CITY
NEWS FEBRUARY 2020
BLACK
HISTORY
MONTH
HISTORY OF A HOME THE STORY OF ISHMAEL HARKNESS
see page 4
City Manager Ray Gibson receives Certificate of Achievement at GMA’s Cities United Summit Fayetteville City Manager Ray Gibson received the Certificate of Achievement from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Cities United Summit in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 26. The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort of GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for city officials. To receive a Certificate of Achievement, a city official must complete a minimum of 72 units of credit, including at least 36 hours from a list of required classes. The training program consists of a series of more than 60 courses. “This is an outstanding achievement,” said GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson. “We commend City Manager Gibson for this accomplishment and for the
dedication he’s shown in using this valuable resource to become a more effective city official.” Institute of Government Director Laura Meadows recognized the effort officials invest in gaining these certifications. “We applaud the commitment of these municipal officials in furthering their leadership development and utilizing the knowledge gained in this training program in improving their cities,” Meadows said. Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, research, training, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its 538 member cities. The Carl Vinson Institute of Government is a UGA Public Service and Outreach unit that provides customized assistance, applied research and professional development for government leaders and employees across Georgia and internationally.
City leaders convene to revisit 2018 Strategic Plan
Fayetteville City Council members along with several City staffers met in LaGrange on February 13 and 14 for the 2020 City Council Retreat to update goals, objectives and action planning based largely on the 2018 City of Fayetteville Strategic Plan. Pictured at right, consultant Bill Stark led the group in a discussion of co-worker personality types. 2 - February 2020
Construction under way at New City Hall site Visible progress is being made on the New City Hall & City Center Park property in Downtown Fayetteville, and Project Manager Steve Mauro gave a first-hand update to the Fayetteville City Council at their February 6 meeting. Mauro noted that the former Fayette County Board of Education buildings fronting West Stonewall Avenue (Hwy. 54) were demolished several months ago, but he noted that special land disturbance permits had to be obtained before crews could dig beneath the foundations of the former buildings. He said those permits are now in hand, and earth moving has begun as weather has permitted. Mauro also noted that engineers are working through foundation issues to ensure the new City Hall building will be firm and stable. So while it may seem from the street level that not much is happening behind the construction fencing, Mauro says a lot of work is being done now to ensure this downtown landmark is in great shape for generations to come. A March 2021 completion date has been estimated, and Mauro said it is likely that the new City Hall will be fully occupied in May 2021.
Of course, the new City Hall is only one piece of the pie. Cascading down from there is the soon-to-be City Center Park, which will center around a flowing water feature, a splash pad, children’s playgrounds and more. “It’s just awesome. It really is,” Mauro gushed about the new City Center Park designs. “I can’t say enough about the staff and their willingness to make sure that this is great, and they’ve done a great job with it.” Mauro noted that the park will include a rock climbing wall with a slide, a big kids’ playground, a so-called “tot lot” for the youngest guests, and other cool features like swing baskets, a log scramble, and more. “I think the citizens are really going to enjoy this,” Mauro said. Another important element to this downtown redevelopment plan is the contiguous Walton Properties multiuse project, which will bring homes and shop fronts to the edge of City Center Park. “They continue to work with us,” Mauro said. “Their engineers are now actively engaging us to make sure that what we’re doing at the end of our project is seamlessly matching up to
what is going to be the beginning of their project.” Mauro said an often asked question is, “What’s happening with the old gym and bus barn?” Those two buildings, formerly used by the public school system, were marked for renovation when the others were destined for demolition. Now Mauro says architectural firm Jefferson Browne is being contracted to draw up plans to bring the buildings together, linked by a common courtyard. The old gym building will be an event center. The old bus barn is likely to be developed as a brewery and restaurant, he said. “We finally settled on the fact that we need a single architect to bring both of those buildings together to make sure it is a complete project,” Mauro said. Those interested may keep up with the latest City Hall & City Center Park project news by visiting www. fayetteville-ga.gov/downtown. They may also visit the City of Fayetteville on Facebook and Instagram. Weekly E-Mail Updates are available by signing up at www.fayetteville-ga.gov/ emailupdates.
Five-year street repaving plan to resume in 2020 he City of Fayetteville repaved 4.7 miles of streets in 2018. More than four additional miles were contracted for repaving in 2019, but challenging weather conditions limited contractors to paving just over half of that amount, at 2.23 miles. Funding for the repaving
came from a combination of state funding and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) revenue for a total of $1,239,011.61. Public Services Director Chris Hindman says 2020 will be another 3 - February 2020
big year for repaving. He says the street list will be finalized in the coming months. In the meantime, planning is underway for the repaving of 2.24 miles of Redwine Road and 0.93 miles of Grady Avenue.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
HISTORY OF A HOME The Story of Ishmael Harkness
There are many homes in Fayette County. This one tells a story of freedom and renewal against the odds.
