The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Office of Downtown Development has announced its newest recipient of the “Classic Main Street” designation. LaFayette, in Walker County on the Tennessee border, just down the road from Chattanooga, garnered the designation through showing its commitment to emphasizing historic preservation, education and economic development. LaFayette’s efforts have led to an “active and vibrant downtown.”
“LaFayette has demonstrated that it is ready to take the next step in its downtown revitalization journey,” said Cherie Bennett, Director of DCA’s Office of Downtown Development. “The Main Street Approach™ offers a practical, proven framework that can be tailored to any community’s unique needs, and LaFayette is embracing it with the energy, collaboration, and commitment we love to see.”
The Main Street America program was founded in 1980 that includes 41 state-level coordinating programs. DCA’s Office of Downtown Development (ODD) oversees Georgia’s Main Street Program, working to emphasize the program’s goals of design, economic vitality, promotion, and organization. Georgia was one of the first five states to join the network, showcasing the neighborhoods and communities who share a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based development.
LaFayette earned the designation through laying a strong foundation by establishing a local Main Street board, completing training and working with the ODD to outline a clear plan of work. LaFayette joins a growing and long list of Georgia cities that have earned the designation, including LaFayette’s neighbor of Ringgold and cities such as Blackshear, College Park, Stockbridge and Villa Rica – among many others.
“We’re excited to welcome LaFayette into the Classic Georgia Main Street family,” added Bennett. “This designation isn’t just about where they are today—it’s about the vision they’ve cast for the future. We’re looking forward to walking alongside them as their program grows and their downtown continues to thrive.”
LaFayette now features a Downtown Commons public park, with picnic pavilion, foosball, ping-pong and corn hole. A fire pit and arbors help to add ambiance to the hang out spot for family and friends enjoying the shops and restaurants of downtown LaFayette.
For the history buffs, LaFayette is one of the state’s older cities on the western side of the state. It was founded as Chattooga in 1835, before changing its name to honor the Revolutionary War hero in 1836. Just ten years earlier, LaFayette had passed through Georgia on his “Grand Tour” of the U.S. celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the country and help instill the “spirit of 1776” in a new generation of Americans. The north Georgia city is among more than a hundred named after the French general, many of which happened during his visit from 1824-1825.
