City of Dahlonega - Georgia Cities Foundation

March 20, 2009
Dear Friends:
On behalf of the City Council and Dahlonega citizens, let me express our warmest greetings
and enthusiastically welcome you to our city.
The City of Dahlonega is known world wide as one of the most historic cities in the United
States. We are happy that you have chosen to visit us, and we applaud your professional
interest and dedication to preserving and revitalizing downtowns.
A special event such as your trip here requires a tremendous amount of planning and
coordination, and we commend GMA’s leadership and staff for their hard work in support of
Georgia’s cities through innovative programs such at the Heart and Soul Tour.
We are proud of our accomplishments in downtown preservation and economic development.
Our successes are attributable to caring, visionary, and dedicated partners who have
sustained our efforts over the years to make downtown Dahlonega a thriving center for
business. Still, we do not rest, but are aggressively planning for further preservation and new
construction to meet a growing market demand.
Please contact me or our city staff if there is anything you may need to help make your visit to
Dahlonega the best that it can be.
With warmest regards,
Gary McCullough
Mayor Gary McCullough
City of Dahlonega
465 Riley Road, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Phone (706)864-6133
Fax (706)864-4837
GEORGIA CITIES FOUNDATION HEART & SOUL BUS TOUR SCHEDULE
DAHLONEGA
April 16, 2009
4:30 PM
Bus arrives and parks at Welcome Center (restrooms available)
Local reception, greetings, and events at Gold Museum including:
• Appalachian Jam music group
• Gold Museum staff in period dress
• Gold panning
• Local craft demonstrations
• Welcome by Mayor Gary McCullough
5:15 PM
Downtown walking tour
5:45 PM
Reload onto bus and transport to Holiday Inn Express
6:00 PM
Hotel check-in
6:30 PM
Reload onto bus and transport to Smith House
6:45 PM
Dinner at Smith House
7:15 PM
Presentation on downtown economy and master plan at Smith House
7:45 PM
Transport by bus or walk to Holly Theatre
8:00 PM
Beverage reception at Holly Theatre
8:20 PM
Sit down for 5 minute Holly orientation and 15 minute show
8:45 PM
Reload bus and depart for hotel
Welcome to Dahlonega!
Georgia Cities Foundation
Heart & Soul Tour
Downtown
Dahlonega History &
Overview
Dahlonega: Gold
Rush Leaves Rich
History
The Cherokee Indians
first inhabited the land
that is now Dahlonega,
but it was the thousands who flooded
into the area during
the first major U.S.
gold rush beginning in
1828 that literally put
the town on the map.
The city became the
county seat in 1833. A
splendid county courthouse became the hub
of activity for the mining town at the time---a building that remains a city centerpiece today as a historic gold museum.
Downtown
Dahlonega History & Overview
Tourism
Now, Dahlonega is golden in
more ways than one. Along
with the gold mines, the historic
courthouse museum is a popular
day-trip destinations for families.
Culinary adventures
broaden the appeal, from the
down-home atmosphere of the
Smith House to the growing sophistication of the surrounding
Wine Country. The City’s Public Square, with multistory businesses and services organized
around the landmark historic
Gold Museum, is the envy of
those who aspire to have a
quaint and active town center.
Shops, restaurants, and offices
attract a myriad of patrons walking about the square on brick
sidewalks accented by antique
lighting. Any way you look at
it, Downtown Dahlonega is a
mountain gem and the gold standard in regional attractions.
Downtown
Dahlonega History & Overview
A Downtown Worth Saving: Revitalization of the Historic Square
By the early 1970s, Dahlonega’s historic Public Square was showing its age. A group of
forward-thinking citizens saw the need to dress the town square up a bit. They sought advice from the University of Georgia School of Environmental Design, whose students made
recommendations and laid out a plan for revitalization of Downtown Dahlonega. That plan--and the results of its counsel---was a major under pinning for the downtown’s continued
vitality over the next several decades. Dahlonega’s historic downtown square and the surrounding commercial district are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Over time, the nature of the downtown business community evolved. Many merchants who
once catered to local residents, selling the stuff of daily life---hardware, medicine, clothing,
cars, and gasoline---eventually passed away, relocated, or sold their businesses. Thanks to
tenacious promotion of Dahlonega to the traveling public since the 1950s, Dahlonega had
earned a broad base of admirers. Today the demand for commercial space is high as businesses scramble to meet the needs of tourists and local shoppers.
