Downtown Development Authority
Over the last few years, Downtown Development Authority of Gray has celebrated several milestones in the renovation of Downtown Gray. The years 2015-16 brought several years of planning to life when the City of Gray Design Guidelines and a major building renovation were completed. Real estate purchases in 2016 will continue the redevelopment of downtown through the next few years.
In 2015 the former ambulance building at the corner of Highway 129 and Atlanta Road was restored to the original design of the 1950s. The vintage sign was completed in September of 2016, and the building was officially christened “Main Street Station.” The building now houses the Main Street Gray office and the Gray welcome center. It is a location for local businesses and non-profit organizations to meet in the community conference room and promote and advertise their services or merchandise.
The DDA group worked with the Otis Redding Family for several years prior to the building’s completion to portray the Gray/Jones County tribute to Otis Redding. The Otis Redding memorial was installed and unveiled at the same time the Main Street Station was officially opened. It was instantly a favorite of travelers and locals who stop to listen to Otis’s music and enjoy the large wall of memories on the memorial.
In 2016 DDA finalized several years of work and completed the Design Guidelines for the downtown commercial areas.
The Design Guidelines help ensure new commercial development or changes to existing commercial locations meet the requirements agreed upon by the team efforts of city council leaders, local community volunteers and local non-profit teams. These requirements will help Downtown Gray keep its small town flavor, while encouraging growth and new ideas for businesses.
In 2017 DDA will continue working on its mission to redevelop downtown. DDA will be working with the Department of Community Affairs to determine next steps toward implementing the Downtown Master Plan.
The DDA meets the second Monday of each month at Main Street Station and welcomes everyone interested in volunteering to help move Gray forward.
Board Members
Sherri Rollins –Chairman
Cecil Ethridge
Bert King
Vickie Ethridge
Rick Childs
David Tufts
Alan Childs
