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MidTown in Motion
E-NEWSLETTER
July/August 2009
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Dear MidTown Stakeholder,
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 As the old saying goes, "be careful what you wish for...". What started as a dream became a reality in the spring of this year. One day, Mike Milligan, the owner of Lewis Jones Food Market, and I had a friendly conversation about my dreams of opening a cooking school and a few months later we were laying the ground work for what is now the newest member of the Lewis Jones Food Market family, The Village Kitchen, located in Midtown, in the Village on Thirteenth. We strive to offer expert culinary advice through a wide variety of services from the classes that we host regularly each week, to private lessons in your home, to making our facility available at very reasonable rates for private parties. Whether you are looking for a way to create a special date night, need a place to host your next gathering or need someone to come in and take over your kitchen, we are here for you.
Lewis Jones Food Market has been known for years as the place where the little things make a huge difference. At The Village Kitchen, we want to help you learn those little things that make such a huge difference. The Village Kitchen is fortunate to have three chefs who each offer a wide variety of skill sets and cooking styles - Chef Tara Van Etten, our Pastry Chef, formerly of the Big Eddy Club; Chef Maurice Martin, our Executive Chef, formerly of the Country Club of Columbus; and Chef John Chapiewski, our Assistant Executive Chef, formerly of the Fountainbleau Hilton in Miami, Florida Their culinary wares may be tasted in a class or everyday within the isle of Lewis Jones Food Market. If you don't find exactly what you are looking for in the refrigerator section or the freezer in our ready to go foods, please give us a call at The Village Kitchen and we will happily prepare it especially for you. Visit us at The Village Kitchen WEBSITE.
The Village Kitchen is a member of the MidTown Business Association (MBA) and you can be too. Visit the MBA Website, view the MBA directory and become a member today: MBA Web Page.
Sincerely,
Susan Gilliam
Director
The Village Kitchen
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| Buxton Company Hired to Analyze MidTown Purchasing Power |
 Many people ask: "Why do new retail establishments not come to MidTown"?; or, more generally, "Why is there less investment in MidTown than there used to be"? One simple response is that the typical economic and demographic information that most investors and retailers pull from standard subscription services provides a mediocre picture of the purchasing power in the area. For years now, MidTown, Inc. has felt intuitively that the standard demographic information services were not reflecting the true economic potential of the MidTown community. Now we may be able to prove that hunch.
Buxton Company has been hired by MidTown, Inc. to conduct an in-depth retail assessment of this in-town area. ( CLICK HERE to view a map of the MidTown region). Buxton will begin its study by collecting retail-specific information not captured by typical, generalized demographic information. This evaluation phase will clarify what makes MidTown distinctive and valuable from a retailer's viewpoint. The developed consumer profile of MidTown's trade area will be matched against the customer profiles of over 5,000 retailers and restaurants, allowing MidTown, Inc., realtors and developers in Columbus to pursue solid retail and investment prospects for MidTown. "We're excited to have the opportunity to work with MidTown, Inc. to better understand the retail and restaurant opportunities that exist for the area," said Joseph Fackel, senior vice president of Buxton. "By identifying specific retail and restaurant concepts that will complement the existing retail base, it will enhance the quality of life for the MidTown customer."
The Buxton study will be complete in 60 days. We look forward to reporting its findings.
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Wynnton Road Streetscape Improvement Underway
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The first taste of how the $1 million Wynnton Road Streetscape Project will change the look of Wynnton Road can be seen in the new pocket park and streetscape improvement at the intersection of Brown/Peacock Avenues and Wynnton Road. The City of Columbus committed the property for the pocket park and streetscape and contributed the large trees. MidTown, Inc. funded the $30,000 for the irrigation system and landscaping. The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT), through the leadership of Sam Wellborn, facilitated the landscaping. The DOT has committed that brick-stamped crosswalks at the intersection are to come!
In addition, the City of Columbus and MidTown are collaborating on the $1 million DOT streetscape improvement plan that will strecth from the new Brown/Peacock intersection at Wynnton Road to its intersection with Hilton Avenue. MidTown, Inc. has committed $200,000 toward this streetscape plan. Last month the City contracted with T.Y. Lin and Associates to complete design and engineering plans for the new corridor streetscape. A public meeting to review the detailed proposed design is expected to take place in mid-September. MidTown, Inc. will send out the time and the place of the public meeting. Your input is greatly appreciated. Pictured are: David Arrington (Deputy City Manager); Teresa Tomlinson (MidTown, Inc. Executive Director); Sam Wellborn (GDOT Board Member); and Gary Guillate (General Landscape Contractor).
