Planapalooza
Planapalooza™ will be May 15-19 in Athens!
Planapalooza™ will be an opportunity for you to work directly with friends, family, neighbors, City staff and officials, and a team of talented planners to build a stronger future for the City of Athens. On the first evening of Planapalooza™, the team will hold an interactive Mapping Workshop. You will be able to participate in the Mapping Workshop in person at the event or virtually through zoom. After the event you will be able to use an interactive mapping tool on this webpage anytime until June 6th.
The first two full days of Planapalooza™ will feature topical Focus Meetings, where residents can share their hopes and concerns related to transportation, economy, housing, parks and recreation, character, growth, development, conservation, culture, history and heritage. You can add your ideas about these topics in the Focus Meeting forums below, and will be able to watch the Zoom recording of each meeting after they occur. These meetings will be held both in person and online via Zoom.
For the entirety of the Planapalooza™, the Team and participating City Staff will be working in a temporary design studio on the square. Any citizen, business owner or official who wishes to join in and provide comments, suggestions, or simply watch us work, will be able to stop by at their own convenience or drop into the open studio Zoom. Our Team members will be available to engage with the community, ask questions and accept feedback and ideas.
On the final evening of Planapalooza™, the Team will present their findings so far, and begin to discuss how community input has begun to shape the recommendations that will likely be in the updated Comprehensive Plan. You will be able to view the video recording of this presentation on this page.
Planapalooza™ Events
Open Studio (9am – 7pm CST)
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Focus Meeting: Arts, Culture, History and Heritage (2:30 -3:30pm CST)
During this meeting, we will discuss what makes Athens special: arts, culture, history and heritage.
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Focus Meeting: All Things Green: Parks, Open Space & Recreation (4:00 – 5:00pm CST)
This meeting is about everything “green” in Athens: parks, recreation, sustainability, natural resources, and the environment. If you care about any of these topics, this meeting is for you!
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Open Studio (9am – 7pm CST)
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Focus Meeting: Conservation, Growth and Development (10:30 – 11:30am CST)
This meeting is about land use, conservation, growth and development in Athens. We’ll talk about where new growth should and should not occur, and discuss the impacts of growth on infrastructure and City services and facilities.
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Focus Meeting: Moving Around Athens: Transportation & Mobility (1:00 – 2:00pm CST)
This meeting is all about streets, transportation, mobility and connectivity in Athens. If you walk, drive, bike, or want to take public transportation in the City, this meeting is for you!
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Focus Meeting: Living in Athens: Neighborhoods & Housing (2:30 – 3:30pm CST)
This meeting will cover housing opportunity, availability, preferences and choice; as well as neighborhoods and housing types. if you live in Athens, whether you rent or own, this meeting is for you!
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Focus Meeting: Economic & Business Development (4:00 – 5:00pm CST)
This meeting is all about business development and Athens’ economy. If you work, shop, own a business, or do business in Athens, this meeting is for you!
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Open Studio (9am – 7pm CST)
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Focus Meeting: Athens Main Street / Downtown (9:00 – 10:00am CST)
This meeting is about Athens Main Street / Downtown.
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Open Studio (9am – 1pm CST)
In Person
Center for Lifelong Learning
121 S Marion St, Athens AL 35611
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Work-in-Progress Presentation (5:30 – 7:30pm CST)
This is the culmination of 5 intense days of planning work between the public, City staff and the consulting team! Tune in to hear what we heard and how we’re turning your ideas into recommendations for the future!
In Person
City Hall – Council Chambers
200 W Hobbs Street, Athens AL 35612
Online
To attend via Zoom, please register here:
Focus Meetings Discussion Forums
Focus Meetings will be held on Sunday May 16th and Monday May 17th both in person and online. These meetings will cover the following topics: Athens Arts, Culture, History and Heritage; All Things Green (Parks and Open Space); Conservation, Growth & Development; Moving Around Athens (Transportation and Mobility); Living in Athens (Housing and Neighborhoods); Economic and Business Development.
See the events area for the time and in person location and links to register to attend via Zoom. Visit the forums for topic details and to share your comments!
Planapalooza Videos
Opening Presentation
Arts/Culture/History/Heritage
Conservation/Growth/Development
Moving Around Athens: Transportation & Mobility
Living in Athens: Neighborhood & Housing
All Things Green: Parks, Recreation & Open Space
Economic & Business Development
Athens Main Street/Downtown
Work-In-Presentation
Mapping Workshop
Add your markers to the map to tell us what you love about Athens and what opportunities you think there are for improvement!. You will need to be registered and signed in to the site in order to place your markers!
Just zoom in to find a location you are looking for, right click to place your marker and then you can use your mouse to drag it to the correct location. Choose the category that represents your marker:
- Places of Opportunity
- Places That Need Improvement
- Places You Love
- Something We Should See (anywhere in the world)
Be sure to tell us WHY you placed markers in each location using the marker description.
Repeat as many times as you’d like!
Note: If you have an idea about a neighborhood or a larger area, just put your marker near the area, and let us know in the comment. If your idea isn’t location-specific, you can still put it on the map, just note that it’s “Not Location-Specific.”
Here are some things to think about as you place your markers:
1. What are some places that would be appropriate for infill or redevelopment? (Places of Opportunity)
2. Are there any places that would be appropriate for additional housing? What kinds of housing? (Places of Opportunity or Places That Need Improvement)
3. Are there any places that should be protected from development or redevelopment? (Places You Love or Something We Should See)
4. What are your favorite places to gather with friends, family and other community members? (Places You Love or Something We Should See)
5. Where should additional parks, playgrounds, plazas, squares, trails and greenways be located? (Places of Opportunity)
6. What are some of the best streets for walking and/or biking? (Places You Love)
7. Which roads feel uncomfortable and could use improvements to make them feel more safe and comfortable for walking/biking? (Places That Need Improvement)
8. What parts of the community are experiencing inequity? How could they become more equitable? (Places of Opportunity or Places That Need Improvement )
Bonus points!
Try placing a Something We Should See marker somewhere else in the world – is there an example of something you’ve seen elsewhere that could work in Athens? A great park or playground? Your favorite street? A beautiful building? See if you can find it on the map.
For questions or comments, please contact: