Perry removes Gen. Courtney Hodges Boulevard from downtown district

Gen. Courtney Hodges Boulevard is no longer part of downtown Perry.

The City Council voted Tuesday to remove the street from the downtown district on the recommendation of the city’s Planning Commission.

The council voted in 2014 to make the street part of the downtown district, but Councilman Randall Walker said that plan hasn’t worked out. The street doesn’t fit with the downtown area, and regulations meant to preserve downtown’s historic nature do not apply well to Gen. Courtney Hodges Boulevard, he said.

The street has businesses that are prohibited under the downtown regulations, including tire stores, car lots and auto repair shops. The Main Street Advisory Board and the Perry Downtown Development Authority opposed the move, according to a memorandum provided by City Manager Lee Gilmour, who was not at the meeting. He said the two boards cited concerns about building design, facade grants and communication with elected officials.

Mayor Jimmy Faircloth was also absent from the meeting to attend the funeral of his sister. Walker, who is mayor pro-tem, acted in his place. Walker said Gilmour had a prior personal commitment that prevented him from attending the meeting. Walker said many business owners on the street asked to be removed from the downtown district. The change will lessen the requirements that applied to the downtown area, including restrictions on signs and other regulations.

This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Perry removes Gen. Courtney Hodges Boulevard from downtown district."