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Forest Park DDA preview: Blues on Main, scarecrow contest, new development signs and site tour with Digital Realty
Summary
Forest Park's Downtown Development Authority on Thursday received a Main Street and economic development update outlining fall events, new property signs and plans for a site tour with Digital Realty at the former Fort Gillum.
Forest Park's Downtown Development Authority on Thursday heard a Main Street and economic development update that outlined fall events, new marketing materials for available properties and plans for a site tour with Digital Realty, the data-center developer considering a project at the former Fort Gillum.
"We have our Blues on Main event on Friday, October 10. We are super excited about the momentum and the energy that we have going into our second annual event," the presenter said, noting that the Clayton County Office of Film and Tourism is a signature sponsor and that organizers had since secured an additional sponsor, Denmark Ashby and Matricardi.
The Main Street update listed a series of events intended to drive foot traffic downtown: a Longest Table event on Oct. 5 in partnership with Food Truck Friday; a scarecrow-decorating contest running Sept. 25–Oct. 6 with judging on Oct. 15; and "Pawtoberfest" timed to the new dog park, with organizers saying the public-works department has assured them the park will be ready in time.
The presenter also said the city has signed off on a requisition for new seasonal light-pole banners; the fabricator is expected to produce the banners in the coming months and public works will install them on a schedule to replace older banners.
In a development-marketing step, staff showed newly produced signs for available development properties in Forest Park and asked public works to help place stakes and mounts so the signs are visible to prospective developers and brokers.
Finally, staff said the DDA and the Urban Redevelopment Agency have been working with Digital Realty on a potential data-center project at the former Fort Gillum. Because the DDA would be the body to consider any tax abatement and the site falls under the URA, staff proposed a combined DDA/URA site tour. Staff will poll members on three proposed dates — Oct. 17, Oct. 24 or Nov. 14 — and asked board members to respond quickly so travel can be coordinated.
Board members asked no substantive questions during the update and the presenter closed by thanking members; the item moved to executive session afterward.
