| Dramatic facelift in store for downtown Flowery Branch |
by Katy Sulhoff
AccessNorthGa.com / WDUN News/Talk 550
Thursday, July 19 at 12:18 PM
FLOWERY BRANCH - Downtown Flowery Branch may be
receiving a dramatic facelift beginning in 2008 if plans
presented to the City Council Wednesday become reality.
Council members heard a presentation by Kellen Dobbs of
Hortman and Dobbs Developers LLC for plans to rejuvenate
old town Flowery Branch as a mixed-use site while
maintaining its historical aspects. The Council agreed to
reserve 16,000-gallons-per-day of sewer capacity for the
developers so that they may continue with their construction
plans.
Dobbs and business partner and along-time friend, own four
buildings and seven acres in the downtown area surrounded
by Railroad and Pine streets and Main and Mitchell streets
where this development is planned.
“Something’s got to happen downtown,” Dobbs said. Dobbs
and Hortman share the same long-range vision to “bring a
new appeal to old town Flowery Branch” by developing
residential, retail, business, and restaurant facilities in the
area. The plan includes maintaining the existing Country
Craft Furniture store building, demolishing the other failing
buildings, and using those materials for future construction
to contribute to the historical preservation of the structures.
Pine Street will be re-opened for retail and residential units
complete with diagonal parking along the street and the
existing alley between Main and Mitchell will become a
pedestrian avenue.
Dobbs assured the Council that he and Hortman are, “Not
just developers coming into this town trying to throw up
some buildings and make some money. We love this town.”
Mayor Diane Hirling commented, “I think that’s exciting for
the city of Flowery Branch. (It's) going to change downtown
entirely.”
Since the area is historic, a certificate of appropriateness
would be adhered to for the demolition and construction of
buildings, City Zoning Administrator James Riker noted.
Dobbs projects that the development will begin in 2008 and
take 2-2 ½ years to complete. The project is being financed
by private funds and local banks. Dobbs hopes that this
development will make the downtown a “work, live, and play
community” while trying to “bridge old town Flowery Branch
and new town Flowery Branch.”
Also Wednesday:
- The Council approved the proposal to change the Spout
Springs speed limit from 45mph to 35mph between the
intersection of I-985 and Hog Mountain Road;
- Tabled a proposal to reserve 30,000-gallons-per-day of
sewer capacity for McEver Road LTD until August 15 to
ensure that the development will, indeed, be pursued;
- Heard an informational presentation by Bob Toxler
regarding upgrading sewer and water facilities for the Cove
Creek and Bowen developments to provide an efficient
waste water solution from Cove Creek to the treatment plant
and to provide sufficient water pressure to the Bowen
development to meet the fire department water needs and
supply the area with adequate service;
- and, approved the reservation of 6,400 gallons per day of
sewer capacity for an 82-room hotel development off of
Holland Dam Road.
AccessNorthGa.com / WDUN News/Talk 550
Thursday, July 19 at 12:18 PM
FLOWERY BRANCH - Downtown Flowery Branch may be
receiving a dramatic facelift beginning in 2008 if plans
presented to the City Council Wednesday become reality.
Council members heard a presentation by Kellen Dobbs of
Hortman and Dobbs Developers LLC for plans to rejuvenate
old town Flowery Branch as a mixed-use site while
maintaining its historical aspects. The Council agreed to
reserve 16,000-gallons-per-day of sewer capacity for the
developers so that they may continue with their construction
plans.
Dobbs and business partner and along-time friend, own four
buildings and seven acres in the downtown area surrounded
by Railroad and Pine streets and Main and Mitchell streets
where this development is planned.
“Something’s got to happen downtown,” Dobbs said. Dobbs
and Hortman share the same long-range vision to “bring a
new appeal to old town Flowery Branch” by developing
residential, retail, business, and restaurant facilities in the
area. The plan includes maintaining the existing Country
Craft Furniture store building, demolishing the other failing
buildings, and using those materials for future construction
to contribute to the historical preservation of the structures.
Pine Street will be re-opened for retail and residential units
complete with diagonal parking along the street and the
existing alley between Main and Mitchell will become a
pedestrian avenue.
Dobbs assured the Council that he and Hortman are, “Not
just developers coming into this town trying to throw up
some buildings and make some money. We love this town.”
Mayor Diane Hirling commented, “I think that’s exciting for
the city of Flowery Branch. (It's) going to change downtown
entirely.”
Since the area is historic, a certificate of appropriateness
would be adhered to for the demolition and construction of
buildings, City Zoning Administrator James Riker noted.
Dobbs projects that the development will begin in 2008 and
take 2-2 ½ years to complete. The project is being financed
by private funds and local banks. Dobbs hopes that this
development will make the downtown a “work, live, and play
community” while trying to “bridge old town Flowery Branch
and new town Flowery Branch.”
Also Wednesday:
- The Council approved the proposal to change the Spout
Springs speed limit from 45mph to 35mph between the
intersection of I-985 and Hog Mountain Road;
- Tabled a proposal to reserve 30,000-gallons-per-day of
sewer capacity for McEver Road LTD until August 15 to
ensure that the development will, indeed, be pursued;
- Heard an informational presentation by Bob Toxler
regarding upgrading sewer and water facilities for the Cove
Creek and Bowen developments to provide an efficient
waste water solution from Cove Creek to the treatment plant
and to provide sufficient water pressure to the Bowen
development to meet the fire department water needs and
supply the area with adequate service;
- and, approved the reservation of 6,400 gallons per day of
sewer capacity for an 82-room hotel development off of
Holland Dam Road.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |