DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Gray Downtown Development Authority members looked at streetscape improvements and discussed charitable contributions at this month’s meeting.
DDA Chairman Sherri Rollins called the May 8 meeting to order, and the first order of business was the financial report. Rollins said the budget appeared on track.
Roberson is the Main Street Gray Director and also serves as the DDA recording secretary. She reported that the bank balance was $99,450.40.
Roberson gave the Butler Hall update, stating that four events were scheduled in May, and there were seven events last month. She added that she has already booked one event for 2025 and continues to get calls about the venue every day.
Rollins started the conversation about charitable requests received for the use of Butler Hall. She proposed putting a number of days aside each year for non-profits.
“It could be a limited amount, but we could still be a good neighbor,” the chairman said.
She said the requests could be approved on a case-by-case basis and limited to Monday through Thursday.
DDA member David Tufts said he believes they need to make charitable donations. He said the criteria could be put in the newspaper about how to schedule the events.
Rollins said she agreed and suggested DDA member Bert King could work on a form.
The question of spraying for mosquitos at Butler Hall was discussed. It was decided it could be an option given for those using the outside area.
“It’s a non-issue at this point,” Rollins said.
Roberson presented the Main Street report, starting with the success of the Main Street Spring Festival held April 15 in Downtown Gray. She said the charge for the evening concert and open container cups made enough money to pay the expenses for the event.
The director said there were 65 vendors and she estimated that at least 1,000 people were walking around downtown that day. She added that collections for the city’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax had increased.
“It seems to be a trend since we are doing more downtown,” she said.
Rollins stated that she appreciates the cooperation of the city council in supporting the events and the Gray Police Department.
Roberson said an updated Main Street Gray district map for the city had been sent to Georgia Main Street officials and she was waiting to hear back.
Rollins talked about a landscape design for the downtown streetscape received from Carmine Fischetti, who was formerly with Georgia Department of Community Affairs Design Studio.
She said the design has planted bumpouts along the street that look great, but her concern is their maintenance.
Roberson asked if there was an estimated cost of maintaining the planted areas.
Rollins said no but the next step was the cost estimates of the plants and maintenance. At this point the only cost they have received was for the design itself.
The chairman said the DDA needed to continue the pursuit of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia Grant. She said the grants focus on small town projects and the streetscape landscaping project may fall into that.
DDA members agreed to the suggestion by consensus. With no public comments, the meeting was adjourned to enter into closed session.
The next DDA meeting is scheduled June 13.
