Gray Downtown Development Authority members announced the acquisition of a long-sought-after building during their business meeting last week.
Chairman Sherri Rollins called the June 9 meeting to order and began with an item of Old Business, the completion of a project to keep areas around downtown businesses clean.
A dumpster for the use of the businesses on Ross Street has been placed adjacent to the Butler Hall parking lot and is enclosed with a brick wall on three sides to blend into the area. The gate is the final step, and Rollins said it would be installed in the new few weeks.
“There’s been a lot of trash with the opening of the new restaurant, but we are working through it. Everyone is cooperating,” she said.
New Business
Main Street Director Ashley Roberson said the next few months are typically slow for events. She said, however, four new events were booked at Butler Hall since the last meeting.
“We have lots coming up in the fall,” Roberson said.
Rollins said the grand opening
We are not sure what it will be, but it will not be a gas station.
for the HRP Realty office in the 102 E. Clinton Building went well. She said the office is very nice, and a buffer will be installed between it and the motel.
The chairman said a local attorney is moving into the last vacant office, and signage would be placed on the building soon now that both sides are full.
Roberson said work continues on the other four offices. She said, when the plumber is done, the sheet rock can be finished, and next is the floor.
“We hope to move in mid-July,” she said.
In addition to Main Street and DDA, the offices will house the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce, Jones County Development Authority and a receptionist who will be shared by the entities.
Rollins talked about an issue with the air conditioning at Butler Hall. She said there are several units, but one is not working. The chairman said repair attempts were made, but there are no parts for the unit.
She said the cost to replace the unit is $10,142. The five-ton unit sits on the roof of the building, and a crane is needed to put it in place.
Board member Bert King made the motion to replace and install the unit and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Roberson reported about a visit from St. Mary’s Main Street members. She said she met and got to know them at Georgia Main Street networking events, and they wanted to see Butler Hall.
“They were impressed by the venue but more impressed with the relationship between Gray’s City Council and the DDA,” she said.
Rollins said their success shows what can be done in a small town. She said it started with the first small project.
“This is what can be accomplished when everyone works together,” she said.
Roberson said the visitors asked Main Street Gray representatives to come to St. Mary’s and tell their story.
Rollins said it all started years ago with a transportation grant to install sidewalks on the streetscape.
“We want council to know we appreciate the support they have given us. There is trust on both sides; they know we are good stewards,” she added.
Crossing Food Mart
Rollins said she was proud to announce that they have confirmed a lease to purchase the corner building at the crossing.
“We have several prospects,” she said. “We are not sure what it will be, but it will not be a gas station.”
The chairman was also proud to say the DDA was able to do the project on its own.
Main Street
Roberson said the Fridays on Main events would continue through the summer. She said, since children are not in school, the plan is to let younger vendors set up their booths at the next event.
Roberson said she only has three more classes to complete her certification, and she reminded DDA members that the Georgia Academy for Economic Development will meet in Gray in August to conduct classes in economic development.
Gray DDA members also serve as the Main Street Gray board.
Roberson said DDA, JDA and Main Street members were invited to get their credit hours. The director added that city council members and Jones County Commissioners were also invited to the classes.
Rollins noted in her chairman’s report that there is good activity in the form of foot traffic downtown, especially walking to the ice cream shop.
“We want to continue to support our downtown businesses during June and July,” she said.
Board member and Gray City Councilman David Tufts said the city voted to replace the crosswalk sign downtown to make it more visible and safer for pedestrians.
Roberson said they have also been talking about possibly placing directional signs downtown directing people to the different downtown businesses and venues.
The meeting adjourned to go into closed session. When they reconvened, board member Vicki Ethridge made the motion to accept the resignation of board member Alan Childs. The motion was approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned.
The next meeting of the Gray DDA is July 7.
