Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development Main Street topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Forest Park DDA previews Main Street events, business recruitment and Fort Gillum engagement
Summary
DDA staff outlined a calendar of Main Street events, business recruitment efforts including a potential Matthews International relocation, and a Fort Gillum community meeting to discuss housing transition; staff said about 110 residents live at the Fort Gillum site and invited the public to a 6 p.m. meeting at 696 Main Street.
DDA staff provided a Main Street and economic development update on July 24 that outlined upcoming events, business recruitment successes and a community engagement meeting for Fort Gillum residents as the Urban Redevelopment Agency begins planning for a housing transition.
The update noted the return of recurring events: Up Early on Main (Saturday yoga with coffee and puppies) resumes Aug. 23; The Longest Table returns Oct. 5; and Blues on Main is scheduled for Oct. 10. Staff said vendors, stage plans and headliners are being finalized, and that the DDA is adding a VIP mobile lounge and a larger stage for the Blues on Main event.
On business recruitment, staff said several prospects remain active: Matthews International is expected to sign a lease at 1500 Southpointe and will relocate operations that include warehouse automation roles that could create an estimated 20–30 engineering positions with starting salaries the presenter described as in the $100,000–$130,000 range. Other prospects discussed included Russell Landscape, a maker studio that fabricates container homes and showrooms, and a natural-pet-food manufacturer exploring expansion in the industrial park.
The presenter also announced a film shoot next Sunday in the city in partnership with Blue Star Studios and said the Forest Park Business Association breakfast is scheduled for Sept. 10 with a theme on marketing for small businesses. A job fair co-hosted with Councilwoman Latressa Akins Wells and city workforce partners is scheduled for Aug. 14.
Regarding the Fort Gillum site (formerly referred to as Weary Housing), staff said the Urban Redevelopment Agency hired Partnership for Southern Equity to support an equitable planning and community-engagement process. Staff said the existing property-management lease ends in October and that the agency is engaging residents now; staff stated there are about 110 current residents and invited the public to a community meeting at 696 Main Street at 6 p.m. on July 24.
Why it matters: the DDA update ties event programming to downtown activation and highlights business recruitment that could bring jobs and investment to Forest Park; it also signals an ongoing housing transition process at Fort Gillum with direct impact on residents.
Ending: Staff offered to distribute the presentation slides to board members and said implementation details for recruitment and events will be shared as deals and permits advance.
