About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2011)
M&C OK CC Expansion Plan, Hancock Closing Although several commissioners argued for further consideration, a plan to expand the Classic Center by permanently closing a block of Hancock Avenue went forward last week on an 8-2 commission vote. Critics of the pro posal seemed to become increasingly scarce as the expanded public input process reached its close, while supporters continued to warn that delay would cost the county in future con vention business. Only commissioners Jared Bailey and Ed Robinson voted against pro ceeding with "Option 1A," which will double the size of the Classic Center's existing exhibit hall by building it out across what is now a public street. "I think we're being pushed too hard with too little information," said Bailey, adding he'd like to "shelve this project for as long as it takes for us to do it right." Robinson said some plan is needed for encouraging retail along Foundry Street, and that the street closing may be "killing off the expansion of a large portion of downtown." Commissioner Harry Sims warned that a proposed river district, where it has been sug gested much of that expansion would take place, was once used as a trash dump "from the top of the hill all the way down to the river," and that remediating it for residential uses would be expensive. A consultant's report on developing such a district is expected soon. The approved concept will allow a planned hotel next door to the Classic Center to be connected directly to it—or nearly so—by swapping two strips of land between the private hotel's developer and the county, closing the entire block of Hancock between Thomas and Foundry streets. Both parties have agreed in principle to such a swap, which will also allow better service access from Dougherty Street to the expanded exhibit hall. And dipping a foot into state politics, the commissioners passed a resolution asking Gov. Nathan Deal in a letter to veto House Bill 179, which would allow billboard companies to remove trees from public property if they block billboards. Suggested by Commissioner Andy Herod and approved unanimously, the letter says the law would bar even tree-planting pro grams that might block future billboards. And "the Georgia Department of Transportation has revealed that their costs for managing the billboard program last year were 5915,000 but their revenues were only 5155,000," requiring taxpayers to subsidize the billboard industry, the letter says. The City of Roswell has passed a similar resolution. Commissioners also voted to broaden a local ordinance to allow occasional special events (like music concerts) at locations other than just downtown. Under present law, the county had declined to gi/e permits for a proposed Georgia Theatre benefit concert off Spring Valley Road, ACC Planning Director Brad Griffin told Flagpole. Mayor Nancy Denson put the broader ordinance on last week's agenda, and commissioners passed it unanimously; it allows events up to 72 hours long in certain rural, commercial and industrial zones (at least 300 feet from any residence), provided noise, alcohol and other ordinances are com plied with. Griffin said he expects the Spring Valley event planners may now reapply for permits. John Huie A HoutJ o APR U- the Packers wm^t 5tai?tcd we Sh /Wic IS SO PfcCKeD UiT>lAuJESoVME. e v/e it wakes /*£ c RAzy 80Y8i>T'AuTe (the AkJUUAL AIDS d?a<s Shouj) is This uieeiceuD AlJO Th6 TUIUGHT QlKf RACP I$6oiaJC> 0/0 AT THE FfJD OF THE WIOWTH (vELCOne To The QUEERS CRiTtR/um ^7^ Tien€5 I UlbH AU TH€5>C TH/U6S U)£ze MAPPCMI/OC at OJUCE. So I CoucO ACTUALLY See EVERY THIIOG \>J X>6soJ Ml<XcU Wc^^J.vmoUUCY (= I U OCRS. w E T 706.31 6.0130 l 260 W. CLAYTON ST. ATHENS, GA Any Chicken or 2 Maki Rolls with Miso or Japanese Onion Soup and a Soft Drink for (10pm-2am Thurs.-Sat) $ 5.95 Late Night Special Delivery by Bulldawg Foqd • 706-850*7999 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • NOW OPEN LATE! Sun-Wed 11:30-10pm • Thun-Sat 11:30am-3am 2301 College Station Rd. • Next to Kroger 706-546-5662 www.inokosushiexpress.com y§$h Thank You fox recognizing us as your Favorite *0® Downhome Restaurant! We Gre Celebrating our 25 If ear Gnniversaryl iTOKiigEai 1016 E. Broad Street 706-353-7797 706-353-0500 163 it. {acKson si. Athens, ga Thank 'gou for voting and making us #2 Hair Salon! Kwr* .ATHENS.' Ganoe Broad RiveriOutpost.corrv ’<■ '706.795.3242 i.Wtj • 5nowers SlowWoter _ Coolers ^ . Camping WhiteWater Parking ^ Georgia b\R pita to CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN ATHENS! COME BY AND SEE WHATS MADE US A GOOD PLACE TO DRINK SINCE 1986 HAPPY HOUR M-F 3-9 159 W. CLAYTON ST. • 706^546-9884 TASTE OF INDIA FINE INDIAN CUISINE LUNCH BUFFET MOA'-FKI 1 l:30am-2:30pm $1.95 SAT & SUN 12pm-3pm SS.95 Thank you (or Voting us Athens’ . Favorite S* Buffet Serving Seafood, Chicken, Lamb, Goat & Vegetarian Entrees Sert/ing Seer & Wine Dinner: Moil- Suit 5pm \Opnt Open 7 Days • 131 B East Broad St, 706-5500000 u'lCW. indiaa thens. com APRIL 13,2011 FLAGPOLE.COM 5
