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Main Street director: Downtown surpassed 1 million visitors; PACE Park estimate lowered to $2.7 million
Summary
Main Street Director Tammy Joyce told the Thomasville City Council the downtown area has surpassed one million visitors and outlined projects including a proposed distillery/coffee roastery, a boutique at 10 East Main, a family-oriented 'Barcade,' a $2.7 million estimate to complete PACE Park, and preliminary Palace Theater facade work.
Main Street Director Tammy Joyce told the Thomasville City Council on Sept. 8 that downtown visitor numbers have passed one million, which she said equates to roughly 5,000 additional people on the streets each week based on a state program that analyzes cell-phone data.
Joyce outlined several downtown development projects under way or in planning: renovations at 16 Trade Street intended for a distillery, coffee roastery and coffee shop; a newly sold property at 10 East Main where the new owner plans a boutique; and a family-oriented “Barcade” that will offer arcade games and later-evening music. She said the owner of the former DJ Sneaks and an adjacent dress shop has consulted a structural engineer and is considering options that include apartments above or a yoga studio.
On parks, Joyce said a recent estimate to finish PACE Park has been reduced to about $2.7 million. She said staff and consultant representatives (including a McGill contact, Mike Norris) met via Zoom and McGill will present a fuller report to the council in October; Joyce invited council members to forward questions for that presentation. She noted the updated designs emphasize natural play areas rather than large playground structures in response to prior council feedback.
Joyce also presented renderings for facade improvements at the Palace Theater intended to restore the building's historically flat frontage and potentially support relisting on the historic registry. She said PACE has identified initial funding and is pursuing grant opportunities, describing a $15,000 grant that could be leveraged into roughly $60,000 and matched to reach about $120,000 to allow renovation of the first third of the theater for entrepreneur retail space while a full feasibility study continues. A consultant identified as Steve is scheduled to be in town Sept. 17–18 to interview council members and community leaders.
Deputy City Manager Bowling and Joyce reported ongoing enforcement related to properties owned by Rusty Francis: one building is under code violation with penalties of $100 per day accruing from Sept. 1 and a second building will follow the same process; Fire Marshal Pressley has been involved in outreach with the owner.
Next steps: McGill's presentation on PACE Park is expected in October; council members were asked to submit any questions for the consultant in advance. Several related items and proclamations are scheduled for the council's Sept. 15 meeting.
