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Commissioners approve $808,200 Nelson Heights renovations, set 60-day plan for operations
Summary
The Newton County Commission approved a Sunbelt Builders amendment of $808,200 to renovate Nelson Heights Community Center and directed staff to return within 60 days with a detailed plan for how the center will be operated and held accountable.
The Newton County Board of Commissioners voted to move forward with renovations at Nelson Heights Community Center, approving a $808,200 contract amendment with Sunbelt Builders and requiring staff to return with a detailed operational plan within 60 days.
The commissioners debated the scope and cost of work before approving a substitute motion by Commissioner Stephanie Lindsey that paired contract authorization with a timeline for community engagement and operational details. "The substitute motion is to vote to approve the $808,200 as presented by Sunbelt Builders for the renovation, and to set a time period of 60 days to be able to come back to the board of commissioners with a plan on how Nelson Heights Community Center is going to be run-in detail," Lindsey said during debate.
Why it matters: Nelson Heights has been closed for roughly two years; residents and commissioners urged a quick turnaround so the facility can host after-school and summer programming. Commissioners said the project was funded by a voter-approved SPLOST allocation and emphasized the need for accountability and community involvement in the center's future programming.
What the vote does: The amendment authorizes the facilities department to amend Sunbelt Builders’ contract for construction and FF&E work at Nelson Heights under the presented scope: playground and splash-pad work, kitchen renovation, flooring, HVAC/lighting upgrades, restroom replacement, security cameras, IT/bandwidth upgrades, parking paving and striping, exterior cleanup and landscaping, and related site work. The board directed staff to prioritize completing improvements by mid‑July so programs could begin this summer.
Debate and concerns: Several commissioners questioned the price. Commissioner Long said she was "blown away" by some line items and urged careful buyout and cost control. Jeff Prine, the county’s project lead, said the $808,200 is a buyout estimate and that Sunbelt and county staff will pursue competitive pricing during the buyout process: "Every bit of savings that comes out of that process, I monitor, and we get that back." Commissioner Lindsey and others pressed for a firm operational plan and clarified that the county expects community partners and program operators to be identified quickly.
Operational direction: The board’s substitute motion — which paired contract approval with an instruction to return in 60 days with a detailed plan — passed. The 60-day plan must address: how the center will be operated, funding and billing responsibilities, program partners or tenant(s), staffing or volunteer management, an accountability schedule, and measurable service goals for youth and seniors.
Community perspective: Commissioners and residents who spoke during the meeting emphasized the center’s role in after-school tutoring, youth mentoring, and community events. Commissioner Henderson and others recounted Nelson Heights’ past programming and said cameras and stronger on-site supervision will be part of the reopening strategy.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with the design‑build buyout for the contract amendment and return to the board within 60 days with the operational plan, community engagement notes, and a recommended management approach.
