With a jam-packed schedule and list of goals to discuss, Vicki Davis, director of the Hinesville downtown development authority, updated Rotarians about upcoming downtown happenings.
Topping her list of cultural events is the Small World Festival in May, for which she’s still seeking participants to represent their countries. The event will include an international food court, two entertainment stages and a pedestrian parade, complete with banners, costumes and an official welcome from the mayor.
While it’s not as entertaining as a festival, the redevelopment of Memorial Drive/Washington Street is also a priority on the authority’s list this year.
“We need feedback from the residents about what they want to see,” she said. “Currently we’re working with a consultant to help us fully develop the area.”
In other infrastructure matters, Davis said they’re working to improve directional signs being phased in downtown.
“The system is a challenge,” she said because many of the downtown roads are flanked by state roads that have to follow certain regulations.
Davis was able to give residents something to anticipate. Georgia Cities Week (April 19-25), will provide the area entertainment and encompass a range of activities including two concerts, a state of the city speech by Mayor Jim Thomas and Earth Day celebrations.
Also those interested in preserving the city’s history were excited when Davis told about a grant the HDDA received to conduct a city-wide inventory of the historic building downtown. There are many requirements for the buildings and Davis said the process will take a long time, but will be worth it.
She said there are about 200 historic buildings in the area.
The last thing Davis mentioned in regard to developing business in the city is a directory of businesses, their owners and details surrounding them.
“We’ll collect all kinds of information,” she said. “It’s a huge task.”
Topping her list of cultural events is the Small World Festival in May, for which she’s still seeking participants to represent their countries. The event will include an international food court, two entertainment stages and a pedestrian parade, complete with banners, costumes and an official welcome from the mayor.
While it’s not as entertaining as a festival, the redevelopment of Memorial Drive/Washington Street is also a priority on the authority’s list this year.
“We need feedback from the residents about what they want to see,” she said. “Currently we’re working with a consultant to help us fully develop the area.”
In other infrastructure matters, Davis said they’re working to improve directional signs being phased in downtown.
“The system is a challenge,” she said because many of the downtown roads are flanked by state roads that have to follow certain regulations.
Davis was able to give residents something to anticipate. Georgia Cities Week (April 19-25), will provide the area entertainment and encompass a range of activities including two concerts, a state of the city speech by Mayor Jim Thomas and Earth Day celebrations.
Also those interested in preserving the city’s history were excited when Davis told about a grant the HDDA received to conduct a city-wide inventory of the historic building downtown. There are many requirements for the buildings and Davis said the process will take a long time, but will be worth it.
She said there are about 200 historic buildings in the area.
The last thing Davis mentioned in regard to developing business in the city is a directory of businesses, their owners and details surrounding them.
“We’ll collect all kinds of information,” she said. “It’s a huge task.”