Gray Downtown Development Authority members met with their top choice to create a master plan for Gray last week.

Engineer Tim Ingram of Ingram and Associates and DDA members Mickey Parker, Sherri Rollins, Kema Clark, and Chairman Cecil Ethridge, met April 29, and discussed their ideas of how downtown Gray should develop.

Ingram’s first question to the members was to ask what they are looking for in the downtown area.

“Do you want an amphitheatre, businesses, lofts, pedestrian traffic?” he asked.

Ethridge said primarily the DDA would like Gray to develop into a destination. He said when the North Gray Bypass is completed, Gray will need to be able to attract people to its downtown.

Clark said all of the members like the idea of a city square that will include both sides of Gray Highway.

Ingram noted that, when the bypass goes around Gray, there is a possibility the highways coming through downtown could lose their designation as a state road. He said that would remove many of the regulations on the highways and rights of way and open up a lot of options.

The engineer asked if the members had considered the area in front of the courthouse for development, and Rollins said that area was the first considered.

“We believe, because of the courthouse traffic, it could support small cafes and provide office space. I doubt if Gray needs a great deal of loft apartments, but the market is there for some lofts,” Rollins said.

Clark said the goal of the DDA is to make Gray a destination and to enhance development.

Ingram gave attendees several examples of ongoing projects in the state with some similarities to Gray.

Parker suggested that the most the DDA can do is to provide the site for development for private developers to come in.

Ingram agreed.

“That is the right approach, and it’s what other cities have done,” he said.

Josh Lurie, chairman of the infrastructure and planning committee of PLAN, said the city needs to be proactive. He said business and people are going to be moving into Gray when the economy comes back, and it is important to have a plan in place.

Ingram commented that developing a plan for future development is most important. He said Gray has a lot of unique buildings with interesting histories, including the W.E. Knox Center, which was built by one of the few women architects in the state.

He pointed out that his company offers a vested interest in success.

“I live here with my family and I work with the county and the Development Authority of Jones County,” he said.

Ingram said the county is working on walking trails at the Central Recreation Complex and suggested the trails could be brought downtown. He also complimented Liberty Park on Upper River Road and suggested a centrally located park in Gray.

The engineer said once the city has a master plan and identifies a specific project, it will be easier to find money.

Lurie said the members have not been specific about green space, but he feels they all have a vision for green space in downtown.

Parker said the members have discussed their ideas and he would like the opinion of an outside party about their most practical approach.

Rollins said future development should build on the theme of the streetscape. She said Gray needs to be family oriented and provide services to attract families.

Ingram said work needs to be done on the city’s zoning ordinances. He said downtown needs to be protected from structures such as metal buildings.

“I’d like to see a park downtown that is tied to the schools and the recreation complex. The community needs to be able to get to it and use it,” he said.

Ingram suggested the Daylily Festival could move back downtown and be held in the park. He said he can help with ideas and his company also hires outside consultants to help.

Rollins said she would like the plan to include the depot.

“It’s an important part of our history and needs to be in the plan,” she said.

At the conclusion of the meeting, DDA members unanimously voted to accept Ingram’s proposal for the master plan.