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City considers taking over Parks & Recreation, pursues housing grant and community projects
Summary
Washington City staff proposed taking over Parks & Recreation from the county, discussed a potential multi-sport complex and YMCA partnership, announced a Habitat for Humanity site visit in April, and said a $750,000 grant application was submitted through Senator Warnock's office for housing initiatives.
City officials told the Washington City Council on March 9, 2026, that the city is exploring taking over management of Parks & Recreation from Wilkes County to better direct funds and support growth. The City Administrator described a potential multi-sport complex and said the city is discussing bringing the YMCA in to provide complementary non-sports programming.
The Administrator said such a transfer would require approvals by the city, the county and the Parks & Recreation Board. No formal action was taken; the item was presented as a proposal for council review and discussion.
On housing, the City Administrator reported that Habitat for Humanity will conduct a site visit in April and that the city has applied for a $750,000 grant through Senator Raphael Warnock's office to support housing initiatives; a "chip rehabilitation" grant also was mentioned. Staff said Carter & Sloope are handling some grant applications and that a city employee is training to be a grant writer, but the city currently does not have a dedicated grant writer.
Other operational updates included a state traffic study that replaced a damaged traffic signal with a four-way stop and an Andrew Drive repaving that reopened ahead of schedule. The Administrator also noted an HR department was established in January 2025 and that employee complaints are investigated by the City Administrator with HR oversight.
Councilmembers discussed staffing the economic development role (considering two part-time positions), the monthly Wall Street on Whitehall events at Reese Booker Park, and a proposed partnership with Golden Harvest and the URA to host food giveaways at Gordon Street School. Several citizens raised concerns about high utility bills and derelict buildings during the public-comment period; follow-up will be provided to those who left contact information.
Next steps noted in the minutes: Habitat site visit in April, continued follow-up on grant applications, and further council review of the Parks & Recreation proposal and draft derelict-property ordinance.
