Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman said Monday a broker has been hired by the city to look at downtown plans and funding.
Thurman made this comment in response to many statements and questions asked of him and the City Council by nearly 20 speakers at a community meeting on downtown redevelopment that was attended by around 120.
He also said he favors building upscale apartments in downtown to draw more businesses, referring residents to his open letter at CityOfPowderSprings.org/DocumentCenter/View/4195.
In that two-page letter, Thurman said city officials are reviewing several plans which would involve the investment of $3 million to $5 million for “a public amenity” in downtown with its design and location not determined yet.
Also, the city’s Downtown Development Authority has hired Brad Hulsey, the city’s former mayor and former city manager, and his wife Tracy of Municipal Advisory and Planning Solutions, to seek businesses for downtown.
While all of the speakers agreed the downtown needs more businesses, many expressed their concerns that the City Council may increase their taxes and may not be transparent with them so that they can assist in approving or denying the final downtown plan.
After the meeting, Councilwoman Nancy Hudson said the broker hopefully will be to assemble properties that the city can buy to control the kind of development that would take place in downtown.
Consultants have told city officials that about 250 multi-family units in downtown are needed to spur redevelopment. Hudson said that does not mean city officials have to follow their recommendations.
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