Blairsville, Ga – Commissioner Lamar Paris discussed purchase and settlement with GDOT to expand Hwy. 515/76 between Blairsville and Young Harris.

The widening of Hwy 515 from Blairsville to Young Harris took another step forward with GDOT officially purchasing Land Lots 269 and 270 for $450,000. The 1.264 acres runs along Hwy. 515 and to the right of the Farmer’s Market.

“This county property purchased almost two years ago as part of the Davenport property, and some of it happened to be a really nice piece right on the highway,” stated Paris, “I think we bought 11 acres for $767,000 give or take 10 or 20K.”

Paris also bestowed 0.076 acres at the Glenn Gooch By-Pass and Hwy. 515 intersection to GDOT for the road expansion. He explained the donation was a thank you to GDOT for their speedy work and assistance with the Farmer’s Market Way Road.

“We really hated to lose this one acre right on the highway, but it really reduced the amount of money we had in [initial purchase],” said Paris.

The initial purchase of the property came from the General Fund, and once the settlement comes through the $450,000 will transfer back into that account.

County Improvements

Additionally, Paris addressed improvements ongoing throughout the county.

The parking lot for the new recreation center complex on the Glenn Gooch By-Pass is near completion, and building construction should begin within the next 30 days.

“We’re beginning construction of Pickleball courts,” explained Paris, “We’re finally adding eight pickleball courts behind the Health Department. We began the grading, and we’ll have a specialty company come in to pave the surface because it has to be too exacting standards.”

New addition and pad for Fire Station completed.

Curb on Pat Colwell Rd expanded and Roads Department working on roads around the county.

“Our Road Department is completing patching miles and miles of county roads and will begin resurfacing some of those and paving others. We hope to have complete in 45 days,” Paris said.

New Meek’s Park sign installed and active along Hwy. 515.

“It’s pretty awesome. Landscaping will be finished next week. This will be an electronic sign, aside from being big and impressive looking, it will really be able to give information to the public,” stated Paris.