Downtown Dahlonega Management
Programs
Better Hometown Program Encourages Ongoing Improvement
Dahlonega is one of 100 cities in
Georgia and 1,800 cities nationwide
that subscribes to the Better Hometown and Main Street Program. This is
an economic development and downtown management program that
emerged from the National Trust for
Historic Preservation. The success of
the Main Street system is based on its
comprehensive approach. By integrating four points into a practical downtown management strategy, a local
Main Street program produces fundamental changes and long term prosperity for a community's economic
base. Our local program here is managed by the Dahlonega Downtown
Development Authority, a sevenmember agency appointed by the city
council. These appointed members are
volunteers who have a passionate
commitment to the health and success
of downtown. Each has a personal
and professional connection to downtown’s economy and preservation.
These 7 people are strong advocates
and leaders for downtown Dahlonega.
They serve tirelessly as volunteers,
and we deeply appreciate their commitment to the community.
Downtown Dahlonega
Management Programs
Preserving the City’s Assets:
Historic Preservation Commission Watches Over Downtown Dahlonega
Following intense revitalization
efforts in the 1970s, city leaders
had the foresight to establish a
Historic Preservation Commission to protect the historic integrity of downtown Dahlonega. The seven-member commission, appointed by the city
council, meets monthly to review requests for signage, façade changes, and to discuss
other issues as needed.
Downtown Dahlonega Management Programs
Dahlonega Awarded
Preserve America Community Designation
The Preserve America Community program was started by former First
Lady Laura Bush to recognize communities that place a special emphasis on historic preservation. Dahlonega was chosen in 2008 as a Preserve America Community based on the City’s protection and celebration of local heritage, its use of historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and its encouragement for people
to experience and appreciate local historic cultural resources through
education and heritage tourism programs. Dahlonega was recognized
for Discovering Heritage through Historic Places through the City’s
ongoing, publically available inventory of historic properties, a community-supported museum, active citizen volunteer involvement, and
opportunities for children to learn about local heritage. The City of
Dahlonega Protects Historic Resources through a local governmental
body charged with leading the historic preservation activities and a historic preservation review ordinance that volunteer and professional
staff implement. Lastly, the City Promotes Historic Assets through the
local tourism program, regularly scheduled heritage observances and
events, and a historic preservation awards and recognition program.
Downtown Dahlonega Facilities
The Holly Theatre
The Historic Holly Theatre is home to one of Georgia's top performing theater companies and the award winning Mountain Music and Medicine show radio production.
The Holly Theatre is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
and is located just steps away from the beautiful Dahlonega Public Square. Built in
1946, the fully renovated theatre has something to offer to locals and tourists alike.
The Holly Theatre Company presents a year round season of classic plays and Broadway style musicals. The theatre’s outstanding performances, from the main stage to
concerts, sell out regularly to audiences who travel routinely from throughout the region to incorporate a live show into their weekend B&B or cabin plans. First run
movies are also shown from Thursday through Sunday during non-performance
weeks.
Whether you are visiting Dahlonega for the first time or have lived here all of your
life, The Holly Theatre will impress you with their professional quality productions,
excellent movies and reasonable ticket prices. The Holly Theatre is located at 69
West Main Street. Contact them at (706) 864-3759 or visit them at hollytheater.com.
Downtown Dahlonega Facilities
Centerpiece of Downtown Dahlonega: The Gold Museum
When Lumpkin County built a new courthouse in 1966, some believed there was
no longer a need for the “old courthouse” in the center of Downtown Dahlonega.
In fact, a significant contingent was bent on tearing down the building and replacing it with a parking lot! The late Madeleine Anthony, previously named a
Georgia Woman of Achievement, fought hard to preserve the building, finally
convincing local and state officials to keep the facility and use it as a museum.
The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and
today houses the Dahlonega Gold Museum. Operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Gold Museum is the state’s second most highly
visited historic site. It attracts visitors from around the globe, not to mention
thousands of schoolchildren every year, who come to learn about the town’s rich
gold history. The museum houses a collection of coins minted in Dahlonega and
tells the story of Dahlonega’s gold history through a series of exhibits and a
video.
