09 Sep Downtown Austell LCI Study
Location: Cobb County
Client: City of Austell, GA
KB services provided: Small Downtown LCI Market Analysis
Project Lead: TSW
2021 City of Austell, Downtown Master Plan, LCI Study
Downtown Austell LCI Study. The Austell City Council approved the Downtown Austell Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Study about a year ago. KB Advisory Group (KB) joined TSW in the planning effort.
What is the LCI program, and what will the LCI grant do in Austell?
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) developed the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) program. The funding incentivizes Georgia’s cities and counties around planning. It helps local jurisdictions “re-envision their communities as vibrant, walkable places that offer increased mobility options, encourage healthy lifestyles, and provide improved access to jobs and services.”
The City of Austell received a grant of $120,000 in 2020 to update an existing LCI plan. The Goal: create a blueprint for improvements to transportation, zoning, and accompanying economic development strategies, targeting the revival of Downtown Austell. The LCI grant allowed Austell to prepare plans to enhance an existing activity center and corridor with the help of TSW and KB.
KB’s role
The Downtown Austell LCI Study. KB was responsible for the LCI Housing and Market Analysis. KB participated in the study’s public involvement too. KB’s preliminary assessment examined the breadth of product types in the study area—also, the past absorption trends for market segments, including underutilized retail and office space.
The market and trade area analysis outlined the baseline conditions. The resulting analysis provided a competitive assessment for primary, secondary, and potential trade areas. KB’s study included customer profiles, the optimal tenant mix, and future demand and absorption projections.