Milledgeville MainStreet/DDA is a public/private partnership working to preserve the heritage and
attain the future of downtown Milledgeville, Georgia. The Downtown Development Authority for the City
of Milledgeville was formed in 1983 under the Georgia State Statutes permitting City governments to
form Downtown Development Authorities in an effort to help save and revitalize the many economically
depressed downtown areas throughout the state. We are a governmental tax-exempt entity with
certain State statutory authority with the consent of the City Council. The Downtown Development
Authority concentrates its efforts on the downtown district thus freeing the City to concentrate on the
extending areas.
In 1988, Milledgeville was certified as a Georgia Main Street City and began employing a full-time
Executive Director. In 1997 the Downtown Merchants Association merged with Milledgeville
MainStreet/DDA.
Milledgeville MainStreet/DDA uses the proven four-point National Main Street approach to downtown
revitalization: organization. design, economic restructuring, and promotion. All our initiatives are
integrated action plans from these four points as we seek to increase the economic base of the city-
and thus the county- while preserving the buildings and heritage that have made Milledgeville Georgia’s
premiere Antebellum Capital with more than 10,000 visitors each year.
Even with a budget that is half of a comparable Georgia Main Street City, through the support of our
members and project sponsors, Milledgeville MainStreet/DDA has accomplished:
:: 19 Facade and Sign Matches since 1998 through the MainStreet Match Program
(Oconee Outfitters Georgia Main Street Award Winner 2000)
:: 4 Downtown grant supported building rehab projects
(Allen’s Market Building rehab- Georgia Main Street Award Winner 1998; recently
completed Bivins Building rehab providing street front retail space-Matrimonials, Vaughn
Travel Services, Wit's End and Healing Hands- and upper level residential housing which is
used as a model for future rehab projects)
:: 7 Fest of Ville Productions
:: 2 Milledgeville and Baldwin County's Junior Miss Scholarship Program
:: Planter Project (Georgia MainStreet Award Winner 2000)
:: “Saturday on the Square” (Georgia Main Street Award Nominee)
:: Parking improvements (County Courthouse, deck; city lot- library)
:: Continuous downtown media promotion (radio, television, newspapers, websites)
:: Limited Edition Print Series (Georgia Main Street Award Winner 2000)
:: “A Taste of Milledgeville” Heritage Cookbook
Some of our planned projects in 2004 include continuing and updating our market survey,
The Streetscape Project, and new business initiatives to increase residential housing downtown.
Why Are Main Streets Important? Here are the answers.
The Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization from the National Historic Trust
The Main Street program's success is based on a comprehensive strategy of work, tailored to local
needs and opportunities, in four broad areas, called The Main Street Four Point Approach:
:: Design: Enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating
historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design
management systems, and long-term planning.
:: Organization: Building consensus and cooperation among the many groups and
individuals who have a role in the revitalization process.
:: Promotion: Marketing the traditional commercial district's assets to customers, potential
investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors.
:: Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the district's existing economic base while
finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities -- and challenges from outlying
development. "
For more information on the
Main Street Philosophy visit:
