The July meeting for the Gray Downtown Development Authority celebrated the success of Butler Hall while continuing to look for ways to improve it.
The July 17 meeting was called to order by DDA Chairman Sherri Rollins, with the first item the financial report.
The report showed revenues for the venue through the end of June at $65,900. The amount budgeted for the year is $104,000, putting the collections well ahead for the first half of the year.
Rollins noted rentals continue to increase over last year.
“Butler Hall is an asset and great service to the community,” she said.
The majority of the expenses on the finance report were for the renovation of 123 W. Clinton St. The chairman said the renovations to the unit that formerly housed Gray Electronics were progressing well.
Rollins said the renovation was a major expense, but nothing had been done to the property since it was purchased. The cost of the renovation neared $30,000, according to the report. When completed, the plan for the property is a neighborhood ice cream shop.
Main Street Gray Director Ashley Roberson said the anticipated opening date for the ice cream shop was July 27.
In Roberson’s report about Butler Hall, she said front gutters had been installed. The director said she received four new contracts for rentals since the last meeting, and five events were scheduled in July.
“After Aug. 3, Butler Hall is booked every weekend,” she said.
The director said the events are not all weddings. She said in June and July, many were family reunions and birthday parties.
“We have several recurring rentals,” Roberson added.
Rollins said she was pleased that the gutters installed at the venue were not noticeable and would hopefully help prevent the mulch from washing away every time it rains.
The chairman brought up the fact that rates for Butler Hall had not been changed since its beginning. Roberson said she researched similar venues nearby and reported the rates for Butler Hall were much less.
Rollins said that would be something to look for the coming year.
The chairman reported that quotes were received for landscaping at Butler Hall. She said the city does a good job cutting the grass, but workers are not trained to care for the patio and garden areas.
DDA members voted to accept the quote from A Cut Above in Milledgeville.
In her Main Street Gray report, Roberson said the Aug. 16 Fridays on Main event will be the final for the year. She said Gray’s City Council and the Jones County Board of Commissioners had agreed to the Marketing 365 proposal for a branding project for the community. She said meetings will begin in August, and it will be a nine- to 12-month process.
The director said each city or county agency would have its own logo, but all would connect to the community brand.
“It’s exciting to get started,” she said.
Roberson said she has also been working with Jones County High School for a revamping for the FLEX program for student entrepreneurs. She said the intent is to keep it local.
Roberson concluded with a reminder that the Georgia Downtown Association would be visiting Gray Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The next meeting for the Gray DDA is scheduled Aug. 12.
