Town Centers

Town Center Projects: Creating Vibrant Community Hubs

Project Summary

Place Associates has been instrumental in envisioning and implementing town center projects across Alabama, working with municipalities and private developers to create thriving community hubs. These projects exemplify the potential of design to meet community needs, foster economic development, and establish unique identities for towns. Each project showcases tailored strategies, from planning public spaces to guiding new commercial and residential developments.

Examples of Impactful Projects

• Harpersville Town Center: This award-winning project involved a public planning process to shape a new town center around municipal uses. With new zoning, design controls, and ALDOT grants supporting road infrastructure, the town is actively implementing strategies for commercial development. The plan emphasizes immediate priorities and long-term opportunities, earning the APA Alabama 2022 Outstanding Planning Award.

• Rehobeth Town Center: A collaborative effort with local developers to design a mixed-use center that combines residential, commercial, and public spaces. The 20-acre plan features a central green space, a water feature, and community-focused amenities to address the town’s lack of a central gathering area.

• Elmore Town Center: A city-led initiative focused on connecting neighborhoods with new pedestrian trails, commercial and residential opportunities, and enhanced park spaces. The project integrates open spaces and city amenities, fostering economic growth while maintaining a vibrant and connected community core.

• Brewton Town Center: Exploring options for a 100-acre city-owned parcel, this project involves designing conceptual layouts for a mixed-use development and commercial center. Current scenarios focus on creating spaces that reflect Brewton’s housing and commercial needs in the context of their character and future aspirations.

How Place Associates Contributed

In each project, Place Associates led the effort to craft visions, establish design principles, and develop actionable implementation plans. Through engaging local stakeholders and understanding unique community needs, these town center projects became tools for economic growth, enhanced livability, and strong community identity.