TIFTON — Repairing damage to New Front and creating a Cultural District Concept Committee were the major points of a July 13 meeting of the Tifton Urban Redevelopment Agency, held at the Anthony Bateman Youth Center.

New Front, a historically African American commercial block on South Park Avenue, was already on the minds of the Tifton Urban Redevelopment Agency before it suffered damage weeks ago.

Board member Bruce Green said the front corner of a building collapsed.

“The roof deteriorated and absorbed a lot of water,” Green said, “and when it did, it pushed out on the corner.” Part of it collapsed, he said.

Green said bricks from the collapse were cleared from the street. He proposed a few avenues for funding a repair of the building. One potential possibility is a facade grant but that would require a match in the amount of funds granted.

Dr. Tonja Tift, executive director, said they did have funds that could be used for the match.

One limitation for funding repairs is the south side of Tifton not being included in the historic district, Green said.

Green also floated ideas with property owner Stephen Napier about what to potentially do with New Front, including adjusting the building to hold farmers markets.

The agency also discussed the creation of a Cultural District Concept Committee.

Green said there is no legislation from the state on the particulars of such a committee and they would have to model one based on other cities.

M. Jay Hall volunteered to chair the committee. Green suggested using four Urban Redevelopment board members, plus three more persons as advisors. Board member Willie Dean said he would also be on the committee.

Tift asked the group for a report at the September meeting.

“It pretty much does everything a historic preservation district does but you do not have architectural review,” Green said, adding they also would not have the power for permits. “By (forming a Cultural District Concept Committee), it potentially opens us, the URA, up to a good thing, getting grants.”

He brought up help with New Front as something that could see benefits.

The upcoming midyear retreat for the Urban Redevelopment Agency was also reviewed. No location was set.

The next meeting of the Tifton Urban Redevelopment Agency is set for 4:30 p.m., Aug. 10.