GovHound:  TRACKING THE STORIES THAT MATTER;  EVERY newspaper. EVERY day.

 

GovHound.com provides capital development leads to firms involved with the planning, financing and construction of public & private buildings. 

We do this by providing same-day, hand selected, categorized news stories from virtually every newspaper in

North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, and Wisconsin.  

 

To receive Govhound's daily Georgia building leads in your Inbox every morning, just fill out the subscription form on our "Sign Up" page:

http://www.govpile.com/signup.html

 

Submitting the online membership form triggers an invoice, and the immediate start of your membership.

 

Thank you for considering GovHound.com as a valuable part of your business marketing plan.

 

GovHound.Com

info@GovHound.com

 

[ SELECTED DAYS’ HEADLINES; Our subscribers get this kind of information EVERY day.

We cover 55 daily Georgia newspapers and 98 Georgia weeklies. ]

Thursday, November 05, 2009

 

GEORGIA PUBLIC PROJECT LEADS

 

Grady Memorial Hospital has backed off from closing two of three neighborhood health centers. It also has a multiM-dollar plan to create four new community health "super centers."

http://www.ajc.com/news/grady-to-build-neighborhood-186300.html

 

Georgia sold $793.9M in general obligation bonds this week, netting $35M in budget savings for fiscal 2010, Gov. Sonny Perdue's office said Wednesday. The bonds will fund new schools, public safety projects, road projects and other crucial infrastructure.

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/11/02/daily68.html?surround=lfn

 

The staff of the Georgia Department of Transportation is proposing that the state add toll lanes to stretches of several major highways in metro Atlanta.

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=137165&catid=3

 

Although Douglas County voters approved a 1-cent special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) Tuesday to build a new jail, it will be from two to three years before inmates are moved to the completed facility. Several funding and bidding steps are necessary before ground is actually broken for the $150M structure to house 1,500 inmates

http://tinyurl.com/yz8uofk

 

Fayette County voters overwhelmingly rejected a special local option sales tax renewal Tuesday, which would have raised an estimated $136M for transportation projects and the acquisition of the county's justice center. The center is currently being paid for through a long term lease/purchase agreement.

http://www.fayettedailynews.com/article.php?id_news=4517

 

Tanner Health System is going ahead with plans for a $54M expansion project that will begin in the coming weeks. The project includes an expansion of the parking deck, followed by construction of a tower to house a new emergency department, along with expansion of the surgical and short-stay departments.

http://tinyurl.com/yllb6ae

 

Atlanta ranked at the bottom of a Forbes magazine list of the most `toxic` cities in the U.S., followed by Detroit, Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Portland. The rankings were based on the number of EPA `Superfund` toxic waste sites, number of chemical facilities, pounds of releases, and air quality.

http://www.coosavalleynews.com/np82545.htm

 

Barrow County: Funding for sewer efforts may involve authority.

http://www.barrowcountynews.com/news/article/4854/

 

Dawson County: Plans for a major reservoir proposed in Dawson County have been put on hold until January when a new Atlanta City mayor takes office.

http://www.dawsonadvertiser.com/articles/2009/11/04/news/news04.txt

 

Dawson County School System's one-cent education sales tax passed by an overwhelming margin. The school system plans to build a new alternative school and make improvements, such as roof repairs and renovations at area schools.

http://www.dawsonnews.com/news/article/2697/

 

Fannin County: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office is on track to provide grant funding for 75 percent of Fannin County's water system.

http://www.thenewsobserver.com/articles/2009/11/03/news/news01.txt

 

Trenton: Bids for the proposed community center for the City of Trenton are in and city administrators are not satisfied. The budget for this new meeting space was set at $475,000. The lowest bid was submitted by McBryar and Sons at $603,039.

http://www.dadesentinel.com/content.aspx?module=ContentItem&ID=156732&MemberID=1338

 

Athens: In defense of the downtown parking deck.

http://flagpole.com/Weekly/AthensRising

 

Rome SPLOST talks; Officials want to lay the groundwork for an early 2010 start on a new $42.3M package of projects

http://tinyurl.com/ykx6xur

 

The Clarke County Board of Education is scheduled to discuss tonight a nonprofit's interest in buying a 6-acre site next to Stroud Elementary School in East Athens for its efforts to assist homeless people.

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/110509/new_512723709.shtml

 

Winterville will hold a town hall discussion at 7 tonight in the Winterville Depot titled "Honor Our Past; Prepare for Our Future"

to consider the future use of the historic Winterville School.

