Canton, Georgia  
110 Academy Street  
Canton, Georgia 30114  
Minutes - Final - Final  
Wednesday, June 10, 2026  
9:00 AM  
City Hall  
110 Academy Street  
Downtown Development Authority  
1.  
Call to Order  
Board Members Present:  
Jennifer Hughes (Chair)  
Brooke Schmidt  
Cory Wilson  
Andreina Perez  
Lee Oliver  
City Staff & Council Present:  
Bryan Roach, City Council  
Shawn Tolan, City Council  
Billy Peppers, City Manager  
Velinda hardy, Downtown Development Manager  
Aundi Lesley, Economic Development Manager  
Lauren Johnson, Communications Manager  
Ryan Luckett, Finance Director  
Kaylee Floyd, Administrative Assistant  
2.  
Approval of the Agenda  
Member Schmidt moved to approve the agenda. Member Wilson seconded the  
motion; Motion carried.  
3.  
Review / Approval of Minutes  
A.  
Downtown Development Authority Draft Minutes - February 11, 2026  
Attachments:  
Member Schmidt moved to approve the February minutes; Member Wilson  
seconded the motion; Motion carried.  
B.  
Downtown Development Authority Draft Minutes - May 13, 2026  
Attachments:  
Member Schmidt moved to approve the May minutes; Member Wilson seconded  
the motion; Motion carried.  
4.  
Public Input  
Financials  
None  
5.  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Approval of Reimbursement to the City  
for Expenses  
Finance Director Ryan Luckett provided the Board with the past month’s invoice  
for money spent. Member Schmidt moved to approve reimbursement of that  
invoice; Member Oliver seconded the motion; Motion carried.  
6.  
New Business  
None  
7.  
Old Business  
A.  
Update on the Downtown Fire Station  
City Manager Billy Peppers informed the Board that we are still waiting for a start  
date for construction. Fencing around the fire station will be put up soon and the  
access road between the fire station and the Cherokee County Water and Sewer  
Authority will be closed off.  
B.  
i.  
Update on the North Street Gateway Redevelopment Project  
Cherokee North Property  
Mr. Peppers provided the Board with information regarding updates on the  
property. There are no longer any tenants in the building. The Public Works  
Department will be removing heavy equipment from the building.  
ii.  
C.  
North Street Gateway Project  
Mr. Peppers updated the Board on the parking deck and provided information  
about the open parking area.  
Update on the Hickory Flat Hwy. Gateway Project  
Mr. Peppers updated the Board on the approved contract by City Council. The  
pedestrian bridge has been installed and is expected to be usable by the end of  
December.  
D.  
Update and Discussion on the Downtown Hotel RFP  
The City has been working with the downtown hotel developers and we will have  
an update in July.  
8.  
What's Going on in Canton!  
Downtown Development Manager Velinda Hardy provided the Board with  
information on upcoming events within the City.  
9.  
Board Introduced Items  
Member Oliver spoke about the two-day World Cup event hosted by The Mill on  
Etowah starting June 11th.  
10.  
Adjourn  
Member Schmidt moved to adjourn; Member Oliver seconded; Motion carried.