Columbus hosted representatives from Alabama on Thursday who are looking to the city’s downtown as a source of inspiration.
Main Street representatives from Jasper and Montevallo, along with Alabama Main Street President and State Coordinator Mary Helmer, visited with Columbus Main Street leaders to tour downtown and learn more about the city’s success in upper-story development. Jasper is a city of about 14,000 people. Montevallo has about 6,500 residents and his home to the University of Montevallo, which has about 3,000 students.
“We’re talking reutilizing the upper stories for market rate housing,” Helmer said. “We know that when people live downtown, they add to the security of the district because you’ve got eyes on the street 24/7. They also spend money in the downtown district, so it just makes it more robust and viable.”
During the day, representatives met with local developer Chris Chain, who has overseen several upper-story development projects in downtown Columbus.
Mike Putman, executive director of Jasper, Alabama’s Main Street association, said he found Chain’s advice to be helpful.
“We have upper stories in Jasper that remain undeveloped,” he said. “I think he approaches it with common sense and a good how-to, which it what we all need. It’s a difficult process, but someone like Chris can give step-by-step instructions and step-by-step ideas, because what works in Columbus may or may not work in Jasper. What works in Mississippi may not work in Alabama, depending on laws and regulations.”
Sarah Hogan, executive director of Montevallo Main Street, said she found Columbus’ downtown area impressive. She said she hoped to take ideas from it, particularly in making the area near the University of Montevallo feel more inviting toward students.
“Downtown Columbus has really been an investment for its citizens, and people are utilizing the assets that are brought here,” she said. “It really looks like people are enjoying driving downtown. There’s a lot of places to gather. There’s a lot of entertainment and things to do. It looks like a diverse population and there’s something for everyone.”
Columbus Main Street Executive Director Barbara Bigelow said Thursday’s visit was the sixth or seventh group that’s come in her time leading the association.
She said she was honored to showcase downtown Columbus, and noted that the visits are just as helpful for Columbus as the visiting communities.
“I always come away with new ideas or something to start on somewhere else that maybe we haven’t even thought about,” she said.
Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin, who also met with the group from Alabama, said he was happy to have them visit Columbus. He said other cities view Columbus as a model, but the city can also share and learn ideas about what works to better development, from infrastructure to funding mechanisms.
“I think it makes us all–everybody in the city–proud of the people who have done the work and put in the effort to make downtown what it is today,” Gavin said.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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