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 Last
month, numerous
letters to the editor, newspaper articles, and public comments surfaced
concerning the county's new animal shelter. As I write this in mid-July,
I have reviewed the timetable related to this project, and want to lay
it out for the public.
March 7, 2000 - SPLOST referendum approved
by Cherokee County voters, to include $2 million for a new animal shelter,
with option to accelerate funding through the issuance of bonds.
April 17, 2000 - Architect Lisa Stacholy
of LKS submits a proposal for architectural/engineering services to the
Humane Society. Project is described as a 15,000 — 20,000 s.f. building
on 10 acres, adjacent to the existing shelter.
June 23, 2000 - Contract signed with LKS
of Atlanta as lead architect.
July 3, 2000 - Contract for design and engineering
signed with the Bacon Group of Florida.
July 6, 2000 - County Manager Hamill met
with staff, Stacholy, state officials, Shelter Director Bodie. Renovation
of existing building was recommended, in addition to new building, all
for $2 million total.
August 29, 2000 - Stacholy suggests to County
Manager Hamill that Bacon's concept is too pricey: $4 million. Site survey
is being done by the jail contractor.
September 2000 - LKS begins redesign within
original budget of $2 million.
March 13, 2001 - Commission approves sewer
service to Chattin Drive complex (jail and animal shelter, etc.) to be
provided by Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority.
May 8, 2001 - Commission approves LKS' new
conceptual plan.
June 12, 2001 - At a public request for status
of shelter, a commissioner states that construction should begin within
next 60 days.
July 12, 2001 - Welker & Associates confirms
earliest sewer service delivery in 12 - 14 months.
July 15, 2001 - LKS confirms that design
documents should be in hands of Commission by September, revised, and
bid for building construction to begin in November 2001, assuming no delays.
Construction anticipated for 9 months.
September 2001 - Site preparation work by
County public works staff expected to begin.
This schedule suggests that the new animal
shelter and renovated animal control buildings will be open for business
in August 2002, at the earliest. Design and construction delays are not
built into this schedule.
Sorting through our files, I see now how
communication between consultants, staff and some of the Commission has
been incomplete, and that we as a Board have not communicated well the
status of this project since the SPLOST was approved 16 months ago. Steps
are being taken to remedy both of these deficiencies. Any time lost, is
just that. What is important now is that the Commission makes this August
deadline a high priority, and that the public is kept updated on its progress.
Thank you to many of you who persistently
questioned the schedule, especially to Gina Carr-Kyle, who worked so hard
last year to pass the SPLOST referendum, and who has been, therefore,
the focus of complaints about the apparent lack of results. Thank you
for demanding an accounting of us. Please contact me directly if you feel
uninformed in the future.
Emily Lemcke is
the Cherokee County Commission Chair.
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