A coalition of local organizations and business leaders will appear before Bulloch County commissioners Tuesday, seeking support for a multi-purpose venue to serve the region and its citizens.
The group will attend a regularly scheduled Board of Commis-sioners meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the community room of Statesboro’s North Main Annex, to ask county leaders for a commitment of sales-tax dollars to help fund the conceptual project.
Allen Muldrew, director of the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority, will offer a brief presentation to county officials and ask that they match the City of Statesboro’s pledge to use some of 2013 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax dollars for a park that would provide a permanent home to the Main Street Farmers Market, feature an open green-space for play or community events/gatherings and potentially play host to concerts or other regional attractions.
“This is a project that is going to service the entire community,” Muldrew said. It will be a property and venue that the entire community can be proud of and use.”
Preliminary plans for the project, envision an open-area park that features pavilions for the farmers market and other community events, picnic areas, a playground, a wade-in fountain – similar to those located in Atlanta’s Centennial Park and Savannah’s Ellis Square – and a possible stage or amphitheater to host concerts and various entertainment events, he said.
The idea’s supporters – including the Development Authority, Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau and Averitt Center for the Arts – are currently scouting properties in Downtown Statesboro to transform into the new venue.
“The multi-purpose facility will have a permanent home for the Farmers Market,” Muldrew said. “The pavilion could also be rented out to clubs, church groups, and school groups – or for family reunions – throughout the week. With the venue being located downtown, everyone can get to it. Residents can drive, walk or bike to the park.”
With city and county representatives currently deciding how best to spend funds associated with potential SPLOST moneys – citizens would decide whether to renew the current one-cent sales tax for six additional years in November – the opportunity to garner funding for the community-project exists now, he said.
Tuesday, proponents of the park will appeal to commissioners for up to $600,000 to help facilitate the project. Less than two percent of the county’s estimated SPLOST funds ($42,467,155), the amount would match a sum the City of Statesboro has tentatively agreed to contribute for the venue.
“There is definitely demand for the project downtown and for the entire community. Staff with the city has made a recommendation to help fund the downtown venue and included the money in our plans for the 2013 SPLOST,” said City Manager Frank Parker.
“What we are suggesting and recommending for downtown will be for all citizens of Bulloch County and neighboring areas,” he said. “It is a regional facility that would make us, as a county, more attractive for economic development and to our citizens.”
According to Muldrew, the combined $1.2 million is enough to purchase a tract of land downtown – that is currently ill-maintained or abandoned – beautify the property, and begin development of a venue.
The facility, which would provide free space in the form of picnic tables, playground equipment and an open lawn, would have guaranteed tenants with the Farmers Market and the Averitt Center for the Arts – which could use the area to build and store equipment, or stage plays and exhibits, he said.
Currently, the Farmers Market, which is outgrowing the Sea Island Bank Parking lot it calls home, features approximately 40 Bulloch County farmers generating more than $250,000 every year, Muldrew said. 
“[The project] makes good economic sense,” he said. “We can strengthen an existing industry that serves the county and benefits its residents, improve property values, and encourage community growth.”
Bulloch County Manager Tom Couch, however, said it is uncertain whether the Board of Commissioners would be willing to lend the county’s financial support.
“[The venue’s proponents] would obviously like to see Bulloch County participate in the project, but the county’s challenge in participating, at least right now, is: we are throwing a lot of our ‘economic-development chips’ in getting infrastructure started at Interstate-16 and Highway 301,” Couch said.
The county is developing a new industrial complex at the site.
Because details regarding the new park have yet to be determined – settling on a property and deciding who would provide landscaping – county officials may be hesitant to commit, he said.
“We will have to carefully review our ability to participate,” Couch said. “I think, right now, we would be morally supportive of the idea, but have to examine more closely to determine whether we would provide the financial support.”
County officials have a chance to evaluate the idea, when Tuesday’s meeting gets underway at 5:30 p.m.
“I absolutely think the project is a good thing, if monies become available,” said Bulloch County Commissioner Roy Thompson.
“The venue would bring a lot of people to Downtown Statesboro and to Bulloch County,” he said. “I really and truly think it would be great because of the Farmers Market and the other events that would branch off of that. If money is available, I would certainly vote for it.”

Jeff Harrison can be reached at (912) 489-9454.