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| Preservation for Profit Workshop - A Must Attend Event |
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 Columbus' historic resources are some of its most valuable economic resources. Perhaps a novel concept to some, it is true - preservation has been profitable for many communities. On Thursday and Friday August 20-21, Historic Columbus Foundation and the Coalition for Sound Growth will sponsor a workshop on the subjects of financial incentives and design benefits associated with historic properties. The day and a half long workshop will include six speakers from various backgrounds speaking on topics from tax credits, sustainable design, preservation economics and more, such as:
- Ced Dolder - Administrator of the Historic Rehab Tax Incentive Program for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division;
- Andrew Ham - a tax credit real estate investment capital advisor who will discuss how to locate state and federal tax credit capital and how to facilitate equity placement and closings; and
- Kennedy Smith - one of the nation's foremost experts on commercial district revitalization and development, independent main street businesses, and economically sound community development.
The workshop qualifies for AIA and real estate continuing education credit hours. The cost to attend is $50 per person. Space is limited, so RSVP today by calling Justin Krieg (706) 322-0756 or emailing justin@historiccolumbus.com.
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| Pick 3. Spend 50. Save Your Local Economy. |
 The 3/50 Project is a national campaign in support of independent brick and mortars retail establishments. The Project encourages consumers to select three (3) locally owned, independent businesses in their community that would be missed were they to close. They are then asked to commit to spend a total of $50 each month at one, two, or all three of these locally owned businesses. Research shows that if half of the employed U.S. population spent just $50 in independently owned stores, those purchases would generate $43 billion in revenue nationally. Over two-thirds of money spent in independent stores returns to the local community, as opposed to a much smaller fraction of money spent at chainstores. Helping the local economy is as simple as picking up a greeting card, a hand saw or a sandwich in one of our locally owned businesses. Some of MidTown's greatest assets lie in the independent businesses that provide unique products and services with homegrown flavor. Beginning in August, to show support for this effort and to keep revenue dollars in the local economy, MidTown Business Association members will display easel signs carrying the 3/50 Project message. Signs will be delivered to MidTown Business Association (MBA) members and will also be available in the MidTown, Inc. office for MBA members. Who are your three? |
| Smokin' Hot MidTown Properties |
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Check out these must see MidTown Columbus properties:
If you would like to post a MidTown property in our next e-newsletter, contact Teresa or Judy at (706) 494-1663.
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| Two Important Surveys |
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Periodically, the City of Columbus asks for your input as a citizen. This feedback is vital to the decisions the City makes and the money it expends on our behalf. Yet, few people take the time to respond to these requests for information. The City has two surveys posted on its Planning Department webpage currently. The first survey is for those of you who live in one of Columbus' ten historic districts. In order to revise the current historic district guidelines to better serve your needs, protect your property and enhance your neighborhood, they need your input. The second survey seeks information to help the City determine its transportation planning and spending priorities. This information touches upon everything from road congestion, traffic lights, sidewalks, trails, bike lanes and more.
To take the surveys CLICK HERE, scroll down the page and look to the left hand side of the screen. You will see the first listing for the Historic Guidelines Survey and the second listing of the Long Range Transportation Plan Survey. Each survey is about 15 questions, but they are quite easy to answer. Take a moment now to participate and let your views be known. |
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Come Home to MidTown Columbus
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At MidTown, Inc., we work hard to promote MidTown Columbus. We all want to encourage those looking for homes to come to MidTown. We want to remind ourselves and encourage others to shop and dine in MidTown. In pursuit of that goal, we have launched a lively ad campaign encouraging people to "Come Home to MidTown". Check out our latest commercials.
Please post these commercials on your Facebook or other social network page and, otherwise, forward these commercials to your friends. Join the hundreds of MidTown Friends on Facebook: MidTown Facebook Link.
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Become a MidTown Champion
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Positive change happens through community effort, and those concerted efforts require funding. MidTown, Inc. is a non-profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Please join us in the pursuit of this mission and in the renewal of our in-town community.
Every contribution makes a difference and helps realize the potential of MidTown Columbus. Consider making a tax deductible gift of $25 or more to MidTown, Inc. Spread the word and ask your friends to consider making a donation as well.
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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