DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The September meeting of the Gray Downtown Development Authority had positive news for continued Downtown progress and upcoming events.
DDA Chairman Sherri Rollins called the Sept. 12 meeting to order and spoke about budget numbers. She said Butler Hall revenue is over budget, and the DDA is ‘above water’ for all net income.
“Rents are coming in, and everything is on track,” Rollins said.
Revenue for Butler Hall in the 2022 budget was estimated at $30,000, and to date the revenue is over $45,000.
Main Street Director Ashley Roberson, who serves as secretary for the DDA, reported the current checking account balance at $52,925.
Rollins reported that she and DDA member Cecil Ethridge took the Main Street 101 training in Macon last month and are now certified. She said other members can opt to take the training online.
The chairman said Roberson can coordinate the four-hour training and suggested it could be divided into sessions.
Rollins said Matthew Pittman has been working as a consultant on a sound system project for Butler Hall. She said, after seeing the cost of sound systems and finding out they need to be upgraded every couple of years, the best course of action would be not to go to the expense.
The chairman said the Lt. Governor’s Sept. 29 event is renting a sound system.
“Big events like that expect to rent a sound system,” she said.
Rollins said they could come up with a list of providers as they do with other services.
“This takes the monkey off our back if something goes wrong,” she said.
She added that weddings and reunions usually have a DJ with their own sound system. Rollins said, after seeing all that is involved in purchasing and installing a sound system, she concluded it was not a good idea.
DDA members agreed with the assessment of not moving forward with the sound system by consensus.
The chairman said, as expected, the cell tower company had applied to erect a tower in another location. She said the request has to be approved by the city because of its height, and it will be required to come before the design review committee because of its location.
Rollins said a decision needed to be made about an alcohol vendor for Butler Hall. She said an exclusive vendor would alleviate the question of licenses and liability insurance being in place.
“It doesn’t take but one incident, and then it’s a problem,” she said.
DDA member Alan Childs said his recent experience in planning a family event, a dedicated vendor can be a help.
The chairman said the city purchased the 102 E. Clinton St. property, and the DDA would be handling three new leases and overseeing the lease agreements.
“It a great move for the city to have the corner for the future,” she said.
Rollins said the terms for DDA members Ethridge, David Tufts, Vicki Ethridge and Bert King were expiring, and the city would vote at their meeting later that evening to reappoint them.
“Thank you so much for your service. We need you all, and we have made great progress,” she said.
In her Main Street report, Roberson said five new events were booked in August, most of them for dates in 2023. She said 27 leads were received from marketing in the past month and a half, and three events are scheduled through the end of September.
“For some reason, March of 2023 is full,” she noted.
Rollins asked if they should advertise as a venue for local Christmas parties and Roberson said yes. The director said several parties had already been scheduled.
Roberson said the Trunk or Treat event would take place Oct. 22, and Gray Highway would be closed from Madison Street to Stewart Avenue. She said the churches would be participating.
Roberson said sign-ups are open for trunks, and candy and monetary donations are being accepted. She said Main Street has been asked to assist by providing porta- potties, and she will be getting quotes.
The director said Hometown Christmas will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 26, and she will be advertising for vendors. The street will also be closed for the Christmas event. The cost for a space will be $75 but there would be no charge for local businesses.
She said Santa would be in residence at the Main Street Station building, and music would be provided by Music Medics.
The DDA members approved the use of Butler Hall for the event, and it was decided the cost for an inside space would be $125. Roberson said the use of Butler Hall also gives an indoor option for the event in the case of bad weather.
She said Hometown Christmas would be advertised on Cumulus Radio.
Rollins talked about the Aug. 13 grand opening of Ambi Rae Boutique in her chairman’s report. The boutique is located at 109 Atlanta Ave.
“It was huge, people were waiting on the sidewalk,” she said. “The owners were thrilled with the support from the community.”
She added that all local DDA businesses were doing well.
The next meeting of the DDA is scheduled Oct. 10.
