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Downtown
Cartersville ... old and new
By Shari Rathman
Liz Hood, Downtown Development Authority Executive
Director, has helped shape the revitalization of downtown
Cartersville. As with many cities, the downtown area fell on hard
times as malls rose up at the outskirts of the community.
Then in 2003 with the help of the Georgia Department
of Community Affairs, the revitalization of downtown was “jump
started” per Hood. It also helped that The Grand Theatre also went
through a renovation as well so that people were attending the
theatre at night and more restaurants were opening in the downtown
area and staying open later.
 The
Downtown Cartersville Development Authority has a motto of “Tracking
Our Future While Saving Our Past” which is evident by the cityscape
which includes the world’s first Coca Cola sign and a historic train
depot which serves as the Visitors Center. Regarding dining, Hood
says “we have diners to fine dining, including D’ Morgan’s which has
a 3,000 bottle wine bar.”
 Downtown
Cartersville also has a new Integrity Plaza which cost $5.2 million
to build. The lower level of the plaza was to host a music club
(which recently fell through). Upstairs there is space available
for a restaurant and other retail spaces.
“There are 16 restaurants and 35 shops in a 10-block
downtown area,” said Hood, and it is apparent that they are planning
for more growth.
Hood also said that more retirees were starting to
consider Cartersville with its culture, amenities, friendliness and
a community size of 20,000 people.
 Cartersville’s
Visitors Guide says it’s “Georgia’s Land of Cowboys, Indians &
Southern Legends.” For more information visit their website
www.notatlanta.org.
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