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MidTown in Motion
E-NEWSLETTER
March/April 2008
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Dear MidTown Stakeholder,
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For 23 years Ann's Porch has enjoyed serving MidTown, as well as the Columbus region, with special occasion floral arrangements, exotic plants, fresh cut flowers, custom designed interior arrangements, specialty gifts, and more. We have shared in the joy of weddings, new family arrivals, and holiday/home event decor; and have seen to it that those times of loss, illness and broken hearts are handled with dignity and beauty. At Ann's Porch you are treated like an old friend, not an order number.
Our locally owned shop provides that MidTown village-shopping feel. In order to help preserve this distinctively Columbus, local-shop feel, Ann's Porch was among the first merchants to join the MidTown Merchant's Association. Together we are stronger than any one of us standing alone. We encourage our customers to come to MidTown not just to visit one shop, but to enjoy a MidTown shopping experience of grabbing a chicken salad sandwich at The Butler's Pantry, dropping off that item in need of framing at Two Sisters Gallery and trying on the latest fashion arrivals at St. Elmo Collection. We want to encourage you to Shop MidTown! If you think it is important to have these types of local, distinctive (as opposed to chain-type) shopping experiences, then we ask you to support our MidTown businesses.
We all have had the experience of large chain stores asking for our zip codes when we make a purchase in their store. If the data shows that people from MidTown are all too happy to drive north to buy items they could purchase here, then that data reinforces the move of merchants north. We believe Columbus should have both national and local retail shopping options. Reinvest in MidTown and its easy way of living, working, shopping and playing, by Shopping MidTown.
To show our desire to have your business, Ann's Porch is offering 10% off any purchase made in April to any customer who mentions they saw this letter in the MidTown in Motion newsletter. Thanks for 23 wonderful years and we hope to see you again soon.
Best Regards,
David Benefield
Owner
Ann's Porch
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| Director of Community Affairs Joins MidTown, Inc. Team |
The Board of MidTown, Inc. enthusiastically voted to add Judith "Judy" Tucker to our MidTown, Inc. staff as Director of Community Affairs. Many of you know Judy from her 30 years at Synovus Financial Services where she was Vice President and ATM Product Development Officer. Judy also serves the community as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Columbus, the board of Neighborworks and as a Trustee of St. James AME Church. We were fortunate to be able to woo Judy out of her active retirement to spearhead MidTown, Inc.'s involvement with the Merchants Association and the formation and coordination of MidTown neighborhood associations. Judy's specific objectives are: 1) to increase membership in the Merchants Association and assist Merchant leaders in building a sustainable, effective Association; and 2) to assist in establishing new Neighborhood Associations for each neighborhood or groups of neighborhoods in MidTown, to create a communication system between and among them, and to organize a roundtable of the leaders of the Neighborhood Associations. Judy also is responsible for facilitating educational programs, marketing, communications, and special events.
Judy's first action as Director of Community Affairs has been to work with the Executive Committee of the MidTown Merchants Association to broaden its scope to include all MidTown businesses, not just retail merchants. "We found that financial institutions, dentists, physicians and other businesses wanted to be a part of our efforts to strengthen the economic activity in MidTown. After meeting with the current Executive Committee of the Merchants Association, they whole-heartedly agreed that 'more is better', and we have changed the name of the group to the MidTown Business Association", explains Judy. The Association is open to those persons or entities holding a business license and who pay annual dues to the MidTown Business Association according to the following schedule:
$50 Up to two employees
$100 3 to 10 employees
$150 11-20 employees
$250 0ver 20 employees.
Judy looks forward to establishing a Business Association newsletter and coordinating joint marketing efforts to spur new interest in the MidTown area. One such project will be the MidTown - Shop It! campaign to encourage MidTown residents to shop our local area and to renew interest in MidTown for those who live in the surrounding community.
