News

Welcome to the Prosser Hallock News Room. Here you will learn about our current projects, current events and internal news updates.

November-December 2011

Planning for the Baby Boomers

A Viewpoint by Duncan Ross, AICP
Most of the planning profession should know by now that America, like most other developed countries are facing a major population shift in the coming decades. America is maturing and some communities are aging fasting than others. By 2030, one in 5 Americans will be aged 65 years or older. By contrast, in 1900 one out of 25 people were aged 65 years or older and in 1960 this figure was one out of 11 people. Florida and the First Coast are especially affected by this population shift. The challenges and opportunities associated with a growing aged population, changing healthcare reform and healthcare innovation requires new thinking in terms of planning for the built environment. Responses to this population shift—projected to occur for decades has been varied—yet some organizations have initiated policies and programs as responses to this challenge.

Baptist Health in Jacksonville has released plans to create a new emergency room and outpatient program specifically for older adults. The program, called the AgeWell Senior Emergency Center is a comprehensive assessment and treatment center with a goal to maintain older adult’s health and independence as well as provide post-treatment care and support. However, responses need to be broader and not just limited to the healthcare field. Local communities have the means to develop policies, programs and services that will make them good places to grow up and grow old. Thoughtful adaptation of zoning and land use policies, coordination of housing and transportation planning and enhancement of programs and services that keep older adults engaged in the community, not only fulfils the special needs of the elderly but also serves the interest of younger persons and their families as well.
The solutions implemented to meet this challenge should be a focus of the current generation of planners. Planners, as community advocates are best positioned to raise strengthen a community’s ability to accommodate the needs of an aging society. As planners, we need to seek educational opportunities so we can participate and contribute to this challenge. At the State-level, Florida has been promoting livability concepts through the Communities for a Lifetime Initiative, although there are a growing number of organizations throughout the United States who have developed comprehensive programs and resources for communities to adapt to local conditions (see list below).

Communities that consider the needs of older persons in planning–for appropriate housing, accessible transportation options and safe recreational environments among others–will find that all residents benefit. Whether you are working on a comprehensive plan update, revising land development codes, attending a meeting or planning a new development—I hope you will consider and incorporate elements that will make a positive contribution for our elderly citizens and the generations to come.

Resources:
Communities for a Lifetime Initiative (Florida) –
http://www.communitiesforalifetime.org

Partners for Livable Communities – http://www.livable.org

Aging in Place Initiative – http://www.aginginplace.org

Department of Health and Human Service – Administration on Aging – http://www.aoa.gov

Communities For All Ages – http://www.communitiesforallages.org

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging - http://www.n4a.org

Key Contact

Peggy Szykowny
904.739.3655
pszykowny@prosserhallock.com

September-October 2011:

Prosser Hallock’s Tony Robbins elected Chair of the First Coast Section of the American Planning Association Florida Chapter (Northeast Florida)
Congratulations to Senior Planner Tony Robbins, AICP on his election as Chair of the First Coast Section of the American Planning Association Florida Chapter (APA Florida). Tony has served the past three years as Vice Chair and Program Officer. Tony will begin his two-year term as Chair on October 1, 2011. In addition to the Chair duties, Tony will also represent the First Coast Section membership at the State-level as a member of APA Florida Chapter Executive Committee.

The purpose of the First Coast Section of APA Florida is the study and advancement of the art and science of local, regional, state, and national planning; the furtherance of the interests of the profession; the promotion of fellowship among members of the Section; Chapter and Association, all in the particular sphere of planning of the unified development of urban communities and their environs and of states, regions and the nation.

The First Coast Section of APA Florida serves its membership in Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns Counties. There are over 170 members in the First Coast Section.

