Changing demographics
Part 3: The Downtown Development Authority
By KATHLEEN MCKEVITT Sentinel Writer

Janet Hartman

Still getting acquainted with her new office, the recently appointed Janet Hartman has fully assumed her position of Program Manager of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) for the city of Blairsville.

She, and the team of 40 volunteers are working with county and state criteria whose overview for less than a 5000 person city is "Better Home Town, " and includes as criteria: 1. appearance, 2, thriving economy, and 3. safe environment (lighting, good sidewalks, and green space among other definitions).

"This doesn't happen overnight," said Hartman. "We want to make smart decisions build on the legacy we have, and leave a great legacy for those who follow us." Hartman sites the DDA plans, committees already in place,and their vision and mission statements.

Vision: Our vision for the revitalization of Blairsville is an inviting and thriving downtown full of enthusiastic people in an appealing landscape of well-kept buildings,green space, sidewalks and streets. We envision that the revitalized downtown will draw residents and visitors alike to the shops, restaurants, business, attraction and special events at the heart of our mountain community.

Mission: The mission of our (Better Home Town) revitalization effort is to help Blairsville fulfill its potential, by using our combined talents and resources to create opportunity and prosperity fitting the special character and heritage of this mountain community.

Boundary areas of the DDA for the city are from Fisher Street, over the By-pass, Hwy.2, 76, and 515 - to Weaver Road, back around Young Harris Street, School Circle, Candler Street, along Cleveland, including Potts St., up to Rebo, across Jackson Hgts., back up Rogers Street, around the Town Square, Merchant Walk, and Earnest Street.

The committees include Organization, Design, Promotion, Economic Restructuring, all of whom have as their goal to improve the community's economy, and quality of life within the framework of cultural and historic preservation.

Hartman, along with the active committees, and the City are aware of the growth and, growth potential of the city/county area, and, like other agencies are working now to be prepared for a continuing 4-5 percent growth. The County Commissioner noted recently that what that amounts to is 50 percent growth in a decade, and 100 percent growth in twenty years.

The present (2006) population is 21,300 people. With a new industry, Applewood Doors and Windows, expected to employ up to 50 people, the expansion of the Blairsville airport allowing for larger aircraft landing locally, the "nearly assured" Walmart expected to build for opening in early 2008, the new Copperhead Lodge,a new 40 acre resort just off 515, Cott Beverage, employing 30 people, and the possible Reynolds Plantation-type project" that would include a 350 room hotel, a clubhouse, marina, and about 100 two-bedroom cottages on Lake Nottely, jobs for 500-plus people would be available.

According to L. Thomas Murphy, executive director of the Union County Development Authority, quoted in the Georgia Trend magazine, "this is almost a boom…if this goes through it'll mean people will come in here by the droves…"

Another major attraction in the area is the Union General Hospital, a non-profit institution, with the latest in technology and said by General Administrator Rebecca Dyer to be "a step above what you'd find anywhere in the U.S."

Hartman says, "while we are looking into bringing businesses in, we are taking small steps to help us be certain of the end product, meaning businesses that are good for the community and its heritage long term." She continues, "street scapes, and changing restructuring, or revitalizing are also baby step operations, and we are consulting other towns like ours' who have been through this process successfully.

The City of Blairsville will be at the heart of the foreseen growth, so zoning, which has never before been a factor for the city or the county is fast becoming one. The city Mayor, Jim Conley, and County Commissioner, Lamar Paris, along with other businesses, agencies, and operations, echo the commissioner's concerns when he says, "the growth is coming fast enough (for present planning. We can stand a 4-5 percent growth for a few more years, but if you get above that, I'll be nervous and so will everybody else."

The next installments in this series on the changing demographics in Union county will reflect the views of realtors, Blairsville's City Council, educators, local business owners and residents and those working to preserve the ecology as the demographics change.