Downtown Design Workshop Scheduled for Thursday, November 15 at 6:30 pm

On Thursday, November 15, the Clayton Downtown Development Association will present the “Downtown Design Workshop” led by Lauren Malinoff, Designer for the NC Main Street Center. The workshop will be held from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm in the Poole Room at The Clayton Center, 111 E Second St. in downtown Clayton.

The workshop will cover a variety of subjects including restoration and rehabilitation; examples of storefront rehabilitation with before and after photos; signs, awnings, paint colors and lighting. Ms. Malinoff will also review the Clayton “Picture Downtown” photo display. 36 people roamed through downtown Clayton last spring taking pictures of buildings they liked and disliked and they were featured during the Main Street Vision Forum in April. Building codes and investment tax credits will also be discussed during the workshop.

Understanding downtown design is important to the whole revitalization process, according to Clayton’s Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen. He said, “Good downtown design is not only a consideration of what looks good, but understanding why it looks good and why good design is effective in the downtown community.” Jeme Avent, Chair of the DDA’s Design Committee, said that this workshop comes at a good point since, “we will be doing more about the appearance of buildings and streetscape improvements.” She added that the workshop, “property and business owners will also better understand why downtown design is important in the revitalization process and learn more about what we should be doing.”

Lauren Malinoff has been the state's Main Street Designer since 1984. She works in the Division of Community Assistance's Asheville Regional Office, and has provided design services for all of North Carolina's 45 Main Street communities.

One additional benefit of Ms. Malinoff’s visit is that, the afternoon of the workshop; she will be able to meet with several property and business owners who are serious about wanting to improve their building and will provide some design guidance to them. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact the Downtown Development Coordinator to arrange a time.

The DDA’s Design Committee is encouraging all downtown business and property owners to attend this workshop as well as anyone else with an interest in downtown design. It is open to the public, but pre-registration is encouraged by emailing bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org or by calling 553-1545.

The photo on the left shows Earp's Garage at 420 E Main Street in December 2006 and the photo on the right shows the same building following some new paint last month.