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/110509/new_512721740.shtml

 

The $133M construction and renovation of Fort Gordon's aging barracks continue as the post enters its fourth year since surviving a nationwide round of military base reductions and closures.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/05/met_554600.shtml

 

Bibb County commissioners are determined to build a new courthouse. Tuesday, a majority of them said they think the best site would be just a few doors down from the current courthouse on Mulberry Street.

At $79.5M, that site would also be the cheapest of the options to build.

http://www.macon.com/local/story/903678.html

 

Newton Commissioners heard an encouraging report from residents of Fairview Estates on Tuesday night regarding the county's proposal to buy foreclosed properties and build a park in their neighborhood.

http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/newtonnews/headlines/69251347.html

 

Camden County commissioners will secure an independent study on the county jail operations and delay dealing with inmate overcrowding until January.

http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2009-11-05/story/camden_jail_decision_delayed_until_january

 

 

 

 

GEORGIA PRIVATE LEADS

 

Banks taking retail centers

http://www.ajc.com/business/banks-taking-retail-centers-174528.html

 

The potential economic development partnership between Oconee and Athens-Clarke counties remains on hold.

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/110509/new_512627409.shtml

 

A pair of gifts totaling $4M pushed the Salvation Army Kroc Center's fundraising drive past its goal Wednesday and qualified the project for $67.8 million from the estate of McDonald's heiress Joan Kroc.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/05/met_554601.shtml

 

Dunwoody: Marist School attorneys said they would ask for a deferral at this week's DeKalb Planning Commission meeting which was scheduled to review the proposed Marist expansion plans. Marist has plans for tennis courts, practice fields and parking.

http://www.thecrier.net/articles/2009/11/03/news/maristdefer.txt

 

Jackson County: A request from a wine distributor to locate a warehouse in Jackson County has led officials to consider amending the county's alcohol ordinance.

http://tinyurl.com/yg7f3dt

 

American Tower Company has identified a location on Canoochee Road on which to install a new AT&T tower to provide better service to west Candler County.

http://www.metteradvertiser.com/v2/content.aspx?module=ContentItem&ID=156695&MemberID=1287

 

Developer Courtland Dusseau told Augusta commissioners Wednesday that they couldn't pay him to move the site of his planned Hyatt hotel.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/05/met_554561.shtml

 

One month since the National Science Center said its Fort Discovery riverfront property was for sale, there has been some interest, but no deal

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/05/met_554562.shtml

 

Four Middle Georgia historic properties made the Georgia Trust For Historic Preservation's 10 Places In Peril list released Wednesday.

http://www.macon.com/local/story/905022.html

 

Valdosta:  Langdale Place senior living facility at 2720 Windemere Drive officially broke ground on a new multi-purpose activity center behind its main building Wednesday.

http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/local/local_story_308212823.html

 

Savannah: The southwest corner of Hampstead Avenue may not look like much today, but it's becoming a hard-fought redevelopment site that could create change across the city.

http://beta.savannahnow.com/news/2009-11-05/city-proposed-enmark-intrusion

 

Report: 11 states emerging from recession

http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=435215

 

 

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

 

The College Football Hall of Fame, long sought after as a crown jewel tourist attraction for the capital of the South, will touchdown in downtown Atlanta http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/09/21/daily43.html?surround=lfn

 

Damage by floods could cost M's for sewage plants

http://tinyurl.com/lh24ul

 

How should Cherokee spend the rest of the parks bond money?

http://tinyurl.com/lmqqlb

 

The Floyd County Commission accepted a bid for the Armuchee Connector at a meeting Tuesday. The bid of $8.1M was from C.W. Matthews Co,Inc. The road is expected to be completed by June 2011. County Manager Kevin Poe said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to issue a permit in the next two to three weeks, then a preconstruction meeting would be scheduled.

http://www.coosavalleynews.com/np81957.htm

 

Macon and Bibb County's flagship library, Washington Memorial, will soon get its first thorough renovation in three decades.

http://www.macon.com/local/story/853690.html

 

Two Georgia housing authorities are among 36 across the nation using $300M in Recovery Act competitive grants. The grants are to use green materials and technology to create public housing that conserves energy and encourages more healthy lifestyles.

http://www.macon.com/220/story/853949.html

 

St. Francis Hospital has plans for a $110M expansion of its Manchester Expressway facilities. Hospital officials are expected to announce today they have filed a Certificate of Need with the state of Georgia so the nearly 60-year-old Columbus hospital can undergo extensive renovations and construction.