Historic home made famous by a runaway slave There is a house not far from Fayetteville, down in the unincorporated community of Inman, that has an old story soon to be enshrined on a national level. It is the story of Ishmael Harkness, a runaway slave who joined the United States Army during the War Between the States and then returned as a freeman to marry the love of his life. Harkness’ descendants are applying to have the mid-1800s home, known as the Rueben Gay House, included on the National Register of Historic Places. Professional historians Thomas Lee
and Nicole Gilbert on staff at the Holliday Dorsey Fife Museum in Downtown Fayetteville are assisting the family in those efforts. Harkness’ story begins in the mid-1800s when he was born as a slave of Josiah Harkness in nearby Henry County. When his owner died, Harkness was sold to a new owner, Elijah Mann, then he ran away in 1864 and joined the Union Army for a year. According to U. S. Army records, Ishmael Mann served in the place of Thomas Maythern, a white man from Cleveland, Ohio, who had been drafted to serve in the Union Army but bought his way out. Maythern paid for Mann to serve in his place. Private Mann served as an infantryman in the 48th United States Colored Troops Regiment, which served in combat in Alabama and Florida. The regiment lost 61 soldiers to battle wounds and an astounding 465 to disease. Mann himself was hospitalized in December 1864. Mann eventually returned to Georgia, and as a freeman took on the surname Harkness, which was likely a show of greater fondness for his original owner. Harkness in 1876 married Matilda “Matildy”
Gay. The ceremony took place in the Gay Family home in Inman now known as the Reuben Gay House. Ishmael and Matildy Gay eventually moved to Alabama, became successful farmers, and raised a family there. Nowadays, descendants on both sides of the family, the Gays and the Harknesses, are working to have the Reuben Gay House added to the National Register of Historic Places. If they are successful, it will be Fayette County’s only building on the Register with an African-American history.
Working past the half-century mark Just a couple of months after Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, local resident Donald Smith walked through the door of McDonald’s for the first time as an employee. More than 50 years later, Smith was recognized at the North Glynn Street restaurant in Fayetteville for his half-century of continuous service. As a facilities custodian during that time, Smith says he has enjoyed interacting with customers and coworkers alike, but he says he especially enjoys opportunities along the way to counsel and encourage young people who passed through over the years. Still not ready to retire, he says he has more to give in the years to come. Smith’s supervisors and colleagues gathering at a recent reception to honor him say he has been one of the best examples of a hardworking, dedicated employee that they, and indeed the McDonald’s Corporation itself, have ever seen. Atlanta McDonald’s Owner/ Operator Muriel Powell noted that Smith’s responsibilities are to make
sure the restaurant is clean and functional, which includes looking after everything from the parking lot to the kitchen to the indoor playground. She said that, even though Smith is in his 70s, he still manages to crawl inside the tubes and slides to clean them. “We appreciate you for being consistent,” Powell told Smith. “I want to be that kind of person of integrity and excellence. We thank you and appreciate you.” Mayor Ed Johnson, who attended the reception, said he appreciated the contributions Smith has made in the community by being a good employee, husband and father. It was noted during the reception that one of Smith’s sons is serving in the United States Army after graduating from The United States Military Academy at West Point. “I could not help but want to be here representing the City of Fayetteville,” Johnson said. “You have imparted knowledge into all of these young people who have worked here. 6 - February 2020
When Mrs. Powell told me about this, I had to come here just to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of the City of Fayette. “We at the City believe businesses are the heartbeat of the community,” Johnson continued. “A business can’t succeed unless they have quality employees, people who understand customer service. Because of people like you, this McDonald’s has been able to stand the test of time here in Fayetteville. We are so proud of what you have contributed to the community.” Mayor Johnson presented Smith with a City of Fayetteville Challenge Coin. Responding to a room full of wellwishers, Smith noted that for almost 36 of the last 50 years, he not only worked full-time for McDonald’s, but he also worked full-time for PPG. He presently only works for McDonald’s. “I believe I can go another 100 years,” Smith said. “Am I the best at what I do? I may not be, but it won’t be for lack of effort.”
