The New Hope area is a step closer to a new community center.
Lowndes County School District”s board of education agreed Friday to trade three acres of land on Stadium Road to Lowndes County for the community”s volunteer fire department building on New Hope Road.
The county intends to erect a $265,000, 4,200-square-foot community center and a new volunteer fire department building on the land, said District 3 Supervisor John Holliman.
The new community center is part of a $1.6 million Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority plan to improve neighborhood parks and community centers. Additionally, the county wanted to relocate the fire department due to traffic concerns.
“We wanted to move the fire department because of the congestion of the school,” Holliman said. “If they get (emergency) calls from 7-8 a.m. or 3-4 p.m., there”s so much traffic and getting in and out is difficult.”
LCSD will use the old volunteer fire department building as a maintenance site. The new community center will feature a large meeting room for parties or family reunions in addition to office space.
The board also approved an additional $2,191 for JBHM Architects to cover additional expenses incurred at New Hope Elementary. The removal of a concrete slab, which had been compromised by the expanding roots of a sweet gum tree, revealed electrical wiring which had to be replaced.
On the other hand, Joey Henderson of JBHM predicted the district would receive $8,000-$10,000 back following roofing projects at all county campuses.
Before taking up a personnel matter and two 16th Section land matters in executive session, the board approved fiscal year 2011”s tax levy, which did not increase millage for Lowndes taxpayers.
“We haven”t submitted a budget that required a millage increase in seven years,” said Superintendent Mike Halford. “We try to live with reappraisals and new property coming on (to county rolls).”
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.