SP Unveils Plan for Downtown Park
A proposed concept plan for the Southern Pines Downtown Park HOBBS UPCHURCH ASSOCIATES
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A new concept plan for the Southern Pines Downtown Park features more green space, a gazebo that would serve as a focal point, and the possible elimination of a tennis court to make room for a new municipal building.
The plan, unveiled recently at the Southern Pines Town Council annual retreat, was put together by Bob Koontz, of Hobbs Upchurch & Associates; Lynn Anderson, of Anderson Architecture; and Vince Zucchino, of Vince Zucchino Associates, a landscape architecture firm.
“I think these three have presented a really outstanding concept for redeveloping the Downtown Park,” council member Mike Fields said. “It’s great to see a collaboration between our local talent. They truly understand the needs, what the community represents and what the people want.”
Speculation about the downtown park’s future has been rampant since 2006, when the town’s old municipal building on Broad Street was demolished. The one-story building had been constructed in the 1950s.
The town originally planned to build a new two-story municipal complex on the site of the old one. It was to include a police station, meeting chambers and administrative offices.
Architects came up with several designs for a new complex, but none were accepted by town leaders or residents. They argued that the building was too big and not in harmony with the surrounding residential area or the downtown.
“There’s been a lot of hearsay about the park over the years,” said Anderson, who serves on the town’s Historic District Commission. “The park is an icon for downtown Southern Pines and we want all of the elements within the park to be flexible and serve more than one purpose. I think the concept plan is nicely appointed and there’s some variety there.”
Anderson, Koontz and Zucchino did the work for free. They sought feedback from numerous people throughout the process.
“There’s been a lot of discussion around town about what could go there,” said Koontz, director of land planning for Hobbs Upchurch. “We tried to combine all of that into one plan. Hopefully, we’ve done a good job. I think it will be a great addition to downtown.”
Zucchino said the goal was to provide “organized sensibility” to the park’s spaces.
“Our main purpose was to give form to the park and honor that open space while making it better,” said Zucchino, who serves on the town’s Appearance Commission. “People cherish that open space. We studied it, challenged it and thought it was a pretty strong concept.
“We’ve run it by town staff, we fully expect public input, and there will likely be further massaging.”
Zucchino said the planning team’s local experience and knowledge were critical.
“We might be wrong, but we don’t believe an outside team would have had the same understanding to come to the same conclusion so quickly,” he said. “We’re all seasoned practitioners, as well as people who know and understand downtown Southern Pines.”
Council member Chris Smithson predicted little opposition to the plan.
“I think this design may not get changed much, if at all. I think it’s going to go over real well,” Smithson said. “Of course, it’s important that we use the concept plan as a starting point and get feedback from the public.”
The park is bound by Broad and Ashe streets and Pennsylvania and New York avenues. On-site amenities include a playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, the Rainey shelter, public restrooms and a town administration building.
Town Manager Reagan Parsons, whose office is in the building, recommended moving forward at the retreat.
“I’m really impressed with the work that’s been done,” Parsons said. “While there are some limitations at the park, it’s possible to phase this plan in over the next several years.”
In addition to more green space and a gazebo, the plan calls for realigning the Rainey shelter so it’s perpendicular to Ashe and realigning the basketball courts so both run perpendicular to Broad.
The proposed municipal building, if constructed, would complete the project.
Koontz said the tennis court site was selected for the building because it would have the least impact on the rest of the park.
“The building is a placeholder and something for discussion,” he said. “Whether it’s five, 10 or 20 years down the road, at least there’s a designated space.”
Fields said the building would likely include public meeting space, council chambers and town office space. It would also create more parking spaces on the south side of Pennsylvania.
“But the way it’s situated won’t affect the overall ambience and character of the park,” he said.
The planners and town officials envision musical, theatrical and other events for either the green space, the gazebo or the back of the building.
