DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Gray Downtown Development Authority members celebrated Gray’s selection as Main Street of the month and discussed repairs to Butler Hall’s parking lot, in addition to considering more streetlights for downtown Gray.
The Sept. 11 meeting was called to order by DDA Chairman Sherri Rollins.
The financial report was first on the agenda. The bank balance was reported at $112,651 with $2,300 in rent checks outstanding to be deposited.
Ashley Roberson gave the Butler Hall marketing update, stating four new contracts had been received and three events were scheduled for the months of September and October.
She said the venue was booked every weekend in December, but there were still openings for the Mondays through Wednesdays.
Rollins reported that she was meeting with City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan about the issue of asphalt cracking in the middle of the parking lot. She said she has also been talking to a paving company.
The chairman said the problem area was near a drainage pipe.
“I hope we can get a plan for a way to fix it before it gets worse,” she said.
Rollins said she had a consultant looking at window treatments for Butler Hall that could help with heating and cooling the building.
“We are also looking at awnings to help with the sunlight and privacy. We may have to put it in the budget for next year, but I hope to have something we can vote on at the next meeting,” she said.
Roberson is the Main Street Gray Director and presented the report for the organization. She announced that Gray had been chosen by Georgia Main Street as the Main Street of the month of September.
The director said it was quite an honor and unexpected as most of the Main Streets chosen are much bigger than Gray.
She said this month’s Fridays on Main would be held with the community tailgating event at Jones County High School Sept. 29. Roberson said the businesses who usually participate had agreed to attend.
She said “The Not-So-Scary Grayberry Spectacular” will be held on West Clinton Street Oct. 21 from 3-5 p.m., and the Hometown Christmas Market would be Nov. 25.
Rollins said the downtown landscaping project was on schedule for later in the month, and Roberson said she was meeting with Georgia Power representatives for quotes on extending the streetscape lighting on Atlanta Road down West Clinton Street to the courthouse.
They also discussed a portion of East Clinton but seemed to agree on lighting for the corners only.
Roberson said there were lease options as well as purchasing.
In the chairman’s comments, Rollins said people are still looking for small spaces to rent in the downtown area.
“There are other spaces available, but they want to be downtown to be involved in the activities,” Rollins said. “I want to thank Ashley for her leadership and for doing a great job.”
