The Douglasville Downtown Development Authority is planning a busy holiday season, with a celebration titled “Old Fashioned Holidays,” according to Jack Tysor, authority chairman.

Tysor was the guest speaker at the noon Friday meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Douglas County.

Tysor said “Old Fashioned Holidays” will begin at 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5 in the downtown O’Neal Plaza. Events will include a Santa visit, musical entertainment, desserts, tree lighting and a tour of homes.

“The tree lighting will be held at 6 p.m., followed by the Jeff Pike Band,” he said. “The Tour of Homes will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.” There is a charge for the tours.

Additional informational is available online at www.DowntownDouglasville.org or by calling 770-947-5920.

Tysor said Downtown Development Authority is a tax-exempt corporate body appointed by the city council. It encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation.

“The Main Street approach advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership and a sense of community,” he said.

Tysor said the downtown district includes 182 properties, with an occupation rate of 86 percent. Service business makes up the majority, with 67 percent. The other categories and their percentages include: government, 12 percent; retail, 10 percent; restaurant, 5 percent; churches and banks, 3 percent each.

Tysor said the city is planning to construct a new convention center on the Church Street site where the current convention center parking lot is located. It will include a 200-space parking deck.

Downtown development authorities were made possible by the Georgia Downtown Development Authorities (DDA) Law of 1981. It allows a DDA in each city and requires that at least four of the directors must be downtown business owners or operators.