MOULTRIE, Ga. — The Aug. 31 ribbon cutting of a small park on Second Avenue Southeast marked the end of the first project in a series of downtown renovations that have been discussed for the last two years. Actions Tuesday night by the Moultrie City Council and Colquitt County Commission set the stage for the second project to begin.

The county currently owns a parking lot across Second Street from the city’s Intermodal Transportation Facility. That lot will be upgraded in three phases to present a more attractive entrance to downtown Moultrie.

The lot is the former location of the historic Holman Mule Barn, which was torn down in 2009 after part of the dilapidated building collapsed during a storm.

City and county governments at their respective meetings Tuesday approved a funding split for the project, which is expected to cost just over $354,000.

About $259,000 for the project will come from the city’s share of the 2013 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, which included money for downtown revitalization. The remainder, about $88,000, will come from the county government.

The city approved low bids Tuesday for the three phases:

• Phase 1, storm drain improvements: Southern Exteriors of Valdosta, $153,320.

• Phase 2, curb and gutter work: Outdoor Legacy of Moultrie, $31,291.

• Phase 3, streetscape pavers: Southern Exteriors of Valdosta, $107,928.

In addition, City Manager Pete Dillard said, the city will provide in-kind services.

He said this gives the city the opportunity to “straighten out” a tangled web of utilities that run under the parking lot. Another goal of the city has been to get electrical lines underground throughout downtown, and Dillard said this is an opportunity to move forward with that effort too.

Other projects included in the revitalization effort are the demolition of the former Sportsman Restaurant, which will be turned into another small park, and an upgrade to the parking lot behind it. Officials are also working to get security cameras to place throughout downtown.

Also on Tuesday, Moultrie City Council approved first and second readings of three zoning changes. The changes won’t be fully approved until third and final readings, which usually take place at the next council meeting.

Under consideration are:

• Rezoning 3.5 acres at 1925 S. Main St. from R-PUD (Residential Planned Unit Development) to C-1 (Commercial) for landowner Thomasville Investment Properties.

• Rezoning 6.82 acres and 4.60 acres, both listed at 809 Fourth Ave. N.E., from M-1 (Light & Service Industrial District) to C-3 (Commercial District). The first property belongs to Gary Jenkins and the second to Wayne Taylor, so they have to be considered separately.

The council also:

• Voted to reappoint Dolly Crumley and Henry Crumley to the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Board.

• Approved a lease agreement with the Recreation Authority, pending the city attorney working out some final details.

• Approved an amendment to the City of Moultrie Personnel Policy in an attempt to more fairly pay firefighters when they take vacations. Because firefighters work 24 hours on and 48 hours off, they have some weeks in which they draw a large amount of overtime and others where they draw very little, Dillard said; their salaries are structured to even that out. But if they take vacation in the wrong week, their pay can take a big hit. This change is expected to smooth that issue out some, he said.

• Approved the purchase of body cameras for the Moultrie Police Department from Axon Digital Evidence Solution of Scottsdale, Ariz., the sole proprietor.