Arby’s deal in closing and Popeyes construction resumes
Announcements, Community January 12, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – New year means progress for Arby’s and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (Popeyes), which are moving along according to update from Downtown Development Authority (DDA) during the Jan. 2020 city council meeting.
“As of [Jan. 6], we received a request from [Arby’s] to extend the closing period by two days, which will be Jan. 20. Once it is closed, then they’ll need to go ahead and start construction,” stated DDA Program Manager Darren Harper.
The DDA previously granted Arby’s four extensions while trying to reach a sale agreement. Both parties finally made a deal in Dec. 2019 and now the DDA is waiting for the property sale to close.
Once the deal closes, Arby’s will take ownership of the lot across from Popeyes on the right side of Bob Head Road if looking from Hwy. 515.
Popeyes has started working on the building again, installing technology and internet components. The store signage and media materials should arrive at some point in Jan. However, the kitchen equipment is still pending delivery and would push the opening date back.
“The franchisee is hoping to open by mid-Feb.,” said Mayor Jim Conley. “In order to do that, his kitchen equipment has got to come at the same time his media equipment comes. So, if it doesn’t show up when the media stuff shows up, it may be later than Feb.”
In other restaurant opening news, Longhorn’s Steakhouse should also be opening in Feb. 2020.
Alcohol Policy Update: Distilleries
The first reading was held to amend the city’s alcohol policy concerning distilleries. The majority of the policy will remain the same, but adjustments will be made to the excise tax and clearly defining the operating parameters for distilleries within city limits.
The council must hold a second reading and approve the policy updates before anything goes into effect. However, the alcohol fee license schedule was adjusted for 2020 to include a section on manufacturing.
Council members sworn in, mayor pro tempore appointed
News, Politics January 8, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – City Attorney David Barrett executed the Oath of Office for the three reelected city council members, and the council made several appointments during Jan. 7, 2020 meeting.
The three incumbents were reelected during the Nov. 2019 election. Their terms will run from Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2023. In city council elections, the top vote-getters win the open seats.
The oath affirmed that the council members will “faithfully perform the duties of city council member, will support and defend the charter thereof, as well as the constitution of the state of Georgia and the United States of America.”
Previously, Cook stated, “I try very hard to make decisions that’ll benefit everybody, not just one, and hopefully, I can continue to do that.”
L to R: Betty Easter, Rhonda Mahan, and Mary Ruth Cook.
Mayor Pro Tempore Appointment
The city council also decided on the mayor pro tempore, where a member of the city council serves as mayor “for the time being” if for some reason Mayor Jim Conley cannot. Previously, Moore has held the position.
“Of all of us, I feel like [Moore] is the most qualified should he have to step up. He attends all the classes and GMA conferences. He’s got more of that then any of us,” stated Mahan.
Moore asserted that he would like to continue to serve in the role.
Dyer expressed interest in becoming mayor pro tempore at some point the future. “I’ve always wanted to serve at least a term as mayor pro tem,” said Dyer. “As far as qualifications, I’m not afraid of the duties and the job.”
Easter then nominated Dyer for the role, which left the decision to second up to Cook. After some consideration by Cook, she ultimately voiced to “leave it like it is.” Failing to get a second, the nomination died on the floor.
Moore will continue to serve as mayor pro tempore for the 2020 year.
Blairsville City Council also doled out department liaisons and board appointments for 2020.
Departments
Police Department: Rhonda Mahan
Airport: Robert “Buddy” Moore
Water and Sewer: Betty Easter
Roads and Streets: Tony Dyer
Boards
Union County Historical Society: Mary Ruth Cook
Downtown Development Authority: Betty Easter
Finally, City Attorney Barrett and City Clerk Kaye McCann received re-appointments to continue in their positions for 2020.
What’s the deal with Popeyes and Arby’s?
Community, News December 4, 2019
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Councilmember Mary Ruth Cook inquired bout the status of Popeyes and Arby’s. The two restaurants expected to open in downtown Blairsville, but have met with setbacks either in construction or development contracts.
