Positive changes for the Fort Valley Downtown Development Authority

FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Fort Valley Downtown Development Authority is hoping to bring positive changes to the Valley. The DDA met on Tuesday, May 2, at 6 p.m. at the Troutman House for their monthly board meeting.

Board Member Tisa Horton discussed the Four Point Approach. According to the Fort Valley Main Street/DDA’s website, the Four Point Approach is a comprehensive commercial district revitalization strategy by the National Trust Main Street Center. These points work together to build a sustainable and complete community revitalization effort. These points are organization, design and beautification, infrastructure and economic development, and arts and culture promotion.

The DDA is planning on restarting the Main Street Merchant Membership, in hopes of encouraging local businesses in the downtown area to get to know their neighbors and participate within the community. The committee discussed potential ideas on how to involve businesses, including looking into the previous membership perks which had advertising, promotion, and networking opportunities. Board member Tisa Horton asked those in attendance to consider who would want to join, what would need to be changed, and who would keep track of the memberships.

The Downtown Development Authority welcomed new board members, Kathy Thomas and Leland Mangrum.

In regards to old business; Horton spoke on the DDA Properties Insurance stating that the Fort Valley Police Department conducted an inspection and the Downtown Development Authority needs to adhere to the corrections soon. If they do not, their insurance will increase. Next, the committee discussed issues with the property on 303 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. as a neighbor to the property is potentially encroaching on the property. The committee plans to get a survey done to determine the property lines.

The next order of business was a discussion on the Troutman House; the DDA had not heard from the Historic Preservation Committee, so the Troutman House Renovation Project and Troutman House Beautification Project were tabled. The DDA is looking over a new purchasing policy. DDA Board Member and Fort Valley City Council Chair Carla Gowen has contacted City Administrator James Woods on the matter. Gowen was concerned that it was only the Chairman who needed to approve spending. Horton explained that normally director approval would be required as well, but, currently the DDA does not have a director. The approval is also dependent on how much money is being spent. The matter was tabled for the time being.

Then the DDA went over a map showing the new footprint of Fort Valley’s downtown district and Fort Valley Downtown Development Authority’s district. DDA Board Member Javier Rodriguez and Gowen discussed issues with some of the older, failing buildings near 96– near Tapatio–  and the potential in that area. DDA Board Member Maya Hall discussed that she felt as if there was a disconnect with those coming into Fort Valley to start a business. She said that the DDA needs to figure out what they want the downtown area to look like. She emphasized that potential business owners can go to the city marshal and get their business license while leaving the DDA completely out of the equation. She wants to see a connection between the DDA, the City Marshal, Code Enforcement, and the City of Fort Valley; further explaining that the city generally doesn’t get involved unless a liquor license is required.

They discussed the DDA’s revenue, stating that they currently do not have a stream of income except for the rental of the Austin Theater. Horton had spoken to the city administrators previously, however, the DDA is no longer in the city budget.

The announcements were on the Fair which will be in town from May 9 to 15 at Marvin Crafter Festival Park and the Peach Festival which will be taking place in Fort Valley on June 2 and 3 as well as in Byron on June 10.

The next Downtown Development Authority meeting will take place on June 6, 2023, at 6 p.m. and, currently, there will be no meeting during July.