The Cornelia Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is looking to revitalize the old bank building on Main Street.
The city’s Community Development Manager, Jessie Owensby, says that, as of yet, they are unsure whether the building will be a residential complex or a commercial business. She says the DDA and contracting company are trying to “get a feel of what to do” through speaking with citizens and commissioners.
After the 2008 market crash, Cornelia took a big hit, with businesses and residents falling into economic hardship. The city proved to be resilient by bouncing back with new businesses and budding potential as the economy improved. So, for Owensby and the DDA, this project is a stepping stone to building back the community.
“We are cautiously optimistic,” she says.
The project will also give an opportunity for local citizens to work on the building. From foremen to architects, the city is seeking those who are familiar with the building and can provide the best quality work while maintaining the integrity of the building. Owensby states, “We’d like to keep it local as much as possible.”
The ground-breaking for the revitalization project should take place in April 2018.
Once the project is complete, the DDA hopes to revitalize other buildings in downtown Cornelia. As of right now, the city has a total of 49 empty buildings leading to a vacancy rate of 26%.
Owensby is optimistic about this and future projects that will benefit the community.
“We want our downtown to be inclusive to all community members,” she says.
