The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is currently entering a new phase of Revitalization in the Downtown District. The list below highlights a few of the projects The City and DDA are pursuing in the coming year:
Main Street Program
Downtown Swainsboro is nationally accredited as a Main Street City by Main Street America, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In addition, it is designated as a Georgia Classic Main Street by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Downtown Development. These programs assist cities and neighborhoods across the country in the redevelopment of their core commercial areas. Assistance provided by the Office of Downtown Development emphasizes community-based, self-help efforts grounded in the principles of professional, comprehensive management of core commercial districts. Communities are expected to work within the context of historic preservation and the National Main Street Center’s Four-point Approach to Downtown Revitalization™: Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring, and Promotion.
Department of Community Affairs Resource Team
Quality Growth Resource Teams help communities identify solutions to their growth and development issues; learn about innovative planning practices and promote quality growth concepts. These on-site visits, organized by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), provide both private consultants who are considered experts in their fields and subject matter experts from DCA and other state agencies. At little cost to the host community, these volunteers give a broad range of recommendations and solutions to the community’s specific land use and development issues.
Residential Property Development
Downtown Swainsboro is working with local property owners to revitalize the region through growth in the Residential Sector. Several properties have been identified as prime candidates for growth for Downtown Residential Loft Living. The Downtown Development Authority in conjunction with the Department of Community Affairs, City of Swainsboro, and Property owners will be investing in Residential Property Development in the coming year.
Main Street Market
The Main Street Market is a project of the Downtown Development Authority of Swainsboro, which brought new life into a vacant 12,000 square foot building in the historic commercial district. The Main Street Market houses more than 60 vendors, offering a variety of local art, antiques, crafts, unique gifts, and more. In addition, the Market features the Swainsboro Museum of Coca-Cola Advertisement.
Downtown Streetscape Improvements
The goal of the Downtown Streetscape Project is to improve the sidewalks in the Downtown region. The project will lay a new brick pattern on the sidewalks, install new lampposts, upgrade Downtown traffic signals, and create green spaces in the four entrances to the Downtown Historic District.
Comprehensive Vision
In conjunction with the City of Swainsboro, Joint Development Authority, Emanuel County officials, and the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Development Authority is creating a comprehensive vision for Downtown Swainsboro. The vision will include plans to grow retail, office, and residential property as well as create innovative cultural programming for the region.
