Celebrating a year of successes and looking forward to what a new year brings was the focus of Thursday”s Main Street Columbus 2010 annual meeting.
The event was held on the lower level of the Trotter Convention Center. Supporters of Main Street Columbus, board members, Main Street members, as well as city and county officials were in attendance including Columbus Mayor Robert Smith.
As attendees dined on a sumptuous meal catered by Celestial Creations, they were treated to videos highlighting the accomplishments of Main Street Columbus in 2009.
Main Street Columbus Executive Director Amber Murphree Brislin said the accomplishments the organization attained in 2009, include receiving two state Mississippi Main Street awards.
One was for the Hitching Lot Farmers” Market and the city of Columbus for the Best Public Private Partnership; another was for Best Special Event in the State for the New Years” Eve Block Party and ball drop.
“Our city is beginning to move forward with these and other events,” Brislin said.
Columbus hosted a community planning charrette that happened Sept. 1-3, she continued.
“Columbus was fortunate to receive a grant and the Mississippi Main Street Association was hired by the Western Alabama Eastern Mississippi economic development initiative to conduct this,” Brislin said.
The MMSA team put together for this purpose had expertise in architecture, planning, economic development and community branding that ascribes to the Main Street four-point approach of design, promotion, organization and economic restructuring.
Brislin said during the charrette several key recommendations and themes began to emerge.
Columbus also is one of 10 semifinalists for the Great American Main Street Association awards.
“We hope to find out in May whether we won or not. So keep your fingers crossed. We had to submit videos letters of recommendation and documents to them. Among the criteria to be selected included quality of achievements over time and successful small business development,” she said.
During 2009, downtown Columbus saw five new businesses open, with three closing and the creation of 17 new jobs.
Board members were also introduced at Thursday”s meeting, including 2010 President Todd Gale, past president Brad Belue, Susan Bell, John Brady, Tjajuan Boswell and Melissa Cook as secretary. Others include Pete Creekmore, Lisa Dickerson and Frank Ferguson. Brandt Galloway is the treasurer, Jason Heleniak, Gloria Herriott, George Irby, Doug Phillips, Kevin Stafford, and vice president Stewart Stafford.
Newly elected board members are Barbara Bigelow, Penny Bowen, Will Cooper, William Corder, Scott Hannon and Rachel Hurt. Outgoing board members Jay Jordan, Sarah Labensky, Renee Perskerson, Will Sanders and Bart Wise were also recognized at the event.
“We thank the board as well as the outgoing members for their work,” Brislin said.
Awards were also presented at Thursday”s meeting. The Main Street Design Awards were the first given. These awards are given to recognize outstanding projects within the historic downtown district by enhancing the economic and visual appearance and improving viability of the area.
Cathy and Billy Coleman received one for their work on renovating the McGahey building at 105 Fifth St. N.
It is considered as a Mississippi Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“It was a slow and tedious process that took almost two years to complete, but the finished product has restored the building to its original and historic beauty,” Brislin said.
Mark Smith also received an award for Firehouse Commons at 115 Sixth St. N., as did Gayle Guynup for restoration efforts on the Columbus Lodge at 519 Main St.
Mike Cooper, Scott Hannon and Henry Pilkinton received Main Street Service awards, and Jay Jordan was given the President”s Award.
“Jay has served as an ambassador for our city and was extremely instrumental in the conception and completion of our beautiful River walk,” Belue said.
The Sam Kaye Award, a new award to recognize people who help make things happen, was given to its namesake, Sam Kaye, for his work around the state in architecture and historic preservation.
Todd Gale made the presentation.
“I just do a lot of little things,” Kaye said modestly when asked about receiving the award.
Allen Baswell was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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