Macon Telegraph
WRIGHTSVILLE - In a few years, Wrightsville has done what many communities only talk about, reversing a declining downtown into one on a steady upswing with more improvements coming.
The changes have come about through private donations, local tax dollars, federal grants, a swelling of civic pride and an influx of young entrepreneurs investing in downtown.
In the early 1990s, the fading Johnson County courthouse in the middle of town fit right in with dilapidated commercial buildings and crumbling sidewalks. The courthouse was in such bad shape that the Johnson County commissioners were considering abandoning it, turning it over to civic clubs and building a new courthouse outside of downtown.
But that plan generated such an outcry that the commissioners changed course and opted instead for a $1 million renovation that was completed in 1996.
The renovation did much more than save the courthouse, said Mary Ann Norris, director of the Wrightsville Better Hometown. The threat of losing the courthouse, she said, sparked a renewed interest in historic preservation that has ushered dramatic improvements to downtown.
And if the courthouse had not been renovated?
"I can't imagine what downtown would be like," she said. "The civic clubs wouldn't have had the money to maintain the courthouse. The downtown would have suffered because the courthouse is the focal point of the community."
Other changes after the courthouse renovation did not follow immediately. It wasn't until 1999 when Wrightsville joined the Better Hometown Program run by the state Department of Community Affairs that momentum began to build.
Better Hometown spearheaded the city's effort to win a $350,000 transportation enhancement grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The city and county governments chipped in $37,500 in matching funds, and another $50,000 was raised by selling memorial plaques on the new street lamps and benches that were part of the project.
The city expects soon to solicit bids on phase two, financed through $400,000 in transportation enhancement funds and $40,000 in local dollars. That money would be used to replace more sidewalks and add more benches and street lamps around the courthouse.
ENTREPRENEURS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A trend of downtown businesses joining the renovation movement began when Kevin Price bought Harrison's, a general merchandise store. Price, a Johnson County native who was just out of college, did an extensive renovation in 2000 and reopened it as Kreative Kreations, a florist and upscale gift shop.
Since then, most of the neighboring businesses on that side of the block have also done at least exterior renovations that, along with the streetscape project, have dramatically improved the look of the area.
"I think it gets the ball rolling when you start painting," said Price, who chairs the Better Hometown board. "When you start renovating it's sort of contagious."
Also spurring that activity was a Better Hometown grant that offered $500 to each business for facade improvements if the business would also put up at least $500.
Price said much of the catalyst for downtown change has come from young entrepreneurs such as certified public accountant Donnie Sweat, who renovated a building to set up an accounting office, Lisa Keyton, who renovated a building to start a print and embroidery shop and Wrightsville Police Chief Steve Gresham, who is renovating the former May's Grill.
Gresham said he plans to open a business there this summer. He declined to say what it will be, though he said it will be something not currently offered in the city and will draw people to the area.
He is a member of the newly formed Downtown Development Authority, which has borrowing and financing powers beyond those of Better Hometown. The DDA hopes to buy and renovate downtown buildings, sell them and use the money for more renovations.
CITY ALLOWS BEER SALES
About three years ago, William and Billie Jo Hall bought a downtown building in such bad shape they had to tear it down. They rebuilt it and opened BB's Pizza. They also successfully lobbied the City Council to adopt an ordinance that would allow them to sell beer for consumption on the premises.
That wasn't popular with some church crowds, Billie Jo Hall said, but it has helped the business.
"My husband and I don't drink," she said. "But as a business, a lot of people come through and ask for beer, and if you don't have it, they turn around and walk out and go to the next town."
Many downtown supporters said the new ordinance has helped, drawing more people in at night and improving the area's attractiveness to entrepreneurs.
Cal and Rose Claxton recently opened Cal's Bar & Grill in the former Gilley's Grill, which had been vacant. They opened another half of the building for a bar area, with a large-screen TV.
They said they wouldn't have opened the business if it hadn't been for the new ordinance. But they also don't think it went far enough. They would like to see mixed-drink sales allowed, along with later hours. They currently have to close at midnight.
City Councilman Charles Mixon said he voted to allow beer sales because it would keep more business in the community.
"They can go to Dublin and buy pizza and beer. What would be the difference?" he said.
Mixon said he might support expanding the ordinance to include liquor, but he said that is not currently being considered.
MORE TO BE DONE
Mixon and Councilman Carl Rowland said they believe the $8,000 in funding the city gives to Better Hometown each year for operating costs has been a good investment. The county contributes by providing office space.
"We've had a lot of people come in the last four years who haven't been here in a while, and they would say they've seen a big difference," Rowland said.
Despite all the progress downtown, Norris is the first to admit that there is much more to be done. There are still buildings with peeling paint - reminders of what most of downtown looked like a few years ago - and even the upcoming grant project won't replace all the old sidewalks.
She also notes that the courthouse is about due for a paint job, and several buildings remain vacant. The county is also spearheading an effort to renovate the train depot.
But overall, Norris said, she is happy with the progress that has been made since she joined a committee to form a Better Hometown program.
"I'm just real pleased," she said. "I wish we could do more and I think we probably will do more."
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