THOMASVILLE — After two hours of hearing from city planners and residents and discussion among Thomasville Planning and Zoning Commission members, the panel voted unanimously to send the its West Jackson Street streetscape decision to Thomasville City Council for consideration.

TPZC voted to recommend to city council approval to formulate a cost estimate, to prepare detailed engineering documents, including a detailed construction timeline for West Jackson streetscape, and to return the information to planning and zoning for review and a recommendation.

Also, TPZC recommended that city staff move forward with utility improvements as conveyed in the recommended conceptual plan. 

“I am particularly pleased with the transparency and process that enabled city staff to involve merchants, property owners and citizens in the design phase of the West Jackson streetscape improvements in The Bottom,” commission Chairman Haile McCollum said. “In the past, projects like this did not include enough initial public input. As chair of planning and zoning, I would like to see this level of engagement continue in future planning projects.”

Kenneth Thompson, urban planner, told those attending the TPZC meeting that the three blocks included in the streetscape plan are rich in Jewish and African-American history, adding that he wants to define the history.

“That area was one of the few places I could ride my bike to the movies,” Sabrina Boykins-Everett said, referring to her Thomasville childhood.

She said the “The Bottom,” as the area has been known, refers to topography. “It was at the bottom of the streets,” Boykins-Everett said.

Kha Thomas McDonald, who also grew up in Thomasville, told the panel that she shopped on Broad Street and in The Bottom in the ‘60s and ‘70s. For African-Americans on Broad Street, opportunities were lacking in restaurants, bathroom facilities and drinking fountains, she said.

“Opportunities for black and Jewish families happened to be at The Bottom,” McDonald said, adding that she would like for the city’s new amphitheater off West Jackson to be called The Ritz.

The Ritz, which was a movie theater in The Bottom, was demolished a number of years ago.

The proposed project would include new sidewalks, underground utilities and planting of trees, among other improvements for three blocks of West Jackson, beginning at Madison Street.

Thompson said a creek runs under West Jackson. 

“It’s a secret gem of Thomasville we thought we could unearth,” Thompson said.

P and Z Commission member Scott Chastain expressed concern about a creek feature becoming “a trash pit.”

The streetscape project, which would begin most likely in mid-2018, would be funded by $750,000 from special purpose local option sales tax proceeds and with money from the city capital budget.

McCollum said the history of the area should be honored.

“I really love this plan, and I grew up calling it The Bottom,” resident Pam Wright said.

West Jackson business owner Annalee Morris said not all businesses in the area are retail. Some provide services, she said, adding that parking for some customers would be difficult four blocks away.

Commission member Debra Underwood said the planning and zoning panel cares about all businesses, retail and service.

City Council member Jay Flowers, addressing planning and zoning members, said the Monday meeting was the 15th on the West Jackson proposed project. Five years ago, such plans did not involve community input, he said, “but things do not work that way anymore.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820