Downtown Development Authority Meeting

Downtown Development Authority Meeting Monday, April 28, 2025, at 6:30 PM City Hall, 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083 Minutes I. Call to Order • Carl Wright called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. • Members Present: Carl Wright, Denise Phillips, Sarah Hage, Council Member Anita Bass, Michelle Dunbar and Robert Witherspoon. Thom DeLoach was absent from this meeting. II. Approval of the Agenda  Council Member Bass made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Denise Phillips. Unanimously approved. III. Approval of Minutes  DDA Regular Meeting Minutes, March 24, 2025: Michelle Dunbar made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Sarah Hage. Unanimously approved. IV. Citizen Comments  Dave Thomas provided feedback on the DDA’s meetings.  Jelani Linder expressed appreciation to the DDA for doing Mtap study. V. Director's Report  The DCA Monthly Report for March 2025 was presented.  The Director and DDA members attended the 2025 Spring Georgia Downtown Professional Meetup in Avondale Estates! VI. Council Report  Council and DDA Member Anita Bass provided a brief update on the last council meeting discussions/action items. VII. Old Business 1. Revitalization Strategy: The MTAP group delivered a presentation focused on a comprehensive revitalization strategy for Stone Mountain’s downtown corridor. The report outlined key objectives, including the development of a property acquisition strategy, the identification of highest and best uses for key catalyst parcels, and the creation of a framework to partner with investors and developers to revitalize existing buildings and attract new businesses to the area. 2. Action Item: 901 Mural Project: Denise Phillips made a motion to approve the final version of the mural, seconded by Robert Witherspoon. Unanimously approved. 3. Action Item: 2025 DDA Meeting Calendar / proposed changes: Anita Bass made a motion to approve the proposed changes, seconded by Sarah Hage. Unanimously approved. (The DDA approved the following meeting dates: June 23rd, September 29th, November 17th and December 8th). VIII. New Business 1. Commercial Buildout Improvement Grants: A brief discussion was held regarding the concept of a Commercial Buildout Improvement Grant, with initial ideas shared about how such a program could support local businesses in renovating and improving commercial spaces. 2. Partnership Opportunities / Ideas for Business Webinars: the agenda item was postponed for another meeting. 3. 965 Main Street: Mural Project and Enhancement Grant: Denise Phillips made a motion to approve the request for an enhancement grant, seconded by Robert Witherspoon. Unanimously approved. IX. Executive Session to Discuss Personnel, Legal, and/or Real Estate- there was no executive session X. Adjournment: Sarah Hage made a motion to adjourn this meeting, seconded by Michelle Dunbar. Unanimously approved.