CITY
NEWS DECEMBER 2020
From our Families to Yours, We Wish You a Warm and Safe Holiday and a Happy New Year!
City of Fayetteville staff gather around the City Hall Christmas tree on display since late November. 2 - December 2020
CITY CONSIDERING NEW IDEAS FOR OLD CITY HALL
Construction on the new Fayetteville City Hall has come a long way, and project managers say City personnel will move into the new building by the summer. So what will happen to the old City Hall when those personnel move out of it? “That’s the big question we’ve gotten a lot this year,” said Fayetteville City Manager Ray Gibson. “The first question we’ve gotten for the last two years is, ‘When are you going to be in the new City Hall building?’ And lately, more people want to know what we’re going to do with our existing one.” The City in late October issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to gauge interest from organizations, whether public or private, developers or non-profits, in leasing or purchasing the existing City Hall building and grounds. The deadline for proposals has been extended to Monday, January 4, 2021. The Adaptive Reuse of Current City Hall RFP document, which can be found at www.FayettevilleGA.gov/ActiveSolicitations, lists
restaurants, retail shops, and even business incubators as possible future uses, but City leaders say they are not limiting ideas at this point. “We would love to see the existing City Hall reused in a way that fits with our vision for a walkable, enjoyable, revitalized Downtown Fayetteville,” Gibson said. “The proximity to the Historic Courthouse Square and to the new City Hall will become a greater and greater advantage as we continue to redevelop the entire downtown area.” The existing City Hall was built in the 1940s as a public school building after the previous one in the same location burned in 1938. The City of Fayetteville, which previously had a City Hall building located a few blocks away near the municipal water tower, purchased the school building on South Glynn Street in the early 1990s. It was opened as the current City Hall in 1995. The existing City Hall is about 12,500 square-feet in size, and it has approximately 50 parking spaces. The interior was 3 - December 2020
remodeled to turn classrooms into offices, and the portion that houses the City Council Chambers was newly built, opening with the remodeled original building in 1995. “This is really a local landmark,” said Downtown Development Director Brian Wismer. “We’re excited to see what will become of this building in its next cycle of life after having served as our community’s City Hall for more than a quarter of a century and as one of the community’s main school facilities going back 80 years. “This corridor within our downtown contains numerous historic buildings that have been preserved and repurposed, and I believe the adaptive reuse of the existing City Hall is one of our more exciting opportunities,” Wismer said. Organizations interested in the RFP are asked to view it online (www.Fayetteville-GA.gov/ ActiveSolicitations) and contact Program Manager Steve Mauro with any questions: smauro@cpsatlanta.com.
CITY HALL & CITY CENTER PARK UPDATE
Construction on the new Fayetteville City Hall building is substantially complete, and work has begun on installing gas, electrical and other utilities. Work continues at the Gym and Bus Barn as well as throughout the new City Center Park. Construction on the new playground, splash pad and flume is expected to begin before the end of December.
CITY WELCOMES JUDGE PRO-TEM TONYA SHY
Fayetteville Municipal Court Judge Pro-Tem Tonya Shy was recently sworn to serve the City in her new role. Pictured at the December 2 swearing-in ceremony are (l-r) Deputy Clerk of Court Whitney Houston, Solicitor Julie Kert, City Councilman Scott Stacy, Mayor Ed Johnson, Judge Nailah Grant McFarlane, Judge Pro-Tem Tonya Shy, City Councilman Paul Oddo, Clerk of Court Tabitha Crowley, and Deputy Clerk of Court Kathleen Powell.
GOVERNOR KEMP EXTENDS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGH JANUARY 8, RENEWS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS On November 30, 2020, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Executive Order 11.30.20.01 and Executive Order 11.30.20.02, extending Georgia’s Public Health State of Emergency until January 8, 2021, and extending current COVID-19 restrictions.
Executive Order 11.30.20.02 also includes changes that allow nurses and pharmacists to administer the pending COVID-19 vaccine, including in a drive-thru setting, and permits any nurse or pharmacist to observe patients for the requisite 15 minute 5 -December ber 2020
window after receiving the vaccine. Both Orders take effect on December 1, 2020 at 12:00 AM. Executive Order 11.30.20.02 runs through December 15 at 11:59 PM. The Governor’s executive orders are available at www.gov.georgia.gov.
