Cleveland City Council – File Photo
(Cleveland)- The City of Cleveland has agreed to provide funding for a proposed strategic plan for downtown development.
Cleveland Downtown Development Authority has been meeting on a regular basis and has agreed that the best way to address the development of the Cleveland Downtown area and approaching corridors is to develop a strategic plan.
During Monday night’s city council meeting Tom O’Bryant, Economic and Planning Director ask the council for funds to develop those plans. O’Bryant said that the Appalachian Regional Commission provides grants to help with developing a plan. The ARC also offers assistance in implementing the plan as well.
According to O’Bryant the DDA was able to look at projects that several area cities have done. Those plans range from simple to extensive. O’Bryant said a mayor of one of those cities told him that this was one of the best decisions she has made for her city and she uses the plan on a daily basis.
The city has funds allocated to help with this project said O’Bryant.
The DDA is looking to contract with the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission to develop a plan.
City Councilwoman Nan Bowen said, “ as much as we want the perimeter of our county to grow along the bypass or the Appalachian Parkway I think it’s going to be real important to hold on to this downtown, and we’ve got to work toward that.”
White County Chamber of Commerce President Beth Truelove applauded the council’s action telling them, “ Insuring that we have a strategic plan that ensures all of our stakeholders are working at their highest level and not duplicating or missing components that might be crucial to best, highest uses of downtown property in Cleveland is exceptional.”
