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Whitfield County plans to install sidewalks around schools in several counties if it receives a federal grant it applied for.
On Monday, the commission voted 4-0 to approve up to $60,000 to cover cost overruns on the project. Commissioners had previously voted to apply for a $300,000 federal Rebuild America’s Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant. Board Chairman Jevin Jensen typically votes only in cases of ties.
“Actually, this doesn’t require a match,” Jensen said. “But if there’s an overage and it’s over $300,000, we won’t allow it, but I think it’s possible. We have to cover the overage.”
Commissioner John Thomas asked how it would be determined which schools would receive sidewalks if the county received the grant money.
“We have met with (Whitfield County Schools Superintendent Mike) Yuton,” said Jake Bearden, coordinator of the Greater Dalton Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
“He pointed to the schools that have the highest number of students moving in and around the district,” Bearden said. “He identified a location from Antioch School to Eastbrook (middle school), in front of the old Eastbrook gymnasium, around the middle school. The infrastructure will also be completed.”
Two years ago, the county began regrading roads to remove steep hills and improve visibility, as well as replacing older and undersized drainage pipes to improve drainage along and adjacent to Hill Road. In addition, construction work on Hill Road was completed.
“This will create a whole walkable community in the area,” Bearden said.
He said New Hope Elementary School and New Hope Middle School are also on the list.
“The two are connected side by side,” he said. “(We’re) adding some sidewalks so people coming from one of the new neighborhoods or anywhere in the area have a place to walk.”
The final project will connect Westside Middle School and Westside Park. The park includes Miracle Field, a synthetic/rubber turf baseball field that people in wheelchairs or walkers can glide across without getting stuck in the dirt of a regular infield. can. A soccer/football field is under construction there, and a four-year, $80 million Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) included in the May general primary vote will fund construction of a community center/gymnasium at the park. will be provided.
In January, Dalton Utilities’ board of directors agreed to extend the sewer line to Westside Park and put the project out to bid. The project requires the installation of 12,700 feet of low-pressure sewer main and has an estimated cost of $840,475. The bid deadline is March 6, and the utility estimates it will take 240 days to complete the work.
The commission voted in 2022 to use a portion of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to fund the Westside sewer expansion. County officials said the increased use of Westside Park is forcing the county to convert the park’s restrooms from septic tanks to sewer systems.
“Doug Gap Elementary School was also mentioned,” Bearden said. “However, due to the terrain challenges and lack of rights of way, we felt it was unsafe and unfeasible.”
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