The March meeting of the Gray Downtown Development Authority looked toward future events and the completion of recent projects.
Chairman Sherri Rollins called the March 11 meeting to order, and the finance report was the first item discussed. The rental income for Butler Hall has already topped $36,000 for the year, and Rollins noted that the entire budget was on track.
Main Street Director Ashely Roberson, who serves as the DDA’s recording secretary, reported the bank balance was $161,193.
Under Old Business, Rollins said the major repairs for rental property at 119 and 121 Ross Street had been completed with finishing touches remaining. She said the EV chargers had been installed on Ross Street and were ready to use.
The chairman said all was going well at Butler Hall, and Roberson presented the Marketing Update.
The director said she received seven new contracts during the month, and four events were planned for March. Roberson added there were three events booked for April and the months of June and September were booked every weekend.
“Everything is running smoothly, and we are staying busy,” she said.
For her Main Street report, the director announced that 70 vendors were booked for the April 13 Spring Festival.
“I’m trying to keep from a lot of duplicate vendors,” she added.
Roberson said West Clinton Street would be closed for the festival, and food trucks would be operating along Atlanta Highway from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. She said entertainment would be presented on stage by Music Medics students until 4 p.m. and Misa Lowe and Ace Harlem would entertain from 4 to 6 p.m.
The director said the Dallas Rogers Concert in the parking lot of Butler Hall would take place from 7 to 9 p.m.
For her chairman’s comments, Rollins talked about the Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax being considered by the Jones County and Gray officials. She said it was time to look at downtown projects.
Roberson suggested sidewalks and possibility the decorative street lighting for downtown.
Rollins said a lot of businesses were still wanting to move downtown, and she noted that Vineville Internal Medicine would be locating in the building beside the Gray Police Department.
The meeting was adjourned to go into closed session. The next meeting of the DDA is scheduled April 8.
