From a long awaited dog park to the transformation of a rundown warehouse block into new loft apartments with a nearby restaurant and pool, downtown Statesboro aims to give the city a makeover for the ages.

The visions for these projects emerged this summer after a Georgia Downtown Renaissance study of downtown Statesboro.

Not only does the program offer supervision and technical support opportunities for graduate students of the University of Georgia’s College of Environment and Design, but gives students the chance to put their career skills to use towards downtown development plans for cities in Georgia.

Statesboro was one of three towns chosen for fellowships this year, along with the cities of Chamblee and Toccoa. 

At $8 an hour, the city pays the graduate students to help out with aspects of the project such as landscaping, architecture and restoration. 

The proposed structures will all have their own unique location in downtown Statesboro. The city is looking to place the dog park near the intersection of East Grady Street and the Bind Willie McTell Trail with paths leading in and out of the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau’s regional welcome center on South Main Street.

The loft-type apartments are to replace the old warehouse district located between East Vine Street and Cherry Street, across from popular town businesses, such as Galactic Comics & Games and the Sea Island Bank.

Throughout downtown Statesboro, the city plans to place green spaces of a new inlet, control basin, pond and outlet with fresh plants and trees to add the finishing touches.

www.statesboroherald.com/section/1/article/69929/