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| All City Forums Overwhelmingly Support Revitalization |
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The six (6) city public forums held throughout Columbus over the last two months for the purpose of gathering citizens' needs, desires and vision for their community shows that the people of Columbus overwhelmingly support revitalizing our in-town areas as opposed to funneling new growth to currently rural or undeveloped land in our northern and panhandle regions. A wopping 89% of those attending the forums and participating in the Comprehensive Plan visioning surveys support revitalization. Only 11% of those polled supported growth in new, previously undeveloped land. Interestingly, this strong community preference exists in each public forum in each region of our city. Below is a summary of the margins by which each region of Columbus voted in favor of revitalizing exiting areas of our city:
- Northwest Columbus supported revitalization by 71.4%;
- Panhandle (Midland) supported revitalization by 74.1%;
- South Columbus supported revitalization by 80%;
- MidTown/Uptown supported revitalization by 96%;
- Southeast Columbus supported revitalization by 90.3%, and;
- Bibb City/North Highland supported revitalization by 100%.
These results were announced on March 27th by the city's professional consultants, Jordan, Jones and Goulding, who are compiling this information for the purpose of drafting a comprehensive plan which will guide the city's public policy decisions for future investment and growth. (Click on Visioning Forums Overview and Results to view the details of this information). This process is critically important to how Columbus will grow and what it will look like next year and 20 years from now. On Thursday April 3, 2008, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. you can get involved in this process. The city will host a Strategic Framework Workshop at the Bradley Turner Center, Columbus State University, in Founders Hall (located at the corner of East Lindsey Drive and College Drive). Your input will make a difference. We hope to see you there.
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| Wynnton/Macon Road Corridor Study Complete |
Last month consultants hired by MidTown, Inc. and paid for by a generous grant from the Knight Foundation and the National Trust completed a comprehensive redevelopment strategy for the Wynnton Corridor. This strategy analysis picks up where the December 2005 MidTown Master Plan left off, by identifying and assessing site-specific opportunities for redevelopment compatible with the existing historic districts along the corridor, the requirements of a state route, and the need to make Wynnton Road more user-friendly to pedestrians, vehicles, residents and businesses.
(Picture:"After" shot of Wynnton Streetscape).
The study looks at 47 potential redevelopment sites consisting of 266 acres along the Wynnton/Macon Road corridor from its intersection with I-185 (to the east) and 10th Avenue (to the west) that are likely to redevelop over the next 20 years. Each of these parcels was identified for future redevelopment and renewal based on:
- The recommendations of A Master Plan for MidTown Columbus;
- Consideration of the nature and size of available properties;
- Consideration of adjacent land uses;
- Land owner intentions;
- Impacts on resources in city historic districts.
 These 47 potential redevelopment sites were then placed into categories based on how likely they are to be redeveloped in the near future, including: 1) Highly Likely (redevelopment expected in the next 7 years); 2) Moderately Likely (redevelopment expected in 7-15 years); 3) Less Likely (redevelopment expected in 15-20 years). (Picture: Potential site on Wynnton Road between Tate and Dixon Drives).
The economic study included in the analysis showed that those parcels likely to redevelop within 7 years have a maximum potential increased value of $569,294,953. Those likely to redevelop in 7-15 years have a maximum potential increased value of $529,851,668; and, those likely to be redeveloped in 15-20 years have a $73,008,137 maximum potential increased value. That's right - over $1 billion in potential increased property values over the next 20 years on MidTown's Wynnton Corridor alone. (The increased property value numbers are based on the substantial capture of expected residential growth, new commercial space values of $85 per square foot; and, new residential values of $150,000 per loft/condo; and $225,000 per townhouse. See page 16 of the Strategy report for more detailed information.) The importance of revitalizing and renewing MidTown is now clear. The economic impact of renewing the corridor that cuts through the center of MidTown will positively benefit not only our in-town areas, but the entire city through substantial economic development, increased property values and increased city property and sales tax revenue.
We invite you to review the complete Wynnton Road Redevelopment Strategy at our website by Clicking HERE. You may also click to learn more about the Redevelopment Strategy Process and the Wynnton Road Streetscape Revitalization.
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| MidTown, Inc. Board Members Honored at AKA Centennial Celebration |
In 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. This marked the birth of the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African-American college women. AKA is a service organization which brings about community betterment through its member leadership. The Sorority maintains chapters worldwide.
