Downtown Development Authority envisioning future of downtown | The Post-Searchlight

Imagine downtown Bainbridge, its historical brick buildings and its square, with even more amenities, shopping, living spaces and foot traffic. Picture plush pads and more green space parks for children and a lively nightlife on the square.

These are all elements the city could see arrive within the next several years as the city participates in a program aimed at reviving downtown living. Bainbridge was the first city in the state selected for a pilot program sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association, which includes urban redevelopment and a drive for residents to live, work and play, all downtown.

Experts in downtown renaissance ventures say Bainbridge not only has plenty of potential, but also is ahead of the curve in many regards on redevelopment compared to surrounding cities.

“In Bainbridge you have this absolutely beautiful square, a great building stock, great housing around the downtown, Flint River park, you are close to Tallahassee – so there are so many positives already,” said Danny Bivins with the Vinson Institute of Government, who is working with the Bainbridge Downtown Development Authority on the revamping project. “We want the public to tell us what more of those positives are.”

Bivins said the approach made by the pilot program is to first get input from the public and residents of Bainbridge on their own city. The community will be asked what assets can be utilized, as well as the problems that need solutions because, “each community knows their issues better than an outsider and they also know their solutions better too,” Bivins said.

Downtown Development Authority envisioning future of downtown | The Post-Searchlight.