Welcome new Fayetteville businesses Started in the month of January
BUSINESS
LICENSEE
ADDRESS
PHONE
BRC MEDHEALTH, INC
BARBARA CLARK BRC MEDHEALTH, INC
285 GLYNN ST S STE 107, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(470) 301-4563
CREEKSTONE ACADEMY
OPEN SKY DEVELOPMENT, LLC
95 CREEKWOOD TRL, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(770) 719-9100
FACE-UP SKIN CARE LLC
TAMARA GARRETT
500 LANIER AVE W STE 403, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
FAYETTE NAIL SPA
TU NGUYEN
805 LANIER AVE W STE B, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(678) 817-0236
GIFTED TOUCH HAIR SALON
ZAKIYYAH LEWIS
500 LANIER AVE W STE 409, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(678) 571-3617
GOODMAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. MICAH GOODMAN
180 ROBINSON DR, Fayetteville, GA 30214
HUDDLESTON FLORIST
TERRY NANCE
325 GLYNN ST N, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(770) 461-1288
INDECT USA
INDECT USA
115 COMMERCE DR STE K, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(229) 560-8940
JCR SOLUTIONS LLC
JCR SOLUTIONS LLC
285 WINONA DR, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(678) 972-5281
JM PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS
I-LIGHT MEDIA, LLC
500 LANIER AVE W STE 904, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(404) 695-0989
JVL CONSTRUCTION
JOSEPH LISICIA
220 LANIER AVE E STE 7, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(770) 584-4199
LAOCH SERVICES, LLC
LAOCH SERVICES, LLC
320 LANIER AVE W STE 200, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(678) 221-7834
LILY NAILS AND SPA
VU HOAN TRAN
41 HUDSON PLZ STE A, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(770) 703-6879
LIVING PRIVATE HOME CARE, LLC
BETTY STRIPLING
101 DEVANT ST STE 105, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(470) 504-0582
OOLAN STUDIO, LLC
AIMEE KADE
500 LANIER AVE W STE 201, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
(920) 268-3771
7 - February 2020
Construction in the Community Development updates from around Fayetteville (See location map on Page 14)
Construction locations within the City
5-6 3-4
2 1
7
8
1. Fayette Self Storage - 105,000 sq. ft. rental storage facility on approximately three acres 8 - February 2020
2. New Holiday Inn Express - Will be a four-story hotel with 83 rooms
3. Pinewood Forest’s Capstone and Central Park projects
4. Hop City Barley Garden (left) and the Two Ten office building are springing up at Pinewood Forest.
5. RaceTrac and Discount Tire are under construction on the Satterfield Property along Hwy. 85 North near Fayette Pavilion.
6. Freddy’s and Panda Express are coming along nicely on the Satterfield Property along Hwy. 85 North near Fayette Pavilion.
7. Foundation work has begun on the New City Hall building in Downtown Fayetteville.
8. Knight Development’s headquarters building project on Whitney Street is moving forward with property infrastructure and utility installation.
9 - February 2020
Main Street Fayetteville 2020 Event Calendar Main Street Fayetteville has released its Events Calendar for 2020, and you can use the chart on the left to “save the date” for your favorite events. Below, you’ll find a little more detail about what’s happening in the next few months.
Save the Date Saturday 2/29 Run the Ridge 5K The Ridge Nature Area Saturday 4/11 Easterpalooza Historic Courthouse ‑ Sunday 4/12 Sunrise Service Historic Courthouse April 17-25 Easterpalooza – Join us for this eggcellent afternoon adventure on Saturday, April Georgia Cities Week 11, 3-5 p.m. around the Historic Courthouse in Downtown Fayetteville. Main Street Various Events & Locations Fayetteville and Fayetteville First United Methodist Church join forces to celebrate Easter in the sweetest way possible. Easter egg hunters will be grouped by age and Friday 4/17 set free to fly across the Courthouse Lawn, gathering treats along the way. Other ‘The Roaring Twenties’ activities and features will be announced closer to the event. Historic Courthouse The Roaring 20s @ Friday Night LIVE – Way before Beyonce, there was ragtime Saturday 4/18 and jazz. The Roaring Twenties was known for that kind of panache and pizazz. Living History Day Holliday Dorsey Fife Museum Downtown Fayeteville’s Historic Courthouse will come alive April 17, 6-10 p.m., when the first installment of the Friday Night LIVE series, “The Roaring 20s”, returns for a Saturday 5/2 second great year. Guests can expect a live band, food trucks, inflatables, and face Suds & Sounds painting among other offerings. More details will be released closer to the event. on the Square Living History Day – The Holliday Dorsey Fife Museum in Downtown Fayetteville, Friday 6/5 which is open year-round for a modest entrance fee, throws the doors wide open ‘Strawberry Moon’ Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for its free Living History Day. Traditional games Historic Courthouse from the 1800s, artisan demonstrations, and guided museum tours are just a few of the timeless treats awaiting guests that day. Sunday 6/14 Taste of Fayette Historic Courthouse Earth Day – Southern Conservation Trust, which is now headquartered in Downtown Fayetteville, is teaming up with Main Street Fayetteville for an Earth Day celebration Friday 6/10 on Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the SCT property at 305 Beauregard ‘Luau’ Boulevard. The event will focus on natural conservation and stewardship. More Historic Courthouse details will be released closer to the event. Friday 8/7 Friday Night Live Historic Courthouse Friday-Saturday 10/16-17 Cemetery Walk Fayetteville City Cemetery Saturday 10/24 The Great Pumpkin Festival Historic Courthouse Saturdy 12/5 Christmas on Main Street Downtown Fayetteville 10 - February 2020
In Other News Above: Personnel from the Fayetteville Police Department and the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office donated a collection of needed items to the Promise Place domestic violence shelter. Right: The Fayetteville Fire Department brought the new Squad 9 truck online recently. It is a quick-response vehicle based on the Ford 550 crew cab platform, and it is based at Station #91. Below: Presentation materials and other documents from the January HOA Boot Camp event are now available online. You can find them at www.fayetteville-ga.gov/HOA.
11 - February 2020