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Commission votes to seek historic landmark designation for Thomas N. Lay Park
Summary
The Athens-Clarke County Commission directed staff to apply for local historic landmark designation for Thomas N. Lay Park and approved up to $10,000 to research and prepare the designation report; the resolution passed during a special called session.
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted Jan. 6 to pursue local historic landmark designation for Thomas N. Lay Park and approved an allocation of up to $10,000 to document the park’s history and prepare the landmark application.
Commissioner Ovita Thornton, who initiated the inquiry into the park’s history, moved to adopt a resolution directing staff to prepare an application under the Athens-Clarke County Historic Preservation Ordinance (Sec. 8-5). Commissioner Link seconded the motion, which was recorded as passing with nine YES votes and one recorded abstention by Commissioner Johnson.
The resolution notes that the facility opened in June 1975 as the Central Athens Community Center and details its evolution under longtime leadership, including programming such as summer camp, arts and crafts, youth sports and the Family and Friends Day. It directs the Manager’s Office to use the authorized funds “in its discretion to document the history of Thomas N. Lay Park and to prepare the landmark designation application to the Historic Preservation Commission.”
The measure also includes standard provisions authorizing the Manager and designees to take actions necessary to implement the resolution and allowing correction of scrivener’s errors after adoption.
The special called session convened solely to consider this item and related business and adjourned after the vote. The Commission noted plans for additional research and invited community participation in documenting the park’s role in local history.
