Letter: DDDA has been vital to downtown Dalton

Published 4:39 pm Thursday, July 19, 2018

The Downtown Dalton Development Authority was formed by the Downtown Merchants Association (DMA) in 1981. In the mid-’70s, Randall Maret was president of the association. Maret’s Rx was owned by Randall and his brother, Charles, and was downtown.

Randall asked me in the ’70s if I would work with the DMA. I remember he said it was too much for a volunteer to do. I agreed and planned meetings and sales, and with donations from the merchants, purchased Christmas decorations. The bells still used today are the design that we had back then.

The Tennessee Valley Authority sent a representative to meet with the officers and DMA members. Under their leadership we were able to develop Dalton Green and plant trees downtown and other projects. The merchants paid dues and made donations for special projects such as the Christmas decorations and trees. The city of Dalton planted the trees but they were paid for by the merchants. These were cut down and replaced with the trees downtown now.

One of the projects that I wanted to do but was not allowed by the City Council was to have a farmers market in Dalton Green. Mayor Jimmy Young was for the project.

At this time, we all realized that we needed more income and the only way to raise funds was through an authority that could tax the downtown district. The district was drawn and the Downtown Dalton Development Authority was formed. It has been vital to the development of downtown Dalton.

Jane Harrell

Dalton