Comprehensive PlanAugust 13, 2015

5-Year Work Plan Update Report of Accomplishments

2011-2015

Agenda

• Welcome• Overview• 2011 – 2015 Work Plan Presentation • Discussion

Cultural Resources2011-2015

• Support preservation/reuse of historic schools identified in the Regional Historic Schools Initiative/Multiple Property Register Nomination – City & County – Ongoing

• Develop Downtown Master Plan – City –Postponed

• Pursue redevelopment of Aldine Hotel – City – Ongoing

• Continue support of DDA, HPC – City - Ongoing

Economic Development2011 - 2015

• Promote Façade Rehab. Program to attract & maintain downtown businesses – City – Ongoing

• Support the Joint City/County ED Director position – City & County – Ongoing

• Support JDA in development of Millennium Technology Pointe – City & County – Ongoing

Economic Development2011 - 2015

• Expand tourism initiative through additional regional cooperation, Grand Theater and Conference Center, fire museum, new museums, scheduled events and recruitment of complementary Downtown Businesses – City – Ongoing

• Coordinate with Wiregrass GA Technical College on joint ED projects – City & County - Ongoing

Economic Development2011-2015

• Apply for expanded water pumping permit – City – Discontinued

• Seek local electrical generating capacity through traditional generation, alternative generation and/or gas turbine – City – Ongoing

• Support the Fitzgerald- Ben Hill County Chamber of Commerce/Industrial Development Authority/Joint Economic Development Authority – City & County - Ongoing

Economic Development2011 - 2015

• Continue acquisition, rehabilitation, sale and leasing of Downtown buildings for redevelopment purposes – City – Ongoing

• Prepare & maintain an inventory of incentives, business programs, housing stock and available sites to accommodate new businesses and business expansions, and provide the list on the county website – County - Postponed

Economic Development2011 - 2015

• Develop a guidebook for development that describes the local development process and provides useful information to potential new businesses regarding zoning, site plan approval, permitting and potential incentives – County – Postponed

Housing2011 - 2015

• Use HOME, USDA, DCA, NSP, LIHTC and other available programs – City – Ongoing

• Clear derelict property and reestablish housing in the City’s redevelopment area – City – Ongoing

• Refine code enforcement efforts regarding rental housing properties – City – Ongoing

• Foster & support rehabilitation/construction of affordable housing – County - Completed

Land Use2011 - 2015

• Coordinate zoning ordinance administration/enforcement with the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Planning Advisory Commission – City & County – Ongoing

• Renew Subdivision & Zoning Ordinances for Opportunities to promote Smart Growth and remove barriers to affordable housing – City – Ongoing

• Update County’s Zoning Ordinance – County - Completed

Community Facilities & Services2011 - 2015

• Jaycee Stadium improvements – City – Ongoing• Engage Regional Board regarding State

Transportation Plan – City – Postponed• Renovate A, B & A Depot for preservation and

flexible space generation – City – Ongoing• Review existing services for better productivity,

pro-activity and fee-based operation where possible – City - Ongoing

Community Facilities & Services2011 - 2015

• Upgrade existing parks & recreation facilities – City & County – Ongoing

• Develop multi-use sports facility at Paulk Park – County – Postponed

• Extend Airport runway and expand apron; install MALS-F & PAPI’s systems – City & County – Ongoing

• Promote widening of SR 319 through Ben Hill County – City & County - Ongoing

Community Facilities & Services2011 - 2015

• Promote 4-laning SR 129 to Ocilla – City & County – Ongoing

• Promote widening of SR 107 to Interstate 75 – City & County – Ongoing

• Resurface approximately 25 miles of city streets, associated transportation improvements, sidewalks, parking, and storm drainage right-of-way – City - Ongoing

Community Facilities & Services2011 - 2015

• Study & implement downtown parking solutions – City – Ongoing

• Repave County Roads using $2.0 M of SPLOST funds – County – Ongoing

• Engage with the Regional Water Board – City – Ongoing

• Coordinate with Fitzgerald Water, Light & Bond regarding sewer system for annexations – City - Ongoing

Intergovernmental Coordination2011 - 2015

• Prepare grant/loan applications (CDBG, EDA, RD, LDF, etc.) after conducting a needs assessment and public hearing to ascertain which project has the highest priority – City & County – Ongoing

• Participate in all amendments/mediation to the 2025 Fitzgerald/Ben Hill County Comprehensive Plan – City & County – Ongoing

• Continue exploration of functional cooperation with Fitzgerald/Ben Hill County – City & County - Ongoing

Focus Groups

• EDO Focus Areas – Jim Casper jimcpa@mchsi.com

• Education & Workforce – Mark Sutton suttonm@ben-hill.k12.ga.us

April McDuffie april.mcduffie@wiregrass.edu

• Quality of Life - Becky Gay beckygay@windstream.net Carol McDonald cmcdonal@ppmh.org

Next Meetings

• Tuesday, September 3rd @ 5:30 p.m. – Grand Theater Conference Room - Presentations by Focus Groups

• Thursday, September 10th @ 5:30 p.m. – City Hall - Discussion of 2016-2020 Work Plan