The City of Dublin

Historic Dublin Revitalization Plan

Executive Summary	download	137 KB
History & Project Purpose	download	1.3 MB
Historic District Inventory	download	3.2 MB
Historic District Analysis	download	1.8 MB
Issues & Recommendations	download	2.2 MB
Recommended Master Plan Objectives	download	1.3 MB
Master Plan Design Elements	download	3.1 MB
Project Funding: Alternative Methods	download	97 KB
Appendix	download	1.3 MB

 

Dublin has, for many years, been one of the fastest-growing communities in Ohio. Unlike many other communities, however, Dublin has retained its original historic core, today known as Historic Dublin, in a remarkably intact state. Historic Dublin is a well-preserved historic district of homes and businesses which is a great asset to the community. In addition, individual historic properties elsewhere in the community contribute to Dublin’s sense of character and remind residents and visitors of its long history.

In Historic Dublin, you can still experience the environment of a small village and can see and visit the actual buildings that have been a part of Dublin for well over a century and a half. In Historic Dublin it is easy to get a sense of the communiÏty’s past and to understand what village life must have been like during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Historic Dublin is a large and very intact district, and for it to have survived so well is a real credit to the community.

Preserving historic districts and properties has significant economic and social benefits, a fact that has been discovered by more and more communities in recent years. Doing so, however, takes a lot of hard work. Dublin recognized the importance of community preservation in its 1997 Community Plan. It includes the Historic Dublin Area Plan, which recognizes the unique character of Historic Dublin and provides many recommendations about the preservation and enhancement of the historic district’s character. The Plan also recommends further efforts to identify and recognize other historic properties in the community.

Dublin’s efforts to preserve the Historic Dublin district were undertaken almost 30 years ago. For many years, the City of Dublin has promoted historically appropriate development and investment in Historic Dublin. The Architectural Review Board (ARB), since 1970, has assisted business and property owners in maintaining the historic character and visual quality of Historic Dublin and elsewhere.

The ARB encourages both appropriate new development as well as sensitive alterations of, or additions to, existing historic structures. It plays a major role in implementing the historic preservation recommendations in the Community Plan. The Board’s work is important in protecting the character of Dublin’s historic places.

The following guidelines were prepared to help guide rehabilitation and new construction involving the historic structures of Dublin. While the guidelines focus primarily on the Historic District, they are useful for, and apply to, any of the community’s historic buildings. The ARB will use the guidelines to evaluate rehabilitation work, both for buildings in the district and for other individually-designated properties also subject to ARB review. The design guidelines provide information about the best in current preservation techniques, products, and methods.

Executive Summary

Across Dublin there are hundreds of business people, property owners, developers, government officials, concerned residents, consultants and other specialists who are striving to improve the economic viability of Historic Dublin. One of the great challenges for Historic Dublin's future success is preserving the District's very essence and character while creating a successful business climate. Long-term success for Historic Dublin will clearly depend upon the ability to recognize the unique opportunities and attributes of the District and set a clear course of direction that is consistently followed.

Continued forward progress is vital at this point in time. Historic Dublin issues have been pondered and analyzed time and again for the last 15 years. As with all downtown areas, there will always be mixed opinions on every issue; and different groups tasked with creating recommendations for revitalization have existed that could never achieve a clear consensus and outcry of support.

The purpose of the Historic Dublin Working Group's research, report and recommendations was not to duplicate the efforts of past task forces formed to merely list issues in Historic Dublin, but to review the Historic District in its current environment and create an exciting and driving vision that will set a clear course for future decision-making. Without the framework of a bigger vision, past recommendations have made little difference in creating significant change. The recommendations should be utilized as a tool within the context of the larger goal, guiding the short-term and long-term planning direction within the District.

The Historic Dublin Working Group was charged with the purpose of creating a professional and well-contemplated master plan and vision for Historic Dublin. As public servants from a wide range of backgrounds, the recommendations within this report have been considered from multiple viewpoints and have the opportunity to provide positive, long-term direction and winning results. The time has come for a unified vision.

The group studied and toured other communities' historic districts and downtowns to understand what works and what doesn't as it relates to successful revitalization. Group members toured Olde Worthington, Gahanna 's Creekside redevelopment and downtown Grove City . In particular, it was noted that other areas had basic key ingredients that are missing in Historic Dublin:

• Good access to water features;

• Clear orientation and focus on pedestrians;

• Broad mixes of uses;

• Inviting, open, and colorful pedestrian ways and facades;

• Well-defined civic and public spaces; and

• Quality, coordinated streetscape designs.

While other downtown districts may have many elements not found in Dublin , the Historic District has many notable building blocks that can create the foundation of a successful community center. In particular, Historic Dublin has a significant base of historic integrity that can be found in a broad range of residential, commercial and civic structures. The District also has a significant potential for access to water. However, little effort has been made and broad community understanding of those features is not present. Broad architectural quality and streetscape character are also important elements that are better recognized and should be a future focus. Within this natural, cultural, and architectural framework, there exists huge potential for positive redevelopment and new growth potential that, if harnessed properly, can create unbelievable possibilities for Historic Dublin's future.

This report consists of many identified issues and recommendations on a wide range of topics that are aimed at capitalizing on strengths, as well as improving on the weaknesses that are apparent. The following are key findings that must be considered for the future success of the District:

• General traffic, access, and circulation problems must be addressed to provide a safe environment not only for motorists, but more importantly for pedestrians;

• Parking solutions will only be addressed by looking at the larger vision. Depending upon piecemeal solutions will not resolve ongoing concerns;

• Streetscapes throughout the District lack proper pedestrian orientation and must be resolved to make a truly successful walkable environment;

• Proper establishment of architecture is key to creating a comfortable pedestrian environment and streetscape;

• Evaluating and obtaining a proper mix of businesses and specific focus or market niche is important to creating destination to attract visitors; and

• Multiple methods to address traffic movement and speed must be employed to maintain an environment that will provide the opportunity for success.

• While modifications to the physical environment can be made to the District to facilitate success, other key intangibles should be given equal consideration:

• In a downtown with many divergent interests, a clear consensus is an unlikely objective. A course of action that will provide long-term success for the district, as a whole, should be the clear goal

• The City should be a proactive player within Historic Dublin and drive development or growth forward toward a single, well-defined vision; and

• While the City can play a significant role, the private sector must also improve efforts to work toward common goals and create partnerships.

Within the framework of these findings, the Historic Dublin Revitalization Plan includes a planning vision that proposes significant change for a historically unchanged place. Significant growth, redevelopment, and integration of the natural and historic environment are all part of a larger, better and more vibrant Historic Dublin. The Historic Dublin Working Group hopes that all who have a vested interest in sustaining the future of Historic Dublin will participate in the public process and join in the revitalization effort. With big visions and common goals, Dublin's historic downtown can truly become a vibrant and active destination place.