The status of the new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is a hot topic in the community due to the building sitting dormant for months. Fetch Your News has heard rumors of illegal workers to the building it sinking for the stall in construction. However, Cook asked Downtown Development (DDA) Program Manager Darren Harper for an official update.
“As far as I know Popeyes is waiting on kitchen equipment that’s on backorder,” said Harper, “the building is done, the power is connected. It’s just a matter of them getting the parts and pieces into place.”
Harper expects Popeyes to pick construction back up after the first of the year because the holidays slow everything down.
Additionally, Cook asked about the ongoing contract negotiations with Arby’s Restaurant. The DDA gave Arby’s developer GLM three contract extensions to try and come to an agreement about the price of land. Previously, the DDA rejected a proposal from GLM to drop the price by $93,230 due to a geotechnical reported that revealed water near the surface of the Pat Haralson land lot.
“Because this is a corporately owned store, the builder has to go back to the corporate board and say hey, the cost of us running this restaurant is going to be slightly higher due to the price,” explained Harper.
DDA granted the fourth extension in its last meeting to give the developers time to discuss the approval or rejection of the current offer. Harper expects Arby’ to decide by Dec. 17th or 18th. DDA is hopeful that the deal will go through because of Arby’s interest. If approved, the developers will have 30 days to close.
City council meetings will continue to be held on the first Tuesday of the month.
Due to safety concerns, city hall will receive a new parking lot and remove the concrete pad, eliminating the drop-off on the walk between the building and the police department.
Haralson Property Lots No Longer for Sale
Featured, News, Police & Government July 16, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – City Council decided not to sell remaining Haralson property lots in a special meeting with the DDA on July 9.
In a 3 to 2 vote, the city council voted to keep the Haralson property lots, except for the .90 acres currently pending closing. The DDA can no longer sell the lots to interested buyers according to the vote.
The remaining lots are located next to the American Homes Building and in front of Hwy. 515, greenspace behind city hall, the greenspace across from Cook’s Restaurant, and parking lot across from Foodland.
.90 acre lot next to Hwy. 515, and closest to Popeye’s, is in the process of being closed on and wasn’t included in the motion to keep the land. However, the deal isn’t finalized at this time.
Haralson Plat lays out the lots that are no longer for sale by the city, including land with access to 515.
“It’s going to be really congested in that area,” stated Councilmember Robert Moore, “if we don’t do anything and keep it as an investment, then chances are it might be better than money in the bank. So if we don’t sell it today and decide five or ten years down the road to sell it, we haven’t lost anything. Also, I would like to create a green space for people to use.”
DDA member W.C. Nelson advised against holding onto prime property in the city of Blairsville when businesses are looking to move into the area.
“From the DDA perspective we want to be remembered for doing a good job and what we’re supposed to do for the city,” stated Nelson, “When things are selling, and you’ve got buyers, you better be taking advantage. The economy’s going to go back down then you’re not going to be able to sell it.”
Popeye’s will bring more transient traffic to the city.
Moore added that he didn’t want another fast food restaurant in the city and would prefer picnic tables in the area.
“The two businesses that we have in the area don’t create a tremendous amount of traffic like a steakhouse would or other things. Popeye’s is going to have come and go traffic,” said Councilmember Tony Dyer, “I see your point and I see Buddy’s point.”
Councilmember Betty Easter didn’t see many people using a green space area in the city.
Moore made the motion to take the land off the market. Councilmember Mary Ruth Cook seconded. Moore, Cook, and Councilmember Rhonda Mahan voted in favor of the motion. Dyer and Easter voted against it.
After some discussion as to who should keep the land now that it’s not for sale, the parking lot and green space behind City Hall moved back to the city.
However, the lot across from Cook’s Restaurant and the 1.13 acres next to American Homes and Hwy. 515 remained with the DDA. Moore made a motion to move the property back to the city, but it failed due to lack of a second.
