Ga. City Bumps Public Works for Development

The City of Lilburn, Ga., is moving its Public Works Department to an existing facility away from the city center to open up the current property for future development.

In approximately two months, the city's public works, fleet maintenance, and police impound storage will relocate to a two-acre facility about one mile away. The City Council approved the purchase of the property for $715,000 on Nov. 11; the purchase is fully funded by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax approved by voters in 2009.

"This facility meets our current needs and future needs, and it gives us access to the greenway which is maintained by Public Works," City Manager Bill Johnsa said in a statement. The industrial zoning allows for outdoor storage, and the fenced property allows for more secure storage of vehicles impounded by the police.

The maintenance garage is being moved as well. The existing structure on the property can be used for fleet maintenance since the business previously using the facility serviced vehicles there, said City Planner Alex Mitchem. The city may reorganize building interiors, but won't build new fleet maintenance structures.

The existing public works building will be disassembled, and the property will be used for additional parking in Old Town until another use is determined.