The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the City of Gainesville Tuesday to sustain and enhance a downtown economic development partnership.

Through the NFWF grant and local support, the institute will collaborate with Gainesville’s Community Development Department on a $130,000 pedestrian connectivity program in the central business district. The 18-month undertaking features crosswalk improvements and other enhancements that encourage visitation, calm motor traffic, expand downtown green space and filter stormwater runoff.

The NFWF, one of the world’s largest conservation grant organizations, approved funding for the “Creating Connectivity in Gainesville” project through its Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities program. The City of Gainesville is contributing nearly $75,000 in matching funds and in-kind aid, and a private donor pledged $5,000 for trees and landscape plants.

The Institute of Government’s community revitalization partnerships are a critical component of UGA’s mission to foster growth throughout Georgia, according to Institute of Government Director Laura Meadows.

“Our development collaborations produce tangible economic benefits and help communities around the state remain vibrant and prosperous,” Meadows said.

The NFWF grant will support the installation of planted medians, pedestrian islands and additional greenery on four busy streets near Gainesville’s historic city square: Jesse Jewell Parkway, E.E. Butler Parkway, Academy Street and West Academy Street. The institute will help establish a citizen committee that will recommend specific locations for the improvements and recruit volunteers for a “Connect Gainesville Planting and Cleanup Day” community service event.

Partnering with Gainesville residents heightens engagement and demonstrates how green infrastructure can enhance pedestrian connectivity while effectively managing stormwater runoff, according to Jessica Tullar, Gainesville’s special projects manager.

“The ‘greening of our downtown moat’ not only will improve pedestrian safety and stormwater runoff, but also will enhance aesthetics and will alert motorists they have arrived at a destination,” Tullar said.

Wells Fargo is looking forward to partnering with Gainesville and the Institute of Government.

“We believe that there is a strong connection between economic development, community well-being and the stewardship and health of the environment,” said Jim Jones, Wells Fargo’s regional business banking manager. “We are proud to support the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government and believe that the Environmental Solutions for Communities grant will contribute to Gainesville’s efforts to become a greener and more beautiful city.”

The grant-funded improvements were originally proposed in the “2015 Strategic Vision and Plan for Downtown Gainesville” that the institute developed with the City of Gainesville through the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership, according to Shana Jones, who manages the Institute of Government’s Planning and Environmental Services unit. The Renaissance Partnership combines the resources of the Institute, the Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia Cities Foundation and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to assist city leaders’ work to cultivate vigorous downtowns. “This is a great example of how a project like our Gainesville strategic plan can lead to concrete results for our partners,” Jones said.