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE
THE YEAR
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
The City of Fayetteville in January welcomed two new City Council members: Darryl Langford and Joe Clark. 2020 was anticipated to be an important and busy year for the City, as construction was set to begin on the new Fayetteville City Hall & City Center Park as well as the Whitewater Creek Pollution Control Plant Upgrade. The City also ramped up plans to promote the U. S. Census Complete Count, which was a great success.
Construction work was in full swing at the Fayetteville City Hall & City Center Park site in February. The City held a two-day planning retreat for the City Council and department heads, and the 2018 Strategic Plan was updated to reflect a sharper focus on completing projects and goals set by City leaders and other members of the community.
By mid-March, the City of Fayetteville was responding swiftly and purposefully to the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. City buildings were closed to the public, and many City personnel were sent home to work remotely. All the while, great efforts were made to accommodate online access to public services. The City diligently stayed in touch with county and state officials to help keep local residents informed of health and safety policy changes.
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
More City employees were sent home to work remotely in the Month of April, while some stayed on site, meeting remotely and following special health and safety precautions. City leaders recognized the financial burdens being shouldered by local businesses, and efforts were made to help them receive federal and state resources. The annual spring Shred & Recycle Day was carried out as planned, and special health and safety procedures were followed.
Many City personnel who had been working from home were brought back to work on-site in May, with even stricter health and safety measures put in place, including temperature screenings as they arrived for work in the mornings. City leaders approved temporary measures to help local businesses, including allowing for more instructional signage. Several events for 2020 were postponed and cancelled. 6 - December 2019
On Saturday, June 6, an historic protest took place in Fayetteville. Two thousand-plus protesters and City leaders peacefully marched from Fayette Pavilion to Fayetteville City Hall to protest the events that led to the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and many others. Photos by Michael Clifton.
IN REVIEW
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
The Month of August was marked by progress on the Downtown Road Diet project, which will reshape roadside parking areas adjacent to the Historic Fayette County Courthouse and Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. Progress was also made on the Unified Development Ordinance headed up by the Community Development Department. Fayetteville Municipal Court began offering online hearings.
Months of preparation culminated in the 9-11 Tribute event held in Fayetteville at the Brightmoor-Southern Ground Amphitheater. Veterans service organizations, local public safety agencies, and members of the community converged to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. That same day, Fayetteville Fire and Police officers joined other Atlanta-area public safety personnel in the annual Stone Mountain memorial climb.
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Main Street Fayetteville replicated their annual Pumpkin Walk tradition in October with a new event that took COVID-19 into consideration. The Great Pumpkin Display allowed participants to bring their autumnal creations to the Courthouse Square without the crowds. Also in October, the Police Department received a $50,000 grant from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and the amphitheater closed out its 2020 concert series.
The Fayetteville Police Department in November was celebrated for its part in the leveling of 46 indictments on members of a nationwide criminal gang. The first in a string of drug-related arrests took place in Fayetteville. Also in November, the Fayetteville City Council amended its marijuana possession ordinance to eliminate mandatory jail time for amounts under an ounce.
City leaders and residents alike were disappointed when the December 5 Christmas on Main Street event was cancelled due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Georgia. To at least partly make up for it, Santa Claus agreed to visit Fayetteville City Hall on the following Tuesday evening and talk with children online through the Zoom app. Thirty-five children spoke with Santa Claus within a two-hour window.
A special “topping-out” ceremony was held at the new Fayetteville City Hall construction site on July 16, signifying that all of the structural beams were in place. Great progress was also made on the city-wide Master Path Plan in July. Over at the Brightmoor-Southern Ground Amphitheater, the first concert of 2020 featured country music star Rodney Atkins.
7 - December 2019
CONSTRUCTION IN THE COMMUNITY Development updates from around Fayetteville
Construction locations within the City
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CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW: Conceptual site plans are being reviewed for a Jersey Mike’s and a Take 5 Oil Change that would be built in the Satterfield Marketplace along Highway 85 North. A conceptual site plan and building elevation changes are also being reviewed for the Fayette Discount Gas and Tobacco located at the corner of Highway 85 and Kathi Avenue. A subdivision plat is being reviewed for the Del Taco property. A Southeast Data Center conceptual site plan is being reviewed for land located in the area of Veterans Parkway and Highway 54 West. Revised building elevations are being reviewed for a duplex residence on Jeff Davis Drive. Construction continues at the Fayette Meadows subdivision. 8 -December 2020