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/story/847761.html

 

Newnan city officials are taking a second look at a state program that would provide more than $2M to help families purchase foreclosed homes.

http://www.times-herald.com/Local/City-eyes--2-million-housing-grant-862438

 

The Newnan City Council voted Monday to hire consultant Josh Brener to help with plans for a replacement swimming pool at Willie Lynch Park.

http://www.times-herald.com/Local/City-hires-consultant-for-Lynch-pool-project-862439

 

The original bid requests mailed in December for design of the Westside Fire Station have been scrapped. Tifton Fire Chief Mike Flippo requested Monday night that the Tifton City Council request previous bids on the project since plans have changed.

http://www.tiftongazette.com/local/local_story_265233730.html

 

Two environmental groups announced opposition Tuesday against plans to relocate the St. Marys Airport to a site near Woodbine that Sea Island Co. donated.

http://tinyurl.com/knagqw

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has award a $3.2M contract to ScotBilt Homes of Waycross, Ga., to build up to 67,500 three-bedroom homes over the next five years.

http://tinyurl.com/lqzqt7

 

 

 

 

GEORGIA PRIVATE LEADS

 

As the waters recede, they leave behind an estimated $250M in damage along with thousands of harmed homes - most of them not insured for flooding.

http://www.ajc.com/business/flood-claims-pour-in-144226.html

 

Clint Taylor, project manager for economic development at Georgia Power, addressed more than 70 Bowdon residents Tuesday night about how to boost the city's ailing economy.

http://tinyurl.com/ljrauk

 

Foreclosures rise among Fayette builders

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/39507

 

Wall Street Journal talks with Mayor Ken Steele about new style of mixed residential-business developments geared to serve aging residents of surburbia

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/39508

 

A crack team of Georgia Tech architecture students will tackle the creation of future plans for four of Peachtree City's village shopping centers.

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/39504

 

An estimated 200 Rockdale County homes, primarily in north Rockdale, were damaged by the waters that spilled over river banks Monday and Tuesday.

http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=9298

 

Romeo Comeau is the developer applying for a $16M federal stimulus grant to rehabilitate the former Heritage House Hotel.

http://www.albanyherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=7233

 

The Camden County Joint Development Authority has negotiated an agreement to create a public-private partnership to redevelop the 750-acre Durango-Georgia Paper Co. site.

http://tinyurl.com/nsht8m

 

Community leaders are expressing optimism and excitement following Monday's announcement by Gov. Sonny Perdue that Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas Inc. will locate a manufacturing facility in nearby Pooler.

 

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

 

GEORGIA PUBLIC PROJECT LEADS

Covering 55 daily newspapers and 98 weeklies

 

Douglas Count voters will decide on a Nov. 3 referendum if they want to impose a one-cent special purpose local option sales tax

(SPLOST) to finance a new $140M jail.

http://tinyurl.com/koe9qa

 

Habersham Co. looks to fix its leaky jail; Rust is just one of many problems at the 12-year-old lockup; commissioners say they will address the biggest culprit - a porous roof - as soon as possible. A consultant inspected the building last week and work could start before year's end at an estimated cost of $500,000.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/23222/

 

Bibb County officials claim they are close to purchasing about a dozen properties in the south portion of the county, the latest development in a long-term effort to protect the northern approaches of Robins Air Force Base from encroachment. A collection of interests - the Bibb County Commission, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and a handful of ad hoc economic development organizations - have cooperated to purchase properties through the Central Georgia Joint Development Authority

http://www.macon.com/local/story/834415.html

 

As the Muscogee County School District prepares to ask for another 1 percent sales tax for school construction, talk about the district's two previous sales tax campaigns is entering the dialogue. As supporters work to reestablish lost trust, opponents say the incomplete '97, '03 projects can't be overlooked

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/story/830156.html

 

Nearly seven months after Congress agreed to pump $787B into America's faltering economy, most of the cash promised to Tennessee and Georgia has been released by the federal government, but less than 30 percent has been paid out by the states. To date $1.1B of Tennessee's $5.2B in stimulus funds and nearly $2B of Georgia's $6.5B has been spent.

http://northgeorgia.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/sep/06/uneven-economic-jolt/

 

Greene County is set to welcome a new hospital in a commercial area known as the Lake Village. The $50M St. Joseph's Greene County facility will offer 25 beds and a nearby emergency room, replacing the county's longtime hospital that went bankrupt six years ago.

http://www.georgiatrend.com/our-state/09_09_oconee.shtml

 

Dalton Utilities is working with the UGA Bio-refinery and Carbon Cycling Program to produce biodiesel fuel from algae, a byproduct of wastewater operations. This fall Dalton Utilities will begin constructing a one-acre pilot facility, which, by next spring, will treat 50,000 to 100,000 gallons of wastewater a day.

http://www.georgiatrend.com/our-state/09_09_dalton.shtml

 

