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September 2, 2010
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Loganville is not alone
Published July 27, 2007
I always thought Loganville residents lived in a dual universe — Loganville, Ga. and Loganville, Wisc.
Turns out they live in a triple universe — there is also a Loganville, Pa.
But as Loganvilles go, the one here in Georgia is the giant among its peers.
Loganville, Pa. has 1,027 residents compared to our Loganville’s almost 10,000 and little ole Loganville, Wisc. has all of 272 people calling it home. But then it is only .2-square miles compared to our 6-square miles. I get Google alerts letting me know whenever something hits the news wires concerning Loganville and I always have to check I’m getting information on the right Loganville. Those alerts do let me know things aren’t always perfect in those other Loganvilles either. They also have crime, fires, even the recent arrest of 18 juveniles for underage drinking. I guess we’re not that bad after all. I did remember learning last year that Loganville, Wisc., small as it is, did lead in something. It had its first ever Fourth of July parade almost a century ago. I bet it wasn’t as big though.
I can’t help wondering, small as they are, if they have some of the same issues facing them. I do know neither of the other two have the same growth problems — the one in Wisconsin even shrunk in size losing three of its residents in the last few years while there was a corresponding 75 percent growth rate here.
I also wonder about liquor by the drink. Do the other Loganvilles serve it? I do know it isn’t served to juveniles — well not legally anyway — according to the wires. And what about Downtown Development Authorities? Are they also looking at ways to rejuvenate their downtown areas? Speaking of which, has anyone been to Monroe lately? The city seems to have a handle on what is necessary to develop a downtown.
I remember two years ago when I started at The Tribune offices in downtown Monroe, the “village” was a little deserted. It wasn’t easy to find something to eat for lunch unless you got in the car and drove somewhere — or were happy with a burger or hot dog from the pool hall down the street every day.
What a difference a couple of years make.
Monroe now has a highly functioning downtown with several choices within walking distance to satisfy the lunch crowd — and crowd it is.
You would think with the county buildings moving out of the downtown area, it would have been left with very little going on. But that isn’t what happened at all. I’m told the director of the Monroe Downtown Development Authority, Stacy Jones, should be given credit for what has happened in Monroe. If that is so she definitely has something to be proud of. Not only do you now have a choice of places to eat in town, but you can also get your hair done, your nails manicured, play a little pool, do a little shopping and, coming in August, you could even spend the night at a quaint little hotel. There are four upscale suites opening up in an eclectic environment next to the Twisted Oak restaurant. I’ve seen them and they’re really something.
Maybe Monroe’s DDA could share its secret to creating a vibrant, functioning downtown with some of its sister cities.
Whatever the formula — it seems to be working.
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