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City of Galax Downtown Cultural Arts District & Revitalization Project

Overview

The City of Galax has experienced the loss of hundreds of manufacturing jobs over the last decade. In order to rebuild the City's economic base, City leadership moved to build on Galax's tradition and history as the home of old time mountain music, the Rex Theater, and the Old Fiddlers Convention by creating a Downtown Cultural Arts District in the Commercial Historic District that might serve as a year-round venue for music and the arts.

Approach # 1

The firm conducted a 2005 Tobacco Commission funded Planning Grant study that developed a plan, a separately published Economic Impact Analysis, and ARC application for the renovation and adaptive reuse of a vacant bank building in Downtown Galax as the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts. The school received a 2006 ARC grant.

Approach # 2

The firm conducted a 2006 CDBG funded Planning Grant study that developed a downtown re-vitalization plan and competitive 2007 CIG application. Initial work included significant public participation and the creation of a separately published Economic Restructuring Plan including branding/marketing elements.

The planning study identified facade improvements; alley improvements including telecommunications infra-structure; renovation and adaptive reuse of a structure as a visitor center; and parking improvements including streetscape amenities as key activities to revitalizing the downtown and boosting the local economy through a Cultural Arts District. The City received a 2007 CDBG grant.