To educate the citizens of Pierce County on the value of our community's downtown heritage in order to create an enduring passion for preservation and development.
The purpose of the Better Hometown Program is to ensure that all historic buildings house successful businesses; while supporting business owners and property owners in a manner that guarantees a balance between the elements of modern industry and historical preservation.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Office of Downtown Development (ODD) coordinates the Georgia Main Street and Better Hometown Program with the development of their Hometown Programs.
Assist Georgia cities, neighborhoods and small towns in development/redevelopment of their core commercial areas.
Utilizes the National Main Street Center's 4-point Approach to Downtown Revitalization:
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Organization
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Design
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Economic Development
- Promotion
Bridge the gap between preservation and development. General tax credits, grants and recognition for the historic district. Streetscape is also a collaboration between the community, the City of Blackshear, the Better Hometown Program, and downtown.
Better Hometown provides property owners, tenants,a nd potential business owners with many services, resources, and economic development tools.
The City Master Streetscape Plan began with local funds and TE Grant Funds from the DOT to construct streetscape along Main Street. Phase I is now complete and Phase II is in the planning phase. Phase II of the streetscape project will allow the continuation of where Phase I ended at Highway Avenue to the intersection with U.S. Highway 84. Special attention will be paid to the intersection to coordinate it with the Pierce County Courthouse renovation which includes the construction of concrete ramps for ADA accessibility, the addition of streetlights, trees and landscaping, decorative pavers and concrete sidewalks. These activities along with adding items such as benches and trash receptacles throughout the total project area would complete the project the Master Plan for the City's Streetscape Project. The total streetscape project will provide pedestrian links from the Courthouse along Main Street and Central Avenue to the Blackshear City Hall and the local community center.
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