Bibb County officials say they plan to purchase about a dozen properties to help protect Robins Air Force Base from encroachment as early as next month.

http://www.ajc.com/news/bibb-county-to-buy-133321.html

 

The Marietta council is set to approve a deal that would cancel the $30M left in bond debt it owes on its Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center by using funding set aside for construction projects of the city's Board of Lights and Water. The city would then issue up to $35.5M in new bonds through the Downtown Marietta Development Authority to use for funding those BLW construction projects.

http://tinyurl.com/koljh2

 

Villa Rica has been awarded $425,000 in federal stimulus funds dispersed by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority for municipal water system improvements.

http://tinyurl.com/lnujkm

 

City of Rome will receive an additional $275,000 in Transportation Enhancement program funds that will be added to the existing Rome, Floyd County Downtown Waterfront project.

http://www.coosavalleynews.com/np82363.htm

 

Conyers:  Teaching opportunity: Veterans envision county park as educational tool; A second area called the "Home Front" will include a museum and other amenities.

http://www.newtoncitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=9783

 

Officials have broken ground on the new Fortson Public Library in Hampton.

http://www.henryherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=29448

 

 

 

 

GEORGIA PRIVATE LEADS

 

Prompted by the worst housing market in decades, builders have come 100 miles south to build hundreds of new two-story homes in former cotton and peanut fields near Columbus. Indeed, in the topsy-turvy world of post-boom Atlanta, many home builders, developers and bankers have fled the metro area's moribund scene - the worst hit in the state - and scattered across Georgia's usually slower-growing areas, looking for better pickings. In the process, they've ruffled some feathers, forcing some local builders to adopt new techniques or risk being underpriced.

http://www.ajc.com/business/atlanta-home-builders-say-131848.html

 

Peachtree City adopted a new citywide impact fee schedule that increases the amount of money the city collects from residential developers to pay for the capital improvements associated with new growth. The updated ordinance also requires retail, commercial and industrial developers to pay impact fees for the first time in city history.

http://www.fayettedailynews.com/article.php?id_news=4187

 

New development could face some changes if Columbus Council supports a Victory Drive Overlay District, an ordinance that would require additional improvements for new buildings, parking lots and landscaping.

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/story/831072.html

 

The question of a controversial law's constitutionality could halt new nuclear reactors in Georgia, such as the proposed Plant Vogtle. A group opposed to reactors on environmental grounds is using a legal challenge to the financing mechanism granted to Georgia Power during the last legislative session as a way to prevent what it considers to be an ecological mistake.

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2009-09-07/story/georgia_nuke_site_challenged

 

Construction starts today on a new parkway in North Oconee County that officials say will open up more room for new businesses.

Oconee County commissioners will break ground ceremonially on the new Jennings Mill Parkway, which will link the Oconee Connector to Epps Bridge Road http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/090809/new_490774057.shtml

 

New development could face some changes if Columbus Council supports a Victory Drive Overlay District, an ordinance that would require additional improvements for new buildings, parking lots and landscaping.

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/story/831072.html

 

Home sales and prices continue to tread water in Columbus, while those across the Chattahoochee River in Alabama continue to surge.

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/story/831830.html

 

Due to the decline of the textile industry and the industrial sector in general, many former industrial properties in Griffin sit vacant. Griffin-Spalding Development Authority (GSDA) Executive Director David Luckie said the GSDA has a list of buildings that have industrial potential that it is trying to find occupants for on its Web site.

http://tinyurl.com/m8ggsd

 

The Liberty County Commission tackled a few development projects during the September meeting, coming to a decision on one project that has spurred debate within the community.

http://www.coastalcourier.com/news/article/16302/

 

 

Thursday, August 27, 2009

 

GEORGIA PUBLIC PROJECT LEADS

 

DeKalb County is getting $14.9M in federal stimulus money to build alternative-fuel stations as well as buy hybrid and alt-fuel vehicles

http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/stimulus-cash-earmarked-for-124432.html

 

Clayton County residents who live near Alfretta A. Harper Elementary School, in Riverdale, will get an opportunity tonight to find out what is going to happen during an upcoming construction project at the school.

http://www.news-daily.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=28494&TM=24567.91

 

Atlanta: City approached to sell Dawson County land for new reservoir.

