Council authorizes condemnation option and awards $1.45 million contract for Stillwood/Noonan Crossing roundabout

The Newnan City Council on July 22 authorized a resolution that would permit the city to acquire remaining property by condemnation if negotiations fail for the Stillwood Drive and Noonan Crossing Boulevard East roundabout project, and later in the meeting awarded the construction contract and associated engineering services.

City staff told the council the long-planned roundabout requires three parcels; the city negotiated and acquired two of the three parcels but could not reach a settlement with the remaining property owner. Staff asked the council to authorize the condemnation order and resolution so the project could proceed if necessary; the council approved the order.

In a separate but related agenda item, the council considered bids and awarded the construction contract to Piedmont Paving in the amount of $1,451,206.68. The council also approved a construction management agreement with the engineer of record, ISE, for $83,500. Staff noted Georgia Power would perform certain work in its franchise area and that Newnan Utilities reviewed the plans. Council discussion included questions about the lighting fixture; staff said the roundabout lighting matches fixtures used at other city roundabouts and that roundabout lighting standards differ from street-post or subdivision-style fixtures.

Council members asked why Piedmont Paving's bid was significantly lower than other bidders; staff said the city’s consultant reviewed Piedmont’s bid and confirmed the pricing as legitimate. The motions to authorize the condemnation option and to award the construction and management contracts carried.