Downtown Dahlonega Facilities
Residents & Visitors Gather at
Hancock Park
Recognizing the ever-increasing premium on greenspace in the
city, the City of Dahlonega purchased a lot downtown that would
become Hancock Park. Hancock Park now offers a place for residents and visitors to gather. The downtown greenspace is used
not only as a relaxing greenspace, but also has a newly built pavilion that is used for downtown events and festivals, the “First
Friday Night Concert Series”, and the Dahlonega Farmers’ Market. Hancock Park allows residents and visitors to bring friends,
family, and lawn chairs for family fun in Downtown Dahlonega.
Downtown Dahlonega Business Facts
The Smith House
Seven Decades of Mountain Hospitality
The history of The Smith House goes back to 1895 when a gentleman by the name
of Captain Hall purchased an acre of land east of the town square. During excavation and the beginning stages of building his home he was delighted to discover a
very rich vein of gold ore. His delight was soon turned to frustration when all attempts to setup a mining operation were halted by the city fathers. The city officials
would not allow a mine just one block from the public square, no matter how rich
the vein. After losing a law suit against the city he continued the construction of his
new home. Today the home known as The Smith House still stands on that vein of
Dahlonega gold. When the house was completed Captain Hall used the seven rooms
upstairs for his living quarters. He used the basement, what is now the dining room,
for storage of his mining equipment. The first floor was used as an assay office. The
columned building beside the main house was Captain Hall’s carriage house.
Captain Hall moved to Atlanta, and Henry and Bessie Smith purchased the property
in 1922. The Smith’s turned their home into an Inn with seven rooms for travelers.
The price of a room and meals was $1.50 a day. And so the tradition of The Smith
House had its beginning. Now owned by the Welch family, who have operated the
dining room since 1946, The Smith House holds true to its heritage with many of the
original recipes and ambience still intact. In February 2006 the owners did extensive
repairs and restoration of the main building and expanded to add a gift shop and
lobby for the restaurant with funding assistance through loans from the Georgia Cities Foundation and DCA’s Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund. During
this construction, the original gold shaft was rediscovered, and it can now be viewed
along with many artifacts that were recovered in the excavation.
Downtown Dahlonega Business Facts
Dahlonega is internationally known for its historical and architectural resources. Because those resources have been protected and promoted, Downtown Dahlonega is
widely recognized as a major economic engine of North Georgia. It is home to 100
businesses located in 60 commercial buildings. Viewed as a whole, it is one of the region’s largest industries with more than 400 employees.
Economic activity in Downtown Dahlonega averages more than $300 million dollars
each year according to market research contained in our downtown master plan.
2008 saw $27.4 million dollars of investment in private and public property in downtown Dahlonega through purchases, new construction, repairs, and restorations. This
$27.4 million dollars was 4 times more than the 2007 investment of $7.3 million dollars, 8 times more than the $3.4 million dollars invested in 2006. The biggest project
in years – the NGCSU parking deck – accounted for $25 million dollars of the total.
And remember that it is available nights and weekends for downtown’s visitors and
for business staff. Beyond the parking deck project, private businesses and property
owners invested $2.4 million dollars into downtown properties. Obviously, our stakeholders continue to see a bright future in downtown Dahlonega’s economy.
Adjacent to downtown, North Georgia College & State University and Chestatee Regional Hospital are major employers in Dahlonega. Dahlonega is also known for the
creative and entrepreneurial spirit of its residents. The city hosts many artists and sole
-proprietor retail and service businesses, as well as growing cottage industries of crafters and small technology service companies. The Master Plan market study identified the need for additional commercial and residential construction to meet demand
for business growth in the downtown area.
Current Downtown Dahlonega Projects & Programs
“Dahlonega Stories”
Interpretive History Plaques in
Historic Downtown Dahlonega
In 2008 we launched a new initiative to create and place bronze
history plaques on all 60 buildings in the Central Business District. We'll provide a walking tour brochure/guide for all the
sites, and we'll encourage each business owner to have a handout sheet inside the store to provide visitors with more details
about the history of each building. The handout sheets will include fascinating details that would encourage the visitor to
come inside the business, and perhaps engage in some shopping, too!
Current Downtown Dahlonega Projects & Programs
City’s Natural Beauty Preserved: Dahlonega Named a Tree City
The sight of Dahlonega in bloom in the spring is awe-inspiring. The summer shade of century-old trees towering above the sidewalks provides welcome retreat in the heat of summer. And the autumn leaves, which beckon
visitors with their vibrant fall harvest colors, are nothing short of valuable
natural resources for the city. Progressive city leaders recognize that and
have taken steps to protect these resources for today and for the future.
