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MidTown in Motion
E-NEWSLETTER
May 2008
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Dear MidTown Stakeholder,
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It has been almost three years since The Front Porch opened at 1309 Wildwood Avenue in MidTown Columbus (just off the corner of Wildwood and 13th Street). We are located in a charming 1916 bungalow house in the Wildwood historic district. Our parking lot sits on land reclaimed from the city's former trolley line that shuttled residents to Wynnton Road, through the town of Wynnton, and down the hill to Columbus. Some people may not realize this, but the Wynnton area used to be the far reaches of the Columbus suburbs. Interestingly, the reason the Wynnton Road name changes to Macon Road at Dixon Drive is that this point was at one time our city limits, if you can imagine! Look at how far we have come with our city now stretching in all directions to the county boundary. Regardless of our growth over these many years, Wynnton remains a quaint residential and neighborhood commercial area in many respects. That character is what led me to open The Front Porch here in MidTown.
What started as a gift shop that featured the artwork of a few friends has evolved into an art and crafts gallery featuring the works of over fifty area artists and artisans. There are paintings, pottery, wood turnings, glass works, photography, metal sculptures and designer jewelry. We carefully select gifts and home accessories to give you a great shopping experience.
You can find the beautiful sea-themed pottery of artist/craftsman Shane Schimmel, who has just returned from the successful St. Simons Island showing of his work. You must also check-out Jon Brinley's stunning glazes on his Sweetgum Pottery. Our featured jewelry designers create wearable jewelry with precious and semi-precious stones, pewter, brass and other natural elements. There is also fun beach jewelry. The Front Porch brings such regional treasures to Columbus.
The wood accents pieces that we carry at The Front Porch have always been a personal favorite. Donnie Crocker and Malcome Conner enhance the beauty of these special wood pieces with their own individual style of turning. You really must see it in person to appreciate their craft.
We also take special care to locate and offer to you the literary works of local authors such as Gloria Sampson's Travelers Sketch Book of Alaska; Darlene Ballard's inspirational books; and Vincenza Spano Sykes' recent work Papa and His Legacy, a family memoir of the Spano family's journey from Italy to Columbus, Georgia.
For the months of May and June we are offering 10% off everything in the store, if you mention that you saw this letter in the MidTown, Inc. newsletter. Please forward this newsletter to your family and friends, and encourage them to Shop MidTown!
See you then,
Janice Dean
Owner
The Front Porch
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| National Trust Reviews MidTown Columbus Grant |
Those who have been receiving MidTown, Inc.'s newsletters for some time know of the tremendous generosity shown our organization by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. In an effort to broaden the relevance of historic properties in today's world the National Trust and the Knight Foundation teamed up to start the Preservation Development Initiative (PDI). The object of this program is to spur redevelopment through the use of historic properties and districts as economic resources. PDI focuses on economic development through "place-making" - that is the effort of seeing historic preservation, community development, transportation, commercial district revitalization, civic engagement and quality of life issues as interrelated and mutually beneficial. Across the country some of the most vibrant in-town communities are those with well-preserved historic resources. Those resources provide an identifying character which can be branded or marketed and used to enhance new investment and development. (Pictured (l-r) Beverly Blake of the Knight Foundation; Lauri Michel, of the National Trust; and Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington).
Early in its existence, the MidTown renewal effort received a grant of $150,000 from the National Trust, funded by the Knight Foundation. Only 8 cities nationwide were fortunate to receive this grant. Those funds and services were used to:
1) Conduct an initial assessment of the MidTown area in 2002 to determine whether the community had the necessary infrastructure, base community, and economic growth potential to ignite a renewal effort.
2) Review and report on existing building codes and proposed incentives or ordinance overlays to help spur in-town development and investment.
3) Provide a day-long board retreat to help form MidTown, Inc. as a sustainable implementing organization of the 25 year MidTown Project plan.
4) Present a corridor study of Wynnton/Macon Road, which led to the city's Transportation Grant application to the Georgia DOT and the city's receipt of a $1 million (with $200,000 matching funds) streetscape improvement along Wynnton Road from Peacock to Hilton Avenues.
5) Generate a development report and economic analysis showing many millions of dollars in potential investment and redevelopment value capable of being sustained along the Wynnton Road Corridor.
6) Publicize MidTown's efforts by covering the cost of advertising through commercials and brochures.
On March 27th, the National Trust and Knight Foundation sent representatives to Columbus to review the use of funds by MidTown, Inc. and to gauge the effectiveness of the use of those funds. A broad range of stakeholders - including city elected and administrative officials, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, business owners, investors, and residents - took part in the all day interview and review process. Both the National Trust and the Knight Foundation representatives commented on how impressed they were with the level of support and enthusiasm for MidTown renewal efforts exhibited by Columbus stakeholders. National Trust Vice President of Community Revitalization, Lauri Michel explains; "MidTown, Inc. has emerged as a great success story of the PDI pilot project as well as for the City of Columbus. MidTown, Inc. has been an incredible partner and has set a new standard for program execution. We hope to take the lessons learned from the MidTown/Columbus PDI to develop new initiatives."
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| Arts in the Park - Sunday May 18th |
 Stop by MidTown, Inc.'s booth at the 12th annual Arts in the Park festival Sunday May 18, noon to 7:00 p.m. The Weracoba/St. Elmo Preservation Society (a/k/a the Park District) sponsors the event each year. The event will feature the works of area artists, as well as performances by local musicians such as The Bob Barr Community Band, The "Just-Us" Bluegrass Band, and the Columbus School of Music. In addition to the many activity and vendor booths, MidTown, Inc. will have available our T-shirts, baseball caps, license plates and bumper stickers. Judy Tucker, MidTown's Director of Community Affairs (seen here modeling MidTown items), will be happy to tell you about the MidTown Business Association and its upcoming meeting. (CLICK HERE to join the MidTown Business Association.) We also will have plenty of information on MidTown, Inc. and its activities. The public is welcome to the festival at no charge. Bring a picnic basket, spread a blanket and enjoy the afternoon.
