Historic Core (CBD) Revitalisation

A downtown revitalisation framework for the historic core of Georgetown, developed through the University of Cincinnati DAAP School of Planning master’s studio. The project responded to the long-term decline of the historic downtown caused by autocentric strip development, declining street activity, fragmented public space and dispersed commercial investment.

Despite strong regional economic performance linked to the nearby Toyota manufacturing plant, Georgetown faced increasing competition from nearby Lexington, which was attracting residents through a broader range of urban amenities and lifestyle offerings. The City therefore sought a long-range revitalisation strategy aimed at repositioning downtown Georgetown as a more vibrant, walkable, amenity-rich small city.

Served as the sole urban designer and planner responsible for the North Water Street and Royal Spring Park revitalisation framework within the broader Georgetown Revitalisation Plan process.

The work focused on reconnecting fragmented urban systems and repositioning Royal Spring Park as a central civic and ecological anchor.

The project established a long-range vision for a more connected, walkable and publicly activated downtown Georgetown centred around Royal Spring Park and the North Water Street corridor.

The proposal was presented to, and strongly supported by, the Georgetown Mayor and Council, who noted that the quality and depth of the work exceeded previous consultant-led studies undertaken for the city. The North Water Street and Royal Spring Park component was subsequently identified as a priority implementation area within the broader revitalisation framework.

The success of the Georgetown process also contributed to neighbouring Paris, Kentucky initiating a similar downtown revitalisation planning process the following year.

The work received the APA Ohio Student Planning Project of the Year award.