Perry Main Street exploring trolley service between fairgrounds and downtown
PERRY — The Main Street Advisory Board is exploring the option of having a trolley run between the Georgia National Fairgrounds and downtown.
“We would like try and bridge between the fairgrounds and downtown ... not only during the fair, but during other events,” said board Chairwoman Susan Scragg. “We’re just kind of looking at it right now.”
The city already uses trolleys for tours during Historic Preservation Month, but Scragg said those are pulled by a tractor.
Main Street Coordinator Catherine Edgemon looked into whether a trolley would be feasible after the idea surfaced at a meeting last month.
“I am trying to get information from cities that have trolleys,” Edgemon told the board Thursday evening. “(Valdosta) did away with their trolley because it was not being utilized enough to justify the expense of maintaining it. I’m still trying to get information from Milledgeville and Americus about theirs.”
Board member Bill O’Neal was optimistic about the prospects of a trolley.
“If we are moving people to and from the fairgrounds, it might catch on,” he said.
Trish Cossart, in her first meeting as a new board member, said Perry has “a specific need for them to be used” because of the fairgrounds’ proximity to downtown.
Cossart replaced former board member Nancy Waters and represents the Downtown Merchants Association.
Also Thursday, the board welcomed Andrew Presswood, who takes the place of former board member Sandi Smelter and represents the Perry Convention and Visitors Bureau.
In other business, Scragg said an issue brought up last month regarding homeless people sleeping on benches in alleys and in Roughton Park has been resolved. Downtown merchants had complained to police about the ongoing problem.
Officials also announced Thursday that the third annual Perry Buzzard Drop will have title sponsors this year including International City Builders construction company, Jeff Smith Automotive and Ocmulgee Inc.
To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.
This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 9:54 PM with the headline "Perry Main Street exploring trolley service between fairgrounds and downtown ."