Fort Stewart/HAAF JLUS Implementation Summit
(Richmond Hill, GA)
Prosser Hallock was invited to participate in the Fort Stewart/HAAF Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Implementation Summit held at the Richmond Hill City Center on September 7, 2011. Almost 50 attendees representing entities from the military, local government and the region attended the event. The purpose of the Summit was to highlight the successes in the implementation of JLUS recommended initiatives and to present new opportunities and approaches to ensure that military training activities and community growth continue to be planned in manner that ensures land use compatibility, economic prosperity and improved livability for the entire region. The Summit was organized by the Coastal Regional Commission who are one of several regional partners leading ongoing JLUS implementation efforts. Senior Planner Duncan Ross, AICP has been assisting the Coastal Regional Commission in their outreach efforts to promote and implement initiatives identified in the Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) which was completed in 2005. Implementation activities have been focused on growth management tools and technical support necessary to continue the dialogue and advance the cooperative land use planning efforts that had been occurring between affected local governments and the military installation.

St. Vincents Clay County Attains Key Development Approval (Clay County, Fla)
The future St. Vincents Medical Campus in Clay County received a key development approval from the Board of County Commissioners on October 11, 2011. The hospital and medical campus gained approval for its Fair Share Agreement, a contract between the County and St. Vincents identifying its obligations and commitments to meet the traffic concurrency requirements associated with the development of the medical campus. The agreement allows St. Vincents to improve the surrounding roadway network to facilitate projected traffic as well as accessibility to the medical campus. Prosser Hallock has been providing civil engineering, transportation planning, landscape architecture and permitting services to St. Vincents for the development of its medical campus in Clay County.

