TIFTON — A Tifton man told members of the Tifton City Council Monday night the Newfront Restoration Corporation’s proposed plans to redevelop the site.

Alton Pertilla, organizer of the Southside Unity Coalition, spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting Monday. He said that the “Newfront” site consists of a one-story brick building with nine commercial units and is located at addresses between 50 and 1517 S. Park Ave. between 15th and 17th Streets. He said that site is “a historic site in black social and commercial life in south Tifton.”

Pertilla said that in the '50s and '60s, the site was “the black nerve center.”

“There were various business enterprises there,” Pertilla said.

Pertilla said that there was once a youth recreation center operated by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Mrs. Smith’s Restaurant and several other businesses. Across the street was Ira Bryant’s Barber Shop, Pertilla said, and on the corner was Pete Pertilla’s Service Station. Pertilla said that around the corner on 17th Street was Lit Hopkins’ Dry Cleaners and the site of the old Roxy Theater was in the American Legion. He said there was a tavern/saloon behind the American Legion.

“This area played a vital role in the social history of black Tifton in the '50s and '60s and to a great extent through the 1990s,” Pertilla said.

Many of the locations have remained vacant for several years, Pertilla said, and the area “represents an excellent site for redevelopment, having both positive economic and historical potential and possibility.”

Pertilla said that Tifton Estates in the old “Kerosene Quarters” east of Central Avenue from 15th to 17th streets and 30 new private houses recently built “bode well for the future.”

Pertilla said the current owner acquired the property in 2006 and is the primary sponsor of the project. He said that the corporation’s intent is to redevelop the site and restore and modernize it to its original condition, which will provide locations for several businesses.

“This project will have a significant and positive impact upon the economics of Tifton and is a most positive development for the southside of Tifton, which is in need of a range of positive social and economic developments,” Pertilla said.

It was unclear if Pertilla was asking for any direct financial support from the city. Pertilla did mention the millions of dollars that had been spent recently on developments in downtown Tifton and asked the council if they planned to have a ribbon cutting for the housing development.

In other business, the council also heard from Dexter Davis, who lives at 111 W. 11th St., during the public comment portion of the meeting. Davis said that his mother has lived on Crawley Lane for 30 years and had always helped people. He asked that the council consider naming the street for her.

City Manager Mike Vollmer said he would get back in touch with Davis in 30-60 days. Vollmer said that no procedure has yet to be put in place concerning the re-naming of streets.

City Councilman Johnny Terrell said that Queen Davis’ family “have been good citizens and that he would be honored if council could look at naming it after her.”

Councilwoman Marianna Keesee said that she had served with Terrell on the committee studying the development of a policy for renaming streets and that further discussion was needed and some legal issues had to be addressed.

Several concerned citizens, including Pertilla, have appeared before the Tifton City Council this year objecting to the December renaming of 17th Street to Roosevelt Russell Sr. Boulevard after Russell was defeated by Terrell.

In other business, the council heard from Samantha Lawson, the director of the city’s Senior Services Department. Lawson said the Tifton Senior Cafe, which offers meals to seniors for $3.50, began operation two weeks ago at the Leroy Rogers Center. She said that the center continues to address issues of malnutrition among the senior community.

Lawson said that the definition of “senior” is changing and that people 55-60 years old are being referred to as “Boomer,” those 61-84 as “Young Seniors” and those 84 and older as “Older Seniors.” She said that all seniors are more active now than ever and have enjoyed visiting the center. Lawson said she was asking for the community’s and the council’s support in changing the “senior stigma” of the center and informing the community that more than meals are served at the facility.

Lawson said that the major goals of the center are connecting with the community and increasing awareness and promoting the benefits of the services offered; expanding and broadening the recreational programs and events held at the center to reach the diverse interests of the senior population; developing a comprehensive volunteer program to enhance services and minimize costs; and to strengthen the center’s fiscal management while securing alternative revenue resources.



To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.