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TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1997 <br />Council next considered a presentation by the Martinsville UPTOWN Revitalization Association of its 1996- <br /> <br />97 Annual Report and 1997-98 Plan of Work. Mrs. Krista Vannoy, Executive Director of MURA, was <br />present to make the presentation, accompanied by members of the MURA Board. Mrs. Vannoy noted that <br />the 1996-97 fiscal year was a very successful one for MURA, with tremendous improvements in the <br />UPTOWN. Numerous achievements were cited, as documented in the MURA Annual report. These included <br />accomplishments in UPTOWN design accessories, facade renovations, grant awards, UPTOWN promotions <br />and events, an UPTOWN directory and map, creation of new marketing materials and property profiles, and <br />net gains in new businesses and re-investment in the UPTOWN properties. In reviewing the Plan of Work <br />for FY-97-98, Mrs. Vannoy stated plans for adding more events and promotions, creation of an UPTOWN <br />Newsletter, design elements that will include outdoor murals and more facade renovations, efforts to increase <br />membership, improve communications, and further strengthen and educate the Board. Also cited were goals <br />in market analysis to be done with assistance from Virginia Tech, work to develop housing opportunities in <br />the UPTOWN, and a focus on renovation of the old Courthouse. Mrs. Vannoy then stated that the last vacant <br />store facility on Church St. was about to be filled, and introduced Mr. Tim Martin, an UPTOWN <br />businessman and President of the UPTOWN Business Association, to make an announcement. Mr. Martin <br />then announced that Fitness Connection, an athletic and fitness center, would soon occupy the old "Revco" <br />building, using two floors and 11,000 square feet of space. He then introduced Mr. Howard Huff, the owner <br />and operator of this new business, who stated that he has in excess of 500 members already and expected to <br />bring many people UPTOWN to his facility. Council thanked Mrs. Vannoy for her efforts and success, <br />challenged her to plan to work hard in the future expansion and development of new space in the UPTOWN, <br />thanked her for her assistance to the Sportsman's Club on Fayette St., and congratulated her on a dramatic <br />year of growth and success. <br /> <br />Council then opened the meeting to Business from the Floor, at which time Mr. Barron Frith, President of <br />the Martinsville Community Recreation Association, came forward to request that Council consider changing <br /> <br /> <br />