+	2011 Archive
August 2011: Ground Broken on New Hospice Facility Haven Hospice broke ground on a new 18-bed facility in Orange Park, Florida named after the gracious landowners who partially donated the property Homer J. Sr & Fern O. Custead Care Center. More than 150 people attended the ceremony including local County Commissioners Travis Cummings, Doug Conkey and Wendell Davis (http://www.claycountygov.com/); Senator Stephen Wise and Representative Charles Van Zant. The president of Haven, Mr. Tim Bowen opened the ceremony and said "The groundbreaking of the new Custead Care Center marks the beginning of a new era for the residents of Clay County. The development of our new 'state of the art' facility will allow Haven Hospice to expand its services to better meet the end-of-life and palliative care needs of residents in the area. This care center will distinguish itself not just by the special care that will be delivered within its walls but also as an industry-leading example of the best design and engineering in the United States, providing shelter under its roof if storms or other natural disasters strike the area. The care center and its community room will be built to withstand a category 3 hurricane." Prosser Hallock was honored to be selected for this project and represented Haven Hospice in obtaining all necessary entitlements and permits from Clay County and State of Florida agencies and produced construction documents. Additionally, Prosser Hallock is assisting Clay County in a Community Development Block Grant application to the Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee. If approved this grant will contribute the funds necessary for all offsite improvements that benefits both Haven Hospice and the surrounding community. For more on this project, please visit www.havenhopsice.org and http://www.claytoday.biz/content/3775_1.php Brooks Rehabilitation Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility Brooks Rehabilitation is dedicated to providing various options to meet the unique needs of our patients and the community, empowering people to achieve their highest level of recovery and independence. With that goal in mind, Brooks Rehabilitation has begun infrastructure development on its Bartram campus located on I-95 and Bartram Park Boulevard in southern Duval County. The campus will be designed as a destination for those needing rehabilitation and other services focused on the aging adult. The first phase of the project, which will break ground in early 2012, will include a three-story, 61-unit assisted living facility (ALF), an 18-unit memory care facility and the 100-bed skilled nursing facility (SNF) previously announced which will expand Brooks Rehabilitation's continuum of care. Brooks Rehabilitation Press Release July 2011: National Award for Coastal Regional Commission, Coastal Communities for All Ages Charrette, Brunswick, Georgia The Coastal Regional Commission received a 2011 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organization (NADO) Research Foundation for the Coastal Communities for All Ages, a project which outlined the findings from an intensive design charrette study held in Darien, Georgia. NADO is a Washington, DC-based association that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery and comprehensive strategies. The association’s Innovation Award program recognizes regional development organizations and partnering organizations for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation’s regions and local communities. Award winners will be showcased during NADO’s 2011 Annual Training Conference to be held October 8-11 in Miami, Florida. “Creative projects like Coastal Communities for All Ages advance the economic growth and sustainability of our nation’s regions and communities. For more than 20 years, NADO’s Innovation Award has provided regional development organizations throughout the nation a unique opportunity to showcase their important work and their critical role in promoting economic development for rural and small communities,” said NADO President Tim Ware. Prosser Hallock served as the Lead Designer, Charrette Facilitator and author for the Coastal Communities for All Ages project. The Coastal Communities for Ages Charrette was the first intensive design-focused program conducted by Prosser Hallock for the Coastal Regional Commission. For more information please contact Shawn Bliss or Duncan Ross at Prosser Hallock. Greater Savannah Community for All Ages Charrette Principal Shawn Bliss lead a team of planners and designers to conduct the Greater Savannah Community for All Ages Charrette from July 20-22 held at the Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia.  The Charrette was sponsored by the Coastal Regional Commission’s Area Agency on Aging and its purpose was to educate and raise awareness concerning the largest population shift in American history, affectionately known as the baby boomers who are moving toward retirement.  The Charrette presented an opportunity to rethink communities for intergenerational sustainability and affords communities a framework in which to implement age readiness audits and develop plans to accommodate the social, program needs and infrastructure impacts of the aging population shift throughout coastal Georgia and Savannah over the next 20 years.  </p> <p>A case study area, comprising a portion of the Midtown area of Savannah was utilized to evaluate design concepts and guiding principles in order to rethink the built environment as well as consider planning policies that can better prepare neighborhoods and communities to accommodate people of all ages.  The Charrette brought together a number of Primary Stakeholders and Key Advisors, all with special expertise in the areas of aging care, housing, planning, design and local governments to identify a multitude of potential issues and solutions for future implementation. The outcome of the Charrette will be a written framework for how well-designed community can improve the health of residents, providing opportunities to remain engage and active in their neighborhoods. June 2011: St. Vincent Medical Center Clay County Hospital Groundbreaking Ceremony St. Vincent’s Healthcare hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on June 23, 2011 at its new hospital site in Clay County Florida. In spite of the hot summer morning, the event was a success with hundreds of people in attendance. “St. Vincent’s is thrilled to be expanding into Clay County. The community has welcomed us with open arms, sharing their excitement about the construction of our new campus,” said Moody Chisholm, St. Vincent’s CEO in a news release. “The need for increased access to health care has grown substantially in Clay County. This facility will expand the options available and enhance access to the quality care the citizens there want and deserve.” Prosser Hallock is providing land and transportation planning, civil engineering, transportation engineering, and landscape architecture services on a development team headed