Some Powder Springs Projects Done, Others Upcoming

Editor's Note: This list of Powder Springs government projects was compiled by the city's staff and mailed to citizens. 

PROJECTS COMPLETED 

• Pedestrian Bridge on Silver Comet at Old Lost Mountain & Sailors Parkway 150 feet long, 12 feet wide, including crosswalks and pedestrian lighting at Sailors Parkway. 

• Atlanta Street streetscape (sidewalks, landscaping, brick pavers, lighting). 

• Lewis Road streetscape (new alignment and widening, sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaping, lighting, brick pavers, railroad overpass, bridge replacement at Powder Springs Creek, signage, neighborhood park.

• Sidewalks:  Walton Street, Dillard Street, Old Austell Road, Florence Road, Macedonia Road, Pinegrove, North Avenue, Forrest Hill, Sailors Parkway. 

• Police Department on Sailors Parkway, (renovation of old ACE Hardware retail site). 

• Resurfacing at Misty Morn Circle, Misty Morn Ridge, Misty Morn Trace, Morning  Dew Way, Morningside Circle, Morningside Drive & Morning Star Avenue. 

• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program property acquisition and demolition of residential structures substantially damaged in the 2009 floods.   One of 16 properties remains to be acquired and demolished.  The local 15% match will be met with various funding sources, including increased cost of compliance monies and property owner contributions. 

• Community Assessment  The City worked with Georgia Power and The Fanning Institute to complete a Community Assessment for the City in order to facilitate economic development and growth.  Created an available commercial property webpage and participated in the annual National Tourism Week at the Silver Comet Trail. 

• Code Enforcement  Conducted the first joint County/City Code Enforcement Sweep of a declining neighborhood; this program will continue each year through the coordinated efforts of the county and city personnel. 

• Mitigation of minor flooding impacts:  Identified properties in the special flood hazard area and within 200 feet of those areas in order to track building permit issuance.  Those property owners have been notified of the need to acquire flood insurance, and we have created public notification materials regarding the importance of purchasing and maintaining insurance.  Completed future conditions mapping and participated with other partners in the updates to the flood maps.  The City also upgraded storm drains for additional water flow capacity, and made flood damage repairs to the public safety facility and the museum as well as Shipp Road, Pineview Drive, Forest Hill Road, Hopkins Road and Brownsville Road.   

• Record Retention  The City completed a Record Disaster Retention & Recovery Plan and installed and implemented a new financial software program.  The residents are now able to make on-line utility and tax payments.  The City continued its financial achievements in receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  We completed our research of boundary issues to include previously omitted parcels in our digest, improved internal controls in purchasing for the processing of requisitions, PO’s and contracts, and secured the setup and maintenance of our IT network to include offsite backups of data

• Events  Continued the annual Powder Springs Day and Parade, Independence Day Celebration and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting.  We participated in the annual Senior Cobb All Star Bowl at McEachern by participating with the American Youth Council in celebrating high school seniors from our schools who were nominated for their outstanding achievements and contributions to community.  The City conducted a coat raffle by accepting a monetary donation or gently worn coats to support the children’s Restoration Network Charity in exchange for a gift basket created by local businesses.  We will continue this tradition when the bowl is held at McEachern in Powder Springs.

PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED

• Linear Park – initial phase of the linear park project is underway with parking improvements at the trailhead on Sailors Parkway.  Work will also include a realigned intersection for future installation of a traffic signal; restroom facilities; playground; and bouldering/rock climbing area.  Possible additional features in the short term include a dog park and interactive water fountain if funding permits.  Funding includes SPLOST program dollars and impact fees.

• Barbershop – acquired as part of the Lewis Road historical preservation requirements, this facility was relocated to its new location on the south end of the municipal parking lot.  Planned improvements include restrooms and bike parking.   Historic artifacts unearthed during the building relocation will be displayed at the Seven Springs Museum once the renovations are complete. 

• Zip Code Change The City obtained approval from US Postal Service to proceed with implementation of zip code change for residents of the City whose mailing address is Hiram, Georgia.  Public meeting will be held October 2 to review the process to complete the change. 

• Development efforts – The City has initiated a marketing and branding program through Kennesaw State University and will host a Lunch & Learn series with speakers from the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

• Municipal Court -  Will complete construction and renovation of the Municipal Court Facility at the old public safety building on Pineview Drive. 

• Downtown Road Improvements – Will construct general streets and parking improvements in the downtown, including Pineview, Oakview, Lynn and Cemetery as part of the downtown redevelopment effort.

• Other SPLOST – Will construct other SPLOST projects, including sidewalks, resurfacing, bridge repairs, city facility repairs, park improvements, multi-purpose theater project.

• Mitigation of Minor Flooding -  Currently mapping retention and detention areas and the storm drain system to revise and update the storm water management plan.  Reviewing regulations to ensure that they do not impede green infrastructure or low impact development practices that would enhance mitigation efforts. 

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