Douglasville Impact Fall 2020 Edition

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MAYOR’S GREETING

TOWN GREEN/ AMPHITHEATER

Welcome to this issue of our Douglasville Impact Newsletter! I am in disbelief that we are already transitioning from summer to fall. 2020 continues to amaze me! Despite all the setbacks associated with COVID-19, the City has continued with many of its projects. In this issue, we’ll provide an update on the progress of those projects and we’ll even look toward the future as we have many exciting projects on the horizon.

Now that we have fully moved into the 2020-2021 schoolyear, I’d like to thank all the teachers, administrators, and school support staff that are committed to educating the youth in our community. Considering how confusing and frustrating this time can be for parents and students, it can be equally as confusing and frustrating for our educators. Their calling to educate the next generation is vital to our community and is truly appreciated!

As we push forward through this pandemic, I urge everyone to stay vigilant in practicing healthy habits: continue social distancing, washing hands, disinfecting and cleaning regularly, and stay home if you’re sick. It is only together that we will overcome this and work toward getting ourselves “back to normal”.

The City of Douglasville will continue to release updates on COVID-19. You can visit the City’s website at www. douglasvillega.gov/covid19 for that information, or follow us on all social media platforms.

As always, I wish God’s blessings on you, your families, and the City of Douglasville.

Mayor Rochelle Robinson City of Douglasville

CITY UPDATES The City of Douglasville closed its facilities to the public back on March 18, but that does not mean the City has been taking time off.

MORE CITY UPDATES ON THE NEXT PAGE!

Having adequate reserve funds has allowed the City to continue normal operations.

City Hall has continued to provide customer service virtually and those essential services, like public safety and sanitation, have had little or no changes to their operations.

Even further, the City has been able to continue progress on many of its high-profile projects.

noticed that the former Douglas County Jail located on Church Street is near total demolition, approximately 75% complete, in fact.

There are a few items left on the list to remove, including concrete slabs and other underground structures from the footprint of the main jailhouse building. Afterward, the removal of all asphalt, concrete curb and gutter, and any other roadways and parking lots on the site will be removed. This stage will be finalized with the removal of fencing that surrounds the building structures. After the demolition phase is complete, Vansant-Campbell, Inc. will perform a final boundary and topographic survey of the entire site. This will make way to proceed with the construction of the amphitheater and greenspace.

notice the transformation soon. The City’s landscaping contractor, Russell Landscaping, is currently in the process of finalizing the grading of the west-bound ramp and will begin to install landscape features there as well. As for the east-bound ramp, Russell Landscaping began the grading process and will begin to install landscape features on that ramp in the coming weeks.

If you’ve spent time in downtown Douglasville recently, you’ve

The beautification at the I-20/Fairburn Road overpass has progressed and commuters on the interstate will

The gateway signage will be built at all major interstate gateways into Douglasville at exits 34, 36, and 37 on I-20

To help further welcome residents and visitors to the City of Douglasville, City staff has been working on the design and implementation of signage in major gateway areas and wayfinding signage in the downtown area to help guide visitors to Douglasville tourist attractions and hotspots.

and at the new intersection of Highway 92 at Fairburn Road. This also includes new signage at all City parks and all other City facilities. For now, though, the focus will be at exit 37, or the Fairburn Road at I-20 interchange.

As for the downtown area, there will be an informational kiosk built to help visitors locate areas within the City and there will be new parking and street signage as well.

Be on the lookout for these updates and more in the coming weeks and months!

TOWN GREEN/ AMPHITHEATER

July 30, 2018 City purchases Old Jail property from Douglas County.

I-20 INTERCHANGE BEAUTIFICATION

GATEWAY & WAYFINDING SIGNAGE

May 11, 2020

GDOT begins resurfacing I-20 and trimming back trees on shoulder between Thornton Road and Highway 5 exits.

MILL VILLAGE

May 8, 2019

City Holds “Demolition Party” starting the demolition process.

Received a support grant from AgSouth in the amount of $500.

August, 2020 Total redesign completed!

January, 2020 Alice J. Hawthorne Center at

JESSIE DAVIS PARK Project Update RFP going out for a designer/ installer. Once that is figured out, the signage will be installed late 2020/early 2021.

Church Street Farmer’s Market officially launches to great success!

Project Update Vasant-Campbell Inc is in the process of finishing the final topographic and boundary survey for the overall site.

Development designs are 50% complete. The City and TSW (Design Professionals) are working to finalize the selection of sample materials for a few building finishes.

AECOM is projected to finish up the project by midlate September (weather dependent).

August 2020 AECOM presented proposals to Mayor/Counci,

Summer 2019 Restrooms, other indoor improvements completed.

September 29 Project Update

Steering Committee formed and project launched.

Groundbreaking!

June 9 City holds groundbreaking for beautification of the interchange at Fairburn Road and I-20.