by UHS Building Solution based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Other key team members include HKS Architects of Dallas, Texas and Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors out of their Jacksonville office. Prosser Hallock had previously assisted St. Vincent’s Healthcare with site selection and due diligence services for the Clay County site. The St. Vincent’s Clay County campus will include emergency, outpatient and inpatient services. The facility is expected to be complete by fall of 2013. For more information please contact Bill Cranford or Duncan Ross at Prosser Hallock. Construction Starts on St. Johns Street and Duval Street Improvements The St. Johns Street and Duval Street Improvements project entered the construction phase recently and is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2012. The project includes road, drainage, and utility improvements in the historic West Augustine area of St. Johns County. It was originally conceived to provide better access between the neighborhood and the West Augustine Community Center and Regional Park developed earlier by St. Johns County. St. Johns and Duval Streets are narrow streets which will be converted to a one-way pair so that vehicle lane, bike lane and sidewalk can be reconstructed within the existing 30-foot right or way. Drainage improvements, including curb and gutter and a network of treatment ponds, are an important secondary part of the project. Utility improvements including water mains, sanitary sewer, and lift stations plus force mains will round out the project and fill a major need in the vicinity. This project is one additional step in a long-standing St. Johns County initiative to upgrade the West Augustine area. Prosser Hallock leads the design team that includes DRMP for surveying, Ellis & Associates for geotechnical, George Leverett Structural Engineering, and Environmental Resource Solutions for environmental permitting support. Prosser Hallock received this assignment through its General Services Contract with St. Johns County Public Works Department. We worked closely with Public Works through the concept development of the project which focused on the road and drainage improvements. Ultimately, through the cooperation of St. Johns County and the City of St. Augustine, the area utility provider, the project was expanded to include utility improvements. The West Augustine neighborhood lacks adequate water and sewer infrastructure and has advocated for years for improvements. St. Johns County and Prosser Hallock worked earlier in the year to complete a sanitary lift station that would become part of the infrastructure improvements. The early lift station construction was a strategy to take advantage of funding available from USEPA through FDEP for targeted area infrastructure improvements. The lift station was constructed by Masci Corporation, and is ready and waiting for the remainder of the project. The main road, drainage and utility construction project started immediately after St. Johns County Public Works Department hosted a Community Information Meeting on May 17, 2011 to advise neighborhood residents about the upcoming construction. Prosser Hallock assisted by preparation of graphics for the meeting. Public Works has developed an intense public involvement plan that includes door-to-door contact and written information distribution by members of the Community Redevelopment Agency Steering Committee. R&B Contracting, Inc. is the general contractor supported by subcontractors: Duval Asphalt, Precision Marine, Sims Trucking, Atlas Dewatering and Redd Wolf Erosion Control The construction team includes Baker-Kline Structural Engineers, Ellis and Associates (construction materials testing) and Geomatics Land Surveyors. For additional information contact Ryan Weilersbacher at Prosser Hallock. May 2011: Creating Livable Communities Workshop Principal Shawn Bliss and Senior Planner Duncan Ross represented Prosser Hallock (together with Kim Grier of the Georgia Department of Human Services) by conducting a three-hour workshop hosted by the Coastal Regional Commission on May 25 in Richmond Hill, Georgia. The workshop is part of their ongoing Practicum Series to outreach and educate communities in the Commission’s 10-County region. The Practicum Session focused on educating and raising awareness of the social and infrastructure impacts of the aging population throughout coastal Georgia and the United States. Practical solutions were identified to show residents how they can prepare their communities to be livable communities for all ages. Fort Stewart Growth Management Partnership (Hinesville, GA) Prosser Hallock presented an overview of a Model Overlay Zoning District to the Fort Stewart Growth Management Partnership (FSGMP) on May 24. The FSGMP is a four-county multi-governmental entity created by the cities and counties, through local governmental memorandums of understanding, to foster economic growth and to promote the general welfare of the region. Senior Planner Duncan Ross has been assisting the Coastal Regional Commission to outreach and promote implementation initiatives identified in the Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) which was completed in 2005. Implementation activities have been focused on growth management tools and technical support necessary to continue the dialogue and advance the cooperative land use planning efforts that had been occurring between affected local governments and the military installation. April 2011: Care Center to serve Orange Park/Clay County Haven Hospice announced the location for its new Orange Park/Clay County Hospice Care Center will be 733 Blanding Blvd. This site offers 8.93 acres of land on the east side of Blanding Blvd. opposite the Fox Ridge Road intersection. Additionally, Haven has chosen the final members of its construction team following a thorough and comprehensive three month selection process. Haven Hospice selected Elkins Constructors for construction management and Prosser Hallock for civil engineering in building its new Orange Park Care Center and Office based on their depth of project experience and commitment to the local communities of Orange Park and Clay County. Now that the construction team has been confirmed, Haven Hospice will work closely with them to finalize the design of its Care Center and Office and then begin construction as quickly as possible. "On behalf of Haven Hospice, we are pleased to be working with Elkins Constructors and Prosser Hallock as we finalize design plans and prepare to begin construction on the Orange Park/Clay County Hospice Care Center," said Tim Bowen, President, Haven Hospice. "The development of our new facility will allow Haven Hospice to expand its services to better meet the end of life and palliative care needs of residents in Clay County and the surrounding area," he added. Haven has been working with AG Architecture since early 2010 to create a refreshed design concept for the new facility that meets operational and aesthetic