DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
Gray Downtown Development Authority members are wrapping up a successful year with their biggest project to date exceeding expectations.
Chairman Sherri Rollins called the Oct. 11 meeting to order with all members in attendance with the exception of Bert King.
Main Street Gray Director Ashley Roberson, who serves as secretary for the Authority, reported the DDA’s bank balance at $60,077.78.
Rollins pointed out the income for Butler Hall on the financial report was $77,885, and the amount projected in the budget was $30,000.
“The bottom line is the DDA is in good shape,” she said.
The chairman suggested the Main Street 101 training needed to be scheduled for the members who had not taken it. Rollins and Authority Member Cecil Ethridge took the training in person in August.
Following a brief discussion, Authority members David Tufts, Vicki Ethridge, Rick Childs and Alan Childs agreed to attend a one-hour online training session, one day a week for four weeks, beginning Oct. 12.
Rollins said she would probably attend also as a refresher course.
Roberson presented a marketing report for Butler Hall. She said five events were being held in October, and three more had been booked last month.
The director said she is getting inquiries from The Knot wedding website, and representatives are coming to tour Butler Hall. Roberson said it was suggested the venue be decorated when they come to take pictures.
Rollins said the Lt. Governor’s College and Career Academy Summit was a great event. The school system rented a sound system for the meeting, and it worked well.
“It was a full house. We had lots of compliments on the venue,” she said.
The chairman said lessons learned from the event was the restrooms could have better signage, and a large retractable screen would be beneficial.
“We may be able to get a sponsor to help with that,” she said.
Rollins said the property at 102 East Clinton St. was purchased by the city in the DDA’s name, and the DDA will be handling the property. She said one tenant wants to expand their space and extend their lease, and that was approved by the city.
The chairman said the DDA needs to know the square footage involved.
“We need to do more research,” she said.
Rollins noted that the terms of DDA members Tufts, Vicki Ethridge, King, Cecil Ethridge and Alan Childs had been renewed by the city.
Roberson presented a report of upcoming Main Street Gray activities. She said the Not so Scary Grayberry Spectacular would take place Oct. 22 in partnership with the Gray/Jones County Chamber of Commerce and local churches. She said it would feature Trunk or Treating, food trucks, bounce houses and other activities.
West Clinton Street will be blocked off for the event from Main Street Station to the W.E. Knox Civic Center.
Roberson said the next big event would be the Christmas Market that is scheduled Nov. 26 with vendors, food trucks and Santa. The director said she is looking for a big Christmas tree and the highway would be blocked off for that event too.
She said she is also working on the idea of a Christmas decorating contest for local businesses.
In her chairman’s report, Rollins said all DDA properties are rented, and it is time to start working on next year’s budget.
“I’ve received wonderful compliments about the cleanliness of our city and how nice people are to those visiting,” she said.
The meeting adjourned to enter into closed session. The next DDA meeting is scheduled Nov. 8.
