KEVEN GILBERT
AMERICUS — A recommendation was made to consider extending the coverage area for Americus Transit to include specified areas outside of the City limits. The coverage area would be extended to include Breezeway Day Services on U.S. Highway 280 East as a pick up spot for some county residents. The fare for County residents is $5 one way and $3 one way for City residents. Both fees were increased by the Mayor and City Council last month.
A recommendation to consider approving a contract for transportation services for Middle Flint Behavioral Health clients was also made. Mandy Young of the Community Development committee said that “this would increase monthly rides by about 1,000 and it would significantly impact revenue from City Transit.”
It was recommended that the Council consider approving proposed changes regarding the rental of Rees Park Economic Development Center. The rules and prices have been revisited to make the venue more accessible. “We are missing some opportunities because our current rates are so high,” said Young. The new rates are comparable to the Windsor Hotel, GSW Golf and Conference Center and the Lee Council House.
Young also provided an economic development update. Young revealed the results of a study done for the re-development of the Tripp Street corridor. Three options were presented to the Economic Development Committee in February. The Fanning Institute presented the three designs and recommended their preference of turning Tripp Street into a three lane road with turning lanes and side walk buffers. Young told the Committee and Council members that at the Fanning Institute’s presentation “there were as many people who were positively outspoken about the three lane option as there were negative responses.” The money for the project could come from Department of Transportation grant money, for which the City would have to apply.
Young said Thursday that the members of the new Economic Development Task Force, made up of recommendations from the City Council, County Commissioners and PDA would be announced soon.
