Following the completion of the MidlandAvenue Streetscape project, the Town of Basalt recognized the need for Design Guidelines to help manage future development while maintaining the community’s unique character. The Guidelines will provide a flexible framework for growth, acting as a zoning overlay for the Downtown Business District. They will focus on the design elements that define Basalt—preserving its sense of place, supporting the vitality of Midland Avenue, and informing thoughtful updates to theMunicipal Code.The Town selected GMSHAY, with unanimous approval by City Council, to lead the development of these Guidelines. Our role includes designing and facilitating a robust community engagement process—through surveys, public meetings, and collaboration with the Planning & Zoning Commission and Town Council—to ensure the final product reflects local priorities. Drawing from nearly 70 years of experience in Savannah, where our work is recognized as a model for navigating the nation’s most rigorous historic design standards, GMSHAY brings deep expertise in shaping character-based guidelines that balance preservation with growth. With our Denver studio engaged on the ground, we are well-positioned to help Basalt craft Design Guidelines that honor its history while supporting a vibrant future.