Last week: What should be done with the crater at Marietta Square?
Concerning the hole on the Marietta Square on North Park Square at Root Street, the property is owned by attorney and long-time Marietta Councilman Philip Goldstein who also owns most of the property around the Square.
The Marietta Historic Board of Review voted 7-2 this month to turn down Goldstein’s plans for a three-story brick building to house either a brewpub or a restaurant with a rooftop patio. Most of the board members want the building moved back a few feet along North Park Square as one of the design standards that concern them – even though Goldstein did agree with their request for traditional brick instead of his initial request for thin brick. Once action is taken by the board, an item cannot be brought back for at least six months.
Here’s what you said:
Begin eminent domain to fix the hazard and eyesore. — Mark Curtis
How about make it a real town and add a grocery store? — Tom Painter
A tourism center sounds unnecessary. It should be a business that actually attracts people to want to spend time and money on the Square. — Alana Godwin
We need to be sure we add something to the Square that future generations will appreciate. — Joe Andreska
In 2013, Fayette County voters rejected a proposed one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) that would have raised an estimated $16.8 million over two years to repair culverts, dams, bridges and other core infrastructure related to stormwater management. The 181 projects that would have been covered by the SPLOST are being more slowly completed using other, more limited funds.
Before the vote, the county held public meetings to outline which projects were needed and why. The list covered repairs that were deemed essential not only for public safety but also to maintain Fayette’s economic development. Officials who supported the measure said that by using a SPLOST, much of the repair costs would be borne by people who live outside Fayette but shop there, rather than county taxpayers.
SPLOST critics alleged that the county would be taxing residents twice for the same projects if it used both general fund and sales tax revenues for infrastructure repairs. Voters wary of any additional taxes defeated the measure 57 to 43 percent.
Fayette County has continued to charge stormwater utility fees to homeowners in unincorporated areas, and is considering bonds to fund projects instead of raising millage rates.
Severe weather and years of delayed repairs have resulted in some urgent situations. In 2014, the county completed construction to alleviate persistent flooding in Fayette Villa Estates. In November 2015, a culvert under Spear Road in Peachtree City collapsed due to heavy rain, and the road remains closed to traffic until a new culvert is installed. Last Christmas Eve, emergency repairs were needed when stormwater washed out Canterbury Lane, the sole road leading into the Chanticleer subdivision.
With stormwater-related emergencies already affecting Fayette citizens, some county officials are suggesting another SPLOST for the 2016 ballot. So residents, how would you balance the need for repairs with the need for more funding? Tell us at communitynews@ajc.com.
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