Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

Agenda Item # 2



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

January 12, 2016



Agenda Report # 65





TO: Mayor and Council



SUBJECT: Georgia Classic 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 _________ 2016, and adopted at said meeting by the

affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.





Councilor Allen voting __________.

Councilor Baker voting __________.

Councilor Barnes voting __________.

Councilor Buck voting __________.

Councilor Davis voting __________.

Councilor Henderson voting __________.

Councilor Huff voting __________.

Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.

Councilor Thomas voting __________.

Councilor Woodson voting __________.



______________________________

__________________________

Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor

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