Press Room
November 7th, 2024
Grady Newsource
College Square Plaza Redevelopment And UGA’s North Campus Connection
The plaza is a central hub in downtown Athens. It has become a popular spot among locals since the COVID-19 pandemic, when the city transformed College Ave. into a pedestrian-only space. Now, planners have set the area for a redesign that will incorporate modern updates consistent with the appeal of the University of Georgia’s north campus.
September 19th, 2024
Athens Politics Nerd
College Square, redesigned
The concept includes additional trees, better seating, a wider pedestrian-focused public space and design elements that serve to connect College Square to the UGA Arch and city hall.
September 18th, 2024
Flagpole
ADDA Pitches a College Square Glow-Up to the Athens-Clarke Commission
“This is a badly needed project that the downtown community wants to see move forward,” ADDA Director of Planning and Outreach David Lynn told commissioners at a Sept. 10 work session presentation. “We’re willing to write the check.”
September 13th, 2024
Red and Black
ACC Mayor and Commission review proposed College Square redesign and more
Capital Projects Director Josh Hawkins and David Lynn of the Athens Downtown Development Authority presented a new concept plan for College Square, the segment of College Avenue between Broad and East Clayton streets that has been permanently closed to traffic since 2020.
April 7th, 2021
Athens Politics Nerd
College Square will stay closed
to car traffic permanently
This section of downtown, known as College Square, has been closed to car traffic since late last summer to provide more outdoor seating space during the COVID-19 pandemic. The experiment has been a huge success, providing downtown shops with extra business while not significantly affecting traffic in the area, according to a traffic study done by the ACC Transportation and Public Works department.
December 17th, 2024
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
College Square revamp to create ‘handshake’ between the arch at UGA and Downtown Athens
The plan calls for a multimillion-dollar transformation of College Square, the section of College Avenue between the arch and City Hall. Brick pavers will replace asphalt. Outdoor seating will increase. Trees will be added to mimic the feel of nearby old campus.
January 12th, 2025
The Red & Black
Everything you need to know about the Athens College Square Plaza redevelopment
College Square Plaza is one of the areas that draws Athens residents and tourists alike to downtown. By improving the square, ACCGov hopes to “foster new economic activity, jobs and cultural experiences” in downtown Athens.