Commissioners Want to Move Ahead with Pedestrian Bridge

After receiving a request from recreation staff to suspend a proposed project at , Athens Clarke County Commissioners want to come up with an option to move ahead with the construction. 

County recreation staff had recommended building a more expensive, longer bridge across the lake proper, which would be used by fishermen and other visitors, they said.

The wetlands footbridge, which could cost an estimated $369,600, was included in the master plan for the Sandy Creek Recreation Area drafted in the 1970s.

With two options for locating the bridge, an anonymous donor offered to pay $160,000 for one through the marshy wetlands of Lake Chapman for “educational possibilities.”

In a request posted online, the county staff asked the commission to suspend the project indefinitely “until the Mayor and Commission has determined project priorities for the Leisure Services Department warrant the required level of expenditure to construct a bridge at the lake site and necessary funding for such a project is available.”

The money and grants allotted for the project would be released and used for other expenditures in the county, the request said.

At Thursday’s meeting, both commissioners and community members spoke out against suspending the project.

Attorney John Timmons, representing the anonymous donor, asked, “Why does Athens-Clarke County own this creek bed in Jackson County if we don’t intend to use it? What other government of our size has had a donation like this for a project that has been in our heads for at least three decades?”

Incoming President of the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society Richard Hall showed his support for the bridge, reporting that around 400 bird-watchers in the Athens area are “excited at the possibility to access the wetlands.” 

He said the wetlands trail is a good habitat for birds and that around 175 species have been identified in Sandy Creek Park. He added that members of the society would be willing to assist in the construction, maintenance and cleanup of the trail.

“This has been on our books for 30 years,” said Commissioner Kelly Girtz. “The county has owned the land for quite a while and I think it is appropriate to make it accessible. It fits in very well with our comprehensive plan. I don’t know of any such project in which the money allocated here could be used.”

Commissioner Alice Kinman said, “The money has been identified and I feel that with the donation and the allocated money, we could cover the cost. We would be fool-hardy to turn down the opportunity to combine public resources and a private donation.”

Kinman suggested coming up with a commission-defined option to move ahead with the project.

Commissioner Doug Lowry, who said he is not a hiker, bird-watcher, nor an outdoors person, showed his support for a bridge in the wetlands as well.

“I did walk down the trail, and I think the wetlands site is probably a good site for the bridge. I don’t think the cost of construction will be as much as originally presented. Walter Cook could build a bridge and he knows people who could help. I would like to be part of a group that finds a commissioner defined option.”

Commissioners Mike Hamby and Jared Bailey also expressed support for finding a commissioner-based option to move forward.

“I don’t hike at the Sandy Creek Park because there is a psychological problem with going in one direction, turning around and coming back the same way,” said hiker Nancy Hunter. “There are many people who recognize the value of the loop being connected, and I think it would be a slap in the face of the many people who took their time to envision the loop as well as the anonymous donor.”

 Other items on the consent agenda for the Sept. 6 meeting are: 

• Approve a revision to alcohol ordinance relative to size of growlers
• Approve 2011 annual surplus items auction
• Approve Knottingham Drive flood control and watershed improvement sub-project
• Approve the revision to alcohol brown bag ordinance

* Approve recommendation from Athens Cultural Affairs Commission for appointment to fill an unexpired term expiring March 31, 2012