The Cartersville City Council approved some major steps in two of its most expensive projects during its meeting last Thursday night.
The council approved the final work for wastewater plant construction GMP #3 upon the recommendation of the water department. The final phase of the construction project is expected to cost $136.3 million with the total project cost not to exceed $252 million. City officials said the final number includes around $60 million in contingency costs that may not be spent.
The new plant is expected to pump between 5 and 25 million gallons daily and is paid for with a revenue bond issuance.
The also approved a bid to build a water feeder line on the westside of town. This is a five mile water main along Nancy Creek. The city went with the low bid from Unity Construction and the project is expected to cost $28 million and also being paid for with revenue bonds. The city also approved an encroachment agreement with CSX for the project.
Cartersville Mayor Matt Santini said during the meeting that it may appear the city council is approving these large ticket items quickly without a lot of discussion, but the projects and plans have been under consideration for years. Staff said the westside feeder project has been in the planning stages since 2023.
Another project discussed during the meeting is the widening and a creation of a multi-use path on Douthit Ferry Road. GMC Design Services has that project, which is being paid for with 2020 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) money. Exact plans haven’t been submitted but Santini said the idea is to create “an area of distinction” as other cities have done.
The council also discussed the Main Street sidewalk project as it approved a Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) indemnification agreement to waive liability for when city work encroaches roads maintained by the state.
Council members saw plans for GDOT improvements on Joe Frank Harris Parkway at Felton Road. Plans are to have a continuous turn lane onto Felton Road going north, which could mean vehicles wouldn’t be able to easily turn left off of Felton to access businesses. Council members wanted to know if the state was going to inform and seek approval from those businesses before starting the project.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio. She is on Facebook, X, YouTube, content on Substack, and has a podcast on Rumble.