City of Dothan

Case Study: Facility Planning

City of Dothan

Location: Dothan, AL | AMS Team: Michele Walter, Jon Faris

The City of Dothan, Alabama, had invested significantly in assessing community need, and had identified a wide array of capital projects that would address residents’ aspirations. At the heart of this self-study was a desire for a venue suitable for arts and innovation. The new building would need to replace the existing, aging Civic Center, as well as accommodate long-unmet local priorities.

The Challenge

The City partnered with AMS and our long-time collaborators at Jones Lang LaSalle to create a data-driven process. The study objectives were to craft a detailed projection of activities that would match local and regional needs, while recognizing the financial resources of the Dothan community. The solutions we were charged with identifying would drive civic pride, community cohesion, and would drive awareness toward local arts businesses and initiatives.

City of Dothan

Location: Dothan, AL | AMS Team: Michele Walter, Jon Faris

The City of Dothan, Alabama, had invested significantly in assessing community need, and had identified a wide array of capital projects that would address residents’ aspirations. At the heart of this self-study was a desire for a venue suitable for arts and innovation. The new building would need to replace the existing, aging Civic Center, as well as accommodate long-unmet local priorities.

The Challenge

The City partnered with AMS and our long-time collaborators at Jones Lang LaSalle to create a data-driven process. The study objectives were to craft a detailed projection of activities that would match local and regional needs, while recognizing the financial resources of the Dothan community. The solutions we were charged with identifying would drive civic pride, community cohesion, and would drive awareness toward local arts businesses and initiatives.

Our Approach

AMS partnered with the City, RDG Planning & Design, and JLL to understand the local context. We did a deep-dive into past reports and assessments, and spoke with dozens of community leaders, creatives, and hospitality/recreation experts to create an up-to-date picture of the opportunity for a new venue to be developed and thrive. We focused on linking the vibrancy of Downtown Dothan with the positive influence of local arts and creativity, and helped to codify a strategy that would contribute to the master plan while uplifting the voice of the arts in Dothan.

Create a complete picture of Dothan’s environment

0

reports, studies, and plans reviewed, reflecting 10+ years of self-study

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key informants interviews with community leaders and arts organizations, as well as national industry experts

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arts venues inventoried to understand the arts landscape

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indoor sports/meeting venues inventoried to create a view of the marketplace

24/7

activity defined as a key indicator of success for Downtown Dothan as a result of our work

0

reports, studies, and plans reviewed, reflecting 10+ years of self-study

0

key informants interviews with community leaders and arts organizations, as well as national industry experts

0

arts venues inventoried to understand the arts landscape

0

indoor sports/meeting venues inventoried to create a view of the marketplace

24/7

activity defined as a key indicator of success for Downtown Dothan as a result of our work

Define and detail a vibrant future – with room to imagine more

Co-located local and touring entertainment, youth sports tournaments, and meetings and events all in the same facility
7 venues included in a sophisticated financial model, aligned with documented community need
436 annual uses projected, including performances, sporting activities, classes, meetings, and more
1,881 days of use modeled across all spaces, balanced to meet needs for new experiences and continue serving established programs
3 scenarios modeled to enable sensitivity analysis

Define and detail a vibrant future – with room to imagine more

Co-located local and touring entertainment, youth sports tournaments, and meetings and events all in the same facility
7 venues included in a sophisticated financial model, aligned with documented community need
436 annual uses projected, including performances, sporting activities, classes, meetings, and more
1,881 days of use modeled across all spaces, balanced to meet needs for new experiences and continue serving established programs
3 scenarios modeled to enable sensitivity analysis

With AMS’s seasoned professional input, we advanced from a master plan concept to an implementation model that will be highly feasible and successful financially and culturally.”

Philip A. Hodgin

AIA, Principal at RDG Planning & Design

Our Solution

AMS ensured that our recommendations aligned with both arts and culture needs and the mandates of the master plan, helping civic leaders to support the plan recommendations.

We underpinned our operating model with robust industry data, drawn from our benchmarking program for major performing arts centers.

We collaborated with Jones Lang LaSalle to reach a national network of arts, entertainment, youth sports, and hospitality leaders for insights that would give confidence to the City of Dothan, as they invest in a major downtown initiative.

AMS ensured that our recommendations aligned with both arts and culture needs and the mandates of the master plan, helping civic leaders to support the plan recommendations.

We underpinned our operating model with robust industry data, drawn from our benchmarking program for major performing arts centers.

We collaborated with Jones Lang LaSalle to reach a national network of arts, entertainment, youth sports, and hospitality leaders for insights that would give confidence to the City of Dothan, as they invest in a major downtown initiative.

City leaders are charged with balancing an extraordinary number of competing demands. When you embark on a master planning project, it is critical to make sure your expert counsel can bring forward the right voices – those who can add value, create vibrancy, and build public confidence. Contact AMS today to learn how we can help connect your city-building priorities with the arts and culture.

Contact AMS today to talk about how we can co-design a process that delivers a plan – and a meaningful experience for every stakeholder involved in making it.