Developer for Wal-Mart project plans to redo streets around proposed site
Report from 3-9 city council meeting, 3/12/2009 – By Christie Pool www.pickensprogress.com
At Monday night’s Jasper City Council meeting, developer Billy Newton asked council members to quit-claim land rights for sections of Collins Road and Old Philadelphia Road to him, so that roads may be rerouted around the proposed Wal-Mart site beside Hwy. 515 north of town.
Newton told council members that to make the Wal-Mart project work, the two roads must be rebuilt and moved from where they currently intersect. According to Newton’s plan, Old Philadelphia Road will intersect Hwy. 515 south of its current intersection with that highway.
“We’re proposing to rebuild parts of Collins Road and Old Philadelphia Road,” Newton said. “Right now, Collins intersects with Old Philadelphia, and there’s a three-way stop. We’re proposing to rebuild Old Philadelphia Road and have it come right out onto Hwy. 515.”
Newton said both roads would be closed at times for construction. Mayor John Weaver said he and Newton had previously met with Commissioner Robert Jones regarding the road closings, and Jones expressed concern over closing Collins Road.
Newton said he is applying to the Georgia Department of Transportation for a new entrance into Highway 515 for Old Philadelphia Road.
Newton said the Wal-Mart deal is expected to close on April 20 with construction to start immediately following.
“They want to have the store open by late summer or early fall of 2010,” Newton said. “They will start building in November of this year.”
The council unanimously approved the motion to grant the quit claim deeds as long as Newton submits a letter of intent saying he will indeed quit-claim the roads back to the city once construction is complete.