“We have a real jewel in the Downtown Park,” Mayor David McNeill said. “Any way we can enhance it would be well worth our time and investment.”
Contact Ted M. Natt Jr. at (910) 693-2474 or tnatt@thepilot.com
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Comments
JustThinking 1 year, 1 month ago
Leave the Tennis Courts! Good grief, REMOVE those basketball courts!!! Or, relocate the b-ball courts.
djcalaska 1 year, 1 month ago
I do not know how much play those tennis courts have. When I have been through the area during the day light hours the courts were busy. they have been there a long time. It would be a shame to see those modified beyond resurfacing! they are like an icon!
native 1 year, 1 month ago
Please put in a small sustation for a police presence. It is needed...
emb6683 1 year, 1 month ago
It has basketball courts! Oh, no, you know what kind of people hang out at basketball courts!
fwm2 1 year, 1 month ago
I agree that the tennis courts are like a fixture of our downtown, they get plenty of play and it would be a true shame to see them altered, (other than being upgraded in terms of surface and nets) even if it is only that single court b/c that single court rocks
NocOwl 1 year, 1 month ago
I think the plan looks great as is. There are still 3 tennis courts, and the basketball court is so well used I can't imagine getting rid of it. The only thing I think may be a nice addition is a sort of walking path around the outer perimeter that doesn't require walkers or child bike riders to cross over a parking lot entrance. I could see people enjoying a nice, aesthetic walk in the park with strollers or small kids riding their bikes.
MichaelFlorence 1 year, 1 month ago
Only keep one of the basketball courts - expand the lawn area to cover the area not used by the basketball court - make it a gazebo/concert platform ( great place to hold outdoor concerts and events, esp. Autumnfest .
enlightenme 1 year, 1 month ago
Please do not take any of the tennis courts. The court the town is proposing to take is the one court That gets the most play. It is the only court that is by itself. My daughter plays there with a group every week, I have played there all my life. The town courts are available for those who do not wish to or can't afford to belong to a private club. Can the existing building not be remodeled to accommodate the chamber?
healthcare_2011 1 year, 1 month ago
I like the layout shown above. It's a good idea of leaving the tennis AND basketball courts. It gives the kids around here something to do. In case anyone else hasn't noticed, there's not a lot of choices of things for kids to do in Moore County. Movies, bowling, shopping or ?????????
posternutbag 1 year, 1 month ago
Keeping that parking lot is an incredible waste of space. Please get rid of it as there's plenty of on-street parking and nearby church lots.
hippiern 1 year, 1 month ago
GREAT NOW FENCE IN THE PLAYGROUND AREA WITH A NICE FENCE AND YOUVE DONE SOMETHING RIGHT
dlb 1 year ago
This is addressed to the members of The Committee Against Everything and Those With A Better Idea.
There are 4 lighted tennis courts located in Memorial Park adjacent to Rt. 1. The park plan is a good one. Get over your prejudice against progress and change. It is going to happen.
FormerResidentofthePines 1 year ago
The article reads: the elimination of "a" tennis court...singular. Just one court would be removed. I think it would be a great to add a police substation to the plan. Growing up in the Pines, I spent many an afternoon at the park playing tennis, on the playground and the basektball courts...however, times they have changed and the activities around the basketball courts have changed. A police presence would perhaps deter any illegal activity going on. I like to remember growing up in "Mayberry" and to keep that small town charm alive and well. The increased gang and illegal activity may be curbed by an addition of a police substation.....just my two cents! I hope it will be considered!
dustyrhoades 1 year ago
A police presence would perhaps deter any illegal activity going on.
Well, it didn't deter certain illegal activities of a plant-based nature when I was growing up, but other than that... ;-)
Actually, a substation that close to downtown would be a good idea, not just for the park.
Arestorer 1 year ago
Actually, a substation that close to downtown would be a good idea, not just for the park.; I think that would be a reasonable request..I wouldnt mind seeing more foot patrol in Downtown.
