Big Plans on Hwy 41

JUNE 15, 2018

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126

tiftongrapevine.com

BIG PLANS FOR

HWY 41 NEAR UGA

$20 MILLION+ PROJECT INCLUDES HOTEL, RETAIL, RESTAURANTS, GREENSPACE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A proposed 12.19-acre development between U.S. Highway 41 and Interstate 75 will include restaurants, retail stores, greenspace and a 125-room hotel with a rooftop pool, says developer Michael Bowen of 31 North Capital Partners of Tifton.

Bowen told the Tifton Grapevine that the total project will total "north of $20 million," and that

construction is expected to begin by the end of the year. Tifton City Council held a public hearing June 4 on rezoning the property from residential professional to general business, and council is expected to approve the rezoning on Monday.

The triangular-shaped property has been owned by the University System of Georgia since 1996 and has been undisturbed open land and woodland with a storage building and greenhouse. The site along Highway 41 is between 22nd Street to the east and the railroad and interstate to the west. It is near I-75's Exit 64.

The hotel, whose name Bowen said he cannot yet reveal because negotiations are ongoing, will also serve the nearby UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. "That's really a big piece of the puzzle," the developer said.

The hotel will be the centerpiece of the project, which, in addition to restaurants and retail, will include a dog park and common green space and pedestrian walkways.

"We are trying to do a little bit different design both esthetically and artistically," Bowen said. He explained that "walkability" is a large element of the project and that there will be "wide avenues" similar to those in Tifton's Historic District.

"We want to have a sense of continuity" with the rest of the city, Bowen said.

I-75 TO BE RESURFACED IN TURNER, CRISP COUNTIES

A section of Interstate 75 that hasn't been resurfaced in 15 years is getting a $19.2 million overhaul.

The project to resurface about 14 miles of I-75 in Turner and Crisp counties was the highest value contract awarded this month for Southwest Georgia counties by the Ga. Department of Transportation.

GDOT also awarded contracts to rehabilitate and replace bridges, and upgrade signs, striping and road markings on county roads.

Here's a quick look at what's coming to your roads and bridges:

I-75 resurfacing from south of Exit 84/SR 159 in Turner County to north of Old Hatley Road in Crisp County. This segment was last resurfaced during a widening/reconstruction project completed in 2003. Completion date is April 30, 2019.
Rehabilitation of the Loch Laurel Road bridge over I-75, about 9.5 miles south of Valdosta in Lowndes County. The work includes heat straightening a steel beam. Completion date is this July 31.
Replacement of two structurally deficient bridges at Chenubee Creek in Terrell County. The bridges on Wilbur Gamble Road and Kennedy Pond Road were built in 1955. They are being replaced under GDOT's Low Impact Bridge Program. The program provides expedited delivery for the least complicated bridge replacement projects. Construction is accelerated because of prefabricated elements. Both bridges have a completion date of March 31, 2019.
Off-system safety improvements at 27 locations in Coffee County and 22 locations in Worth County. These projects will include replacement of signs and refurbishing striping and pavement markings. Completion date is May 31, 2019.

U.S. SENATE AG COMMITTEE

OK's FARM BILL

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday passed the massive Farm Bill by a 20-1 vote, overcoming attempts to tighten subsidy payments to farmers.

The Farm Bill -- the

Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 --

covers farm subsidies, food stamps, trade and rural development policy.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, cast the sole "no" vote because his amendment to limit subsidy payments wasn't added. Grassley wants to tighten federal payments to focus on family-size farms.

The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, in a press release, said the committee delivered on promises.

"We are very pleased the bill is moving forward. This is a good Farm Bill for all peanut regions and segments of the peanut industry. The bipartisan vote in support of the farm bill is indicative of committee leadership working together," said Southern Peanut Farmer's Federation Chairman Armond Morris, a Georgia peanut farmer and chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission.

The Price Loss Coverage program includes peanut provisions that are similar to the 2014 Farm Bill, he said.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said he hopes to place the Farm Bill on the Senate floor before the July 4 recess.

T ifton First Church of the Nazarene

3024 N. Tift Ave., Tifton

Invites all to join us for a

Father's Day Rally

June 17 at 10:30 a.m.

Come hear how God has transformed men's lives through music & testimonies!

We will have dinner on the grounds following the service.

SEEKING WATER FOR FIREFIGHTERS

The Eighth Annual Water and Gatorade Drive for Tifton Firefighters is underway.

Organized by Nicole Taylor Casey of Tifton, the daughter of a former firefighter, the drive seeks donations of bottled water and Gatorade for firefighters during the hot summer.

Last year, more than 120 cases were donated by the community.

Donors may drop off water and Gatorade to any Tifton fire station or may call 229-326-0691 for the items to picked up.