Lot closest to Cook’s is off the market but still remains with DDA.
“We can set on the property as long as we ever want to set on it, but we’re at the behest of the city council as to what to do with it,” stated DDA member Paul Thompson.
Due to two-year term limits, city council can’t permanently bind DDA to hold the Haralson lots. However, the current council didn’t completely rule out selling for the right offer. Still, the DDA can’t actively sell the property at this time.
“If any of the council changes, a new member might have new ideas,” explained Mayor Jim Conley.
DDA member Daniel Davenport assured the council, “We will behoove the request of the city.”
The transfer of the parking lot and green space back to the city reduces the debt the DDA owes to the city by $650,000 with an estimated remaining debt balance of $300,000.
However, once a prospective deal closes the DDA’s debt to the city will be eliminated.
Green Bean Festival Comes Home
Community July 31, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – Sunny skies and great crowds welcomed at the 2019 Green Bean Festival in Blairsville, Ga.
This year’s festival returned to the square. Vendors, tourists, and Union county residents filled the area for two days of shopping and comradery to celebrate summer.
Held by the Farmer’s Market and Downtown Development Authority, the Green Bean Festival attracted over 20 vendors to sell their wares – arts and crafts. Local businesses even changed their menu to include green bean themed dishes like Green Bean Pizza at Papa’s Pizza.
Taking place on July 27-28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the festival saw consistent foot traffic with the square-packed all day Saturday and Sunday.
A kids’ area featured life-sized Connect Four, corn-hole, and horseshoes to keep the little ones entertained while mom and dad shopped.
The small-town atmosphere was contagious with vendors laughing among each other and even sharing Square pay-units to help make transactions.
“We’re using her phone for payments,” laughed a crafts vendor, “I took it right out of her hands, and she was using it.”
Several food vendors were on hand also to serve lunch or a snack to hungry festival-goers, or they could easily walk to establishments like Hole in the Wall or Michaelee’s for a nice sit-down meal.
After the sun went down on Saturday night, Betty and Friends took the stage to entertain their audience with some southern rock and country hits. Set up in front of Hole in the Wall, a few members of the crowd even started dancing in the rocking atmosphere.
Sunday saw a slight damper on festivities with scattered storms in the area, but still a great weekend for commerce in Union County.
Last year, officials decided to move the arts and crafts portion back to the square and let the Farmer’s Market take care of the agricultural aspect. The festival began on the square over at Season’s Inn with Colleen Uraniuk but moved when a streetscape project was instituted.
Nathan Meunier, who runs The Art Department Studio, designed the festival’s mascot, a green bean man. The mascot was a huge hit with the crowds, parents and children alike.
Council Discusses Direction for Blairsville’s Growth
Community, News July 8, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – City council addressed next steps for Blairsville’s rapid growth and how to handle the future.
Councilman Robert Moore brought up the Haralson Property lots and suggested leaving the remaining lots undeveloped.
Another restaurant will hopefully close eight-tenths of an acre, and if that goes through, then a little over an acre will remain.
“I think we need the greenspace myself. If we cut any more trees, it’s just going to ruin the town,” said Councilman Mary Ruth Cook.
Mayor Jim Conley confirmed that the lot across from Cook’s Resturant would be left, “It’s already been determined that the property across from Cook’s would be hung on to because we definitely need to have the parking.”
Moore stated that the city council needs to address future plans with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
Councilman Tony Dyer announced that the next Downton Development Authority (DDA) meeting on July 9 will be open to the public, “The purpose of the meeting is to throw out ideas and see what we want to do from now on. I think that’s a good thing to bring up.”
The city doesn’t have any authority as to how the property is sold but can provide input and suggestions for future plans. However, it’s the city council’s decision to relieve the DDA of the existing debt. If the current restaurant deal closes, $200,000 will be due to the DDA.
“I agree with you that we need to slow down with anything else we do,” said Dyer in response to Moore’s suggestion to consider the future of the city.
