Gray’s new Downtown Development Authority met with Jones County Planning and Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski last week to discover the zoning limitations of several city properties.

Authority members asked about the zoning classifications of the area surrounding the Jones County Courthouse, City Hall and the Government Center at their Oct. 21 meeting. Pitrowski said the properties are zoned M2, C2, and C1, which allow a range of commercial and retail development as well as multi-family developments.

The zoning officer was also able to give the members the sizes of the properties, and he asked the members what they were trying to accomplish.

DDA president Cecil Ethridge explained that the authority is just getting started, and authority member David Tufts agreed.

“We are trying to identify areas that can be developed to give Gray an identity,” Tufts said.

Pitrowski suggested that when the board members identify a project, he can help by looking at the ordinances of other cities who have accomplished similar ventures. He also suggested using the future land use plan.

Tufts stated that any new development needs to fit with existing structures, and Gray Station Better Hometown Director Pat Daniels said she wants the city to be unique.

“We don’t want to look like every other little town. We want a place people want to stop and visit, not just drive through,” she said.

Tufts said the point is to give people an incentive to come downtown.

The DDA was activated by Gray’s City Council at its Sept. 2 meeting and held its first meeting Sept. 8. Board members are Ethridge, vice president Ashley Mackin, secretary Kema Clark, treasurer Alan Childs and members Mickey Parker, Tufts, and Sheri Rollins.

The DDA has a budget of $3,000, the majority of which will be used for the required training of the members. Each of the seven members must go through eight hours of training during their first year on the board.

The State of Georgia passed a law in 1982 creating a Downtown Development Authority for every city in Georgia. As a result of the law, all cities have to do is activate their DDA.

The real benefit of DDAs is the funding options the authorities bring to revitalization projects. In 1997, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and Georgia Cities Foundation initiated loan fund programs 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. Georgia Cities Foundation funds are private money from the Woodruff Foundation that is matched by the state.

DDAs assist project developers with financing and can be the applicant for the loan and the developer a sub-borrower. A DDA can also be an owner and operator of a project. Most DDAs work in a symbiotic relationship as a financial tool of its Better Home Town.

Authorities are separate entities, and the cities are under no obligation for their indebtedness. The main purpose of a DDA is to revitalize or redevelop a city’s central business district. That district is defined when the DDA is activated, and the borders may be changed. Gray’s downtown district is defined as its city limits.

A DDA is about trade, commerce and employment opportunities. It is designed to create a favorable climate for new business and to retain existing businesses. Most cities use them as a conduit for loans and a vehicle to assist local businesses.

According to the DCA 2008 Directory of Registered Local Government Authorities, there are 117 DDAs registered in Georgia.

OCGA 36-42-8 lists the general powers of downtown development authorities. As with other types of authorities in Georgia, downtown development authorities may accept grants and apply for loans. They can also own, acquire and improve property, and they are empowered to enter into contracts and intergovernmental agreements. DDAs also have the authority to issue revenue bonds.



A wealth of information on downtown development in Georgia is available through a variety of state agencies and other organizations. The DCA website, www.dca.state.ga.us, has extensive information about downtown development and redevelopment that may be helpful for city officials who are working to revitalize and protect downtown areas.



More information about preserving downtown resources may be found on the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation website: www.georgiatrust.org.