When the time is right, the Braselton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) plans to mark the end of several major construction projects with a celebration.
But, it may be a year or longer before that event takes place.
Braselton is in the midst of — or is on the verge of starting — several infrastructure projects that will not only transform the look of its downtown, but how motorists and pedestrians get around in the area.
And while the authority has discussed ideas to promote downtown Braselton during construction, the group’s members have generally agreed that it’s probably best to wait to market the area for visitors until the dust settles.
“Even with the construction still unfinished and all over the place, it’s kind of hard to get people to come to the businesses,” said Marvin Stover, chairman of the DDA. “It doesn’t look good right now.”
But authority member Peggy Kriegel suggested that the group consider a grand reopening of downtown Braselton when the construction projects are finished.
“That’s a great idea,” said Kathy Cooper Robinson, who operates an interior design studio in downtown Braselton. She also talked about customers having difficulty navigating in the construction areas to park at her business.
Despite the orange construction barrels, the DDA recently placed signs leading to downtown Braselton to let motorists know that businesses in the area are open for customers.
The Town of Braselton is currently realigning Ga. Hwy. 124 so its new intersection with Ga. Hwy. 53 will be located behind the historic Braselton Brothers Store. That project is slated to be completed in March 2012.
Once that new alignment is open, the existing intersection of Ga. Hwy. 124 and Ga. Hwy. 53 in front of the Braselton Brothers Store will be demolished to make way for the proposed town green.
Meanwhile, the town is buying the right-of-ways for its streetscape project, which includes new sidewalks along Ga. Hwy. 53 to the Hoschton city limits, new streetlights and additional parking in downtown Braselton.
Town manager Jennifer Dees told authority members that the streetscape project could possibly begin in April 2012.
And the town-owned Braselton Brothers Store complex will undergo a $650,000 rehabilitation project next year that will include a new entrance in the rear of the building (facing the new alignment of Ga. Hwy. 124), restoration of the exterior, interior system improvements and landscaping improvements.
The project — which is being funded by a $500,000 state grant and $150,000 from the town’s general fund budget — will also include the creation of new retail space in the complex. Construction is slated to start in May 2012 and finish in September 2012.
A currently-vacant space once housed by a market operated by the Braselton family and later the Braselton Tile Factory will possibly be split into two retail spaces. Town officials have said they want a restaurant in the complex. A basement in the store complex may also have the potential to become new leasable space, as well, according to Dees.
Authority members emphasized that it’s important that the new space in the complex include “destination” businesses, such as a restaurant.
“We need something for people to come to downtown to do that are going to be open at night, possibly, like a restaurant would be,” said authority member Clay Eubanks. “I’m thinking of downtown Commerce….You go downtown after hours to have dinner, or to meet some people to have dinner, and you see the other shops that are around there.”
Besides focusing on bringing guests to downtown Braselton, Eubanks said the DDA should concentrate on getting new businesses to the area that will attract visitors. He suggested possibly even creating new spaces for businesses in downtown, if grants are available.
Downtown Braselton currently doesn’t have any leasable spaces for businesses. Dees said there is a wait list for businesses that said they’d like to move into the new space of the Braselton Brothers Store complex.
Dees asked the DDA members to consider its projects for 2012, before she starts working on the proposed 2013 fiscal year budget — which starts on July 1, 2012. The Braselton Town Council funds a significant portion of the DDA’s budget.
Of its $16,000 annual budget, the authority has $6,700 remaining for the fiscal year, according to Dees.
The DDA members opted on Thursday to plan for a grand reopening event when the construction projects are finished in downtown Braselton — although that may extend beyond the 2013 fiscal year. The authority can roll over its money each year.
Already, the authority has committed to holding its annual fundraiser — a wine tasting and auction at the Braselton-Stover House set for Nov. 13, 2012.
