Possible Litigation for Park Project as it Nears Completion

Will the Harrison Park Project include litigation? Explaining the new contract to finish the project after Tuesday’s city council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem David Westmoreland mentioned litigation regarding the project, but did not elaborate. When FYN asked City Clerk Sharon Spivey if the project was prolonged due to litigation, she said that the project currently did not involve litigation, but possible litigation is pending. FYN will follow this story as it develops.

During its meeting Tuesday night, Ellijay City Council approved a new contract to finish the seemingly stalled Harrison Park project. According to the contract approved at this week’s meeting, DSR Contracting LLC will complete the remaining work, which includes addressing the eroding edges of the trail, importing topsoil for shoulder construction and replenishing low areas adjacent to the trail. The contract also states that the City of Ellijay will furnish gravel, grass seed and hay needed for the work. Council did not discuss, though, the cost of these items to the city. Additionally, and perhaps, most important, the contract states the project will not exceed $15,000.

As of January sixteenth, the city has already spent over $70,000 on the project. According to City Clerk Sharon Spivey, the project is funded by a $142,000 Department of Natural Resources grant. Eighty percent of the grant is reimbursable, while the city is responsible for the remaining 20 percent, approximately $30,000. When all is said and done, the state will pay $113,760 for the project. The city, however, is required to pay the cost of the work upfront and will then be reimbursed later, Spivey said.

In a discussion with FYN following the meeting, Mayor Hoyle said he expects the year-long project to be complete in approximately 30 days. He also called it on-going, citing further work to be done, specifically the installation of a parking lot.