Gray’s Downtown Development Authority members met last week and began the process of determining how to fulfill its purpose of revitalizing the business district in downtown Gray and promoting and developing trade, commerce, industry, and employment opportunities within the city.

Members in attendance at the meeting were Cecil Ethridge, Ashley Mackin, Kema Clark, Alan Childs, and David Tufts.

The DDA’s Jan. 12 meeting featured Josh Lurie as its guest speaker in his capacity as the chairman of the Jones County People Looking Ahead Now (PLAN) Land Use Committee.

Lurie spoke about Gray’s need for a multiuse zoning ordinance for new development.

“The last time a major development was proposed in Gray, it happened backwards. The first thing we need to be looking at is what is good for the city. Now is the time to decide what type of development we want,” he said.

Lurie said having a multiuse ordinance in place for new development would show prospective developers Gray is ready. He said the zoning should not be specific to any area and should be able to be applied anywhere in the city.

He explained that the ordinance should specify the style and type of structures allowed, how much green space is required, the streets and parking requirements, and allowable uses within the zoning.

“The ordinance should be on the books and ready to use before we have another prospect,” he added. “The zoning would be independent of the way the development would be funded.”

One idea for a downtown development would be two- or three-story structures with businesses on the ground floor and town homes above.

“We also need to keep as many trees as possible and have a common area with green space,” Lurie suggested.

He said that Planning and Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski offered to help write the law. DDA members appeared in favor of the zoning and asked Lurie to return when the ordinance was written.

Lurie said he would present the idea to PLAN members Saturday for their input.

Mackin brought up the relationship between the DDA and the Jones County Development Authority. Childs serves on both authorities and said the Jones County authority was very much in favor of the activation of the DDA.

Clark reminded the members that, during their training, it was suggested they walk the downtown area and perhaps redefine downtown to a smaller area.

Gray’s DDA was reactivated by the city council in September 2008, and members held their first meeting a few days later. Authority members completed their required eight-hour training Nov. 10, which consisted of two four-hour sessions with instructor Bruce Green, a consultant who is also the Tourism Product Development director of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

By law DDA members are required to complete their training within 12 months of their appointment. The legislation creating DDAs for every city in Georgia became effective in 1982, and the major benefit of the authorities is the funding options they bring to revitalization projects. In 1997 the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and Georgia Cities Foundation initiated loan fund programs designed to go through DDAs. Loan funds of $250,000 are available to DDAs from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and another $250,000 is available from the Georgia Cities Foundation at 3 percent interest.

The DCA website, www.dca.state.ga.us, has extensive information about downtown development and redevelopment.