The future of the project, not the location, seems to be the most important issue facing the proposed soccer complex tentatively slated to be constructed in Columbus” Burns Bottom area, said members of the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors.
And though individual opinions on the location varies among the county”s five supervisors, most said they will support “whatever will get the facility built.”
“We are going through the process on Burns Bottom right now, and I think the results of that study will determine a lot,” said District 3 Supervisor John Holliman. “If we find a better place, I think we should pursue it.
“Wherever it ends up going, we just really need to have something to go forward with for our community and our kids,” Holliman added. “I am in support of Burns Bottom right now, but if something else comes along, I am certainly open to suggestions.”
City and county officials are considering the more than 70-acre Burns Bottom plot near the Hitching Lot Farmers” Market on Second Street North for a six-field complex to house the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority”s soccer and football programs.
In addition to the Burns Bottom land, officials also are considering a a 156-acre tract of land near the Columbus Riverwalk and a 50-acre plot near the Highway 82 Macon-Meridian exit.
The Board of Supervisors in June authorized Columbus-Lowndes Development Link officials Joe Higgins and Charleigh Ford to seek property options from 31 landowners in the Burns Bottom area.
The two are expected to present the results of their Burns Bottom study to the board sometime during the next two months, said District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders.
“We don”t really have anything else to discuss as a board until they come back with that study,” Sanders explained. “Last month, we voted to give them about 60 days to seek the options before they report back to us.”
Although the Link officials are about half through the time allotted for the study, Ford said most Burns Bottom landowners have been open to selling their land.
“It”s going OK right now. There haven”t been any fatal flaws,” Ford said Tuesday. “We have had a good reception from the owners of what we consider the core properties to the project.
“Without those properties, it would kill the project. But there are still some landowners we need to talk to,” Ford added. “Most of the big landowners have indicated they would be willing to sell. Right now, (County Attorney) Tim Hudson is preparing the options, and we are waiting to get the land appraised.”
As they wait for the results of the Burns Bottom land study, the members of the Board of Supervisors during the past week have been sharing their personal feelings about each of the three lands being considered.
Sanders is the biggest proponent of the Burns Bottom property, saying he saw “no better use for the land.”
“I support the Burns Bottom land. I think that would be the best use for that land,” Sanders said. “I really can”t think of any other use for that land.
“It is strictly a soccer complex, not an all-encompassing sportsplex like many people think,” Sanders added. “I want to make that clear. I certainly don”t want people to be disappointed with what we”re trying to do.”
District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks voiced support for the Grayco-owned property near the Highway 82 Macon-Meridian exit.
“I looked over the information they gave us on the three properties, and I am going to go back to what I originally thought,” Brooks said. “The Grayco property is the best property for this project.
“When you look at the cost associated with some of the properties, it”s the only one that makes sense,” Brooks added. “I just think the Burns Bottom property is not the best site for it.”
District 2 Supervisor Frank Ferguson and District 4 Supervisor Jeff Smith seemed to agree with Holliman, agreeing they would be willing to support the most feasible site for the project.
“I do not personally support Burns Bottom for the sportsplex,” Ferguson said. “But if the votes are there and the people support it, I have no problem voting for it.
“The people in my district are overwhelmingly not in favor of Burns Bottom,” Ferguson added. “I don”t want to kill the soccerplex, but I want to make sure we do it right.”
Smith said he tentatively supports Burns Bottom, but will remain open to other properties.
“I am still in support of (Burns Bottom),” Smith said. “To me, that is the best location for the city to generate additional tax growth.
“But I wouldn”t lose sleep if it went somewhere else,” Smith added. “I am OK with whatever will move the city forward.”
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