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Council adopts Blacksville Cultural District, approves park acquisitions and demolition for Alexander Park West
Summary
Council approved the Blacksville Cultural District boundary, authorized demolition at 117 Jonesboro Road to expand Alexander Park West, approved a nature-preserve resolution at Autumn Lakes, and granted a resident’s request for neighborhood speed tables; most votes passed unanimously or near-unanimously.
At the Dec. 15 City Council meeting, members approved several land-use and parks-related items that will shape McDonough’s public space and historic preservation work in the near term.
Blacksville Cultural District: Planning staff presented a proposed boundary for the Blacksville Cultural District developed with the Georgia Conservancy and through a CDAP grant. Staff said the boundary had been vetted with community members and clarified that the proposed Main Street expansion does not overlap the district. Councilwoman Thomas moved to approve the district and the accompanying resolution; the motion passed 6–0. Staff indicated next steps include applying to the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) for implementation funds.
Alexander Park West / demolition authorization: Council authorized a city contract with Troy Custom Builders for demolition and removal of a house and block building at 117 Jonesboro Road to permit future expansion of Alexander Park West, approving a base price of $24,500 from SPLOST 6 parks funds. Council discussed whether to also remove an existing driveway or slab (additional estimated cost $4,500) and decided to retain the driveway to preserve a solid base for equipment; the demolition motion passed 7–0.
McDonough Nature Preserve at Autumn Lakes: Staff proposed a resolution to preserve a roughly 10-acre blue strip of city-owned land adjacent to a lake as green space with only trail access permitted. Council clarified mapping and whether surrounding parcels are in unincorporated county versus city limits and agreed to strike language that mischaracterized corporate-limit status. The resolution passed 6–0.
Neighborhood traffic calming: Council considered a resident petition to install speed tables in a subdivision and noted a city-administration determination that final implementation requires council action. The council approved the installation of the requested speed tables (estimated $500 per lane; 4–5 locations) and recorded a 7–0 voice vote.
Taken together, these votes advance several tangible projects: cultural-district planning and grant eligibility for Blacksville, park expansion at Alexander Park West, official conservation of a city-owned nature parcel, and local traffic-calming improvements. Staff were directed or committed to follow-up actions, including finalizing procurement and clarifying mapping and scope where needed.