PEDESTRIAN/ BIKE PATH

July 30, 2018 Designs approved for signage

by Mayor/Council.

November 18, 2019

CHURCH STREET FARMER’S MARKET

May 2019

2019

April 2020

EPD completes environmental assessments, demolition okay to proceed.

PARKS RENOVATION

HUNTER PARK

September 2020 Slated for adoption.

Season 1 of the CSFM wraps up!

Spring, 2020 Playground and outdoor workout equipment installed.

Coming in 2021 Enhanced walking trails coming in 2021! Currently consulting with WSA to determine the best course of action. The newly proposed trail runs through a natural waterflow creek.

Will continue in 2021!

For more information on all these projects, visit us at DouglasvilleGA.gov/Projects!

FROM THE CITY MANAGER’S DESK As our community continues to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Douglasville has continued to ensure the health and safety of employees, residents, and visitors is at the forefront. Back in July, we completed our phased approach to the safe reopening of City facilities and public places. As part of that reopening, upon entering any City of Douglasville facility, we have temperature check and sign-in stations. These stations require temperature readings, handsfree sign-in, and hand sanitizer. This ensures everyone entering our buildings does not have a fever and it allows us to contact (or alert) recent visitors in the event anyone contracts COVID-19.

We have also taken measures to ensure that the City can continue providing essential services. This means continuing being excellent stewards of the City’s funds, complying with all CDC guidelines, and providing clear and timely communication.

As you have learned from this issue of the newsletter, the progress of our transformational projects has not ceased due to the pandemic. This is a shining example of the level of commitment of our staff, but it is also evidence of the level of passion and commitment of Douglasville residents.

This pandemic has caused much uncertainty and anxiety. It has, however, shown how resilient this community is and what we can do when we work together. We are all uncertain when this will come to an end, but I am certain that the City of Douglasville will continue to provide essential services. I look forward to continuing to serve this great community and building great things for the future.

Please continue to be safe, consider your health and the health of others.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY: Our Bailey Family of four includes Homer (Dad), Triphenya (Mom) and two teenagers Jared, 18, a recent graduate of Alexander High School Class of 2020 and Joi, 16, a junior at Alexander High.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN DOUGLASVILLE? Triphenya grew up in Winston and graduated from Douglas County High School, has lived here most of her life; however, as a family unit The Baileys have been in Douglasville since 2002.

WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT LIVING IN THE CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE? The laid back, relaxed atmosphere is one of the most appealing parts of living in Douglasville. The fact that most of our family and friends are here also helps.

WHY DID YOUR FAMILY DECIDE TO CALL THE CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE HOME? ​​​​​​​Having grown up here and experienced “country living,” I knew that I wanted to eventually return to the area and raise a family.

Take Care, Douglasville!

In order to increase awareness and promote health and wellness related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Douglasville has launched its ‘Take Care, Douglasville’ campaign. As part of the campaign, the City of Douglasville will provide masks, yard signs, and shirt buttons available for pickup at the Douglasville Welcome Center.

To be eligible to receive the masks, signs, and buttons businesses and/or individuals can take the pledge on by visiting the Douglasville Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) website at www.VisitDouglasville.com.

From there, participants will pledge to:

•Wash hands frequently and have sanitizer available for guests

(businesses) or wash/sanitize hands before entering a business (individuals)

•Wear face coverings when interacting with guests (businesses) or when

entering an establishment (individuals)

•Follow social distancing and capacity guidelines (both)

•Follow CDC standards of cleaning and sanitation (businesses)

•Stay home if you have a cough, fever, or other symptoms (individuals)

•Conduct wellness screenings of employees (businesses)

•Avoid direct contact with staff and other guests (individuals)

•Train employees on COVID-19 safety procedures (businesses)

•Use credit or debit card if possible (individuals) The City is not requiring masks; however, it is encouraging them to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This campaign is meant to interact with citizens, businesses, and visitors in a fun way. This pandemic is affecting everyone in different ways, so let’s encourage and lift each other up! Take care, Douglasville!

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The Douglasville City Council ROCHELLE ROBINSON Mayor 678-449-3000 robinsonr@douglasvillega.gov

NYCOLE MILLER Ward 2, Post 1 678-449-3012 millern@douglasvillega.gov

DR. LASHUN BURR-DANLEY Ward 3, Post 1

678-449-3006 danleyl@douglasvillega.gov

COACH CHRIS WATTS Ward 4

678-449-3014 wattsc@douglasvillega.gov

TERRY S. MILLER Ward 1 678-449-3002 millert@douglasvillega.gov

MARK ADAMS Ward 2, Post 2

678-449-3004 adamsm@douglasvillega.gov

SAM DAVIS Ward 3, Post 2

678-449-3007 daviss@douglasvillega.gov

HOWARD M. ESTES Ward 5 678-449-3010 estesh@douglasvillega.gov

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