DDA Meets With City of Toccoa Commission

Toccoa’s Downtown Development Authority says it has a lot planned for 2017 in downtown Toccoa.

On Monday, the DDA met with Toccoa City Commissioners for an annual joint planning meeting.

During the meeting, DDA members and Main Street Toccoa staff outline their proposed goals for the next 12 months.

Topping that list is continuing improvements to the Schaefer Center, including the installation of a new sound system and work on the balcony.

In addition, downtown Toccoa is planning a number of events in the year ahead, including the new “Toast of Toccoa” in May, which will be an event that includes art, entertainment, and craft beer and wine tastings.

Toccoa Mayor Jeanette Jamieson said the events that downtown Toccoa holds each year are a big part of the city.

“I think the most interesting thing that we heard today was during 2016, the events that we have had here in Toccoa brought over 80,000 people into downtown Toccoa,” said Jamieson. “That is amazing when you consider that county-wide, we only have 25,000 or 26,000 people.”

Other goals for downtown Toccoa include recruiting new businesses, installing lighting and a new sidewalk at the Amtrak depot, completing Phase Two of a Historic Resources Survey, continuing beautification efforts on Currahee Street, and beautifying the Broad Street underpass.

Jamieson said she appreciates the commitment of the DDA to downtown Toccoa.

“I think that the Downtown Development Authority is dedicated to the purpose that they exist for,” said Jamieson. “I think that they are doing a good job.”

According to Jamieson, the city is looking for funding for those Broad Street underpass improvements.

“Hopefully, we can get a grant that will complete that,” said Jamieson.

In addition to other projects, the city will continue its facade grant program and also complete work on Phase Six of the downtown Streetscape project, which is getting fully underway later this month.