Released August 3, 2009
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:

NON-DROUGHT WATER USE RULES ARE NOW IN PLACE

The City Commission of the City of Toccoa has lifted most restrictions on the outdoor use of water throughout the City Water Distribution System.  This also includes the unincorporated portions of Stephens County.  The earlier restrictions were imposed as a result of mandatory, statewide watering restrictions imposed by the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Department of Natural Resources.

On June 10, 2009, EPD declared the entire State of Georgia to be in non-drought condition. Accordingly, all outdoor water uses are now permitted, but only during specific days determined by address. Effective June 10, 2009, the outside use of water is hereby restricted as follows:

Odd Numbered Addresses are allowed outdoor water usage ONLY on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Even Numbered Addresses (as well as those residences without numbers) are allowed outdoor water usage ONLY on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday.

There are no clock or calendar restrictions on the filling of swimming pools.  No addresses are allowed outdoor water use on Friday, and outdoor water use is still discouraged between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., due to its ineffectiveness. 

These restrictions will remain in effect until further Notice to the Public is given.

First instance of violations will be given a written warning; the second instance will be given a fifteen ($15) dollar ticket, payable to the Clerk of the Municipal Court; and the third and subsequent instances of violation will result in the water service being discontinued until a fine of $200.00 is paid to the City of Toccoa.

NON-DROUGHT WATER USE RULES ARE NOW IN PLACE

This Notice to the Public is being provided according to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Toccoa, Section 23-60.4

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

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Released March 6, 2009
A Taste of Toccoa event showcases newly restored Historic Downtown District

Downtown streets in Toccoa are expected to be walking-room only on the evening of April 23, as thousands venture their way to enjoy great food, fun, and live entertainment and music. A Taste of Toccoa is celebrating its 19th year as a fun-filled family event, and the backdrop has never looked so good. Downtown Toccoa is capturing the attention of the state and nation.

From 5 to 8 p.m. area restaurants and caterers will be serving sample-sized portions of their most popular dishes. Some 25 restaurants will be participating in the event including Shirley’s Sole Food Caf?, visited by Food Network Star Alton Brown and featured on the Food Network. New to this year’s line up is gourmet Italian food from Gregory’s at the Bus Stop and old-fashion home-style meats and vegetables from BJ’s Family Restaurant.

With great food, entertainment, and activities, this event is sure to please the entire family. Entertainment includes the Precious Minutes Dance Class, BG Steppers, Rhythm Academy, and local bands. Activities include the Jurassic Adventure, sand art, rock climbing wall, swing ride, moon bounce, Eurobungee, train rides, chuggy choo-choo, Ferris Wheel, and pony rides.

A Taste of Toccoa began in 1991 as the first event sponsored by the Toccoa Main Street Program. There are now 20 annual events in downtown Toccoa. Since that time the program has successfully championed downtown revitalization through economic restructuring, aesthetic appeal, community promotions and fundraising efforts.

Downtown Toccoa was once covered by crumbling concrete canopies erected in the early 1970’s, but in 2005 Toccoa Main Street implemented the removal of the canopy mall. To gather the necessary funds, Toccoa partnered with six state agencies that provided $1.3 million, with local funding of $552,000, for the project.

This year’s A Taste of Toccoa will be the first since Doyle Street was opened to traffic. The newly renovated downtown area was designated a Historic District last year and is recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

During the canopy removal and street re-opening project, private interest in downtown increased. In 2008, thirty-three storefronts were renovated (under the guidance of the GA Mountains RDC Historic Preservation Planner), 11 new business located in downtown, 17 new jobs were created, and 28 part-time jobs were created. Private investment in downtown Toccoa during this time was $3.5 million.

Using funds from private investment, fa?ade grants, and low-interest construction loans, work progressed at an amazing rate. Working with the City of Toccoa and downtown business owners, the Historic Preservation Planner formulated design plans for each building in order to maintain a high degree of quality while effectively managing construction costs. Property values are now increasing, and more people are showing interest in restoring neglected buildings in the historic district.

Toccoa’s revitalization efforts have not gone unnoticed. Toccoa Main Street was selected by The National Main Street Center as a top 10 Great American Main Street and awarded the Excellence in Downtown Development by the Georgia Downtown Association.

Released February 13, 2009
"Heart and Soul Tour" to stop in Downtown Toccoa
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Toccoa is one of nine Georgia Cities to be visited by some of the state’s most influential leaders.

The Georgia Municipal Association and the Georgia Cities Foundation will again be exploring the “Heart & Soul” of nine Georgia cities on a three-day bus tour in April. The bus tour, April 15-17, 2009, will show state agency heads, business leaders, downtown developers and philanthropists ways in which cities are revitalizing and capitalizing on their downtowns.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the 2009 Heart and Soul Tour,” said City of Toccoa Community Planning and Downtown Development Director Connie Tabor. “This will be an ideal time for downtown Toccoa to promote itself to potential developers and investors.”

The tour participants will be in Toccoa on Friday, April 17, 2009. Participants will also learn about downtown programs in Dallas, Rockmart, Rome, Calhoun, Cartersville, Canton, Dahlonega, and Duluth.

“The Foundation’s goal is to help cities through successful public-private partnerships,” said Georgia Cities Foundation President Mike Starr, “and we will show nine very good examples of cities that have been successful in creating wonderful downtowns and vibrant communities through such partnerships.”

The tour is part of an overall effort to educate and inform state leaders on the importance of successful downtown development and its role in supporting overall economic development efforts for regions and communities.

Georgia Cities Foundation is a non-profit subsidiary of the Georgia Municipal Association and was created to make Georgia’s downtowns more livable and economically prosperous. Through public-private partnerships, the Foundation will facilitate the redevelopment and reuse of downtown areas throughout Georgia. The Foundation will provide funding for capital projects through a revolving loan program.
“The Foundation has a proven track record of downtown development,” said Starr. “In fact, the Foundation will be soon closing on four new loans that clearly demonstrate our partnership with the state and the possibilities that exist in our cities around the state.”

“A Toccoa property located in the historic district was the recipient of a Georgia Cities Foundation loan in the fall of 2008,” said Tabor. “They were able to take advantage of a low, 3 percent interest rate.”

“Plans are underway to make the downtown Toccoa stop one of the most memorable destinations along the Heat and Soul Tour,” said Tabor.