Village Green seeks $425,000 from Jackson County to rebuild restrooms serving 37,000 annual visitors

Ashley Mitchell, executive director of the Village Green in Cashers, told commissioners the facility attracts more than 37,000 visitors annually and hosts over 275 days of free community events each year. Mitchell requested up to $425,000 from Jackson County, combined with matching funds from the tourism development authority, to fully rebuild the playground-adjacent restrooms and provide year-round, winterized facilities.

Mitchell described the current building as more than 25 years old and difficult to maintain: it is wood-lined, not winterized, and the site currently relies on a permanent porta-potty that is pumped twice weekly. The proposed plan would expand the footprint by about 300 square feet to add a family restroom, two stalls and sinks for each gendered restroom, storage space and two water refill stations. Architects and engineers provided cost comparisons from four recent restroom projects in Monroe and Jackson counties; high-end estimates in the Equinox master plan range from $650,000 to $700,000 depending on material choices.

When asked by commissioners how much the organization requested from Jackson County, Mitchell said: "We would like to request 425,000 please," and that the Village Green planned to pursue TDA matching funds and to run an RFP for contractors in early October.

The board heard the presentation and applauded; commissioners did not take an immediate funding vote during this meeting. Mitchell said the Village Green board supports the project and pledged to use funds appropriately for construction and longevity.