PUBLIC PROJECT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – August 28, 2025
2025 LMIG Street Repair/Repaving. The streets on the original LMIG request are substantially complete. A second round of funds was approved by the state and the streets for that list will be started September 1. All streets will receive patching, milling and asphalt overlay.
The streets included in the second round are:
PIB East and Spring Hill Sidewalks. This project consists of 1694 feet of sidewalk on PIB and 588 feet on Spring Hill. It also includes installation of guardrail, a new traffic control loop and stormwater infrastructure. Bids were received on April 3rd and the project was awarded to R&B Developer, Inc. The contract has been signed and work has begun. The Spring Hill portion is substantially complete. The curb and gutter on PIB has been installed. Grading for the sidewalk has begun and they should pour concrete next week. This project should be completed by end of 2025.
Highway 20 Pedestrian Bridge. Bridge design, permitting and bid phases are complete. The contract has been awarded to Ohmshiv Construction, LLC. A pre-construction meeting was held on November 19, 2024. The easement for utility relocation has been finalized with the property owner and Ga Power should finish work to place the lines underground this week. Data and Communication lines will be placed underground next. Actual bridge construction should begin in in the next few weeks. The anticipated completion date is slipping to early 2026 due to delays with utility relocation and right-of-way clearance from the Ackerman/Novare projects.
Downtown Greenway/LCI Project. The trail connection from Highway 20 at PIB to the downtown pedestrian bridge and is funded by the LCI (Livable Centers Initiative) program administered by Georgia DOT. Since this project is funded by a grant from the Federal Highway Administration via LCI/GDOT, the process is a little different. The design firm was selected in coordination with GDOT. The project will provide an urban greenway connection from PIB/20 to Alton Tucker and then back to Highway 20. The timeline for construction and final alignment will be determined once we have the design finished. A design contract has been finalized with Keck & Wood. Design work is anticipated to be completed by the second quarter of 2026. Surveys have been done and environmental and archeological assessments have been submitted to GDOT, as required by federal funding.
Northside Greenway. As part of their developments, Novare Sugar Hill, The Refinery by Prestwick and Hillcrest Landing are constructing segments of the Greenway to the North of Hwy 20 and along Hillcrest Dr. This will consist of a winding segment from Stanley St. through their developments and connecting to the sidewalk on Hillcrest Dr. at Brookdale Dr. Solar lighting was recently installed on the Novare portion and is complete. Staff recently explored an area north of this to determine the feasibility of winding the trail through the woods to Richland Creek. This proposed alignment looks promising. We are working with the design team to come up with a cost-effective and an efficient route. Design work is now underway with the alignment selected. We also have begun discussions for easements and ROW for the trail. The design phase should be completed in 2025 with bid phase in Q4.
Application for Stormwater Hazard Mitigation Grant. We are in the process of applying for grant funds to address some areas of Richland Creek that are being eroded by stormwater surges. We anticipate using a similar solution to the one recently completed at the bridge in Gary Pirkle Park. We will have a better idea of the timeline for this project after the grant is awarded.
Highway 20 widening. The County has started a project on Highway 20 that consists of widening the road from Buford Highway to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. This project will also include an enhanced sidewalk along the South side of Hwy 20 that will connect to the Downtown Greenway/ LCI project. It will provide walking access to the Buford Highway area from Downtown. They have started the median demolition, Utility relocation and stormwater management portion of the project. They are also working in the area of the bridge over the Railroad, construction supports for the widening of the roadway above.
Ridge Lake Park Phase II. Design work has begun to install a playground area and other amenities. An RFP package has been issued to find a partner to Design/Build the playground. Proposals were received on August 7 and staff selected three designs for a “short list.” We are evaluating some additional information that was requested and will make a recommendation at the September Council meeting. Depending on equipment lead time, this project is anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. Solar lighting has been installed at the entrance to the park.
E Center Renovations. Based on user and operational requests, we have started design work on several areas of the E Center. New HVAC systems have been installed and are operational. Based on user input, our design team is exploring options to provide shading to the promenade and 39th street. This will create a more comfortable environment for citizens during the heat of the summer months. To enhance safety and security, our design team is working on upgrades to the door hardware, egress and life safety pathways and methods to ensure the building can be secured at night and in the event of an emergency. We will be able to determine a delivery schedule once design elements are approved.
Cemetery Fencing/ Atlas Parking Lot Fencing. We have signed a contract with Hasbun Construction to add to and renovate portions of the cemetary fencing as well as at the Atlas parking lot on highway 20. Several more brick columns will be added with aluminum picket panels that will match the ones on West Broad. The anticipated completion date is end of 2025.
