On August 20, 12:00 Noon, at Anderson City Hall, the Downtown Development Commission met with the following City officials: Arlene Young, Downtown Development Director, Luci Vaughn, Downtown Project Coordinator, John Moore, City Manager, and Linda McConnell, Assistant City Manager.
Among the topics discussed were the following:
• The need to update ordinances for managing Downtown Sidewalks. As more restaurants Downtown have started using umbrella seating on sidewalks, there is a greater need for developing clearer guidelines to manage this practice. The guidelines will have to include limits on the space these umbrellas occupy and the type of advertisement they may display.
• How the City Master Recreation Plan will connect with Downtown. It is expected that all development of green space and walking and biking trails will eventually lead to connecting various city communities with Downtown.
• Mr. Richard Shirley, the former Mayor and present Downtown Development Commissioner, suggested the study of Charleston Downtown plans, so we do not have to reinvent the wheel.
• Development of Shopping/Dinning Guide for Downtown Anderson.
• Reviewing the management of Downtown events, as Downtown Sound and Downtown Soiree, to ensure their safety and eliminate any possibility of gang activities, as what happened to some neighboring cities.
• The possibility of imposing a curfew on Downtown, passed business hours.
The next meeting of the Downtown Development Commission, on September 17, will include a review of the implementation of Downtown Market Assessment and Marketing Plan Study, which was conducted by Arnett, Muldrow, and Associates.
