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Hogansville staff backs GDOT memorandum of agreement tied to Amazon-funded interchange work
Summary
City staff outlined a $2,439,507.04 cost increase for amended interchange work; Amazon has deposited $500,000 in escrow and will cover the remaining funds to reach a $2.4M escrow target. Staff recommended approving the MOA now but not executing it until escrow reaches $2.4M to avoid GDOT delay costs. City Attorney reviewed the agreement and raised no legal objections.
City Manager Lisa Kelly told the Hogansville City Council at a Sept. 15 work session that the Georgia Department of Transportation has approved amendments to a planned interstate exchange project that would add an amended roundabout at the interchange, a dedicated turn lane onto a new parkway, a dedicated turn lane from Bass Cross Road onto I‑85 southbound, and additional widening and balancing across the project area.
Kelly said the city is reporting a total project cost increase of $2,439,507.04. According to staff, Amazon has deposited $500,000 into escrow for design and engineering on the amended roundabouts and will deposit approximately $1.9 million more to bring the escrow balance to $2.4 million. City staff recommended the council approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) now to avoid GDOT delay costs but not execute the agreement until the escrow account reaches the $2.4 million target. Staff also summarized GDOT language that caps additional costs above $2.4 million at 5% (stated in the meeting as $121,975).
City Attorney Alex Dixon reviewed the MOA language and told the council he had no legal objections to the agreement as presented. Council members were briefed that temporary signalization and construction at Bass Cross Road, the new parkway, and Highway 54 are on hold pending finalization of the MOA and funding.
The manager’s office said the MOA will be on the regular meeting agenda that evening for formal council action. The work session discussion did not include a formal vote; staff recommended waiting to execute the agreement until the escrow balance reached $2.4 million, and noted the city’s intent to accept Amazon’s funding as described.
Next steps: the MOA will proceed to the regular council meeting for action, and staff will notify GDOT and coordinating partners once escrow conditions are met.
