ACCGov Seeks Public Input on Fire Station #5 Proposed Site Options through September 29

Provide input on Fire Station #5 site options

ACCGov invites residents to provide input on the revised set of proposed site options for a relocated Fire Station #5, currently at the corner of Whit Davis Road and Cedar Shoals Drive. The current station was built in 1974.

An online survey is available on accgov.com/fire through Sunday, September 29. The project webpage also contains additional project information, including a recording of a presentation to the Mayor and Commission about the proposed sites at their February 13, 2024, Work Session meeting that includes a detailed project introduction.

Two drop-in public meetings are scheduled for residents to learn more about the project and provide feedback:

Tuesday, September 24 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the ACC Tennis Center (4460 Lexington Road)
Thursday, September 26 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Hilsman Middle School Media Center (870 Gaines School Road).

TSPLOST 2026 Project Request Form Open Through November 10

Request a potential TSPLOST 2026 project

A project request form for organizations and individuals to submit potential projects for consideration as part of a possible Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) 2026 program for Athens-Clarke County is now available online at accgov.com/tsplost2026.

An instructional video to explain the form is available on the webpage. ACCGov will also host three public workshops to provide assistance and answer questions about the project request forms. These workshops will take place on:

Tuesday, October 8 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Lay Park (297 Hoyt Street)
Thursday, October 10 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Lay Park
Saturday, October 19 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Lay Park

It is highly recommended that interested parties submit request forms as early as possible once they are complete to allow time for staff review and follow up requests for any needed additional information. Projects will be reviewed in the order that they are received. More details and department contacts are also available on www.accgov.com/tsplost2026.

Project request forms are due no later than Sunday, November 10, 2024.

The deadline to register to vote or change your address before the General Election is Oct. 7

CHaRM closed during Sep. 23-28

The CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) will be closed September 23-28 to allow staff time to sort, process, and ship out collected material.

The CHaRM will reopen on Oct. 1 for normal hours on Tuesdays (7:00 AM - 1:00 PM), Wednesdays (12:00-6:00 PM), Fridays (7:00 AM - 1:00 PM), and Saturdays (7:00 AM - 1:00 PM). The facility is closed on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Check accgov.com/charm for updates and answers to common questions or reach out to recycle@accgov.com.

Listen to a new ACCGov podcast about ARPA

The ARPA Highlight Series is a new podcast providing information about programs and resources funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in Athens-Clarke County. Episodes explore specific ways ARPA resources are being used to support residents locally.

Discussion topics include:

Youth development
Unhoused services
Violence prevention programs
and more!

Listen to the ARPA Highlight Series through popular podcast platforms including Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, as well as on the ACCGov website at accgov.com/arpa.

SPLOST 2020 Project 25: East Side Library Site Selected

1030 Barnett Shoals Road site selected for new East Side Public Library

At their September 3, 2024, meeting, the Mayor and Commission unanimously approved the 1030 Barnett Shoals Road location as the new site for the East Side Public Library (SPLOST 2020 Project 25).

The site is currently owned by ACCGov, is adjacent to segments of the North Oconee River Greenway, has adjacent bus stops on both sides of Barnett Shoals Road, and has potential acreage available for future expansion.

The tentative remaining timeline for the East Side Library project:

Schematic design to Mayor & Commission - December 2024
Construction bidding - Summer 2025
Construction complete - End of 2026

For more information, visit www.accgov.com/eastsidelibrary.

Cover of Leisure Services Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report on a sunny, blurry background

Leisure Services 2024 Annual Report

Each year, the Leisure Services Department stays busy managing a significant number of parks, facilities, and trails - not to mention hosting day camps, swim programs, large scale community events, and more.

Learn more about what the award-winning department has accomplished by reading the Leisure Services 2024 Annual Report online.

Animal Services community pet food pantry

Animal Services’ community pet food pantry provides pet food for Athens-Clarke County pet owners at no cost thanks to the generosity of community members, businesses, and financial support from Athenspets, Inc.

Donations are always welcome! Consider hosting a pet food drive in your workplace or neighborhood to help pet owners in need.

Stop by the Animal Services Adoption Center (125 Buddy Christian Way) between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Saturday or noon to 3:00 PM on Sundays to drop off donations.

Turntable Revolving Loan Fund

The Joint Development Authority of Athens-Clarke County and the City of Winterville have created a Turntable Revolving Loan Fund program to provide low-interest (2%), 30-month loans for small businesses located within Athens-Clarke County. The loans can range from $3,000 - $25,000.

The goal is to help business grow and create new sustainable jobs and to align growth within the county's strategic industries, which are advanced manufacturing research and development; biotechnology and pharmaceuticals; craft beverages, brewing and distilling; the creative economy; and healthcare and life sciences.

To learn more about the loans and find out if your business is eligible, visit investathensga.com.

The ACCGov Mixtape is distributed monthly by the Communications Department, accgov.com/communications, 706-613-3795