objectives, while reflecting Haven's national reputation for resident-centered care. "Elkins is honored to have the opportunity to partner with Haven Hospice on this important project for Orange Park and Clay County. The mission and values of the entire team are aligned and focused on the needs of the individuals this facility will serve," said Kimberly Hansen, Director of Healthcare Services Group with Elkins Constructors. "Prosser Hallock is proud to be included as part of this team and this project, which will greatly benefit the residents of the surrounding community by providing quality hospice care," said Brad Davis, Principal of Prosser Hallock. Marion County Renewable Eenergy Solution Our firm is developing an action plan that provides Marion County with a resource sensitive, renewable energy solution and promotes economic development. Marion County commissioners agreed to invest $85K to bring alternative energy companies to Marion County. The main goal is to provide the region with renewable energy, and create local jobs locate alternative energy manufactures who have an interest in moving to the county. Marion County Administrator Lee Niblock's long-term goal is to encourage economic development and decrease the county's unemployment rate of 14.6 percent, which is the second highest in the state of Florida. March 2011: Statesboro Downtown Master Plan Survey Nearly 800 people completed the survey for the Statesboro Downtown Master Plan. The survey was created for the City of Statesboro, Georgia and the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority, whom are working with Prosser Hallock and Marketek to develop a long-term master plan. "The data will be used to create a master plan that reflects the needs of the Statesboro community," Senior Planner Duncan Ross says, "We encouraged residents, business owners and students to take the online survey and provide us with their opinion." The consulting organizations launched a marketing campaign to encourage community members to get involved by utilizing social media networks and word-of-mouth advertising. According to Mr. Ross, having public participation allows them to plan and implement a vibrant, people-friendly downtown area that everyone can be proud of and enjoy. The master plan will offer a bold vision for downtown's Statesboro future. It is a vision rooted in an appreciation of downtown's legacy and seeks to ensure a vibrant and healthy downtown that continues to enrich Statesboro's economic, social and cultural foundations for generations to come. According to Ross, the master plan will lay the foundation for both short-term plans providing direction for immediate private and public investment opportunities, as well as long-term plans providing guidance for actions and decisions that will shape downtown and Statesboro for the next 20 to 30 years. Not only will this plan be in compliance with the recently adopted Statesboro Comprehensive Plan, but also with extensive public participation programs that will be designed to build consensus and ensure successful implementation. Chatham’s Evaluation Workshop Critical issues not considered in Chatham’s original strategic plan were discussed on March 15. The four-hour evaluation workshops, which was hosted by the Chatham County – Savannah Metropolitan Commission, informed committee members of critical issues not considered when the strategic plan was developed in 2002 – 2003. Principal Shawn Bliss represented Prosser Hallock by discussing the social and infrastructure impacts of the aging population. Other topics included the impact of climate change on the Georgia Coast, transition towns – developing an energy descent action plan and the impact of obesity on the local community. To learn more about the organization and its ongoing developments visit their website at www.thempc.org/index.htm Regional Leadership Academy The Northeast Florida Regional Council invited Senior Planner Tony Robbins, AICP to be part of the panel discussion for its Regional Leadership Academy on March 9. Mr. Robbins offered his perspectives on: the impact of Florida's growth management system, what the Amendment 4 experience has taught us and ideas about making public participation more effective and useful in planning. . February 2011: Town of Orange Park (CRO) Prosser Hallock presented an overview of the Town of Orange Park Commercial Redevelopment Overlay (CRO) to the Clay County Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development Advisory Board on February 25. Senior Planner Tony Robbins, AICP was joined by the new Town Manager of Orange Park Cindy Hall to describe measures the town has implemented to promote innovative development and redevelopment initiatives. The town put into place the CRO along the corridor areas of US-17 (Park Avenue) and Kingsley Avenue. The goal of the CRO is to encourage greater variety and creativity in redevelopment of the frontage properties, promote interconnectivity and walkability, and seeks mixed uses that focus on building form rather than land use. Runway Improvements Construction of improvements to the runway safety area at Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine is underway. Prosser Hallock's innovative design of hard armoring the safety area edge will reduce erosion and maintain an effective safety zone for years to come. This project was initiated 30 years ago. New Hire: Tim O'Reilly, Land Planner Prosser Hallock extends a warm welcome to Tim O'Reilly for joining our team in February 2010. As a previous intern, O'Reilly paved his way into a full-time position by demonstrating great project management and leadership skills. O'Reilly graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with Summa Cum Laude in 2009. He completed two internships with Prosser Hallock from May 2007 through December of 2007 and May 2008 through August 2008. Alliance Florida Begins Congratulations to Hillwood for completing their contract with the City of Jacksonville and starting Alliance Florida at Cecil Commerce Center. This truly is a wonderful opportunity for the City of Jacksonville. Prosser Hallock is very proud to be a part of the Hillwood team. South General Aviation Development Complete Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine completes its south general aviation development. Prosser Hallock is proud to be a part of the design team as designer of the bulk hangar/office building facility. It was opened to the public in 2010. Construction of the wash rack facility at Northeast Florida Regional Airport was completed in 2009. January 2011: Sustainabilty, Energy and Master Plan Development A comprehensive approach to sustainable growth, power generation and master plan was completed by our firm for the Lady Darling Heritage Foundation. Our team recently went to Nassau to initiate the process and the development of a basis of design. Prosser Hallock was chosen to develop a master plan, as well as design and engineering services to enhance and support the creative and socio-economic development for the people of the Bahamas.

