Friday, Aug. 5, 2005

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Senoia expanding park land

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

Calling it an opportunity that could never happen again, the Senoia City Council decided to purchase 47 acres on Pylant Street for a new park.

Mayor Robert Hannah told the citizens that the City Council had been negotiating for months over the sales price of the land.

The property owner was originally seeking $880,000, but the final price was negotiated down to $665,000.

“When this land is gone, it’s gone, and we’ll never have a chance again,” Hannah said.

The property is on the city’s western entrance and features lakes and an old brick structure that was built back in the late 1930s. For years, the property has set vacant and attempts to develop it into a subdivision have not come to fruition.

Couple with a tract across Pylant Street on Ga. Highway 16, the city’s western border now is poised to be a welcoming park for motorists who drive through the city and residents who are looking to enjoy some greenspace.

During the negotiation period, the property owner had given the city a $5,000 discount because there was a hole in the dam. Shortly after the contract option was signed, torrential rains from Hurricane Dennis caused the dam to breach, which has left the lakes virtual mudpits.

“We knew there was a hole and that it would have to be fixed. This might actually make it easier to fix,” said Hannah.

Residents questioned whether the city would maintain the park better than its current park and whether this would cause Pylant Street to be closed at Hwy. 16.

Hannah said a formal plan has not been proposed for the park, but it would be more of a “passive park” featuring nature trails, instead of playground equipment.

“Once the sale is closed in October, we’ll start getting the park committee involved and plan what we’re going to do,” he said.