City Council Increases Boardwalk Budget

The Ellijay City Council mainly focused on the new boardwalk downtown Monday night, June 15.Many of the issues discussed involved the project, including the approval by the city for Bunk’s on Boardwalk to host alcohol consumption on the boardwalk. Bunk’s on Boardwalk is next door to 28 Main on North Main Street, and is owned by William “Bunk” Elliott. Mr. Elliott must now take this decision to the State. He has stated he doesn’t expect any issues and he will hopefully be able to begin serving in a week.

The Board also approved, in a 5-1 vote, an amendment to their previous action on the boardwalk and raised the budget to $27,000. Ms. Ruth Caudell was the opposition vote, stating “We’ve never gotten a detailed construction plan, and we haven’t gotten an estimate of costs… The construction has moved forward without these important issues being addressed. I am concerned.”

This is in excess of the DDA’s (Downtown Development Authority) budget by about $2800. The Board has yet to decide where this money will come from until it can be paid back. This still doesn’t cover the full cost of the Boardwalk which, according to Mr. Robinson of the DDA, is approximately $35,000. In addition, the City Council also officially approved North Church Street to become no through traffic, only available to emergency vehicles and deliveries.