During Police Chief Michael Bear Baxter’s report, he commented that the new police department should be ready to move into within the month. Rock’s currently being laid on the building.
“Power should be hooked up next week. Everything is ready to go. Of course, with us moving in, we have to have some things,” stated Baxter.
Councilman Rhonda Mahan asked if the remodel would include new furniture.
Conley confirmed that it would have new kitchen appliances, but office furniture would be moved from the current location.
“Some of that’s not worth moving,” said Mahan, “That stuff’s been here forever. The chairs are falling apart.”
Dyer joined in, “I think it may be up to us, whether they get anything new or not. All of us. Some of that stuff is too old to move over there to that structure.”
The current furniture came from the school, who stored it in a barn until giving it to the police department. Baxter conceded that some new desks, chairs, and other materials might be needed.
“Especially the chairs,” commented Baxter “The ones the public use, when we bring somebody in, they’re bad. They’re. bad. I wouldn’t want to sit in one. You don’t need fabric chairs for the public. It’s not feasible. They look terrible. They’re stained up. Some of the things we need should be replaced.”
Baxter also commended Officer Shawn Dyer for spending the construction money wisely and stretching the dollar for the city.
Moore recommended that Baxter bring proposals for new furniture to the next council meeting.
Additionally, DDA Program Manager Darren Harper reported that the city earned $3,360 from the Spring Arts and Crafts festival.
“It’s higher than we ever had, and there are ways that we want to tweak it so next year it can be even better,” commented Harper.
Also, downtown business owners told Harper that they’re having really good numbers and are making more money than in 2018.
City Lowers Millage Rate
Community, Police & Government August 7, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – Blairsville City Council voted to unanimously lower the millage rate during the August meeting.
Previously set at 1.945 percent, Mayor Jim Conley ran the numbers and discovered that by lowering the millage rate to 1.895 percent would only cost the county $202 a year.
It’s a 0.5 percent reduction in current millage rates and saves the city from having to advertise about the city’s rate.
“What all these numbers boil down to, if we go with the current millage rate, there [are] about three different advertising dates that we have to do,” explained Conley, “But if we drop it to 1.895 percent, we would have to do no advertising and only lose $202.”
Councilmember Robert Moore added, “We’ve gone down from 2.0 percent to 1.945 percent, and now I propose, we go down to 1.895.”
“I got the email, and I read it,” stated Councilmember Tony Dyer, “It’d be easier on us, and we’re only losing $200 – $300 a year. I’d think we want to go down that percentage point.”
Dyer added that lowering the millage rate might help constituents.
Dyer seconded Moore’s motion to drop the millage rate, and all councilmembers approved of the decision.
Additionally, the city repurposed an old police 2010 Ford Explorer and turned it into a city car. The car remains at city hall, and the mayor will drive it to and from functions and meetings.
“It’s the first Explorer that we ever purchased and made a police car out of it when it, really was not a police car. That car is decommissioned now,” said Conley, “we’d like to get the council’s permission to use that car as the city car. I would drive my vehicle to and from work and use this for all city business.”
Council unanimously approved of the repurposing.
County Events
Downtown Development Authority Program Manager Darren Harper addressed upcoming events and associated income.
The Green Bean Festival brought in $3,600 in revenue, up from last year, with 45 vendors. Harper’s already looking into improving next year’s festival.
“[Farmer’s Market’s] only open on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. ish, but our festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. So, I’ve already reached out to them to find out how we can make it more cohesive,” explained Harper, “The only complaint I’ve had is lack of green beans.”
Green beans came in earlier this year, and Farmer’s Market sold out at 8 a.m.
Some downtown businesses took in $2,000 – $3,000 in revenue from the festival.
Taste of the Mountains is Aug. 24 on the square and benefits North Georgia Technical College with over 26 participating vendors. Last year, the festival took in $11,000 for the city.
So far, the city has profited by $6,372 from festivals in 2019.