Callaway Foundation unveils downtown plans (Atlanta, Columbus: fit in, apartments, construction)

[Airforceguy]

The foundation, which has already poured more than $50 million into the city’s center, this week announced plans to redevelop parcels of land south of Byron Hurst Street extending to the railroad tracks that cross Main Street.

A public park and pond, apartments, outdoor event space and a tourist attraction are all on tap, according to Speer Burdette, president of the Callaway Foundation, which owns the land.

“That entrance from the south end of our town, down by the railroad tracks, is one of the main entrances to our downtown,” Burdette said. “The (former) Westbrook (Tire) building, which we own, is in dire need of a project.”

He was coy about exactly what that project is, but said the foundation has already granted $1.5 million to the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority for the rehab of the Westbrook building to “create a venue here that we think will promote tourism for our area.”

A skateboard park, which city planner Leigh Threadgill is already eyeing, might also fit into what Burdette calls “The South Gateway” project. An outdoor plaza for small events is in the works, and the potential for new office space also exists, Burdette said.

But the project doesn’t stop there.

The foundation is asking the city of LaGrange to realign Bull Street and change its awkward intersection with Main and Byron Hurst streets near the site of the under construction District 4 Public Health office.

Under the realignment plan, the current location of LaGrange Pool and Spa on Bull Street would be demolished and Bull Street would run southwest to connect with Pierce Street. Pierce Street would become Bull Street and would veer east to connect with Main Street near the railroad tracks.

Callaway Foundation unveils downtown plans - LaGrange Daily News - lagrangenews.com

[Columbus1984]

Should have put this in the Columbus forum.

[Newsboy]

I had to read to the 4th graph to find out this was about Lagrange

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

I had to read to the 4th graph to find out this was about Lagrange

Don't you know the words "Callaway" and "LaGrange" are synonyms?

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

Should have put this in the Columbus forum.

Why? So no one would see it?

LaGrange is most definitely NOT a suburb of Columbus.

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

Why? So no one would see it?

LaGrange is most definitely NOT a suburb of Columbus.

But has extremely close ties, that can't be denied....

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

But has extremely close ties, that can't be denied....

Born and raised in the area, mother still lives there. Trust me, for whatever reason a city looks to a larger one to feel akin to, Atlanta won out over Columbus 100 to 1.

That said, the Georgia forum is the perfect place for this article. i would never visit the Columbus forum expecting to read anything other than Columbus specific threads.

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

Born and raised in the area, mother still lives there. Trust me, for whatever reason a city looks to a larger one to feel akin to, Atlanta won out over Columbus 100 to 1.

That said, the Georgia forum is the perfect place for this article. i would never visit the Columbus forum expecting to read anything other than Columbus specific threads.

So 60+ miles to Atlanta vs. 30+ miles to Columbus . From Harris County, so yea, I'm from the area too.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

So 60+ miles to Atlanta vs. 30+ miles to Columbus . From Harris County, so yea, I'm from the area too.

It's like we are much closer to the moon than the sun but the sun is so much brighter it gives off tons more light and grabs our attention much more.

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

It's like we are much closer to the moon than the sun but the sun is so much brighter it gives off tons more light and grabs our attention much more.

I know you want Lagrange to be part of Atlanta because it's "cooler" or "hipper" to be associated with it. In reality, Columbus and Lagrange are wayyy closer in all aspects from media, high school sports, location, etc. Facts don't lie.