Park on Granite Hotel site could cost big $$$

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Park on Granite Hotel site could cost big $$$

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Wednesday, October 17. 2012

Comments (20)

Building a park on the site of the former Granite Hotel could cost $750,000-$1 million, almost as much as it would have cost to restore the old building itself. The Winder Downtown Development Authority hired landscape architect John Anderson to develop three concept plans for the new Richard B. Russell Park to be built on the site of the former hotel, as well as a plan for the redesign of the DDA’s parking lot at the corner of West Candler Street and Woodlawn Avenue in order to provide easier access to the future park. Asked at Tuesday’s DDA meeting for the projected costs of each design, Anderson said the parking and sidewalk improvements would run about $322,000, and the park improvements would range from $430,000-$663,000. Those estimates did not include the $5,000 to be spent on relocating a nearby power pole or the $15,000 for the bust of the late senator.
For the full story, see the Oct. 17 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 More on 10/17/12 at 12:30 PM [Reply]

Gee, too bad GOB Russell isn't around to get more of that Pork Barrel Federal tax money. Bet that GOB would be the first at the Government teat to get his share. After all the good work he did on that pork barrel airport, a park would be child's play.

#2 And this surprises us --- on 10/17/12 at 12:38 PM [Reply]

why?

#3 observer on 10/17/12 at 04:21 PM [Reply]

One can almost understand how so much money came to be spent trying to save the old hotel. It is absolute insanity to now consider spending about what it would have cost to save it.

#3.1 More on 10/17/12 at 06:55 PM [Reply]

Its not Money, Its proceeds from the Tax Digest.

You really should listen to the GOB(Not GOP) party types when there jibber jabbering about how they plan to spend everything you worked to earn. Best not say anything too loud... Why they just might sic their attorney on you just cause.

#4 Really on 10/17/12 at 07:01 PM [Reply]

And they deserve to expand? Let's generate revenue let's reopen the Sidewinder on that lot. Wal marts full of honey boo boo types to dance there, yee haw.

#5 Kelly on 10/18/12 at 07:10 AM [Reply]

OMG, just OMG That is all I can say. $15,000.00?? for a bust of a GOB?
Seriously if you folks in the City of Winder do not rise up and do SOMETHING to stop this ridiculous GOB plan you deserve your water rates to double, and everything else too. When is enough going to be enough?

DDA??? Ha Ha HA What a JOKE! They need to be BOOTED!

#6 Odins Eye on 10/18/12 at 08:41 AM [Reply]

Folks need to think out-side the box.
Instead of throwing money at the vacant lot, why not ask the community to get involved?

Ask for donations from local landscapers and nurseries, then you get local organizations to volunteer to do the work.
This could all be accomplished through community service and commitment by local buisnesses to support the park.

People need to change their way of thinking that throwing money at something always is the answer.
Take the money out of the equation and you remove the chances for corruption.

Just my humble opinion.

-Hropt

#6.1 Anonie Mouse on 10/29/12 at 08:59 AM [Reply]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but OE, for once, I actually agree with you. There are a number of landscape companies in Winder that would probably love the opportunity to landscape the new "park". It would be a nice way for them to showcase their talents and get some advertising/recognition for their companies. As for benches and walkways, let people purchase "memorial" benches & bricks to honor their loved ones.

#7 ridiculous on 10/18/12 at 09:27 AM [Reply]

The "park" looks fine the way it is. How much would it cost to add some benches and a tree? Mr. Russell has been honored already in many ways, spending this extraordinary amount of money on a small patch of green space is absurd. While there are financial cuts across the board in every aspect of government, education, and business, it doesn't make sense to dump money on this project. If there is an abundance of funds available, why not hire back someone who has been laid off.

#8 coolbluerick84 on 10/18/12 at 09:51 AM [Reply]

The Old Granite Hotel could have been restored with all that money. They are going to put in a water fountin like the one at the Mall of Georgia at the Carmike, put one on the park site instead of a $15,000 bust. The idea Winder has for the nasty unused lower parking lot that needs to be fixed and put into use for much needed parking.(Good thinking Winder). I'm sure the park will be very nice along with the new streetscape bringing trees,wider and nicer sidewalks, benches and other things.

#8.1 Gwen on 10/18/12 at 02:01 PM [Reply]

They are planning to put the water fountain AND the $15,000 bust of RBR. By the way, there's already a bust of Russell right across the street in the Historic Courthouse. Sure would be nice if this money could have been put into the Granite Hotel restoration & we now had that property on the tax rolls.

#8.1.1 Silence Doogood on 10/18/12 at 03:19 PM [Reply]

Sure would be nice if you put that money where your mouth is?

#9 Sybil on 10/18/12 at 10:06 AM [Reply]

For the life of me, I can't figure out how the DDA can spend that much money on that little plot of land. Why not get Master Gardeners to work up a plan and do the landscaping. Aren't they required to do community projects? The park wouldn't need much - a tree and some unusual plantings. Then spend some of the money on making a livable streetscape. Let's face it, aside from the Peoples Bank building, downtown Winder looks slummy, and it appears that building owners don't care and aren't made to care.

#10 park on 10/18/12 at 02:20 PM [Reply]

The problem with this "park" is it is too small and at the corner of a busy intersection. The other problem is that they left off the -ing lot after park. Your town needs parking not a tiny "park".

#10.1 Anon on 10/18/12 at 04:06 PM [Reply]

The problem with Winder is we keep putting big doofus's on the council.

#11 weetart on 10/18/12 at 05:18 PM [Reply]

The Harris and Harrison families have given back large amount of money to this community.
Sen Russell's family could and should be able to donate some funds for a park to honor the Senator.

#12 Dan on 10/18/12 at 06:39 PM [Reply]

I can landscape my 1 1/2 acres LAVISHLY for 1/10th of that.... who are they kidding? It's a postage stamp lot!!!

#13 Bob on 10/19/12 at 11:35 PM [Reply]

Regardless of who does the work. Be sure to check out their relationship with the mayor and city councilmen.

#13.1 Mike M. on 10/23/12 at 09:03 AM [Reply]

Always follow the money$!$!$

#14 Angela on 10/28/12 at 09:10 AM [Reply]

I live in the county not the city of Winder although, I patron the businesses in the city and have to utilize the streets of Winder for my daily work and necessities......Could SOMEONE master secrinizing the traffic lights and the successful flow of traffic and make this a PRIORITY before spending time and hundreds of thousands of dollars on a downtown city park that was told to the public was to be a parking lot!!! PLEASE SET THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS!!!!How can the mayor and council successfully direct the building of a city park when they seem to NOT be able to accomplish making a phone call or sending an email to have traffic flow efficiently? We the public can utilize Fort Yargo compliments of Senator Russell - Hmmm?... Maybe the elected officials are trying to provide recreation,entertainment and physical fitnerss while we are unnecessarily STUCK in traffic!!!

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