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2009/08/21/atlanta-dawson-county-reservoir/

 

Marietta City Council approved a list specifying how money would be spent should voters approve a $25M bond for park improvements on Nov. 3.

http://tinyurl.com/m66gru

 

Calhoun/Rockmart Get Water Project Funding

http://www.coosavalleynews.com/np82209.htm

 

Dawson County: The 10,000 acre Dawson Forest tract, located several miles southwest of downtown Dawsonville, is being pitched to the Atlanta City Council as a site on which to build a major water reservoir.

http://www.dawsonadvertiser.com/articles/2009/08/26/news/news02.txt

 

Dawson County: The Etowah Water and Sewer Authority unveiled plans to join with an Atlanta developer to dam a portion of Shoal Creek, a tributary of the Etowah River. The proposed reservoir, covering about 2,000 acres in Dawson Forest, that would supply drinking water to the area, as well as Atlanta.

http://www.dawsonnews.com/news/article/2321/

 

Hart County will receive $500,000 in stimulus money to expand the county's water infrastructure. The Hart County Water and Sewer Utility Authority has already earmarked the money for their $2M Southwestern System Expansion project.

http://www.thehartwellsun.com/articles/2009/08/26/news/news04.txt

 

Fort Valley recently won two $100,000 grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. One grant will fund construction of a pavilion for an expanded farmer's market downtown. The other grant will fund improvements to the Austin Theater.

http://media.iadsnetwork.com/quickpagepdf/pdfs/136000/136242.pdf

 

Montgomery County School Board Members voted to proceed with a $5.2M Capital Outlay Project Application from the state. The balance of the estimated $16M project will fall to taxpayers by means of an extended E-SPLOST.

http://www.theadvancenews.com/

 

Waynesboro: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced today (Wednesday) that it has issued the early site permit and limited work authorization for new reactors at Plant Vogtle.

http://www.thetruecitizen.com/news/2009/0826/breakingnews/001.html

 

Waynesboro: Edmund Burke Academy is breaking ground for a new kindergarten/primary complex.

http://www.thetruecitizen.com/news/2009/0826/school/044.html

 

Blackshear gets $500,000 for industrial park water and sewer.

http://www.theblacksheartimes.com/articles/2009/08/19/news/doc4a8afc3a7bd05378033272.txt

 

Oakwood is about to embark on a $200,000 project to dress up its downtown with sidewalks, trees and other eye-pleasing and pedestrian-friendly improvements.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/22803/

 

Stimulus to help Lula pay for new wastewater plant; The city of Lula has been awarded a $6M grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/22802/

 

B's of dollars worth of Defense Department stimulus money is paying for repairs and construction at military installations in areas represented by lawmakers who said "no" to stimulus legislation http://www.macon.com/220/story/823364.html

 

Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga has decided against creating a comprehensive burn center.

http://www.macon.com/220/story/823385.html

 

Georgia has received $20.8M in federal funds for transit improvements.

http://www.macon.com/220/story/823383.html

 

A contractor's actions on a Dougherty County Jail renovation project lead to forgery and attempted theft by deception charges; banned from county work

http://www.albanyherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=6054&TM=25718.44

 

A new fire station costing almost $1.2M will be built on 33rd Street in Columbus to replace the 60-year-old station on 29th Street; 8,000 square feet of space, including 4,200 square feet for vehicles and equipment and another 3,800 square feet for dormitory style housing.

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/story/819445.html

 

Director of Public Works Brant Keller updated the Griffin Board of Commissioners about the status of several public-works projects at its workshop Tuesday morning.

http://tinyurl.com/msoz96

 

The City of Moultrie has reached an agreement to purchase 27,000 square feet of building space in which it will relocate nearly all of its utility personnel.

http://www.moultrieobserver.com/local/local_story_238233827.html?keyword=topstory

 

Jeff Ricketson, director of the Fort Stewart Growth Management Partnership, told partnership committee members Tuesday the four-county organization will move ahead in preparing for expected growth on post.

http://www.coastalcourier.com/news/article/16090/

 

 

 

 

GEORGIA PRIVATE LEADS

 

Southern Nuclear has secured a necessary federal permit to allow it to build two new nuclear reactors at Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle facility in Waynesboro http://www.ajc.com/business/federal-permit-clears-way-124628.html

 

A prominent civil rights leader joined with a coalition of environmental groups in filing an appeal Wednesday seeking to block a $2B plan to build Georgia's first new coal-fired power plant in more than two decades.

http://www.ajc.com/news/lowery-joins-legal-fight-124387.html

 

Report: 10,000 stores could close by year-end

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/08/24/daily67.html?surround=lfn

 

Construction industry costs down 2% in 3Q

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/08/24/daily65.html?surround=lfn

 

New home sales jump in July

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/08/24/daily58.html?surround=lfn

 

Orders for durable goods rose last month by the largest amount in two years, fresh evidence that manufacturing is rebounding from the recession.

http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=222716

 

Winder officials tonight will hold the first in a string of public meetings to take suggestions about how to redevelop the city's downtown. The meetings are part of a Livable Centers Initiative study to create a long-term plan to foster a multiuse downtown with housing, restaurants, offices and parks in one concentrated area.

