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Published Monday, November 02, 2009 in Local

Photo by Jeffrey Leo

Ante-bellum architecture remains intact near downtown, including this home on Temple Avenue built by one of the Dent brothers before the Civil War.

Newnan among 'Great Places in Georgia' State award '...is a great honor for our city.'

By News Staff

The Times-Herald

The state is recognizing what many local citizens already knew -- that Newnan is rightfully among the great places in Georgia.

Newnan's downtown was recently recognized as the inaugural recipient of this year's "Great Places in Georgia" award by the Georgia Planning Association.

The 2009 GPA Chapter Awards were given to plans and projects that showed innovation, transferability, quality, effectiveness of implementation, public participation, technology, equity and sustainability.

In addition to the basic planning awards, a new category was created to recognize "great places" in Georgia. The award was established to showcase communities that emphasize a live, work and play environment, along with safety, conservation, accessibility and community involvement.

"This is a great honor for our city," said Planning Director Tracy Dunnavant. "It shows that Newnan has managed to preserve its past while continuing to meet the needs of the future. It's an award that could only be achieved through the efforts of the community as a whole."

GPA cited several reasons why downtown Newnan was selected as a great place in Georgia.

Downtown Newnan is defined by its history and has an engaged community. The ante-bellum architecture remains intact in the downtown area. There are a wide variety of mixed uses -- including retail, restaurants, offices, industrial and public uses. City and county governments operate their administrative offices downtown.

Another factor in the decision was Newnan's selection as Georgia's representative for This Old House's Best Old House Neighborhoods for 2009.

The GPA has provided resources and services to planners and communities for more than three decades, offering education, legislative support, the Community Planning Institute and other resources. Each year, GPA rewards local communities and regional commissions for their work to make Georgia a better place to live. The Georgia Planning Association presents its chapter awards at its fall conference.

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