Jim Thompson
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Past articles by Jim:
Draft plan is next step for Envision Athens
Envision Athens, the consultant-facilitated effort to map out a plan for the next 20 years in Athens-Clarke County, is moving into a new phase. → Read More
Athens-Clarke commissioners question proposed Bishop Park expenditures
A proposed $25 million master plan for the redevelopment of intown Athens’ Bishop Park caught heavy criticism from some Athens-Clarke County commissioners, who balked at the potential price tag in view of what they see as a need to take a broader view of improvements to the county park system. → Read More
Athens-Clarke commissioners reaching consensus on TSPLOST list
Athens-Clarke County commissioners are leaning toward substantial cuts in recommended sales tax funding for a rail-trail project and expansion of the county’s greenway network as a trade-off for ensuring money for a downtown Athens streetscape improvement project. → Read More
Interactive ‘Wikimap’ is new tool for bicycle and pedestrian master plan
A Saturday incident on Tennessee’s Natchez Trace Parkway in which a motorist hit a bicyclist and fled from the scene formed a backdrop for Monday’s meeting of the committee guiding development of a bicycle and pedestrian master plan for Athens-Clarke County. → Read More
Traffic engineers want North Chase Street back in original configuration
Athens-Clarke County Manager Blaine Williams has provided Athens-Clarke commissioners with an outline of how the county will move forward in addressing concerns about the recent reconfiguration of North Chase Street between Prince Avenue and Newton Bridge Road. → Read More
Some Milledge Circle residents want out of demolition moratorium
Owners of nearly two dozen of the 34 residential properties on the western end of Milledge Circle, from McWhorter Drive to Westlake Drive, don’t want to be subjected any longer to a moratorium on demolition approved by Athens-Clarke County commissioners in May. → Read More
Athens-Clarke manager, attorney recommend task force on discrimination
An 11-member temporary task force could soon begin working with the Athens-Clarke County Housing & Community Development Department and the county manager’s office to lay the groundwork for a “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan.” → Read More
Reconfigured North Chase Street causing problems for motorists
Rush-hour back-ups and other traffic-flow issues seen since a significant reconfiguration of traffic lane markings on North Chase Street are prompting Athens-Clarke County traffic engineers to recommend that county commissioners return the section of North Chase Street between Boulevard and Newton Bridge Road to its original configuration. → Read More
Athens’ GOP congressmen drawing Democratic challengers
Nothing becomes official until election qualifying in March 2018, but it appears both Republican congressmen now serving Athens-Clarke County will face Democratic opposition. → Read More
Wednesday commission meeting to include public hearing on TSPLOST
Another chance for the public to weigh in on a November referendum on a proposed 1 percent sales tax for transportation-related projects, and the projects currently listed for funding if the tax is approved, is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday. → Read More
Public artwork ‘Gyroscope House’ to be unveiled Tuesday at World of Wonder
It’s likely to be close, but local artist Lawrence Stueck, an art teacher at Athens Academy, says his “Gyroscope House,” a public artwork now being installed at the World of Wonder playground in Athens-Clarke County’s Southeast Clarke Park, should be ready for its formal unveiling Tuesday. → Read More
Star Spangled Classic, with fireworks, set for Saturday in downtown Athens
A new family-friendly celebration with an old name will highlight Independence Day festivities in Athens, as the Star Spangled Classic brings fireworks and fun to downtown Athens on Saturday. → Read More
Changes coming to Leisure Services youth scholarship program
Major changes to an Athens-Clarke County program that offers scholarships to cover the costs of youth activities within the county’s Leisure Services Department are set to go into effect Saturday, according to a county government news release. → Read More
Athens condo owners sue developer and others, alleging violations of state RICO Act
Owners of some of the condominiums in Athens’ intown Heritage Square neighborhood are suing local real estate investor and rental property owner Fred Moorman and other Heritage Square condominium owners. → Read More
SPLOST panel gets update on sales tax collection
Collection of the current 1 percent special-purpose local option sales tax in Athens-Clarke County is projected to continue through early 2020, the program’s administrator told a citizens advisory committee overseeing the infrastructure construction initiative. → Read More
UGA study calls downtown Athens ‘economic engine’
A University of Georgia report on the economy of downtown Athens calls the area “an economic engine for the region,” particularly when the adjacent University of Georgia, the two nearby hospitals and other enterprises in the area immediately surrounding downtown are factored into the mix. → Read More
Athens faces challenges in economic development, consultant says
Athens-Clarke County has land available for economic development — whether it be new industries or smaller bioscience — and technology-oriented enterprises, but that land is on the wrong side of the county and much of it is not served with adequate infrastructure, including access to the digital world. → Read More
East Clayton building to get makeover with $10,000 ADDA grant
The two-story building at 121 E. Clayton St., between Kum’s Fashions and Aurum Studios in downtown Athens, will be getting a makeover with help from a $10,000 facade improvement grant from the Athens Downtown Development Authority. → Read More
Road abandonment request meets resistance at commission session
A request that the Athens-Clarke County government abandon two streets off North Avenue to facilitate the redevelopment of an apartment community as a means to increase residential density could face some questions at the county commission’s July 5 meeting. → Read More
QuikTrip plan gets OK from airport officials
Athens-Ben Epps Airport Authority members have approved aspects of the plans for a QuikTrip convenience store and gas station related to its presence within an airport overlay zone at its proposed Oconee Street site. → Read More