|
GAI Community Solutions Group Newsletter | Summer 2025 | | |
|
Parks System Master Planning for the People!
GAI Community Solutions Group parks and public spaces practice leader Kristin Caborn discusses her team’s approach to partnering with communities to create ‘authentic’ places, related improvements in Jacksonville, FL, and her views on the wide range of benefits that parks offer communities and their residents.
Read More
| | | Top Row – Left to Right: Unity Park | Stormwater Park | Ocoee, FL (Photo Credit: GAI Consultants); Orlando Health Jewitt Orthopedic Institute | Entry | Orlando, FL (Photo Credit: Chad Baumer Photography); Packing District Grove Park | Orlando, FL (Photo Credit: Dr. Phillips Charities) Bottom Row – Left to Right: North Collier Regional Park | Pool | Collier County, FL (Photo: formerly Burke Hogue & Mills Associates, Inc.); Alta Health Village | Amenity Deck | Orlando, FL (Photo Credit: Wood Partners); Riverplace Blvd | Complete Street | Jacksonville, FL (Photo Credit: GAI Consultants) | April Was World Landscape Architecture Month | |
Last month, we recognized the incredible role and impact that landscape architecture plays in shaping our community places. Landscape architecture is a vital component of planning and designing environments that are not only beautiful, functional, and resilient, but also create seamless connections between urban areas and natural spaces that improve people’s access to parks, trails, and recreational areas.
Let's inspire the next generation to continue this important work: creating beautiful, sustainable environments for all.
| | Central Winds Park Master Plan | |
The City of Winter Springs, FL Commission adopted the Master Plan for Central Winds Park. The 100-acre park—which serves as the heart of outdoor recreation and community events—has expanded its offerings to meet community needs over the years, and is now ready for a holistic approach to guide it into the future.
Read More
| | Orlando I-Drive District Wayfinding | |
CSG’s Wayfinding group has been working alongside Orange County, FL government and numerous stakeholders on the creation of the I-Drive District Wayfinding System for one of Orlando's main tourist districts.
Read More
| | Capital Connector Project Update | |
For the past few months, our Charleston, WV team has been working in partnership with the City of Charleston, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways (WVDOH) to complete the design to enhance 3.25 miles of the Kanawha Boulevard Walk and Bikeway.
The purpose of this project is to expand pedestrian and cyclist zones along the roadway and better connect the West Side to Downtown and the East End, and connect the Greenbrier Street gateway to the community. It also aims to increase safety and accessibility through signal modifications and intersection upgrades, such as enhanced crosswalks, parking delineation, signage, and lighting. This project is a testament to our commitment to bicycle and pedestrian connectivity in the places where we live and work.
The project is expected to begin construction in fall 2025.
For more information, visit Capital Connector.
| | |
Doug Schultz
Landscape Architecture
and Planning Director
GAI-Louisville, KY Office
| Doug joins our Landscape Architecture practice as a Landscape Architecture and Planning Director. He brings more than 20 years of experience in design and management services for landscape architectural, planning, and construction projects in the public and private sectors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Kentucky. Doug is a Registered Landscape Architect and LEED Accredited Professional. | | |
Katy Wirthlin
Associate GIS Specialist
GAI-Orlando, FL Office
| Katy joins our Master Planning Practice as a GIS Specialist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geographic information science from the University of Oklahoma. Prior to joining GAI, Katy worked in the public sector helping counties and municipalities develop GIS systems and day-to-day functionality, including creating an app for developers to see properties for sale specifically for affordable housing initiatives. | | |
Britney Broxton
Project Analyst
GAI-Orlando, FL Office
| Britney joins our Urban Analytics Practice as a Project Analyst. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in English and public policy and service from Florida International University. Previously, she was a Research Analyst at FIU’s Jorge M. Perez Metropolitan Center, specializing in Gender Equity and Labor Market Trends. | | |
Nicole Nowakowski
Graphic Design Specialist
GAI-Orlando, FL Office
| Nicole joins our Wayfinding Practice as a Graphic Design Specialist. She earned her bachelor's degree in graphic design with a minor in marketing from Drexel University. Before joining GAI, she was a creative product design intern, focusing on immersive learning and training experiences. | | |
Amy Zengotita
Planning Manager
GAI-Orlando, FL Office
| Amy joins our Parks and Public Spaces practice as a Parks and Recreation Manager. She holds a bachelor's degree in history from Flagler College and a master's degree in recreation, sport, and tourism from the University of Illinois. Before joining GAI, Amy spent 11 years working in the parks, recreation, and historical preservation realm for local government. | | |
Jeff Azurin
Landscape Designer Intern
GAI-Orlando, FL Office
| Jeff joins our Landscape Architecture Practice as an Intern. Jeff is attending the University of Florida as an undergraduate. Jeff has experience in graphic design and has also worked as a surveyor, helping him develop an understanding of space, scale, detail, and an appreciation for the natural and built environment. | | Transforming ideas into reality® since 1958, GAI Consultants delivers customized engineering, planning, and environmental expertise to power, transportation, development, government, and industrial clients. | | | | |
