Mark Libell, chief of staff for Sen. Raphael Warnock and Georgia Southwest Outreach representative Sheknita Davis visited Eatonton on July 7, to deliver $250,000 in federal funding for renovations to downtown’s City Center Stage.
Mayor John Reid was on hand, too, for a presentation luncheon coordinated by council member Janie Reid and held at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce reception hall. Several other city council members plus staff and board members from Eatonton Main Street and the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce also attended, as did alumni from the Leadership Putnam class of 2021.
“The most recognizable class project is the renovation of the Plaza Arts Center by the class of 1998,” Chamber President Maggie Milner said. “We are proud of the benefit we provide to the community through each of our annual projects and are over the moon that Senator Warnock’s office has stepped in to assist with our ongoing fundraising efforts.”
Last year, Leadership Putnam class member D.J. Waller presented the idea of raising funds for Eatonton Center Stage as a class project, and classmate John Wojtas worked with his construction firm, the Paxis Group, to develop a preliminary design for the new City Center Stage.
Aspects of the design were then reviewed by the city council, led by council member Reid, who also serves as chairperson of Eatonton’s Community Development Committee. Planned renovations to City Center Stage include professional show lighting, terraced seating and landscaping improvements.
Preliminary design ideas were displayed at the reception, where Mayor Reid spoke first about the history of Eatonton and the city’s legacy of writers and athletes. He then commented on changes and improvements he’s seen over two decades working for the city of Eatonton.
“There is no finish line in this role,” Reid stated. “Each member of city council and city staff works tirelessly, each day, to better our city.”
After thanking the city for hosting the day’s reception, Libell opened the floor to members of the community to ask questions of the Senator’s office and how it can further assist Eatonton. Questions were raised about increasing industry in Putnam County, historic renovation and tourism.
Libell and Davis expressed an interest in follow-up meetings with regard to specific topics, then Davis officially presented the federal funding for the City Center Stage project on behalf of Warnock’s office.