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Neighborhood Associations Come Together to Fight Crime
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One of the objectives of MidTown, Inc. is to assist neighborhoods in setting up and facilitating their own neighborhood associations. Neighborhood associations are essential to the renewal efforts of MidTown Columbus. Through neighborhood associations residents become engaged, knowledgeable participants in the efforts to improve the community. Typical and useful efforts of neighborhood associations include: establishing a directory of neighbors' names and contact information by street; regular or periodic meetings to disseminate accurate information to, and get feedback from, the residents; setting-up officers or a small executive committee of residents to spearhead the neighborhood's efforts; creating a social outlet through block parties and the like where neighbors can establish relationships with one another.
One of the most effective means of preventing and fighting crime in your area is to develop a strong neighborhood association. Creating a level of awareness and a means of communication among the neighborhood residents puts "eyes on the street", which deters crime. Will Burgin, President of the Hilton Heights Neighborhood Association, remarks; "After starting our association people feel more empowered to speak up when they see suspicious things going on. Once we were able to spread the word about when and how information should be shared about events in the neighborhood, people became more emboldened to contact each other and the police. We all are simply more invested in our neighborhood now, and that is a good thing". Dustin Brown, Secretary/Treasurer of the Overlook Community Preservation Association agrees: "Neighborhood associations prevent crime by promoting awareness and reminding neighbors to keep an eye out for one another. Neighborhood associations create teamwork between residents and law enforcement". Police Chief Rick Boren adds: "Citizens in any community are the eyes and ears of Law Enforcement. It is impossible for officers to be everywhere. We rely on citizens to be aware and notify authorities of anything suspicious."
MidTown, Inc. has partnered with several neighborhood associations and the Columbus police department to develop a list of crime prevention measures, examples of suspicious activates to be on the look out for, and examples of suspicious activities that warrant calling 911.
If you would like more information on how to set-up, or how to improve an existing, neighborhood association contact (706) 494-1663 or info@midtowncolumbusga.org.
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| Update on Brown/Peacock Avenues Road Construction |
Many of you have probably noticed the great progress being made at the Wynnton Road intersection improvement project at the road's intersection with Brown and Peacock Avenues. According to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) Regional Office in Thomaston, Georgia, the project's major construction is on schedule to be completed by May 31, 2008. There are, however, additional road amenities to come. We have had many calls from residents regarding the color of the large traffic signal posts installed at the intersection, which are presently a gray aluminum color. According to the DOT Regional Office, those posts will be painted black to fit in with the decorative street lighting after the posts have been installed for 6 months. These posts come with a protective coating which must wear down a bit before the black paint will properly adhere to them. By the time school reconvenes in the fall, we should have the signal posts painted and complete.
 The crosswalks across Wynnton Road and across both Brown and Peacock Avenues will be red/orange colored brick-stamped concrete (see exemplar photo, left), adding to the aesthetic of the road project (making it "look good"), and enhancing the safe passage across these busy roads. The brick stamping greatly distinguishes between the street and crosswalk area, visually alerting drivers to the existence of the pedestrian crossing. Walkers are more likely to use well defined crosswalks such as these stamped walkways. The concrete stamping creates a slightly rougher surface, which subtly reminds drivers that they are passing through a pedestrian area. These special crosswalks are installed by a construction firm other than the one conducting the major work at the intersection. Once the major construction is complete, according to the DOT Regional Office, the second contractor will saw out the existing asphalt in the crosswalk area and replace it with the colored, brick-stamped crosswalks. Again, we hope this work can be completed by the end of the summer.
To learn more about the continuation of this road improvement through the Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant CLICK HERE. To learn about additional steps by MidTown, Inc. to rejuvenate the Wynnton Road Retail Corridor read about our WYNNTON ROAD REDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY .
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| How You Can Help Increase MidTown Property Values |
One of the many things we can do to keep MidTown Columbus attractive for residents and desirable for investors is to assist City Enforcement personnel by reporting elements of blight or litter in our community. The Special Enforcement Division enforces local and state environmental laws, including laws preventing illegal dumping, solid waste, junk vehicles, over-grown lots, scrap tire management, etc. Getting relief for these problems in your neighborhood is as easy as dialing 311. The following information will assist you in identifying reportable violations.
Junk vehicles are identified as those meeting any two of the following conditions: 1) vehicle is no longer operative; 2) it no longer has a current licensed tag or registration; 3) it is missing a critical part, such as wheels, engine, windshield, head lights, etc.; 4) it is overgrown with vegetation; 5) it has no known ownership; 6) it has flat tires; 7) two separate households having direct view of the vehicle have made a complaint to city Enforcement.
An abandoned vehicle is a motorized vehicle, which has been left on public property for seven days or more.
Overgrown weeds become a violation of law when they reach a height of 18 inches. Illegal solid waste includes garbage, trash, ashes, industrial waste, demolition waste, construction waste, junk, etc. visible on private or public land.
Again, if you see suspected violations of these local and state laws contact 311 and ask for Special Enforcement or CLICK HERE to report a violation via the Internet (this way you will receive a written statement of follow-up on the report). We depend on concerned citizens like you to bring instances of debris that clutter our community to the attention of those who can enforce the law. Thank you in advance for your concern and diligence.
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| Smokin' Hot MidTown Properties |
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Check out these must see MidTown Columbus properties:
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Invest in MidTown
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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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MidTown, Inc. | 1236 Wildwood Avenue | Columbus | GA | 31906
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