Douglasville council to place retail‑recruitment contract on consent agenda

Douglasville — The City Council’s economic development committee agreed at its May 14 legislative work session to place on the May 18 consent agenda a proposed three‑year consulting agreement with Retail Strategies LLC to pursue retail recruitment in Douglasville.

Chelsea Jackson, deputy city manager, told the council the contract would be $50,000 per year for a three‑year term (a $150,000 total commitment over three years) to fund a retail recruitment strategy aligned with the city’s strategic plan. Sarah Best Stewart, a representative of Retail Strategies, said the firm will begin with a 30‑day consumer and demographic study, follow with a 30‑day real‑estate asset assessment, and deliver a retail recruitment plan roughly 90–100 days after the contract start. She said the firm will then actively pursue targeted retailers and report back to the city on prospects, barriers and potential incentives.

“During the first 30 days we’re really going to spend studying who the consumers are, not just residents, but who has the opportunity to shop in Douglasville and spend their dollars here,” Stewart said.

Council members responding to the presentation said they supported the proactive approach and asked staff to provide a clearer implementation timeline and milestones for measuring success. Mayor Pro Tim (Council Member Terry Miller) said if there were no objections the item would be added to the consent agenda for the next voting meeting.

The contract was presented as a staff recommendation; the council did not take a final vote during the work session. The agreement and any contract documents will be listed on the May 18 meeting packet for formal action.