Harrisonburg is the home of James Madison University. Due to that fact there is a nice mix of businesses, many of which appeal to the students, faculty, staff, and visitors. In 2015 I had an opportunity to get a tour from the outgoing Executive Director of the downtown organization. Near sunset I caught a glimpse of the skyline and one
We had a short time to visit Atlanta. While doing so we sought to capture some of the placemaking and character of this distinctive and growing town. Outdoor dining is one of the building blocks of a vibrant public space. Here the railing creates a sense of architectural enclosure while also being semi-transparent to passers by. Another business in the
The Farmers Market in Saline while having no permanent market sheds, does have a handsome sign. Also a bike rack and a doghouse send a signal to two key constituencies – dog owners and cyclists that they are welcome to participate in the market. The doghouse was built and painted by volunteers as a fundraiser to benefit the victims of
Beadle Building. John T. Beadle built this building in 1892 for his harness shop. Its exterior was restored in the early 1980’s exposing the solid eighteen inch thick walls made with brick manufactured in nearby Greilickville. The Traverse City Ale Trail highlights a growing number of breweries in the Traverse City area. It’s possible to take an atlas for a
Asheville was named for Samuel Ashe (1725-1813), the first speaker of the North Carolina SEnate and governor from 1795 to 1798. The village was incorporated by the General Assembly in 1797, and included part of a 200-acre land grant the state awarded to a prominent settler named John Burton in 1794. He laid out half-acre lots along an old trail
Over the Rhine has been undergoing an impressive revitalization process for many years now. The concentration of multi-story buildings to support housing, and ground floor commercial spaces support a growing mix of businesses. This outdoor market pavilion supports local farmers and community activities. The transparent roof peak is particularly ingenious allowing light to fill the space. Public art is present
Clay County was named for General Green Clay (1757-1826). Born in Virginia, he came to Kentucky in 1777. He served in the Virginia Legislature from 1788-89 and the Virginia Convention that ratified the Federal Constitution. From 1793 to 1808 in Kentucky House, Senate, and Constitutional Convention. General Clay with 3000 Kentuckians held back British and Indians at Fort Meigs in
Tamarack in Beckley, West Virginia, is the oldest of three similar centers in Berea, Kentucky, and another in Abingdon, Virginia. All have a focus on fostering support for regional artists and crafters. One of the features that makes Tamarack unique is that there is dedicated studio space within the facility. Artisan at work in one the many workshop areas off
Just a few blocks away from the Capitol Market in Charleston is the East End Bazaar. While it doesn’t look like much, this market space serves a valuable function supporting farmers and makers. The low-cost and temporary looking structures here are the exact opposite of the Capitol Market. Both serve an important function contributing to the social, economic, and civic
