The Walker Collaborative’s Phil Walker has over 35 years of experience with waterfront planning.
He has extensive experience with waterfronts in both the public and private sectors. All three of his public sector positions included the revitalization of highly-significant waterfronts.
His first high-level position in planning was as the Executive Director of the Pensacola (FL) Downtown Improvement Board (Pensacola Bay / Gulf of Mexico), while his subsequent positions included the City Planning Director for Natchez, Mississippi (Mississippi River) and the Interim Director of Clarksville, Tennessee’s, Two Rivers Company (Cumberland River).
As a consultant, he served as the Project Manager for several plans for important waterfronts, including: D’Iberville, MS (Back Bay of Biloxi /Gulf of Mexico); Vicksburg, MS (Mississippi River); Cumberland, MD (Potomac River); Troy and Ossining, NY (Hudson River); and Natchez, MS (Mississippi River).
Waterfront Project Portfolio
Natchez, Mississippi
Downtown Natchez Master Plan
Established in 1716, Natchez has an international reputation for its antebellum architecture, but the downtown has floundered. As a result, The Walker Collaborative (TWC) was hired to lead a consultant team to craft a master plan. While the plan addressed the entire downtown, a focus was paid to the river bluff area on the west end and the MLK Triangle (hub of African American history) on the east end.
Isle of Wight County, Virginia
Isle of Wight Area Plan
Established in 1634 at the confluence of the James River and the Chesapeake Bay, Isle of Wight County had concerns that the area surrounding the Route 17 corridor might be over-developed and the coastal natural environment might be negatively impacted. The Walker Collaborative was part of a team led by Raybould Associates to create a plan and design guidelines to help shape the area’s future growth. TWC had the lead role in two key components: public engagement and the creation of the design guidelines.
Wetumpka, Alabama
WETUMPKA RIVERFRONT and DOWNTOWN PLAN
Located 20 miles north of Montgomery, Downtown Wetumpka is wedged between the Coosa River and the steep rocky rim of a meteor impact crater. The Walker Collaborative was hired to craft a strategy to enhance the riverfront and revitalize the adjacent downtown. Since the plan’s adoption, progress has included streetscape redevelopment and a new Main Street program.
Clarksville, Tennessee
CLARKSVILLE RIVERFRONT PLANNING and IMPLEMENTATION
Located on the Cumberland River in North Central Tennessee, Clarksville is the state’s fifth largest community. While a variety of downtown and riverfront revitalization entities had come and gone over the years, a new organization was established in 2010. Lacking a vision and strategy, the Two Rivers Company (TRC) hired The Walker Collaborative to lead a visioning process with their board and to create a Strategic Plan.
Northport, Alabama
NORTHPORT RIVERFRONT and DOWNTOWN PLAN
The Walker Collaborative’s Phil Walker has been working with the City of Northport on riverfront and downtown planning issues since 1999. Most recently, the City hired TWC to lead an extensive planning project for the downtown, riverfront and surrounding urban neighborhoods. Under a development moratorium until this work was completed, TWC led the creation of a master plan and new zoning and design standards for the entire area.
Additional Projects
Phil Walker has played a key role in the following projects through The Walker Collaboration (since 2002) and previous firms.
“Mr. Walker assembled a talented team…that have dramatically changed the neighborhood for the better.
The plan has since been used as a model strategy for the revitalization
of other similar neighborhoods in Tupelo.”
“The Walker Collaborative did a tremendous job of helping to forge the initial vision for our heritage area. The economic study prepared by Phil Walker and persuasively presented by him in five communities throughout the region was instrumental in confirming the potential of our proposed heritage area and solidifying widespread political and public support.”
“The reason the City continuously hires The Walker Collaborative, even over the course of multiple political administrations, is because they do a good job. Phil is good at listening to his clients and the public in general, and he takes the time to understand the various existing conditions in a thorough manner. His solutions for our community always seem to be the most technically sound and pragmatic path to take, so we value his recommendations.”
“Phil’s charrette process exceeded our expectations… Phil and his team demonstrated an outstanding ability to work with anxious developers, interested property owners, and concerned neighbors. The caliber of Walker’s work was proven when the resulting Downtown and Riverfront Master Plan was awarded the 2009 Outstanding Planning Award from the Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association.”
“Working with TWC on the Washington Drive District Plan was enjoyable and rewarding. Phil’s team was very qualified and easy to work with. The high-quality renderings made the plan catch people’s attention. The vision and strategies detailed in the written text inspired those who will implement it. Phil is very attentive, quick to respond, always willing to listen, and incorporate your ideas.”
“Phil is a pleasure to work with and for. He is committed to giving his clients
everything they seek while providing high-quality professional recommendations and plans.
He is always seeking the best in colleagues and consultants, as well.”
“I enjoyed your session. Your presentation was streamlined so it was easy to follow and grasp concepts,
entertaining with your natural injection of humor, and you had excellent presence.
You really connected with your audience.”
“… the City hired The Walker Collaborative (TWC) to craft a detailed revitalization strategy in 2013… Issues addressed included uses and development along the Coosa River … Although budgets are tight, we have used the plan to make steady progress in revitalizing the district… The City of Wetumpka was quite pleased with the services and end product provided by The Walker Collaborative.”
“I can tell you project managers make all the difference in the overall success of major planning initiatives. Phil Walker provided leadership at every step of the project. He took the lead role in all public meetings, served as the key point of contact with the City, and oversaw all aspects of the planning process. He exhibited a high level of expertise, professionalism, and responsiveness.”
“Philip and his team are sincerely nice people with no pretense –
a delight to be around and interact with.
I am looking forward to helping implement all the great ideas and images they created for our City.”
