County Plans Riverfront Greenway

are planning on using nine acres of riverfront property for a future greenway.

The board of commissioners voted 4-1 on Tuesday to authorize the chairman to execute documents for the donation of an 8-acre parcel between Mt. Vernon Road and Sweetwater Creek from Gamel Realty, LLC. The board also accepted a donation of one acre from former Governor Roy Barnes.

Commissioner Ann Jones Guider cast the dissenting vote, saying that the property is not contiguous with county property.

“Unless we have a specific need or purpose,” Guider said. “We could become owners of (blighted) property all over the county if we set a precedence here.”

County Administrator Eric Linton said a home on the property was severely damaged by flooding two years ago and, since it’s a health hazard to the public, needs to be torn down. And, Linton said that since the structure was more than 50 percent damaged, it cannot be rebuilt but the property can be use for passive purposes, such as a greenway.

“I think we, as a board of commissioners, need to take the lead and take control of this property,” Commissioner Henry Mitchell said.

Linton said the future greenway will allow public access along Sweetwater Creek. The county plans to put in a pavilion and picnic tables, and possibly a fishing area.

The flood-damaged house is expected to be removed within 30 days.