The Spirit of Athens, Alabama, is a community based non - profit
organization dedicated to the renovation, revitalization and
future growth of the city of Athens downtown area.
Since its inception in March of 2006, the Spirit of Athens
organization has been exploring short and long term solutions to
obtain economic, community, and cultural support for the
organization’s objectives.
Currently, an active and diverse Board of Directors, with
involvement from community and business members, are focusing on
objectives for the coming year.
The Spirit of Athens organization is using ideas and guidelines
from the "National Main Street Project". The Project offers
communities throughout the United States guidance on how to
encourage economic development in older, traditional business
districts. In addition, the Main Street approach advocates
returning to community self - reliance, based on the unique
assets of local ownership, a friendly environment, and a sense
of community.
Presently, the Spirit of Athens organization is made up of four
(4) key committees:
1. Organization: SOA will organize and promote constructive
relationships between local government bodies and private
business and citizens. SOA will coordinate zoning, and other
regulatory activity affecting the downtown area. SOA will
support other charitable and educational organizations whose
primary interest is to preserve and develop the beauty and
economic stability of Athens. SOA will promote the concerns of
the downtown area at the city, county and special district
level. In addition:
2. Economic Restructuring: SOA will help to diversify the
community by recruiting new stores to balance the retail mix;
devising and writing marketing packages for interested owners
and/or business people who want to recruit new business into
their space, aiding potential business owners in finding retail
space, and by aiding in the acquiring of adequate financing.
3. Design: SOA will assist in planning and coordinating the
design of improvements in or adjacent to the downtown area. SOA
will aid in providing design services for buildings and signage.
SOA will provide information on painting, construction, historic
renovation, and preservation. SOA will promote and assist in
city beautification projects. SOA will participate in the
planning and development of public interest projects in the
downtown area. SOA will promote effective redevelopment efforts
and assist in planning for the revitalization of the downtown
area. SOA shall, whenever possible, recommend appropriate uses
and design standards for downtown area development.
4. Promotions: SOA shall promote and sponsor discussion groups
and shall educate and inform citizens and members on topics of
common interest and concern to the downtown area. SOA shall
maintain information regarding revitalization in the downtown
area. SOA will sponsor cultural, employment and commercial
revitalization in to the downtown area. SOA will provide a forum
for members to share knowledge, common experiences and problems.
SOA shall publish community information regarding its activities
and other data relevant to downtown revitalization.
In the future, the Organization will focus on education of our
community, both the city of Athens and Limestone County, and on
the importance of the Spirit of Athens Initiative and how this
will benefit our lives and our children’s future.
