SPLOST projects receive approval

One SPLOST capital project and three SPLOST transportation projects were approved by the Henry County Board of Commissioners at its Sept. 20 regular meeting, including the purchase of sports field lighting and budget approvals for construction at Hwy. 81.

The board approved the purchase of lighting for Cochran Park in Stockbridge from Techline Sports Lighting who provided a proposal to furnish and install poles, light fixtures and associated hardware and wiring for a total cost of $498,200.

Due to the construction of Old Hwy. 3 at Hwy. 81, it is necessary for the Henry County Water Authority and the Georgia Power Co. to relocate part of their facilities. The estimated cost to relocate the water authority’s facilities is $203,516.86, which is 8.8 percent of the total cost of construction. The estimated cost to relocate Georgia Power’s facilities is $291,243, which the county will reimburse after the actual cost of the relocation is calculated.

The widening of Hwy. 81, along with the widening of Rock Quarry Road, required a funding commitment of up to $1.2 million from the Georgia Department of Transportation, which awarded funding to the county for both projects.

A budget amendment of $599,740 was approved for both the District 1 and District 3 accounts for the widening of Hwy. 81. A separate budget amendment for the widening of Rock Quarry Road was approved in the amount of $1,171,484.

Library renovation plans move forward

When the South Fulton Library reopened last week, Fulton County finished a slew of new libraries and expansions. Next come the renovations. The South Fulton Library was one of two that were expanded — its addition increased the amount of space by two thirds, to 25,000 square feet.

The new library has a threelevel parking deck, and open cafe, high ceilings, meeting spaces and computer services as well as a glass facade that overlooks a wooded area.

The county also built eight new libraries.

In the coming months, renovations of the remaining 24 libraries will begin. The improvements are paid for with $275 million voters approved in 2008.

Whitewater Creek Paddle Trail Workdays. 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Oct. 29. The Ridge Nature Area, Burch Road, Fayetteville. Hosted by Southern Conservation Trust to assist with removal of trash and trees that block navigation down the creek. SCTLandTrust.org/work/theridge-nature-area.

Water Guardians Cleanup by canoers and kayakers. 8:45-11 a.m. Saturday. Boat ramp parking lot, 110 Battery Way, Lake Peachtree, Peachtree City. Life vests and liability waivers required. Register by email to WaterGuardians@ fayettecountyga.gov and include your name, daytime phone number and email address.

DeKalb OKs developer’s project outside Decatur

DeKalb’s commission approved zoning Tuesday for the mixed-use development just outside Decatur, now called North Decatur Square, anchored by a 365 by Whole Foods store.

Jeff Garrison, a partner with project developer S.J. Collins, told the AJC his company now has 18 collaborative developments with the Austin, Texas-based grocery chain, dating back to Charlottesville, Va., which opened in 2010. This one, at 35,000 square feet, is the largest 365 nationally either now opened or on the drawing board.

North Decatur Square totals 89,000 square feet, including 285 apartments (which could expand to 300) and 20,000 square feet for restaurants/retail. Garrison said he’s two or three months away from naming specific tenants, some combination of sitdown (or “chef-driven”), fast/ casual and/or a coffee bar.

Garrison added that he expects to break ground next January or February, with the entire development opening between June and September of 2018.