space outdoors. FCS mentioned specifically needing at least one small space for 1-on-1 therapy with decking, seating with a table, and an awning so that the space could be used in a variety of weather conditions. The property is also a prime candidate for the installation of a walking path for patients to reap the benefits of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. The timeline is flexible and they would like to complete the work in phases. They are in the process of applying for grant funding.

There is an underutilized city property that we would like to develop into a dog park. The site is 4.4 acres and is located in the heart of a developing mixed use residential community. We would like the park to reflect the character of the area. We are requesting two separate areas for small and large dogs, parking, and a covered pavilion area. The project has funding from SPLOST and implementation will be possible through grants with the parks and recreation department.

The Board of the Beulah Rucker Museum and Education Center would like to partner with CED on a master plan to enhance the appearance and functionality of the historic site and museum. The museum is dedicated to preserving African American heritage and promoting awareness of the contributions and personal sacrifice of Ms. Beulah Rucker Oliver (1888-1963). As a child of parents who grew up during slavery and were not allowed to be educated, Beulah began her life’s work in education at a young age and eventually founded her own school in Gainesville, GA. The foundation’s mission is to memorialize the life of this phenomenal woman through educational and civic activities that enhance the quality of community life. This museum is the first to focus on African American heritage in Gainesville-Hall County and North Georgia. Her former home and school provide a tangible link with the community’s past.

The 4-acre site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes a museum, two former houses, and woodlands. It is hidden off of Hwy 129 and needs enhanced visibility, parking, signage, and perhaps trails that are in keeping with the historic character of the site. The site is used for a variety of community events and would like to increase their programming, but needs a thoughtful plan for growth to enhance fundraising efforts and handle increased capacity. There is also an interest in capturing oral histories from local citizens involved in the establishment of the museum to further share its legacy. Explore the site via Google Maps and the Museum at www.beulahrucker.org.

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East Athens Development Corporation (EADC) has expanded their activities to include community-based micro enterprise, job training and development, affordable housing initiatives, and historic preservation and protection within the African American community. One of EADC’s focus areas include Community Engagement and Public Awareness which includes community appreciation and historic preservation. Part of this vision is to develop a plan for restoring the one-room Billups Grove School building. Success for this project would include the identification of committed stakeholders and an actionable plan to save the schoolhouse. A student team is invited to consult with EADC staff who will facilitate introductions with the community to ensure the plan is grounded in the history and importance of the site.