Douglasville Impact Winter 2021 Edition

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MAYOR’S GREETING Welcome to this issue of our Douglasville Impact Newsletter. I can’t believe that it is already the holiday season. I feel as if this year has flown by! In this edition, we will be providing information on all the fun holiday activities the city has going on this year.

Make sure you read to the end for an update on our exciting Town Green/Amphitheater project.

Reflecting on the past year, we have been able to accomplish so much, even with the continuation of the pandemic. The Highway 92 project opened in summer of this year, we are continuing to move forward with the Town Green and Amphitheater project, we were able to bring city events back after pausing them for a year, and we have welcomed new businesses to our city all during a pandemic. All in all, Douglasville is headed in the right direction and I am so proud of where our city is headed in the new year!

Please make sure to stay up to date on all the latest happenings in the city through our website, www.douglasvillega. gov or by following us on all social media platforms.

As always, I wish God’s blessings on you, your families, and the City of Douglasville.

Mayor Rochelle Robinson City of Douglasville

Once the presents are opened and the lights removed, give your Christmas tree a new life. Keep Douglasville Beautiful will be hosting their annual Bring One for the Chipper program on Saturday, January 8, 2022, in the Douglasville Home Depot parking lot. For 30 years, this program has allowed residents in Douglas County to recycle their Christmas trees to be reused as mulch. Mulch is donated to playgrounds, government beautification projects, parks, and individual yards. Citizens are invited to drop

off their bare Christmas trees for chipping in the Douglasville Home Depot parking lot and receive a seedling in exchange to plant at home.

Breakfast with Santa is back again for all families in Douglasville to enjoy on Saturday, December 4. The annual holiday event, held by the Parks Department, serves as an early Christmas event where kids can come and meet Santa, sit on his lap, have breakfast and share all their Christmas desires. Kids are able to also partake in fun activities such as decorating cookies. This event has always been a big hit within the City for families to gather and get in the holiday spirit. Registration is $8 per person and children under 3 are free. This event will be held from 9AM-11AM at the Alice J. Hawthorne Center at Jessie Davis Park.

During the holiday season, we understand that with little ones sometimes it’s difficult to finish shopping, prepare your home for family and friends, or to just enjoy some alone time. Parent’s Night Out is the perfect chance to drop off your little ones with us and wrap it all up! Parent’s Night Out will be held at the Ike Owings Community Center at Hunter Park on Saturday, December 18. While you’re completing tasks, kids will get to partake in holiday-themed arts and crafts activities. This program is for kids ages 3-12.

Registration is $35 for one child and $30 for each additional child with food included.

To find out more about these events and all that our Parks and Recreation departmnet has to offer, visit DouglasvilleParks.com

Miracle on Main Street Christmas Parade and Celebration Celebrate the season at Miracle on Main Street Christmas Parade and Celebration on December 3 in Downtown Douglasville. We’ll have real reindeer, photos with Santa, live music, and MORE! The tree lighting will take place immediately following the parade in front of the Douglasville Conference Center.

Deck the Homes Are you the Clark Griswold of your neighborhood? Enter our Deck the Homes Holiday Decorating Contest! This contest is free of charge and open to all Douglas County residents. Read the full contest rules and enter your home at www.douglasvillega.gov/deckthehomes.

Letters from Santa The City of Douglasville is helping deliver letters to Santa this year. Santa’s Elves are working to help him write letters and send them back to kids. Letters can be dropped off in the North Pole mailbox which will be located outside of the Douglasville Conference Center. Mr. Claus kindly asks that letters are submitted

by Friday, December 17 to ensure your child receives their response from the North Pole by Christmas Eve. Once you have dropped off your letters, submit your information to www. douglasvillega.gov/lettersfromsanta to receive a response from Santa!

Lights On Main Visit Downtown Douglasville and vote for your favorite decorated business! Voting will be open Friday, December 3 through Friday, December 17. Cast your vote on the City of Douglasville’s Facebook page.

Voters will be entered to win a $100 gift card.

Celebration of Lights O’Neal Plaza and Jessie Davis Park are shining bright with lighting displays and decorations this year. Come downtown to enjoy the lights, see our Christmas tree and take photos while you’re here.

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N

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DouglasvilleGa.gov/CelebrationOfLights

FROM THE CITY MANAGER’S DESK The pandemic has presented the City of Douglasville with numerous challenges.

Despite those challenges, our employees have stepped up and continued to deliver necessary services to our citizens. In this publication, the Mayor mentioned several major initiatives and we are extremely excited to see those projects come to fruition. As a long-term employee, I am honored to be a part of the team that makes those goals a reality for the community.

One of the major projects, the City’s Town Green, will be paid for in part by revenue bonds. Revenue bonds are funded through government authorities and in this case, the City will partner with the Convention and Conference Center Authority to fund this project. Obtaining favorable revenue bonds are dependent upon the good faith and credit of the City of Douglasville. Over the past several years, the City’s Elected Officials have maintained a fiscally conservative posture while budgeting for all future projects. These actions have resulted in an increased bond rating, allowing for lower interest rates and a better financing position.

I am proud of the work we have accomplished over the last few years. More is yet to come, so stay tuned.

Be well, stay safe, and enjoy your holidays!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY: Hello neighbor! My name is Felicia Finnegan, my husband is Robert Finnegan and we have three spunky teenage girls.

Robert and I have lived in Douglasville for four years together as a family. Robert is a native of Douglasville. He has lived in the town since he was 12 and he loves it. We always enjoy all the events put on at the O’Neal Plaza. Our family loves to be outdoors catching the trails or fishing at the pond. Our favorite date night spot is Gabe’s. Our girls love spending time at the pool catching some rays!! They also enjoy shopping locally and getting ice cream from the Farmer’s Table. When I think of Douglasville, I think FAMILY. HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN DOUGLASVILLE? 30 years WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT LIVING IN THE CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE? It’s a small community with a lot to offer families. When you stroll downtown at night it feels so magical.

WHY DID YOUR FAMILY DECIDE TO CALL THE CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE HOME? Simplicity

TOWN GREEN UPDATES Looking ahead to the future…

There are so many exciting things coming up within the next year! The main thing that we are looking forward to is the continuation of our Town Green/Amphitheater Project! We are also looking forward to the mixeduse development by Mill Creek that will enhance the experience of the Town Green. The development will be mixed use and will have everything from retail, restaurants, and apartments! This portion of the project will start once construction is close to being completed on the Amphitheater.

Fall 2021/Early Spring 2022

Spring 2023

Late Summer/Fall 2023

EPD completes environmental assessments, demolition okay to proceed

Anticipated construction completion

Mill Creek begins development project

TOWN GREEN PROJECT

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The Douglasville City Council ROCHELLE ROBINSON Mayor 678-449-3000 robinsonr@douglasvillega.gov

NYCOLE MILLER Ward 2, Post 1 678-449-3012 millern@douglasvillega.gov

DR. LASHUN BURR-DANLEY Ward 3, Post 1

678-449-3006 danleyl@douglasvillega.gov

COACH CHRIS WATTS Ward 4

678-449-3014 wattsc@douglasvillega.gov

TERRY S. MILLER Ward 1 678-449-3002 millert@douglasvillega.gov

MARK ADAMS Ward 2, Post 2

678-449-3004 adamsm@douglasvillega.gov

SAM DAVIS Ward 3, Post 2

678-449-3007 daviss@douglasvillega.gov

HOWARD M. ESTES Ward 5 678-449-3010 estesh@douglasvillega.gov

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