February’s meeting of the Gray Downtown Development Authority looked toward another successful year for economic development in the City of Gray.
The Feb. 10 meeting was called to order by DDA Chairman Sherri Rollins. The financial report was approved, and new business started with an update of Butler Hall.
Main Street Gray Director Ashley Roberson said eight new dates had been reserved since the January meeting. She said a bridal show the previous weekend had good attendance with vendors displaying what they had to offer.
“It was good exposure for them,” Roberson said.
Rollins added that 41 dates had already been booked at the venue this year.
“It’s making a difference downtown,” she said.
The chairman said the city decided the DDA could repurpose the building at 102 E. Clinton St., and they had interest from a potential renter.
Roberson said the estimated cost to renovate that area of the building was $12,000. She said the main office has four suites, and the DDA would manage the rest for the city.
Rollins said the plan is to use the building until the city needs it full-time.
Expenses for the project were unanimously approved.
The chairman shared ideas for a large dumpster in the downtown area for use of the businesses that would basically be out of the view of the public.
“We need to make a decision about trash in this busy area. I feel like we need a central dumpster,” she said. Authority members voted unanimously to move forward with the project.
Authority member Rick Childs suggested the idea of the central dumpster may also work for the businesses of Madison Street.
In her Main Street report, Roberson said the poles for the decorative streetlights downtown were being put up and the lights would soon follow. The lights will run from the main intersection to the Jones County Courthouse.
She said the Feb. 8 Galentines event went well with businesses giving it a good review.
“It was a good day downtown,” the director said.
Roberson also reported that the Branding initiative was still a challenge.
Authority members congratulated Childs for Treasure by the Tracks being named the Main Street Gray Business of the Year.
Rollins said restaurants are a hard business.
“You and Paige do it very well,” she added.
Childs said the City of Gray does a lot to help businesses.
Roberson reported new flowers were planted for the streetscape and thanked those who helped make that happen.
In her chairman’s comments, Rollins said she is excited about the downtown streetlights. She went on to say that City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan was working on decorative street signs for the corners of all downtown streets.
“It’s not just us. The city is really getting involved. It’s all coming together, and Gray continues to make progress,” she said.
Authority member Bert King agreed.
“I opened my doors in 1991, and it’s remarkable to see this amazing progress. Everyone is pulling in the right direction,” he said.
Authority member David Tufts said the city is working to get the big trucks out of downtown.
“More people are walking, and we are trying to get more sidewalks on Dolly Street,” he said.
The next meeting of the Gray DDA is scheduled March 10.
