Oconee Heights Streetscape Project proposed for grant funding

>> BALDWIN COUNTY

  • Engineer Shon Hampton explains the one-way streets to the audience using Coombs Avenue SE as an example on the map. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff
    Engineer Shon Hampton explains the one-way streets to the audience using Coombs Avenue SE as an example on the map. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

    Baldwin County Manager Carlos Tobar and Director of Public Administration Greg Boike at Middle Georgia Regional Commission presented the Oconee Heights Streetscape Project at Wesley Chapel AME, Jan. 26.

    The meeting was a public hearing for a grant funding opportunity to make road improvements in Oconee Heights. From previous community meetings, residents had reported feeling unsafe to walk at night due to the lack of street lamps and sidewalks. There was also a concern for sidewalks ending before entering the neighborhood.

    To combat these problems, engineer Shon Hampton of Watkins and Associates guided the audience through a map of the streetscape developments.

    The map showed one-way streets on Coombs Avenue SE, Bell Avenue, South Elbert Street and South Jefferson Street.

    The one-way roads would be multi-use lanes with street lights and bollards portioning the roads to include walking paths. Each one-way street will be repaved and storm drains would be improved, if necessary. In addition, a sidewalk would be constructed on Vinson Highway from McDade’s Grocery to Caraker Ave.

    The community turnout was overall low for the meeting.

    However, Milledgeville Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan, Baldwin County Commissioner Kendrick Butts, Baldwin County grant writer Haly Hicks, Damian Francis of Live Healthy Baldwin and the Center for Health and Social Issues and other citizens were all present at the meeting.

    During the meeting, the audience expressed concern over the one-way streets and how it may affect people driving home, driving buses through the neighborhood and how it may impact crime. Thorough discussion of how to make a safe walkway and changes to the one-way proposal were discussed but nothing was changed permanently. Instead, the Middle Georgia Regional Commission will be seeking more community feedback before making changes to the grant proposal.

    According to Tobar, the goal of the grant is to make the streets safer and increase connectivity throughout the neighborhood.

    If the project is proposed and accepted for the grant, then it will be fully covered by the grant. The grant is due Feb.

    28, and according to Tobar, it could take at least six months before they know whether it is approved or not.