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MidTown in Motion
E-NEWSLETTER
October 2007
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Dear MidTown Stakeholder,
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I was born and raised in Columbus, attending Columbus High School in what is now known as MidTown. Currently, with my family, I have a dental practice located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard along the southern border MidTown shares with the Columbus South revitalization effort.
When I left Columbus, Georgia years ago to attend college, I left a thriving, progressive city that proudly proclaimed it was the "Second Largest City" in the State. No more. Economic growth in other communities has us now in the midst of a group of "second tier" cities within the state. And though there is much to be proud of, I worry about a lack of a planned vision for our future. Why can't Columbus once again be the second largest city or the most visionary community in Georgia?
We certainly have opportunities ahead of us: the BRAC expansion, the Kia plant and Aflac's growth among others. How can we harness that growth and these many opportunities to benefit all of Columbus, including presently underserved and underdeveloped areas?
One significant tool - used by some 32 communities through out Georgia and hundreds of communities throughout the nation - is Redevelopment Powers. In Georgia, areas such as Augusta, Athens, Macon, Gainesville, Rome, Woodstock, Kennesaw and many others already have the power to redevelop their in-town, aging communities by issuing revenue bonds. (In fact, Columbus is the only second tier city not to have these redevelopment powers.) The money raised through the sale of these bonds pays for failing infrastructure, environmental clean-up or other impediments to development in blighted or stagnate areas. A recent study of Georgia redevelopment districts shows that, on average, for every one dollar raised by the sale of revenue bonds, nearly six dollars of private investment follows.
This revenue bond authority does not raise existing taxes and does not affect our residential property tax freeze. The bonds are paid off by the revenue from the increased valuations created by new projects within the redevelopment districts. Redevelopment districts (sometimes called TADs or Tax Allocation Districts because of the way the bonds are paid-off from newly created revenue from the redevelopment districts), are a powerful tool to renew and reinvigorate the very heart of Columbus. If we do not have this important tool, Columbus may well fall behind and lose opportunities - certainly the opportunity to lift up all parts of our city. We need the option for success. We must seize this opportunity for sound growth.
On Tuesday November 6th, we will have the chance to vote on this issue and allow Columbus this financial tool. I believe in this issue so strongly that I enthusiastically agreed to co-chair (with Will Burgin) Columbus Can!, a citizen advocacy effort to pass the November referendum. We have set up a website: www.columbuscan.org. Our name says it all: We can shape our future and see that it is better than today. I hope you will join us on November 6th in shouting with your "yes" vote that you, too, believe Columbus Can!
Best regards,
Dr. Henry Cook, II, DDS
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| Redevelopment Districts (TADs) Post Impressive Results In Study |
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Georgia's Redevelopment Districts, also known as Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), are achieving impressive results, a recent study shows. The study, Survey and Analysis of Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) in Georgia: A Look at the First Eight Years, shows "TADs are working. They're promoting redevelopment in areas that were underutilized, and they're doing it in a way that lets new development - not the average taxpayer - pay for the public projects needed to make that development happen," said Jim Durrett, executive director of the Livable Communities Coalition, the nonprofit land use advocacy group that commissioned the study.
The study provides a first look at the financial performance of TADs. It was conducted by Bleakly Advisory Group, an Atlanta-based firm specializing in market and financial analysis, public finance and the implementation of pubic-private partnerships. (Bleakly Advisory Group also was hired by the Development Authority of Columbus, Georgia to assess the viability of redevelopment districts here). Oversight of the study was provided by Dr. David Sjoquist, professor of economics at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University.
Study author Ken Bleakly said, "We believe the early track record shows TADs are the most effective redevelopment tool available to local officials in Georgia and have only just begun to achieve their potential positive impact on the health of Georgia's cities and towns."
TADs have soared in popularity in recent years because they promise a relatively painless way to pay for public projects needed to lure or enhance private investment, especially in areas that might otherwise not attract such development. Bonds are typically issued to pay for the projects. The bonds are then repaid with property taxes generated by the new development. As soon as the bonds are paid, the new tax revenues revert to cities, counties, and schools.
TADs are growing quickly. The first TAD was established in 1999. There are now 32 redevelopment districts, with dozens of additional Georgia communities set to vote on TADs this fall.
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| Museum Restaurant Open for Lunch! |
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A new restaurant has opened in MidTown: The Columbus Museum Cafe. Labeled "The Place For Taste" the Cafe offers lunch-time selections created by well known chef Jamie Keating.
The menu includes hearty salads - such as the seared beef medallion and bleu cheese salad on romaine-spring greens and a Trio Salad sampler of tuna, chicken and seafood salads. Sandwiches featured are the popular Italian panini and the grilled chicken wrap among others. All sandwiches are offered in full or half sized portions. Don't forget the gazpacho with corn tortillas and weet "Melissa" potato soups.
Photographed - Alyson Helton (L) and Sheena Pedrozo (R)
The Cafe adds a nice touch to a visit to view Museum exhibits or makes for a great midday respite from the office. Reservations are accepted for parties of 8 or more; call (706) 748-2562. The Cafe is opened Tuesday through Friday 11:30 - 2:00 p.m. For more information on the Columbus Museum visit their website: www.columbusmuseum.com.
