A project that’s been described as an infrastructural “handshake” between downtown Athens and the University of Georgia is set to officially debut soon.

Just in time for the thick of college football season, the City of Athens plans to unveil the permanent, redesigned College Square pedestrian plaza with a ribbon-cutting and full day of “SquareFest” festivities and live music Saturday, Oct. 24. 

Located along College Avenue between East Broad and East Clayton streets, a few steps from UGA’s iconic The Arch gateway to campus, the College Square project broke ground in January, remaking a former two-lane street. (College Square was closed to vehicles during Athens’ COVID-19 response in October 2020 as part of a six-month experiment; it was permanently opened up as a pedestrian-only space the following spring.) 

Former look and functionality of College Avenue. via DT ATH

As designed by Watkinsville-based SPG Planners + Engineers, the new plaza space was custom-made for events—during football season and not—including street festivals, live music, artisan and farmers markets, seasonal celebrations, and pop-ups. 

Improvements include fresh paving, lighting, seating, landscaping with large trees, and “overhead shade sails,” according to Athens-Clarke County Unified Government officials. The $6.5-million redesign was primarily funded through parking revenue and Athens Downtown Development Authority financing.  

Overview of College Square site plans showing seating, canopy structures, and tree placement on the former two-lane street. SPG Planners + Engineers; via Athens-Clarke County Unified Government

State of the College Avenue overhaul in downtown Athens as construction ramped up earlier this year. Sheridan Construction/X

Athens’ venerable The Red & Black shows how the finished square came together in a photo over here. Prior to the overhaul, College Square hadn’t been renovated since 1981, per the newspaper. 

“The goal,” according to government officials, "is to reinforce College Square as a central civic space where residents, students, and visitors can gather, linger, and connect.”

Back in 2023, a Letter to the Editor contributor on these pages made the argument that pedestrianization efforts like College Square should be expanded to nearby blocks in Athens, arguing: “Pedestrianizing downtown Athens would be a case of small sacrifices for large gains. Drivers would lose access to sections of a few streets and about 190 public parking spaces for their private vehicles, but human activity downtown would explode.”

Which all makes you wonder: Should Atlanta take notes from this Athens playbook—and if so, where? 

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