Athens Downtown Development Authority
Athens, Georgia,
MISSION STATEMENT “To promote, maintain, and enhance a safe and economically viable central business district by focusing both public and private resources on the fulfillment of downtown’s potential to benefit the entire community.” October 23, 1995 Strategic Planning Session
Board:
A seven member Board appointed by the County Commission governs The Athens Downtown Development Authority:
Board
Organization Management Consultant
James Warnes, Attorney Daniel Dooley, CPA, Accountant
B. Committees and activities managed by the Authority include:
(!) The Athens Downtown Council (ADC) The council is an association of merchants and businesses that markets the downtown area to local customers. The Council coordinates advertising and merchandising events and publishes a shopping guide.The Council is independent of ADDA, however, by contract, ADDA part time employee Megan Henning coordinates DTC activities b y .
(2) The Athens Hospitality Resource Panel (HRP) Formed in 1999, the HRP is a community organizing framework for creating an alliance of business associations, government agencies, and community organizations dedicated to developing safe communities and healthy businesses through the promotion of responsible hospitality principles and practices. As its name implies, an HRP is a "resource" to the hospitality industry, as well as everyone else involved. Rather than creating new programs, new projects or new materials, the HRP works to enhance the availability and participation in those programs that currently exist. Through regular communication and collaboration, key stakeholders identify and develop strategies to address issues and concerns of the community relating to the service of food, alcoholic beverages and entertainment. The HRP is coordinated by part time ADDA Employee Mac McCrary.
HRP Steering Committee
(3) The Athens Music and Arts Committee (AthFest) the AthFest Committee was organized in 1997:
o To attract visitors to Athens during the slow summer months.
o To give UGA students a reason to return during the summer.
o To showcase Athens Area Bands for entertainment venues, booking agents and club owners from college towns in the Southeast.
o To build a Music Conference atmosphere that would attract music industry representatives and to Athens.
o To promote the Athens Music Industry.
AthFest BOARD OF DIRECTORS
· Jared Bailey, Chair, Paid Staff,
· Troy Aubry, Athens Music .Net, paid staff
· Jeff Montgomery, A-CC Public Information Office
· Shannah Montgomery, Zoomworks Photography
· Ed Magruder, Retailer, Musicians Warehouse
· Alicia Nichols, Flagpole
· Russ Hauler, Ghostmeat Records
· Rusty Bridgers, CPA
· Anita Pinto, Flagpole
· Steve Simmons, Musician, Park Bench Trio Band
· Mary Sigalas, Musician, Event Planner, Part Time Staff
· Art Jackson, ADDA / Athens Main Street
· Scott Kelly, Musician, Musicians Warehouse
(4) The Athens Literary Festival Committee, organized in December 2001 as a joint effort with the University of Georgia to recognize Georgia writers. First Festival held March 2003. ADDA hires a contract employee to manage the festival outdoor book fair.
Athens Literary Festival Planning Committee
o
Honorary Chair:
Jeanne Lindberg
Event Co-Chairs:
Leslie Gordon, Event Planner
Judy Long, Hill Street Press
Charlotte W. Mealor, Volunteer
Members
Marilyn Ayers, ADDA*
Judith Ortiz Cofer, English Department, UGA
Stephen Corey, The Georgia Review, UGA
Betty Jean Craige, Center for Humanities and Arts, UGA
Thomas Dyer, Institute of Higher Education, UGA
T. R. Hummer, The Georgia Review, UGA
Art Jackson, ADDA
Brenda Keen, The Georgia Review, UGA
Kara Keene, BBA student in Management Information Systems, UGA
Mary Kay Mitchell, WUGA
Nicole Mitchell, UGA Press
David Payne, English Department, UGA
Hugh Ruppersburg, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, UGA
Patricia Ruppersburg, Aurum Studios, Athens
Mary Sigalas, Sigalas Events & Entertainment, Athens
(4) Downtown Athens Parking System (DAP), the
Authority manages the County owned parking system and on street metered
spaces.
o 750 on street metered spaces,
o 6 parking lots and one parking deck,
o Total spaces managed: 1590, ˝ monthly – ˝ hourly>
(5) Athens Christmas Parade Coordinators
C History
Formed by State legislation in 1977, the ADDA administers the revitalization and redevelopment of the Central Business District. Acting as liaison between Government and the Downtown Business community, the Authority coordinates planning and implementation of public facilities as well as assisting private investors and individual businesses. The A-CDDA, created in 1995, focuses on the redevelopment of the Downtown East area, a fifty acre “Brownfield” site adjacent to the Central Business District.
· Early 1970’s under the leadership of then Planning Commission Chair/UGA Administrator JW Fanning, the Chamber of Commerce and downtown business leaders formed the Athens Downtown Council.
· From observing larger communities, they learned that successful programs required a full time staff. In 1977 the Citizens of Athens voted to establish the Athens Downtown Development Authority.
· 1980, Athens was one of 30 towns selected to participate in a Historic Preservation based demonstration program, Main Street.
· 1980, ADDA takes over park & shop program.
· 1981 ADDA takes over management of City parking lots.
· 1981 Regional Enclosed Mall built. Lost all department stores, but due to a concerted effort, only one local business moved to the new suburban mall.
· Late 1980’s, Clubs begin to develop downtown offering live music. Area starts transition into mixed use district: retail, restaurant, entertainment, upper floor residential. Currently 50 alcohol licenses downtown.
· 1980’s Music business prospers producing B52’s REM, and Widespread Panic.
· Currently over 250 bands in the area, live entertainment every night of the week.