Agenda Item # 1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
August 14, 2018
Agenda Report # 15
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Georgia Exceptional Main Street Program MOU
INITIATED BY: Pamela Hodge, Deputy City Manager
Recommendation: Approval is requested to execute a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to maintain
Columbus' Local Main Street designation by the National Main Street Center and
appoint Uptown Columbus to serve as the Local Main Street Program Board of
Directors.
Background: The Main Street program is a commercial district revitalization
program. The program is a community driven, comprehensive methodology used to
revitalize older, traditional business districts throughout the United States.
The underlying premise of the Main Street approach is to encourage economic
development within the context of historic preservation in ways appropriate to
today?s marketplace. The Main Street approach advocates a return to community
self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial
districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian
friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of
community.
On April 18, 2006, Columbus Council approved a resolution supporting Uptown
Columbus' efforts to become an Urban Main Street City by the National Trust
Main Street Center. This resolution is for renewal of the certification
obtained in 2006 and executes an MOU with DCA.
Analysis: In 2006, the Uptown Columbus Board of Directors unanimously approved
a resolution authorizing the agency to pursue designation as an Urban Main
Street City. The agency serves as the lead agency in the effort to obtain
designation through the National Trust Main Street Center. The Consolidated
Government actively participated as a partner with Uptown Columbus in this
effort.
The downtown commercial district is the visual representation for our
community's heritage. The architecture of the district is a physical expression
of our community's history. The Main Street approach encourages
forward-thinking economic development in an historic preservation context so
our community?s legacy can be passed on to future generations.
Financial Consideration: Uptown Columbus agrees to fulfill the financial
requirements as outlined in this MOU. In the event that this financial support
is not available, CCG reserves the right to terminate this MOU which would
result in the loss of the Main Street designation.
Legal Consideration: The City Attorney has reviewed this MOU and approved as to
form.
Recommendation/Actions: Approval is requested to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to
maintain Columbus' Local Main Street designation by the National Main Street
Center and appoint Uptown Columbus to serve as the Local Main Street Program
Board of Directors.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING WITH THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO MAINTAIN
COLUMBUS' LOCAL MAIN STREET DESIGNATION BY THE NATIONAL MAIN STREET CENTER AND
APPOINT UPTOWN COLUMBUS TO SERVE AS THE LOCAL MAIN STREET PROGRAM BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.
WHEREAS, Uptown Columbus, Inc., desires to apply to renew Columbus' designation
as an Main Street City by the National Main Street Center; and,
WHEREAS, the Uptown Columbus Board of Directors unanimously approved a
resolution authorizing the agency to pursue designation as an Urban Main Street
City; and,
WHEREAS, Uptown Columbus will serve as the lead agency in the effort to obtain
designation by the National Main Street Center through Department of Community
Affairs' Office of Downtown Development as the sponsoring state agency for the
Georgia Classic Main Street program; and,
WHEREAS, the Consolidated Government will actively participate as a partner
with Uptown Columbus in the effort to renew Georgia Main Street Program
designation; and,
WHEREAS, the Main Street commercial revitalization approach encourages
forward-thinking economic development in an historic preservation context, so
our community?s legacy can be passed on to future generations.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to maintain
Columbus' Local Main Street designation and to appoint Uptown Columbus to serve
as the Local Main Street Program Board of Directors.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
_________ day of _________ 2018, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative
vote of _____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor House voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
______________________________
__________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike
Tomlinson, Mayor
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