Towers coming down in parks

Georgia Power removing transmission lines from downtown parks

By Doug Walker DWalker@RN-T.com

Contractors are in the process of removing an 81-yearold power line that spans the Oostanaula River from Unity Point through Heritage Park and Riverview Park.

Ray Thompson, an inspector on the project, said that if the weather cooperates, the project — which includes demolition of two massive metal towers — should be complete by the end of June.

A crew from Utilicon in Davisboro is currently in the process of taking down the line and removing wooden power poles that stretch through the park on the west side of the Coosa River levee.

Thompson said that the plan is to take down the huge metal transmission towers in Unity Point and Heritage Park starting the week of June 18.

Georgia Power Rome Distribution Manager Mark Bell said utility records indicate the line was put into service in 1937.

Improvements made to a larger distribution line which runs along the Second Avenue side of the levee allowed the company to serve the same customers as the old transmission line, he said. So it was de-energized in mid-May and the decision was made to take it down completely.

“I’m excited because as a rule of thumb if you look at corridors aesthetically and look at the architectural details, transmission lines are always frowned on in a park like Heritage Park,” said Rome City Manager Sammy Rich. “It’s going to be awesome to have those (towers) dismantled and removed. It’s going to open up the view and make it more park like. It’s one of our most popular parks.”

Thompson said the contractors were doing their best to isolate the work areas each day to minimize disruptions in the park, including access to the Coosa River at the Piggy Green boat ramp.

Demolition of the tower on the Unity Point side of the river, which many in Rome have regarded as an eyesore, will be a positive for the stabilization of the riverbank at the confluence, a 2013 SPLOST project that was just recently bid out by the city.

JCH of Peachtree City and Cevian Design of Rome each submitted $1.8 million bids for the project. Those bids are still being reviewed by city staff.

The mini-park at Unity Point was developed in advance of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta but has suffered from serious erosion problems through the years and has been closed to foot traffic for several years.

‘It’s going to be awesome to have those (towers) dismantled and removed. It’s going to open up the view and make it more park like. It’s one of our most popular parks.’ Sammy Rich, Rome city manager

ABOVE: Rick Gilmer (left) works to disconnect a power transmission line on a tower at the edge of Heritage Park. The entire line is being taken down.LEFT: Utilicon electrical contractors work to remove a transmission line from a large tower in Heritage Park. Ray Thompson, an independent contractor for Georgia Power, said that if all goes well crews will be out of the park by the end of June.BELOW: Ab Eakes (left) and Jared Carswell remove supports from a power pole that was taken down in Riverview Park. Photos by Doug Walker

/ Doug Walker Utilicon electrical contractors Joseph Niner (left) and Rick Gilmer remove cable from a power pole that was taken out of service in Riverview Park on Wednesday. Work to remove an unused transmission line should be completed before the end of the month.