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/082709/new_486421422.shtml

 

Developers working to build an 850-megawatt, coal-fired power plant that could eventfully supply electricity to Snapping Shoals Electric Membership Corp. received draft permits from state environmental officials Tuesday.

http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=8928&TM=25536.78

 

There's a new development coming to town, and the area is nearly set for construction and ready to go - both the site and LaGrange.

Located near Crestwood Drive and Young's Mill Road, Homecoming is a 175-acre community planned for about 650 residences and designed by Pathway Communities in Peachtree City, also the principal designer of that planned city. Houses are priced from $140,000 to $200,000.

http://tinyurl.com/nxrark

 

With costs down, government subsidies up and an expanded solar buy-back program recently approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission, solar is becoming a more attractive alternative here, presenters at the Southern Solar Summit said Wednesday.

http://savannahnow.com/node/773648

 

 

Friday, August 14

 

GEORGIA PUBLIC PROJECT LEADS

Covering 55 daily newspapers and 98 weeklies

 

The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to offer up to a $400M bump to the local construction economy, officials said; Plan is to build two 10-story research buildings http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/cdc-plans-115205.html

 

A divided Marietta council voted to place on the ballot a $25M, 20-year bond referendum to improve and expand the city park system.

http://www.ajc.com/news/cobb/marietta-oks-bond-referendum-114540.html

 

The state Department of Economic Development's governing board Thursday signed off on $3.2M in bonds to finance repairs to the tornado-damaged Georgia World Congress Center.

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/08/10/daily85.html?surround=lfn

 

The University System of Georgia will ask the governor to include a new $16.9M home for the School of Nursing at the University of West Georgia on his list of bond projects.

http://tinyurl.com/lpfy9s

 

Bibb County school board committee approved plans today to seek an Education Local Option Sales Tax this November. The projects the ELOST would pay for include acquiring, building and equipping five new elementary schools and renovating, extending, equipping and repairing Williams, Union, Brookdale, Carter, King-Danforth, Alexander II and Burke elementary schools as well as Miller and Appling middle schools, Westside High School and the central office.

http://www.macon.com/532/story/809193.html

 

Bainbridge College breaks ground on new student wellness center. The approximately 80,000-square-foot building is expected to take

14 months to complete.

http://www.thepostsearchlight.com/news/2009/aug/06/college-breaks-ground-wellness-center/

 

Guyton City Council members may have gotten support for their idea of a park on their Riverside Drive property, but the proposed wastewater treatment plant continues to draw fire and critics. The city has proposed to build a 500,000 gallon a day wastewater treatment plant on approximately 5 acres.

http://www.effinghamherald.net/news/article/8157/

 

Georgia Board of Regents approved a fiscal year 2011 capital budget request of $275.6M, which includes $68.9M in both design and construction funds for seven projects. One of those seven projects is for a student academic center for Georgia Highlands, which would be a second building on the college's Cartersville campus. The request seeks $19.9M for the facility http://www.daily-tribune.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=16D9E89E-19B9-E2E2-675556CD900EB31D

 

Deed accepted, bidders pre-qualified on new Coweta Co. fire station

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/38725

 

Build Reservoirs Now or Leave Georgians without Drinking Water in Three Years

http://tinyurl.com/nc9ebu

 

The city of Gainesville plans to speed up plans for a new water treatment plant in light of the recent federal court ruling that limits how much drinking water can be pulled from Lake Lanier.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/22261/

 

About 29 acres near Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport could become a park with trails that also could serve as a protection area from some headwaters in the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/22303/

 

Bibb school board committee OKs plans for ELOST; The projects the ELOST would pay for include acquiring, building and equipping five new elementary schools and renovating, extending, equipping and repairing Williams, Union, Brookdale, Carter, King-Danforth, Alexander II and Burke elementary schools, as well as Miller and Appling middle schools, Westside High School and the central office.

http://www.macon.com/local/story/809398.html

 

The city of Covington is joining other municipalities that are members of Electric Cities of Georgia in applying for a grant through the State Energy Program.

http://www.newtoncitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=9443&TM=25355.21

 

The state's tight budget has stalled a program designed to streamline the cleanup of more than 600 hazardous waste sites across Georgia, including 16 in Glynn County.

http://tinyurl.com/meb6zs

 

St. Marys residents annexed in 2000 still waiting for sewer lines

http://tinyurl.com/lxubcp

 

 

 

 

