Downtown Group director calls 2008 year of progress

“This is what I do. Every day,” says Cathy Cole, director of The Downtown Group.

Cole walks St. Andrews and Foster streets, checking the construction status of a new art gallery set to open in August, chatting with folks outside the District, a new high-end club to open this fall in the existing Grand Central Station building. She buzzes in and out of a new restaurant on the south end of the street and learns of a potential problem.

Outside, she calls the fire marshall over an inspection issue that is temporarily preventing Janna Everett from frying po-boys in the kitchen at her Blue Moon Cafe. Two days later and the problem is resolved.

“Whatever we can do to help them,” Cole says by way of explanation.

Selling downtown Dothan is a hard sell.

Getting property owners to invest, give up or tear down takes effort. And money.

Downtown enthusiasts know that investment spurs investment, while the existence of multiple dilapidated and boarded up properties is an inhibitor to development.

Buildings on Foster Street are more than an eyesore. They put downtown investment in the “risky” category and can prevent others from starting or relocating businesses in central Dothan.

Though she sees them across the street from the Blue Moon Cafe, the shape of things did not deter Everett. Business has been good at the restaurant.

“I didn’t have any concerns about opening downtown,” Everett said. “I’m a big fan of downtowns, the old bricks and things that are historic. It seemed like a good place for a restaurant like this.”

To help new business owners like Everett get off the ground, Cole often acts as a liaison between city officials and private investment, working with the Downtown Dothan Redevelopment Authority, to open new business doors and counter any roadblocks.

The last several months, doors have opened. The DDRA has acquired five properties downtown which will be razed, revitalized or renovated. Private partners are needed.

Demolition of the old jail on St. Andrews Street began Monday, with the SEACT building on East Main to follow. The city owns both.

But the biggest thing downtown enthusiasts have to brag about is the new investment. A dozen new businesses have relocated, opened or are slated to open by the end of the year.

“This year, 2008, is pivotal year,” Cole said. “It was the year for downtown revitalization.”

She attributes the new energy to the revamping of the DDRA, and strong partnerships with the City of Dothan, Houston County, the Historical Preservation Commission and others. While there are many nay-sayers, Cole has seen excitement too.

“When you start seeing improvements around you, you want to improve,” she said.

Such is the case with a highly visible piece of property at Troy at North St. Andrews streets between city hall and the police station. Owners of Miracle Finance started to see new energy downtown, Cole said, and “the owner wanted to do his part.” The business has a new facade.

There are offers pending on two downtown properties – the old First National Bank building at North Foster and East Main streets and another property on the west side of North Foster south of The Bistro.

“Another exciting project we have is the Poplar Head Farmers Market,” Cole said. “We plan to go green in 2009. The Downtown Group has adopted this project and will do it in partnership with the city. We are attracting not only great businesses but great ideas.”

Local farmers will be able to sell their fresh-from-the-farm produce each June and July. The farmer’s market will be set up in the area around the Wiregrass Museum of Art and Poplar Head Park.

The following businesses have located or are locating downtown:

n Blue Moon Cafe, Cajun eatery, opened in June on South Foster
n Tags Unlimited, slightly new used clothing store, open on South Foster
n Nature’s Gallery, an art gallery opening in September on North Foster
n Antique Chic, an antique store opening in the fall on North Foster
n d’Marco’s Italian Restaurant, opening in September on Troy
n The WIND Shop, an open-air market on North Foster, no opening date set
n Kim Watford Realty and The Parlor, a real estate agency and banquet hall on North Foster
n The District, a new club on North Foster, opening in October or November
n Metro Music, relocation on South St. Andrews
n Blue’s Kitchen, a hot dog shop reopened on North Foster
n Greene & Phillips, attorneys opening on Troy

While Cole and DDRA Chairman James Grant know the public wants to see a large-scale tangible project downtown, progress is slow.

“We still have the challenge of cleaning up,” Cole said.

Empty and/or dilapidated downtown properties are owned by Robert Hillman, who has sold several to the DDRA, Judy Booker, who has been renovating her
East Main property, Terry Key, Jane Thrower, Jack Wilkes, DLF Properties and others. Some of the buildings are used for storage.

Founded in 1989, The Downtown Group promotes the revitalization and beautification of the downtown historic district. The Group is over the downtown mural program and the tour of peanuts. The Group sponsors Downtown Christmas the first week in December and the Festival of Murals the first week in May.

Other partners in downtown redevelopment include the Wiregrass Museum of Art, the Houston Love Memorial Library, the George Washington Carver Interpretive Museum and the numerous business which have stayed or returned to downtown.