have to have a passion for [ historic preservation ] and wake up each day looking forward to it .” Although this may serve as Carter ’ s last historic renovation , he is justifiably proud of the work he ’ s done in Sylvester , Bainbridge , and Moultrie . “ We ’ re seeing a revitalization of these downtowns . It used to be that the sidewalks were rolled up at 5:00pm . It wasn ’ t safe to be downtown at night . Now at 5:00pm , these downtown areas have a second life !” Pete Dillard , Moultrie City Manager , is equally excited about the Belk Hudson project -- both because it will bring more loft apartments and retail spaces downtown but also because it saves a building that was most likely headed for demolition . The city used grant money to stabilize the building ( meaning funding did not come from local taxpayers ), put on a new roof and signed a long-term lease with Carter . “ It will be a gem for downtown , just tremendous to save such a big part of our downtown square . And Hal is exactly right about how the sidewalk used to roll up at 5pm !” Dillard is ebullient when talking about the many good things going on in Moultrie . “ The Downtown Development Authority ( a non-profit ) raised over a million dollars . First , we revitalized a pocket park . Then we moved to a parking lot the county owns at Central Avenue and Second Street and made another nice park . Then we moved to the South Main parking lot the city owns and put a park in there .” There are new restaurants downtown , an ice cream parlor , people walking around and enjoying the square . Dillard is
quick to add that a brewery is coming soon , and the city will revitalize the street to go along with that . Dillard likes to say that “ Success has a thousand fathers and mothers . People keep donating , participating , adopting downtown Moultrie .” The city spends half a million dollars each year to promote the downtown district . “ Our down-
705 South Main Street Moultrie , Georgia 31768-5432
Phone : 229-985-4137 Fax : 229-890-5968
Scotty Jarvis , Pharm . D . SAFETY & SERVICE SINCE 1923
30 Spring / Summer 2021