WASHINGTON NOON ROTARY | CONTRIBUTED
WASHINGTON REPRESENTED: Mayor Mac “Bear” Hodges shares his thoughts about Washington’s city government, the status of the city, on-going activities, economic development and priorities at a recent meeting of Washington Noon Rotary. He spoke of the new businesses that have recently opened, are preparing to open and discussions of other potential economic development activities. He mentioned the exceptional efforts of the Washington Harbor District Alliance and other civic organizations working with the city to move projects forward from ideas to reality like Festival Park and the landmark lighthouse building that will contain boaters’ and public bath/bathroom facilities, a boaters’ laundry room and an office for dock attendants in the “tower”. That project should be completed by June 2014. He talked about the new airport terminal currently being built. Other projects under discussion and consideration by the city are a “People’s Pier” (at the end of Market St.), and a pier and other improvements at Haven’s Gardens. He referenced the efforts of both the city and the Harbor District Alliance working together toward these projects, and toward getting a hotel downtown and the new jobs, increased pedestrian traffic/activity, and revenue that it would mean to both the city and to downtown merchants. He spoke of the Beaufort County Arts Council’s purchase of The Turnage Theater property and the resurgence of activity at the theater, and the newly opened art gallery and the gift shop. He talked about the value of The Turnage as an economic development engine for downtown and the City of Washington. He mentioned that the downtown building known as the Fowle building was sold late last year. The investors who purchased the building have had several meetings with City staff to discuss their plans to develop the ground level as retail/commercial space (and will build to suit the tenant) and the upper levels as residential. He mentioned they are preparing architectural design options for review by the city and are already in the building clean-up process. Mayor Hodges was also very complimentary of the City’s response to our recent snowy weather conditions and how quickly the roads were cleared for safe traffic. For that the City crews are definitely to be commended!