Earlier this year, Hiram was awarded a LCI Grant to develop a plan that would enhance its downtown area while providing connectivity to the surrounding areas using sidewalks, trails, transportation nodes and grids while protecting the historic integrity and heritage of the area.  The plan, while very conceptual, illustrates a variety of mixed-use developments including townhomes, single family village lots, recreational fields, open space, parking areas, amenities and the like.
Atkins planning consultants, John Boudreau and Rich Rohrer, presented the plan and fielded questions from the audience.  They emphasized that the plan was conceptual in nature as the layout included man parcels and areas that were not owned or controlled by the City.  For the plan to evolve, private property owners would have to be willing to support the type of development illustrated in the design. 
According to city manager Robert T. Rokovitz, “It was exciting to see how the visioning process would be portrayed in a design developed by John and Rich and their staff at Atkins.” “Having seen communities transform into live, work and play environments as a direct outcome of progressive planning, I am confident that Hiram is now even more poised to do the same based on this incredible visionary plan,” continued Rokovitz.
Special thanks are given to the City’s partners in this endeavor including our lead consultant, Jack Burnside, Allison Duncan and Courtney Verdier at the Atlanta Regional Commission, and David Howerin at the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission.  Further, none of this could be accomplished without the Hiram City Council, the Hiram City Staff, the Olde Town Hiram Business Association and the citizens who have been engaged throughout this process.  
The PowerPoint presentation and conceptual images are available at Livable Communities Initiatives website page, Hiram LCI Information .  
To learn more and express comments and opinions, please visit the website or contact your city hall at 770--943-3726.