DDA Is Seeking New Office Space

The Downtown Development Authority is planning for a busy year with several events and dates etched on its calendar.

Authority members reviewed a list of proposed local events beginning with a May 28 Summer kickoff which will be followed by a number of Downtown Live musical events and movie nights through December 2022.

DDA members also discussed the need to find suitable office space for the authority. As the Shoppes of Monticello is thriving and needing space to grow, the DDA is looking to change its office headquarters from 139 West Washington Street. Thoughts were to move into the basement of that location but that area is in need of extensive repair currently.

The DDA has approached the city of Monticello about relocating to an office space in the City Complex, where the DDA formerly had an office. Mayor Gail Harrell, in attendance at Monday’s meeting, noted that since the DDA is “an arm of the city” it should be afforded the right to use the facilities there as other agencies have. She also said that the entire council would have to take up the issue of the DDA occupying space there.

Authority members approved the request to move forward with submitting the request for office space to the council.

Mayor Harrell also requested that the DDA resume making brief updates to the City Council during its regular monthly meeting on the second Tuesday of each month.