Dahlonega has earned the national designation as a Tree City for the past 8
years by adhering to a set of standards set through a joint program involving the National Arbor Day Foundation and the Georgia Forestry Commission. To qualify, the city updated its tree ordinance, incorporating a list of
preferred trees, and had an inventory and condition assessment of some
800 city trees completed. .
Tree Management
The City of Dahlonega, with grant assistance from the Georgia Forestry
Commission, has engaged a professional arborist to help manage and
maintain trees in the public right of way of Downtown Dahlonega. The
aim is for a long-term, sustained urban forestry program to protect our existing trees and increase the number of trees while implementing best management practices.
Current Downtown Dahlonega Projects & Programs
DDA Partners With North Georgia College & State University
For Construction of Parking Deck and Dorms
North Georgia College & State University is a significant economic
partner with Downtown Dahlonega. Faculty, staff, and students
have always been good customers. In 2008, NGCSU took another
step forward in their partnership with downtown as they completed
and opened the new parking deck. Construction bonds for the project were provided by the Downtown Development Authority.
While it may be one of the most attractively designed parking decks
you’ve ever seen, local resident and visitors now have hundreds of
parking spaces available nights and weekends just steps from all the
downtown Dahlonega action. While it is reserved for students during weekly business hours, the North Georgia College & State University parking deck is open to the public evenings and weekends
for a reasonable flat fee of $5. In 2009-2010, Dahlonega's Downtown Development Authority will partner again with NGCSU to issue f construction finance bonds for new dormitory construction of
approximately 1,000 bed spaces. This project will change the character of the campus to a more traditional residential university with
all freshmen and sophomores required to live on campus.
Downtown Dahlonega’s Future Opportunities & Investments
Downtown Master Plan
The City of Dahlonega seeks to manage growth in the historic central
business district, and thus established a plan for design, preservation,
and development that will provide guidance through 2018. The overall objective of the Master Plan is to expand the commercial interior
while maintaining the “sense of place” critical to ensuring that the
City of Dahlonega remains one of Georgia’s jewels. Created with the
guidance of hundreds of local residents, the Master Plan should
stimulate appropriate private business investment in the city, improve
pedestrian safety, increase pedestrian traffic from the Public Square
outward to the edges of the central business district, and increase pedestrian traffic from urban residential areas into the central business
district. Please refer to the full 200+ page Master Plan for details on
opportunities and investments.
Downtown Dahlonega’s Future Opportunities & Investments
Master Plan Proposals for New Residential Construction
Expanding residential opportunities in the downtown area is an essential recommendation in the Downtown Master Plan. The creation of new neighborhoods such as “University Heights” would increase the housing stock within the downtown area of the City.,
providing in-town living that includes accessibility to amenities and
community facilities within walking distance. Master Plan data for
Dahlonega indicates a strong market for residential redevelopment
and part of this could be captured by the University Heights district.
University Heights Proposed
Downtown Dahlonega’s Future Opportunities & Investments
Downtown Conference Center Proposed Around
Hillcrest Property
The desire for a new conference facility was raised in Master Plan stakeholder interviews and in the City’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan. The Hillcrest Property, restored to its original condition, could provide a historic
centerpiece setting for a downtown conference center hotel development.
Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 square feet could be accommodated
comfortably in a renovated and enlarged facility with dedicated parking
and room for landscaped grounds. This redevelopment project could offer visitors the feel of a mountain environment combined with the charms
and attractions of the Public Square.
Downtown Dahlonega’s Future Opportunities & Investments
Streetscape Improvements Slated
The City has done an exceptional job in improving the pedestrian environment of the Public Square, and many other streets
in the Master Plan study area will soon benefit from the same
attention. The streetscape program aims to improve the pedestrian environment, improve essential connections from the different districts to the historic core, and stimulate investment on
the edges of the commercial district. With TE grant funding,
construction to expand the streetscapes should begin in 2009.
