Downtown renaissance

We live in challenging times. It is truly remarkable that in the last 10 months, 26 new businesses moved into a 5-block radius of the Downtown Historic District.

The pioneer spirit that built this city has returned to rebuild it. Private investment downtown is peaking in the millions of dollars.

With this investment comes a huge financial return to the city of Dothan. Local construction companies are working downtown to restore buildings. New businesses mean employment opportunities and sales tax revenues. This is the first time in two decades that we have experienced a renaissance downtown, and downtown is a strong and viable community.

The way the revitalization process works is through public and private partnerships. The Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority purchases some property for resale or lease. It is the private investor’s responsibility to rehabilitate the property. And this process keeps the ball rolling.

One block at a time, the historic district is reclaiming its heritage. The new pioneer is bringing tradition back. In these challenging economic times you would hope everyone would be cheering us on downtown.

You would hope everyone would realize that what we are doing down here is not just for the good of the historic district, but for the good of the city of Dothan.

This district is economically sound. This district has strength, character and purpose. Members of the DDRA volunteer their time to redeveloping the downtown area. They are respected, responsible members of the community. We should thank them and members of The Downtown Group who volunteer time and energy in the rebuilding of Dothan’s forgotten heritage.

We should also thank the people who have brought their businesses downtown: Blue Moon Café, Tags Unlimited, Wiregrass Construction, A Place To ReNew (4 businesses in this building) Moe’s, Metro Music, The District, The Bistro, Vintage Chic, The Nature Gallery, Blues Kitchen, Watford Realty, The Parlor, D’Monico’s Italian Gardens, RIA, WIND’s open air market, River Nile Café, Steve Hodge Real Estate, The Depot, the bank building on Main and Foster and new loft space above SNOBS and a loft project and co-op grocery store in the planning phases for the Penney Building.

Cathy Cole, director
The Downtown Group
Dothan