GEORGIA PRIVATE LEADS

 

A new set of office towers may be on the horizon in Alpharetta. The total square footage proposed for the two buildings, suggested for the corner of Westside and Sanctuary parkways, is 620,000 square-feet on about 14 acres. Sanctuary Park Realty Holding Co. is proposing the project

http://www.ajc.com/news/north-fulton/new-office-towers-may-115236.html

 

Two Georgia economists joined other experts in declaring that the recession is over, but they cautioned that the recovery will be prolonged and painful.

http://www.ajc.com/business/georgia-115162.html

 

Milledgeville: Robins Federal Credit Union officials announced Wednesday that they will construct a new facility.

http://www.unionrecorder.com/local/local_story_224222246.html?keyword=topstory

 

Rincon: Several citizens voiced their concerns Monday night to Rincon City Council about a planned private school. Covenant Christian Academy is asking to build a private church school.

http://www.effinghamherald.net/news/article/8158/

 

New life for downtown Macy's building; Construction started this week that will transform the three main shopping floors of the 82-year-old building on Peachtree Street into an events venue.

http://www.ajc.com/business/new-life-for-downtown-115144.html

 

Newton Co.:  Grant to be used to refurbish Brick Store

http://www.covnews.com/news/article/8406/

 

Marietta-based Baldwin Paving Company has filed a conditional use permit request with Coweta County Board of Zoning Appeals to have a height variance considered in its bid to construct and operate an asphalt plant on the site of the Vulcan Madras Quarry

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/38723

 

Price Road homeowners showed up Thursday night before Hall Commissioners wearing red shirts with plenty of arguments against locating a giant 900 home development with a shopping center on 600 acres in their neighborhood.

http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=222462

 

Columbus historic district residents asked to complete design survey

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/story/806437.html

 

Henry County officials have kicked off a six-month process of collecting community input on how best to develop the area between Hudson Bridge and Jonesboro roads along Interstate 75.

 

Friday, July 24, 2009

 

GEORGIA PUBLIC PROJECT LEADS

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced the allocation of $1.9M for public housing agencies in Atlanta, Augusta and Dublin

http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/hud-allots-99412.html

 

Georgia will get $9.1M in federal funds for community development and to help build more affordable housing.

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=132940&catid=3

 

Newton County finally selected its partners for the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan, and the county's process is going to be quite a bit more complex than Covington's.

http://www.covnews.com/news/article/8110/

 

Denny Dobbs Park construction to begin Wednesday

http://www.covnews.com/news/article/8109/

 

The Georgia Association of General Contractors has recognized RKR Construction with a Build Georgia Award for the construction of the North Paulding school complex

http://tinyurl.com/m7pzgd

 

Paulding commissioners last week promoted economic development in the county, accepting $3M from the state to build an airport terminal and contracting with Georgia Tech for economic development planning.

http://tinyurl.com/mhlwnz

 

The revised master plan for the Bullard-Stockton property includes nature trails, open fields and as little paved surface as possible. 

http://www.mdjonline.com/content/index/showcontentitem/area/1/section/21/item/137031.html

 

Charter to petition state for Senoia school; Charter has not obtained property for the school

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/38257

 

Against the recommendations of the superintendent and chief financial officer of the school system, Carroll County Board of Education members voted 4-3 Thursday night to build a new Mt. Zion High School and a cafeteria at Villa Rica High School.

http://tinyurl.com/l8mxuk

 

Randy Simpkins, a former member of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, has been hired by commission Chairman Bill Chappell to serve as a consultant on SPLOST projects for an annual sum of $91,000; rendering of the new justice center reviewed

http://tinyurl.com/nmtv8k

 

Varnell council buys land for future City Hall site

http://www.northwestgeorgia.com/local/local_story_204174944.html

 

The Appalachian Regional Commission on Thursday awarded the city of Dahlonega with $300,000 to improve the city's water and sewer collection system.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/21512/

 

Although the relocation of the Griffin-Spalding County Airport could bring increased tax revenue and business to the area, it would also affect many property owners in the county.

http://tinyurl.com/nzgysf

 

The mayor of Griffin and a county resident disagree on the wisdom of relocating the airport.

http://tinyurl.com/kw5bwy

 

Atlanta: The state has approved $43.1M in loans for 26 water and sewer system projects in communities across Georgia. Among the largest projects, Gwinnett County gets a $2M loan and a $3M subsidy for a generator fueled by sewage gas to produce electricity for wastewater treatment. Hinesville will get a $2.6M loan to finance watershed improvements at three sites for stormwater control, and Thomaston $3.3M for water-main replacement.