City of Dahlonega 465 Riley Road Dahlonega, GA 30533 Phone: (706)864‐6133 Fax: (706)864‐4837 Website: www.cityofdahlonega.com Population (2007): 4,939 RDC: Georgia Mountains State Development Region: 2 County: LUMPKIN Congressional District: 9 State Senate District: 51 State House District: 9 Elected Officials Mayor GAry McCullough Council Member Ralph Prescott Council Member Gerald Lord Council Member Michael Clemons Council Member Sam Norton Council Member Terry Peters Council Member Johnny Ariemma Appointed Officials City Manager Bill Lewis City Clerk Janet Jarrard City Attorney Doug Parks Lumpkin County Education COMMUNITY SCHOOLS: 5 county public schools with 229 teachers, 3,653 students, and 159 high school graduates in 2005; 3 private schools with 54 students in 2005. HIGHER EDUCATION: Technical College: Lanier at Oakwood (30 miles) with 2,800 students. 2‐yr: GAinesville College at GAinesville (30 miles) with 4,200 students. 4‐yr: North Georgia College & State University at Dahlonega (local) with 3,683 students. Local Taxes PROPERTY: Property taxes are determined by tax rates and assessmentt ratios which vary by location. The only realistic way to compare property taxes from different locations is to use 'effective tax rates' (tax rate multiplied by assessment ratio). Effective tax rates combine city, county, school, and state tax rates into one convenient figure ‐‐ the annual tax for each $1000 of property at its fair market value. This rate applies to all property: land, buildings, machinery, equipment, and inventory. Effective Rates: City Year Within City Outside City $7.68 Dahlonega 2007 $9.52 SALES: City and county have 3% local sales tax in addition to the 4% state sales tax. Incentives/Exemptions INVENTORY (Freeport): Freeport is the general term used for the exemption of ad valorem tax on inventories as defined by Georgia law. The law offers manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and warehouse operations an attractive inventory tax exemption on three classes of property. Lumpkin County and Dahlonega exempt 100% on all classes of certain business inventory from property taxation. JOB TAX CREDIT: Tier: 3, Amount: $1,250 as of 2009 JOINT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Yes Municipal Services FIRE PROTECTION: County/city cooperative with 35 volunteers. Protection outside city limits. Fire insurance classification 7 in city. ZONING: City has zoning ordinance and subdivision design standards. County has subdivision design standards and mobile home regulations. Transportation COMMERCIAL AIRPORT: Atlanta Airport (75 miles) service by Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air France, AirTran, America West, American, ASA, British Airways, Continental, Comair, Corporate, Delta, Frontier, Hooters, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Midwest, Northwest, South African, United, US Airways. Home of Phoenix Air Group, an international light jet transport service. GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT: Atlanta Airport (75 miles) with a 11,889 feet Bituminous runway, aircraft tiedown, airframe & power plant repair, hangar, lighted runway, VOR, ILS, NDB, 24‐hour manned control tower; Dahlonega Airport (local) with a 3,000 feet bituminous runway, aircraft tiedown, hangar, lighted runway, aviation fuel. WATER: Navigable River: Tennessee River (9 foot channel depth) with public barge dock at Chattanooga (100 miles). Seaport: Savannah Seaport (272 miles) with maintained channel depth of 42 feet. Utilities ELECTRICITY: A part of Georgia's modern integrated electrical transmission system, Lumpkin County has excellent ability to supply industrial demands. Compared to 47% for the U.S., coal accounts for 84% of fuel used by the state's power generating plants. This assures long‐term continuity. If demand exceeds 900kw, any supplier can step in and offer service. NATURAL GAS: Supplied by Georgia Natural GAs and available in industrial quantities on an interruptible basis. WATER: Plant capacity: 1,400,000 gal/day. Consumption: 765,000 gal/day average, 800,000 gal/day maximum. Elevated storage capacity: 1,100,000 gal. Source: Yahoola Creek and Barlow Springs. SEWER: Plant Capacity: 720,000 gal/day; Plant Load: 400,000 gal/day; Primary treatment plant. Historical Markers of Dahlonega Consolidated Gold Mines ‐ At mine, JCT of US19/GA 60 and GA 9/52 north of Dahlonega Dahlonega Mustering Grounds ‐ US 19 North, 2 blocks from square, Dahlonega Findley Ridge ‐ GA 60 at the south edge of Dahlonega Price Memorial Building ‐ US 19 at Campus of North Georgia College, Dahlonega Sources: GMA Membership Database, Georgiafacts.net, Georgia Department of Community Affairs