“From long range planning to new school zoning, from preservation of landmarks to construction progress on the new county Judicial Center, a lot is happening downtown,” said Dick Thuma, DNA president. “We hope everyone who appreciates our historic downtown, especially everyone who lives here, will join DNA and come to our social November 18.”
“City Market, our neighborhood grocery, is going all out to create a spectacular feast for downtown residents and friends,” said Thuma. “This is a great opportunity for neighbors to get together just before the rush of the holiday season.”
The social begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 18, and features such City Market delicacies as Crawfish Fettuccini, Beef Tips and Noodles, and Sour Cream Chicken with au Gratin Potatoes for $15 per person. Soft drinks, tea, and coffee are included, while beer and wine will also be available. Admission for children under 6 is free.
The primary purpose of the evening is social, but DNA members will also hear a brief presentation on the status of the city’s long-range plan as it affects downtown. Julian Bibb, chairman of the Central Franklin Area Plan Steering Committee, and Bob Martin, Franklin Planning Director, will update DNA members on the current status of the central Franklin plan, while Judge Connie Clark, chairman of the Franklin Land Use Plan Steering Committee, will briefly highlight the character area designations developed by the Urban Growth Boundary plan process.
Martin, Clark, and Bibb all live in downtown Franklin.
The Franklin Land Use Plan Steering Committee studied all of Franklin outside the downtown area and has presented its recommendations to the Franklin Planning Commission, while the Central Franklin committee is assimilating recommendations from a number of subcommittees. These reports will be made to the main committee on November 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the city hall boardroom.
Thuma urged downtown residents interested in the future of the historic heart of town to not only attend the November 18 DNA social but also the November 13 meeting of the Central Franklin committee.
“From recommending sites for new construction downtown to discussing the expansion of increased protection for historic sites, this committee is of vital importance to the future of our neighborhood,” said Thuma. “The committee is beginning to formulate recommendations, so everyone who cares about downtown should join us at our social on the 18th and go to this important city meeting November 13.”
Both of Franklin’s aldermen who live in the downtown area – Alderman-at-large Ernie Bacon and Fourth Ward Alderman Dan Klatt – are planning to attend the social, and Thuma is hoping other city and county officials will also be there.
“This social event is a great opportunity to get to know our neighbors. It also provides a chance for everyone to voice their opinion about the future of downtown,” said Klatt. “We have a very dynamic and active mixed-use neighborhood. Nowhere else in the city do government decisions affect residents quite like downtown.”
The Downtown Neighborhood Association is open to all residents of Franklin’s original 15-block downtown area and to people who care about the future of this historic heart of town. The original downtown is from First Avenue to Fifth Avenue and from South Margin to North Margin streets.
The mission of DNA is “to provide a means by which the citizens of the area may exercise greater control over the economic, political, environmental and social forces that influence their ways of life; to promote understanding among property owners, residents, government and business interests; to foster neighborhood identity and a sense of community; to cooperate and affiliate in appropriate ways with other local, state and national organizations having compatible goals.”
In addition to Thuma, DNA officers for 2003-2004 are Beverly Roberts, vice president; Nell Bacon, secretary; and Dan Plattsmier, treasurer. Also serving on the DNA board are Ed Cagle, Jim Hudspeth, Denise Klatt, Linda Reynolds, and Rebecca Vines.
Reservations are mandatory for the November 18 social. To make a reservation, e-mail dickthuma@worldnet.att.net.
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