1. Work continues on the new Fayetteville City Hall & City Center Park
2. Trilith Studios (formerly Pinewood Atlanta Studios) continues to add soundstages to its campus on Veterans Parkway.
3. Progress on the Capstone and Central Park buildings at Trilith (formerly Pinewood Forest) continues.
4. Work on the new Trilith (formerly Pinewood Forest) Town Stage is nearly complete.
5. Construction of the Navy Federal Credit Union on Highway 85 North is nearly completed.
6. Marksmen Properties is building five more office/warehouse facilities along North 85 Parkway.
7. The Life Storage building is under construction along Highway 314 next to Lowe’s.
9 - December 2020
WELCOME NEW FAYETTEVILLE BUSINESSES STARTED IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
100 Percent Chiropractic Barclay
1240 Highway 54 West, Suite 503
Layth Auto Sales, LLC
90 Commerce Drive, B39
All-State Auto Finance, LLC
90 Commerce Drive, Suite B38
Lea Bee Boutique
135 Glynn Street North
Authentically P.H.I.T.
382 Glynn Street South
Maximum One Realtor Partners
133 Banks Station
Beacon Health Options Care Services
125 Pavilion Parkway
MC Medical, LLC
125 Pavilion Parkway
Bigly Motors, LLC
90 Commerce Drive, Suite B42
Piermont Motors
90 Commerce Drive, Suite B22
Campana Auto Exchange, LLC
90 Commerce Drive, Suite B4
Prayerful Pieces, LLC
150 Running Bear Trail
CBM Real Estate, LLC
1070 Wedgewood Drive
Press Hair Salon #2
535 Glynn Street South, Suite 2006
Crandon Autos, LLC
90 Commerce Drive, Suite B43
Rubio Auto Sales, LLC
90 Commerce Drive, Suite B1
Dammy Motors, LLC
90 Commerce Drive, Suite B30
Salon Mon’Der Kay
285 Glynn Street South, Suite 203
Daphne Brown Agency
220 Jeff Davis Drive North, Suite 1
T&L Roadside & Auto Sales
310 Glynn Street North, Suite B
Direct Source Auto Group
90 Commerce Drive, Suite B13
Teresa Reynolds Agency, LLC
105 Commerce Drive, Suite D
Driveline Funding, Inc.
90 Commerce Drive, Suite B48
The Fuller Insurance Agency, Inc.
605 Glynn Street North, Suites A&B
Gap Tax Solutions
917 Glynn Street North
The Institute Books, Gifts & Art
455 Lafayette Avenue
Halftime Barbershop
270 Glynn Street North, Suite D
Verity, LLC
500 Lanier Avenue West, Suite 801
Jeff Davis Dental
265 Jeff Davis Drive North, Suite A
Warren Star Auto Sales, LLC
135 Habersham Drive, Suite 1
K12 Tutor Connect, LLC
307 Hambrick Park
Your CBD Store
805 Glynn Street South, Suite 137
Kagzy Auto, Inc.
90 Commerce Drive, Suite B36
Zees Automotive, LLC
180 Industrial Way, Suite D
Rotary Club of Fayetteville members donated $500 to Fayetteville Police Department’s Christmas with a Cop program. Pictured (l-r) are Rotary Club member Jennifer Conforti, Past President Vickie Butler, President Tish Williams, Officer Richard Gaines, Captain Jeff Harris, Officer Branden Zuke, Mayor Ed Johnson, and Treasurer Monikah Kelly. 10 - December 2020
DOWNTOWN ROAD DIET PROJECT BEGINS
The Downtown road diet project on East Stonewall Avenue (Highway 54 eastbound) adjacent to the Historic Fayette County Courthouse and Fayetteville First United Methodist Church has
begun. Traffic barrels have been placed in the left lane, leaving the middle and right lanes free to accommodate traffic. Road construction is expected to begin after the Christmas and
New Year holidays, so Downtown shoppers are still allowed to park between the barrels next to the Courthouse.
WHITEWATER CREEK POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT UPGRADE IS IN ITS FINAL STAGES
The Whitewater Creek Pollution Control Plant Upgrade is about 90-percent complete, and it is expected to be fully complete in the coming weeks.
The first oxidation ditch is being brought online now, and bacterial levels are being measured and monitored the designed flow can be introduced 11 - December 2020
into the basin. At the same time, work has begun on another new oxidation ditch.