The last day for donations is July 31.

ROTARY CLUB HONORS MEMBERS

Several Rotarians were recognized during the

Rotary Club of Tifton's year-end fish fry

Tuesday at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture.

In the photo above, from left, Lynn Lovett is named Rotarian of the Year for her service. Jim Sinclair, center, is honored for his decade of service as club secretary. At right is outgoing President Shaundra Clark.

In photo at left, Marion Curry, from left, the incoming Rotary Club president, awards a plaque to Clark for her year serving as president.

HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

PART OF ANNUAL FESTIVITIES

Hot-air balloon rides will be available during the Watermelon Days Hot Air Balloon Festival on

Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23, at Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele.

The balloon event is part of the month-long 69th Annual Watermelon Days Festival in Cordele-Crisp County. This year, approximately 30 hot-air balloons will be at the event.

Watermelon Days activities are going on throughout the month until June 30 in Cordele. Among activities remaining are a Watermelon Walk at 7:30 a.m. June 29; and on June 30, a Watermelon 5K Run, Fun Run & Walk, a Watermelon Derby, the Watermelon Festival Parade, a Watermelon Eating Contest, a Watermelon Chunking Contest, and a Sweet Melon & Adult Seed Spit contest.

For information, c all 229-273-1668 or email info@cordele-crisp-chamber.com

LOCAL GALLERY EXHIBITS

'HIGHLY FUNCTIONING CERAMICS'

Ceramics sing and become "highly functional" at Plough Gallery's latest exhibit. Armed with

cushioned mallets, gallery goers are encouraged to treat Jared Ziegenbein's ceramic vessels as

musical instruments during his show, "Highly Functioning Ceramics."

The artist will be present to discuss his work at the exhibit's opening reception 5-7 p.m. Saturday, June 16.

The vessels will be hung from the ceiling and strategically placed around the gallery. Guests will be provided with soft mallets to tap and bop the vessels and explore the sounds they produce. Having the work hang from the ceiling allows the bowls to resonate longer than if it was on a table, much like a bell.

"What I want people to take away from this experience is a greater understanding of the open-endedness of ceramics -- that more is possible with this material than just making something to eat off of or put flowers in. I want people to ask the question, 'What else is possible?'"

Ziegenbein is a graduate of Valdosta State University with a BFA in art, focusing in ceramics, and recently completed a residency at the North Carolina Pottery Center.

Plough Gallery is located at 216 W. Eighth St.

GA-FLA TOBACCO TOUR VISITS TIFTON

The Georgia-Florida Tobacco Tour this week visited Florida and Georgia tobacco farms, saw on-farm demonstrations and met with producers. The tour included a visit to the Bowen Farm of the Coastal Plain Experiment Station on the University of Georgia Tifton Campus.

The tour also included visits to tobacco producers east of Tifton.

In the photo above on the Tifton campus, UGA p lant pathologist Alex Csinos discusses research pertaining to tobacco production.

STUDENTS MAY ENTER 'APP CHALLENGE'

U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, on Wednesday announced the start of the Eighth Congressional District's 2018 Congressional App Challenge.

The annual, nationwide event is intended to engage students' creativity and encourage their participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The

competition allows students to compete with peers throughout their own Congressional District by creating and exhibiting their software application, or "app," for web, PC, tablet, mobile or other platform of their choice.

All current middle and high school students (sixth-12th grade) who reside in or attend school in the Eighth Congressional District may participate. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four, as long as two of the teammates are eligible to participate in the district.

The winning entry from Georgia's Eighth Congressional District will be featured on the

U.S. House of Representative's website and displayed in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol alongside winners from across the nation.

Students must enter their registration by Sept. 10 and make their submission by Oct. 15.

Details can be found on Rep. Scott's website, Click Here! or by calling 478-971-1776.

SENIORS TO DANCE TONIGHT

The local "SELF" organization -- "Seniors Enjoying Life Forever" -- will hold its monthly dance today, Friday, June 15.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at Tifton's Leroy Rogers Senior Center on Second Street. All participants are asked to bring a dish of food to share.

For information, contact dashers@windstream.net

SUNSET TIFTON AT COLLINS

The Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday held its "Sunset Tifton" business after-hours networking event at Collins event center on U.S. Highway 41 S.

The center hosts local public and private events and is available for rentals.

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YOUR WEEKEND

. ..at a Glance

FRIDAY, JUNE 15

Coin & Collectible Show, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Springhill Country Club, Tifton

SATURDAY, JUNE 16

Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m,-Noon, Georgia Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
Coin & Collectible Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Springhill Country Club, Tifton
Dynamic Fluid Art!, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tifton Museum of Arts & Heritage, Tifton
Highly Functioning Ceramics, 5-7 p.m., Plough Gallery, Tifton