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Mistletoe in MidTown
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| Mark your calendars for Sunday December 9th Noon - 6:00 p.m. The Historic Columbus Foundation (HCF) will be host its holiday tour of homes - Mistletoe in MidTown - featuring notable examples of distinctive Columbus architecture. Nine historic residences in several of our MidTown historic neighborhoods will be showcased. Each residence will be decorated for the holiday season, and many will have refreshments or feature holiday entertainment.
The tour will be held in conjunction with the MidTown Merchants Association. Ten MidTown merchants will be open the afternoon of the tour and will offer specials throughout the following week in celebration of the holiday tour. Both Meritage and The Butler's Pantry will be hosting champagne brunches on Sunday December 9th. Other special offerings (good Sunday December 9th through Saturday December 15th) include:
- Ann's Porch - 10% off everything in the store
- The Butler's Pantry - 10% off seasonal items
- The Front Porch Gallery - 10% off all purchases (except Postcards from the Palette book)
- Gloria Mani Gallery - 15% off all Gloria Mani paintings (commissions excluded)
- Hinson Galleries - 10% off all accessories (not applicable to prior purchases)
- Lewis Jones Flowers & Gifts - 25% off holiday items
- Meritage - Free dessert with meal purchase
- The Columbus Museum Shop - 15% off purchases and complimentary gift wrap
- Two Sisters Gallery - 15% off jewelry
- Two Timers - 10% off furniture & accessories
With each ticket sold to the HCF holiday tour, you will receive a MidTown Holiday Passport entitling you to these special offerings. Only passport holders can receive the specials offered. Each Passport holder who makes a purchase with at least 5 of the participating 10 MidTown Merchant will become eligible for a drawing for $1000 in MidTown Merchant gift certificates. (Gift certificates include Finds & Consigns and Speakeasy in addition to the above listed merchants).
Tour tickets and Holiday Passports are $20 each in advance and $25 at the door. Beginning October 20th, tickets may be purchased at the following locations: Ann's Porch, The Butler's Pantry, The Galleria, Lewis Jones Flowers & Gifts, Rankin House, Sample Shop, Schomburg's, and SunTrust Bank.
To learn more about the homes on this year's tour visit: HCF Website
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| Report from MidTown Annual Update |
One hundred and twenty-five people attended MidTown, Inc.'s first Annual Update on September 18, 2007 at the Columbus Museum Auditorium. The Update chronicled the first 18 months of MidTown, Inc.'s existence.  Much progress has been made in those 18 months. City Councilor Mike Baker and Assistant City Manager David Arrington attended the event along with many MidTown residents, business owners and concerned Columbusites that live beyond the MidTown geographic boundaries.
The list of MidTown's accomplishments included its work on the surplus Armory site on Macon Road, it sustainability study to ensure the organization's perpetual existence and ability to meet its 25 year redevelopment plan goals, its branding and marketing efforts to identify MidTown Columbus as a community of in-town neighborhoods, its extensive work on the Wynnton and Macon Road Corridor studies, its education and advocacy efforts related to the beneficial public policies of redevelopment financial tools such as Redevelopment or TAD districts, and is overall progress toward its 25 year objective to renew the in-town core of Columbus.
Following the MidTown, Inc. presentation, attendees asked engaging and thoughtful questions about the progress made by the organization and the hard work left to be done. Refreshments were served in the Museum Galleria, where nearly all attendees mingled and viewed enlarged slides of MidTown projects and maps.
Special thanks to Tom Butler and Wren Gilliam with the Columbus Museum; volunteers Elizabeth Barker, Anne King, Bennie Newroth, and Carla Tate; and The Butler's Pantry for their assistance in making our Annual Update a special event.
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| Lastest Update on Wynnton Corridor Revitalization |
| Catch the most recent media coverage of this exciting road project. Click HERE to see a recent Ledger-Enquirer article about the Wynnton Corridor project. You may also watch a video about the potential of this corridor revitalization effort by clicking HERE. To learn more about the Wynnton Corridor Revitalization effort, click on the Quick Link above. |
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Investing in MidTown Made Easy |
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Hopefully, you have been reading about the difference MidTown, Inc. is making in the renewal of MidTown Columbus. From working with the State Department of Transportation and the City of Columbus on the Wynnton Road Revitalization plan to organizing and bolstering MidTown Merchants through joint events like the Holiday Tour of Homes, MidTown, Inc. is making a difference. Positive change happens through concerted effort and that concerted effort must be funded. If you believe in the future of the geographic center of our city, if you understand that what is great about MidTown Columbus can be taken to a higher level of prosperity and a greater sense of community for all, then don't wait to support our efforts. Make a tax deductible contribution today. We have made it easy for you to show your support for this in-town community and our efforts. We accept donations made with any major credit card. And, please let us know in the Comment section of our donations webpage if your employer has a program to match your charitable contributions.
Support the organization that supports MidTown Columbus. Invest in MidTown's future by contributing to the efforts of MidTown, Inc. MidTown, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization. Contributions made to MidTown, Inc. are tax deductible. To access our on-line giving page click Invest in MidTown. We appreciate your interest in MidTown. |
| Smokin' Hot Properties In MidTown |
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MidTown, Inc. | 1236 Wildwood Avenue | Columbus | GA | 31906
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