News | Peachtree City

MacDuff median landscaping to wait

Thu, 01/12/2006 - 4:10pm
By: John Munford

The tale of two medians
Peachtree City resident Phil Jones wants the city to get cracking and landscaping the median on the southern end of MacDuff Parkway.

The rough-hewn nature of the southern portion contrasts with the lush beauty of the northern leg for one significant reason, officials said: developer John Wieland Homes landscaped the northern leg which is home to several of the company’s subdivisions.

Jones, who asked for help last week from the City Council, wondered why the southern portion of MacDuff wasn’t landscaped like Peachtree Parkway’s median.

City Planner David Rast said the southern part of MacDuff Parkway was built after a legal skirmish among developers in the area, and though the city tried to get the developers to install landscaping, the efforts were of no avail.

In the past, developers such as Pathway Communities, installed landscaping in road medians to make the area more attractive, using it to entice home sales, Rast noted.

Funds for the landscaping will come from the countywide one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for transportation. The project is estimated to cost $15,000 to design and another $115,000 or more to install, including raised curbs to keep vehicles from cutting across the now almost-level median, Rast said.

The holdup now is because the city wants to plant the island during more seasonable weather so the plants have a better chance of survival. This is particularly important because the landscaping will not be served by an irrigation system, officials said.

City Manager Bernie McMullen said the city also has wanted to wait on the project because of the road widening project still underway on Ga. Highway 54 West.

The landscaping of MacDuff’s median may occur as early as November or December of this year, or it may have to wait until spring 2007, McMullen said.

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re:MacDuff Parkway
Submitted by dkinser on Fri, 01/13/2006 - 4:42pm.

I, like Mr. Phil Jones; am upset over the city's lack of response on the landscaping down MacDuff Parkway. Mr. Rast has implied that vehicles are cutting across the median and that is why grass doesn't grow there.

I have lived in Centennial for over 3 years. During these 3 years, I have NEVER seen a car or even a golf cart cross the center median. There is no reason for anyone to cut across the median as every road has a cut through.

The reason there is no grass growing is simple. It was never planted properly and the city has failed to maintain it since.

The City Manager, Mr. McMullen; has stated that the city is working with Summitt Apartments and John Wieland Homes to assist with the landscaping. Why should they? Did Smokerise Plantation or the Peninsula pay for landscaping down Peachtree Parkway? Why should the new residents in Summitt pay higher costs to offset the financial impact and why should new home buyers in Centennial do the same?

It is a city road, the city should step up to the plate and resolve it. Not next year, this year. By November of 2006, I will have been forced to look at another years deterioration.

I understand not developing the first 100 yards from Hwy 54, but the rest of MacDuff Parkway to the 3 way stop sign at Gatehouse Drive should be brought up to standards today.

If the city does need to defer this another year, then residents along this corridor should get a break in their taxes since we are not being provided an equal quality service that the rest of the city is provided.

Dana Kinser

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MacDuff Disgrace
Submitted by flip212 on Mon, 01/16/2006 - 7:51pm.

Over a year ago the City Manager was approached about MacDuff Parkway. His excuses at that time were the weather was not appropriate for planting; and that he wanted to wait until the Hwy 54 project was completed.

Now, when put on the spot at a council meeting he tells the new Mayor that MacDuff landscaping is planned for 2007. Can you believe that the city expects developers to landscape their city streets? Has anyone ever heard of such a ridiculous thing? Let me see….who do we pay taxes to?

Mr. Mayor, is it time for a new City Manager?

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