Staff outlines downtown projects: Main Street grant, bank rehab, drugstore remodel and laundromat units

City staff presented several downtown projects funded or supported by urban renewal and related grants. Christy, the community development speaker, described the Main Street grant work on a former bank building that included exterior painting and awnings and interior work such as asbestos abatement, lead testing, a sprinkler system and HVAC upgrades to allow residential units above the ground floor. "They actually did asbestos abatement, and lead testing as well as a sprinkler system to allow for residential units and above it," Christy said.

Christy said the Southern Drugstore project was awarded in 2025 for an advanced clinic interior remodel with a potential drive-through and that façade and storefront improvements elsewhere downtown are under way. She also described a near-complete project that will be a laundromat with a small residential component. Staff emphasized that commercial buildings must meet permitted uses under local zoning and that tenant recruitment often happens closer to project completion.

Staff framed these projects as part of larger capital-outlay plans that include a $450,000 budgeted allocation for larger downtown projects and portions of city-hall renovation, parking and sidewalk improvements. Committee members asked clarifying questions about locations and tenants; staff said they are working with potential tenants but that multiyear timelines make long-term tenant commitments difficult.

The presentation preceded budget votes on the general fund and debt-service fund, which the committee approved later in the meeting.