+	2010 Archive
December 2010: Our firm is developing an action plan that provides Marion County with a resource sensitive, renewable energy solution and promotes economic development. Marion County commissioners agreed to invest $85K to bring alternative energy companies to Marion County. The main goal is to provide the region with renewable energy, and create local jobs locate alternative energy manufactures who have an interest in moving to the county. Marion County Administrator Lee Niblock’s long-term goal is to encourage economic development and decrease the county’s unemployment rate of 14.6 percent, which is the second highest in the state of Florida. November 2010: Prosser Hallock sponsored the Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC) Annual Golf Tournament and Conference on St. Simons Island, Ga. It was our second year sponsoring the event. October 2010: Prosser Hallock speaks at the Georgia Symposium on Agriculture. Our firm was invited to participate in a panel discussion focusing on resource preservation and the value of preserving community and regional-based food production. September 2010: Prosser Hallock spoke at the Georgia Land Summit on model ordinances for the Georgia Coastal Region. The subject of this year's land summit was promoting sustainable development along the coast. August 2010: The Pathfinder Rodeo takes place in Alcova, Wyoming. July 2010: The jet fueling infrastructure at St. Augustine Airport is completed. June 2010: The Resource Preservation Digital Implementation Tool is completed and presented to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs by our firm. May 2010: The renovation of the historic John Gorrie project in Riverside breaks ground. April 2010: Prosser Hallock works with the Georgia Coastal Regional Commission to develop practicum series related to resource preservation initiative and lifelong communities March 2010: Prosser Hallock participates in workshops to determine efficacy of waste-to-energy in Western Michigan February 2010: Clean Energy Services, LLC and Prosser Hallock team to provide a turnkey waste-to-energy solution in Texas and Florida.