Arestorer 1 year ago
If we like the small-town feel, We need Andy and Barney,walking the streets with the rest of the community..
theonewithsense 1 year ago
A police substation walking distance from the police station would be an awesome use of our tax dollars. Heck the new police station only cost 8 or 10 million to build, with all the money they saved certainly we can afford a sub station.
cantstandya 1 year ago
Will the area have some surveillance cameras and emergency communications,just in case,can tell by the lanscape design Vince is not wasting anyspace and should as most of his projects turn out to be top of the line,Vince knows lanscaping,should bring alot of color to that area and I hope that those who come to use the facility will take care and not destroy the efforts of all involved.
enlightenme 1 year ago
@dlb the courts on Morganton road are not easily accessible by walking like the downtown courts. I am not opposed to progress or change but do we need to spend more money on another building? I would think the Taj Mahal police station would have lots of room for the council chamber to meet.
cantstandya 1 year ago
Not being sarcastic but it sounds as if all are exspecting trouble from would be criminals the way comments are in question as to the police presence,probably justifiably so but is it not a shame we have to worry about crime as we do,sort of takes the enjoyment out of everyday life especially for the younger ones that will use the facility as a source of fun and staying out of trouble.
FormerResidentofthePines 1 year ago
An office for maybe two officers in an office the Chamber building would suffice. @Cantstandya.....expecting trouble??...I think the increase in crime lately proves to be the answer ...it has already arrived. @theonewithsense....the police station is half a mile from the park. Why would police "walk" to the park if there there is a call and getting in a car and driving in there in an emergency would take time no matter if it is a half mile....I have heard and understand there is an increase of crime and gang activity in SP. It is just a thought/opinion and who knows when if and when it would be implemented. Preservation of home.
ThinkingMan 1 year ago
Former resident: do you seriously want to pay 2 officers to do nothing but sit in a building? You do realize that the SPPD officers don't just sit around the police station waiting for a call. They are out patrolling just as well they should be.
I don't think it would be a bad idea to have 2 officers who's primary responsibility is downtown during the day & evening hours. Bike patrol is awesome for that & the PD is only a 1/2 mile away if they need to take a break.
cantstandya 1 year ago
I guess in the end we will all see if and when trouble will enter into this planned area,hopefully not,with the citizans becoming more diligent and watchful of their surroundings it will send a message to would be trouble makers that Southern Pines residents and surrounding area residents are not going to tolerate it in their community,taking the streets back and making them safe seems to be a common cause these days and a good cause at that.
FormerResidentofthePines 1 year ago
Don't be ridiculous. I did not specifically mean for two officers to be "just sitting around an office doing nothing, twiddling their thumbs"...that may be your perspective...but not mine. And, yes, I realize they just don't sit around waiting for calls. The idea of a substation/police presence was just a suggestion made by myself and others and this is all still in the planning stages. I hope the community will be safe for the children to play, protected and preserved.
JustThinking 1 year ago
No parking in the Park! That's just asking for trouble! Take the parking lot out and add a fountain so I can throw pennies and make a wish please.
InTheRough 1 year ago
I don't get it -- people were opposed to a new building on the old Broad St site because it was not in harmony with its surroundings, so they propose building it in the park?! Southern Pines' Downtown Park is an absolute treasure -- and it should be maintained as a park. We have played tennis on those courts many times -- the one being replaced is by far the best of the four courts. But more importantly, the proposal is removing open recreational space and replacing it with a building -- that just doesn't make sense to me (unless people simply don't value the uniqueness of the Downtown Park). Also, regarding a police presence, I have played during the day and at night and have never felt even slightly concerned about my or my children's safety.
handyssc2 1 year ago
The headline is misleading. Southern Pines didn't unveil anything. This proposed concept plan was initiated by local designers and presented to the Southern Pines Council members for comment at their annual retreat last week. End of story.