The Downtown Development Authority of Thomaston and the Historic Preservation Commission discussed future changes to the Thomaston Frontage Grant Program after the DDA suspended the program at the last meeting in June.
Economic Development Coordinator Taylor Smith led the working session and called for the creation of a joint DDA-HPC committee for the frontage grant program with two members from each council. The purpose of the committee would be to serve as a pre-production group for potential front grant applicants to take full advantage of the program.
Members of both councils were unhappy with the progress of the frontage grant and feel that it has turned into a sign grant, rather than a frontage grant. DDA Chairman Lane Coggins said: “I think we are missing a major opportunity… Hair on the Square, Upperkrust and Hometown Printers are the best examples of what a fronting grant can do.
Elizabeth Huckaby agreed and added, “There must be something else. We cannot have exclusively a sign and nothing else.
Mayor Pro Tem Doug Head added: “We borrowed this idea from elsewhere, but now we find that we want it to evolve into something else. We have a limited amount for facade grants. It started out as a simple thing, but now we realize there are people at UGA who can help you think through the options. Here’s what your business could be and we’ll help you with it. »
A fly in the ointment for both planks are outdated design guidelines. Smith, in a comment to The Upson Beacon after the working session, said: “[The design guidelines are] 24 years. It’s something we’re looking for [update] this coming year.
Thomaston is expected to participate in a historic resources survey this fall to update DDA and HPC guidelines, according to Smith.
The councils also discussed what information needs to be completed before facade grant applicants can transition to HPC. Building renderings, cost estimates and concepts were all deemed necessary by councils to avoid problems.
HPC President Jane Burdette chose to clarify a misconception about HPC and the facade grant process: “HPC strictly endorses this for historic preservation only. It is not a guarantee that the project will be approved by the DDA.
City Manager Russell Thompson added, “Don’t go into this with a preconceived notion of approval. The pre-production committee is not a guarantee of approval or rejection. It’s just a way to have HPC and DDA together.
Another changing element of the frontage grant is the creation of a claim form, which would involve attaching photos of completed work, a completed W9, and a signed notice that the investment will be maintained for the next five years. , according to Smith, who added, “It puts the onus on the claimant to report everything to us.”
Smith said he wanted the city to celebrate the program and its impact in downtown Thomaston.
“Let’s celebrate the additions,” Smith commented, “do a full ribbon-cutting experience, especially if it’s for a new business, and show their entry to Thomaston.”
The next HPC meeting will be on August 1 at 2 p.m. and the next DDA meeting will be on August 18. Smith said he hoped the DDA would be able to have another working session before this meeting.
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