On February 24, 2008, AKA celebrated its 100 years of service by a luncheon for several hundred members and guests at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. Numerous local officials including State Representatives Calvin Smyre and Carolyn Hugley, Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh and School Board Chairman James Walker attended the event. Two MidTown Board members, Bennie Butler Newroth (pictured left) and Teresa Tomlinson (pictured right) were honored by AKA at the luncheon with the Ernestine Aurelia Service to Mankind Award. Other honorees included: Patricia Spratling-Dillard (Laverna Williams-Johnson Gama Tau Omega Soror of the Year Award); Princess Crittenden-Walton (Rho Rho Omega Soror of the Year Award); and Candace Annice Turner (Mary V. Ford Image Award).
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| Pastoral Institute Breaks Ground on New MidTown Campus |
Last month, the Pastoral Institute celebrated its capital campaign kick-off and groundbreaking on a new MidTown Columbus campus. The Pastoral Institute was founded in 1974, and is located at 2022 15th Avenue, between the St. Elmo historic district and the East Highlands neighborhood. The Institute is a nonprofit, faith-based, non-denominational counseling, consultation and educational center which serves individuals, families, businesses, clergy and communities.
The Institute began construction on the new campus in March 2008, as part of its $14 million Restoring Hope and Transforming Lives Capital Campaign. The campaign will also provide for increased staff, enriched programs, expanded clinical training opportunities and funds to support families and children. To date, the Pastoral Institute's capital campaign has raised 80 percent of its goal, under the leadership of Campaign Chair Jim Blanchard.
(Picture (l-r): Pastoral Institute CEO Ronald E. King, newly appointed Board Chair Rick Alexander, former Institute Board Chair William B. Turner, and Jim Blanchard).
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Flint Energies Foundation Invests in MidTown, Inc.
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Because of many generous donors such as the Flint Energies Foundation, which recently invested $5,000 to further MidTown, Inc.'s community renewal efforts, we are turning around the economic and infrastructure decline that had begun to affect MidTown Columbus. (Picture: Flint Energies board members present MidTown, Inc. Executive Director Teresa Tomlinson with grant check).
From working with the City of Columbus to obtain a $1 million grant to revitalize the streetscapes of the Wynnton Road corridor, to alerting residents of the important opportunity to be heard in Columbus's Comprehensive Planning process, MidTown, Inc. continues to facilitate the revitalization of this distinctive in-town community.
Positive change happens through community effort, and those concerted efforts require funding. Contributions made to MidTown, Inc. are tax deductible. MidTown, Inc. is a non-profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission states: In support of community, conservation and diversity, MidTown, Inc., through education and advocacy, works to sustain and enhance the neighborhoods and businesses within MidTown Columbus. Please join us in the pursuit of this mission and in the renewal of our in-town community.
You may send your contribution to MidTown, Inc. 1236 Wildwood Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31906. To access our on-line giving page click Invest in MidTown. We appreciate your interest in MidTown.
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| Community Notices and Updates |
- Join us for the Strategic Framework Workshop portion of the Comprehensive Plan process at Founders Hall, Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center at CSU, Thursday April 3rd, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
- Carver High School Super Spring Yard Sale will be held Saturday April 19th, 8 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at 3100 8th Street. Sell your unneeded household items, clothing, and furniture to benefit your own sports team, neighborhood association or other organization. Table space at the Yard Sale can be purchased for $25. Reservations for table space made after April 12 will be $30. Activities and food tables are welcome. For further information call Carver High School at (706) 748-2499 or PTSA President Charles Weaver at (706) 393-4425.
- Wynnton United Methodist Church is hosting its Second Annual MidTown Classic 5K and One Mile Fun Run, Saturday April 26th. The Fun Run will start at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K Race will begin at 9:00 a.m. Last year's first MidTown Classic was a huge success. Wynnton UMC is looking to better last years great turnout. You may check out additional details and register on-line by Clicking Here.
- The Georgia Trust will hold its Annual Meeting and Spring Ramble in Columbus April 4-6. The Trust has partnered with Historic Columbus Foundation; MidTown, Inc.; Historic Linwood; and Uptown Columbus, Inc. to present: Midtown, Uptown ....Rivertown! To learn more about the Georgia Trust and its Annual Meeting visit the Georgia Trust Website.
- Smokin' Hot MidTown Properties: Peacock Woods Estate; Elegant Home on Edgewood; Beautiful Hilton Home; Perfect Starter Home.
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MidTown, Inc. | 1236 Wildwood Avenue | Columbus | GA | 31906
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