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Published Thursday, February 02, 2012 in Local
Where does Newnan see itself in 10 years?
By John Winters
The Newnan Times-Herald
Downtown Development Authority members took a peek into the future on Wednesday, imagining the city of Newnan's downtown area 10 years from now.
Ideas that emerged covered a wide path: upscale town homes, public restrooms at city parks, alleyway promenades, more restaurants, increased night life activities, walking maps, storefront upgrades and an art museum.
The two-hour brainstorming session, facilitated by Niki Knox, a senior community economic development consultant with Georgia EMC, focused on prioritizing goals -- what could be done in one to three years, three to five years and what agency or department would take ownership.
"Go to the year 2022 -- you're looking at Newnan," Knox said. "What makes you say 'wow.'"
During their monthly meeting, the authority split up ideas into four broad categories: design, promotions, economic restructuring and organization.
In the design area, top goals were maintaining clean streets, a beautification program, banners and wayfinding maps, incentives and education on facade grants, storefront rehabilitation and restrooms.
Longer range plans included a comprehensive parking plan, improving the city's gateways, better sidewalk connectivity, north and east area public spaces and enlarging the historical district.
In the promotional area, top goals were concert series in the park, walking maps, on-line promotions, storefront contests and enhancing tourism. The overriding long-term goal was to make Newnan a destination for tourism.
The organizational category included formalizing the Main Street Newnan organization, educating potential developers and property owners on "how-to" follow regulations on construction of second-floor apartments over businesses, cleaning alleyways into promenade-type walkways, better pedestrian crosswalks and a comprehensive sign ordinance.
Economic restructuring goals included redevelopment of the former Newnan Hospital facility on Jackson Street, possibly into some type of business incubator; bringing in a downtown grocery; and develop a market study. Longer range goals focused on residential dwelling, acquiring property for economic development and an art museum.
"The goal was to try and set a vision for the Downtown Development Authority," said Hasco Craver IV, Newnan's city business development director. "There was some good information presented.
"On the staff side, there are achievable items," he added. "Simultaneously there are some long-range goals that will benefit downtown."
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Ohhh, I imagine we'll be a socialist country by then.. so we'll probably have security check-points through the city...
Posted by Torey S. at 4:06 PM
Your comment is hilarious!
Thanks for giving me a hearty laugh.
Posted by Coweta resident at 10:53 AM
It's pandolarium!
Posted by Jimmy at 3:03 PM
Joe, I have lived here 25 years and love it, I have only meet two southern people in that time period.Where did all the original natives go?
Posted by citizen at 12:52 PM
I think my x wife did.
Posted by Joe Cool at 9:55 PM
Some of the nicest folks in Newnan are transplants, who chose to live here because of all the nice folks that were already here: just because someone was born 'Up North,' doesn't mean they aren't welcome here. Besides, The Civil War is long over (150-years-ago), newcomers who choose to move here (because of existing friendly folks, excellent schools, libraries, parks) never fought any Civil War battles, did they? For that matter, Did YOU?
Posted by Coweta resident at 8:35 AM
First of all,Bonnie Blue has told the truth. The Feds gave away Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to people that could not afford the homes and many that should not have been placed in that position and even had strange ballon type loans that turned the mortages upside down..what happen to starter homes?
Posted by citizen at 12:50 AM
If the economy gets better, and if our local governments make good decisions, we will see more of the same ( including traffic ). If the economy doesn't improve or gets worse, well go look at Old National HWY.
Posted by roger at 12:19 AM
We start a program to get all these yankees that are moving here to move back to where they came from. I really don't care how you did it "up north".
Posted by Coweta Native at 7:24 PM
This is putting the cart before the horse. Unless there is a special event (e.g. taste of Newnan) the court square area is a ghost town after 6 pm. . . Unless somehow you find a way to lure businesses that aren't antique shops or law offices downtown, most of us will just stay out between Ashley Park and Peachtree city. . .
Posted by Sharpsburg resident at 3:37 PM
Probably not....but I bet by 2022 it will be at least 85% complete.
Posted by Billy at 3:37 PM
Such wonderful comments*
* With exception to the Always- Negative 'Ms. Bonnie Blue:' Yes, a Parking Garage for Downtown, trash pick-up should be NO PROBLEM - we have an abundance of Correctional Inmates and repeat offenders to handle All of Coweta's trash pick ups, shuttle buses / trolleys Sponsored by Area businesses (Just like they do in Savannah)...keep the great ideas coming and please, Ms. Blue, why not take a day off with your complaining? It would make our day!
Posted by Loves Living in Newnan at 3:12 PM
Here's an idea, let the free market decide ! Quit planning on how to spend other people's money that you don't have.
Posted by DB at 3:00 PM
The housing market has not bottomed out. When it does bottom it will be 20 years to get back to normal providing the US government has not turned Marxist. But between now and the Marxist takeover you will see request after request for more splost, staggering tax increases and a mega government one could never imagine. Citizens will accept this or have it shoved down their throats. All for the greedy and power mongers under the guise of "we are doing it for you".
Posted by Bonnie Blue at 1:46 PM
Connect Ashley Park to downtown Newnan.
Posted by Resident at 1:35 PM
This is a great step in the right direction. Would like to add drugstore to downtown goals as well as an enclave for senior citizen living - the demand for that will only increase in the coming decades.
Posted by downtown resident & business owner at 12:05 PM
A parking garage is past due. That public lot by the railroad tracks between broad and washington is an eyesore. They should kill two birds with one stone and build a multi level garage on that space! It's close enough to the square, and would probably increase foot traffic on Broad, Washington, and Perry and help grow more downtown businesses.
Posted by AP at 11:56 AM
The Development Authority will be wondering what they will be doing in 10 years in 2022. We'll see more chain restaurants and maybe another Ashley Park type of development but that's it. The trash won't be picked up near the interstate, businesses will close left and right and larger corporations (i.e. actual non-retail jobs) will go elsewhere.
Posted by Newnan Born at 11:39 AM
I agree. We need better access into downtown from every direction.
Posted by georgescott at 11:38 AM
Gateways to downtown Newnan need to be the priority. Several US and state highways going through downtown have been a big deterrent. Ask any new resident why they do not go downtown. We can learn from cities such as Baltimore, MD (harbor area)and Greenville, SC (downtown) on their success. Newnan better have a really grand plan that will work for both the residents as well as business. A half hearted plan does not work.
Posted by NM at 11:21 AM
Downtown parking garage, NOW. We own a businiess near the Federal Courthouse. When Federal Court is in session or the churches have events during business hours, there is NO parking. The Federal Courthouse needs their own parking lot. Yes, they have one now, but it is for employees and understandably for the judges' protection.
Posted by bb3 at 11:16 AM
Start with picking up the trash at the interstate off ramps. If you can't manage that you sure can't manage the development for an entire city.
Posted by DB at 11:06 AM
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Bonnie's housing market
2/8/2012
Link To This Comment
Is it possible that a small portion of the housing problem needs to be shared by some of the realtors in the country who were more interested in their 6-7 percent commission rather than the best interests of their clients?? Or was it just a simple case of not blaming the gun salesman who sells a gun to a person who is known to be dangerous? (there--that should stir the pot a bit)
Posted by coweta cur-mudgeon at 2:30 AM