The Milledgeville City Council met Oct. 14 to consider a proposal from Metropolis Cafe, hear a preemptive report on the Deep Roots Festival, and approve stormwater infrastructure easements.
Metropolis Cafe and Bollywood Taco owner Deepak Kumar approached the city council to ask for support to start phase two of Metropolis, which includes needed parking for loft developments at 111 N. Wayne St.
“We believe the six lofts we will complete in phase two will be beneficial to the city in property taxes and promote positive activity in downtown,” said Kumar. “By assisting us in legally defining new parking opportunities for loft development, the city will ultimately help move other developers and the building owner to use the loft spaces for residential units, which only helps bring positive activity to our great downtown.”
From the Ground Up of Georgia Representative Mike Couch spoke in support of Kumar’s vision. Conversations began a year ago and phase one included the outdoor facility, the restaurant, and a gift shop.
“All we need is guidance to figure out how to address parking,” said Couch. “There is no parking I can see from the defined spots, but we have worked out an agreement with the owners at 141 W. Franklin St. and we will be glad to provide that. We need a direction you want to take, and we are prepared to move. It will be something you can be proud of.”
According to Couch, the lofts are aimed at “professional folks,” like medical professionals or visiting lecturers, rather than the college community. Couch stated he believes this development will lead to more loft developments if it is successful.
Deep Roots Festival Director Frank Pendergast and Milledgeville Main Street Executive Director Carlee Schulte reported on the Deep Roots Festival.
Last year, it brought 40,000 people to Milledgeville. Pendergast reported that all Baldwin County hotels were booked to capacity prior to the festival but projected numbers of participants were not reported.
This year, the festival hosted 80 arts and crafts vendors supported by 40 local sponsors.
“This is a record number artist market,” Schulte said.
Pendergast further reported that safety was improved this year by including a Safety Response Team, two remote audio and video systems and drones, and an ambulance station outside of the event for immediate medical support.
“Year one was one block on South Wayne Street but two decades later we have a lot more volunteers and support that make this possible to happen.
It says a lot about their compassion and dedication to Milledgeville,” said Pendergast.
Then, council unanimously authorized a stormwater drainage easement across portions of property owned by Clinton Watson, located at 2321 Woodview Circle, and portions of property owned by Herbie Lee and Deborah Solomon, located at 2323 Leo Court.
“When the contract with Peach State Construction is completed with the change orders, over the course of 12 to 14 months, the city will have completed over threeand- a-half-million-dollar stormwater infrastructure improvements through ARPA Funds and stormwater fees,” said City Manager Hank Griffeth.
“There has also been another $50-$75,000 of that which we did along with homeowners, where they purchased the materials for areas that crossed the right of way that needed improving.”
The meeting closed with city council conducting the first readings of ordinances amending the Land Development Code to rezone property located at 217 Thomas Field Rd. from Office Industrial to Heavy Industrial and amending the Land Development Code to rezone property located at 841 Dunlap Rd. from Residential to Community Commercial to construct office warehouse units. Both ordinances were passed to the Planning & Zoning Committee.