The Smyrna City Council decided 7-0 last week to spend $1.5 million to complete renovations at the Historic Reed House as an event center.
Of that amount, $300,000 will come from the Community Development Block Grant for the American Disabilities Act improvements.
In August 2015, the council voted 4-3 to hire Lyman Davidson Dooley Inc. of Marietta as the architect to provide a report on updating and stabilizing the 1910 house of 4,900 square feet on 3.55 acres at 3080 Atlanta Road.
Council voted in March 2015 to buy the house for $1.8 million.
Peachtree Construction will be paid $1 million for maintenance and code compliance construction.
Most of the improvements will make the house handicap accessible with ramps, stairways, chair lifts and handicapped bathrooms.
The remaining $200,000 will be kept in the project contingency fund.
Councilman Charles Welch said Reed House uses will include small concerts, lectures, art shows, field trips, rehearsal dinners and showers.
About the Author