http://www.unionrecorder.com/news_tab3/local_story_203081545.html

 

Atlanta's $2.8B transit project has cleared several hurdles - but how will it keep moving forward?

http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/the_beltline_s_tipping_point/Content?oid=938252

 

Sembler Co. is looking at possibly using new Recovery Zone Bonds to help finance the large Town Brookhaven mixed use project as two large apartment buildings and parking deck are nearing completion.

http://www.thecrier.net/articles/2009/07/22/news/sembler.txt

 

Blue Ridge has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for $16.5M in federal loan and grant funds to complete the improvements to the city's water system.

http://www.thenewsobserver.com/articles/2009/07/21/news/news02.txt\

 

Union County created its own stimulus program to provide work for contractors.  Thus far the program has exceed 15 projects using 15 contractors.

http://www.nganews.com/viewer/default.aspx

 

Peach County Board of Commissioners approved the bidding process for the $9M expansion and renovation of the Peach County jail.

http://www.fvleadertribune.com/content.aspx?IsHome=1&MemberID=1270&ID=2225&Module=Quickpage

 

Waynesboro: Environmental and taxpayer groups have filed a lawsuit to stop Georgia Power's plans for financing expansion at Plant Vogtle.

http://www.thetruecitizen.com/news/2009/0722/news/007.html

 

Cumming: Forsyth County probably will build and operate its own animal shelter in the future.

http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-c-2009-07-17-178466.114126-sub24322.114126_Forsyth_extends_animal_shelter_contract.html

 

Toccoa receives $700,000 subsidy to help finance improvements to the Eastanollee Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant.

http://www.thetoccoarecord.com/articles/2009/07/23/news/top_stories/doc4a6893bf2de0c600828913.txt

 

Monticello: School Considers New SPLOST.  Projects may include a new middle school, updated offices, a baseball field at the high school, softball fields where needed.

http://tinyurl.com/mvfwp8

 

 

 

 

GEORGIA PRIVATE LEADS

 

Will Lake Lanier water ruling dry up growth?

http://www.ajc.com/news/will-water-ruling-dry-99500.html

 

Georgia's state and federal elected officials have yet to agree on how to work out a tri-state water deal, now that a federal judge has ruled illegal nearly all Georgia's withdrawals from a massive federal reservoir that has fed Atlanta's surging growth.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/21479/

 

Residents of Mountain Park in north Fulton County face the pain after the town sued upstream Roswell developers for silting up their lakes.

http://www.ajc.com/news/north-fulton/town-of-500-pays-99541.html

 

Cobb County wants to encourage a new retail village, like Vinings Jubilee, by the Chattahoochee River in the southern end of the county, where heavy industries now operate. But industrial property owners oppose a county master plan that calls for more parks, retail spaces, housing and bike trails by the river, saying it threatens their well-being.

http://www.ajc.com/news/cobb/industrial-firms-angry-over-98973.html

 

Commercial real estate values around the country have dropped 35 percent from their peak in October 2007

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/07/20/daily76.html?surround=lfn&ana=tt3260

 

Economic development contract with Georgia Tech will cost $99,097

http://tinyurl.com/l4qcas

 

Sam's Club construction to begin at Fischer Crossing in August

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/38255

 

Despite the sluggish economy, Senoia's Winpak Films has had an uptick in its business and recently announced its latest expansion at its facility on Howard Road.

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/38258

 

All commercial developments in Athens will have to be friendlier to the environment after Athens-Clarke officials begin writing new regulations next month.

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/072409/new_468867923.shtml

 

Reichert: Plan for downtown Macon needs unification

http://www.macon.com/198/story/787425.html

 

Henry County officials are planning the launch of a project designed to guide the future growth of an area between Jonesboro Road and Hudson Bridge Road along Interstate 75..

http://www.henryherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=&ArticleID=28945

 

A proposed subdivision may pose a threat to safety in another subdivision in Valdosta

http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/local/local_story_204230649.html

 

Charlotte, N.C., offers growth plan for Savannah

http://savannahnow.com/node/757284

 

Columbia County Planning Commission on Tuesday approved changes for a mixed-use development off Baker Place Road that eliminates apartments, senior housing units and offices. The planned unit development's nearly 188 acres are next to the new Grovetown High School.

vhttp://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/07/22/new_541638.shtml

 

Cherokee: A new 20,0000 square-foot campus for Woodstock Community Church is set to be built.

http://www.ledgernews.com/news/weekly-news/281-july-22-2009/816-church-project-variance-approved

 

Washington: City hears new Country Inn and Suites proposal for hotel at Pope Center site.

http://www.news-reporter.com/news/2009/0723/front_page/001.html