City of Rockmart land purchase offers 10 acres of possibilities

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The Rockmart mayor and City Council have approved the first step in development of 10 acres of land with the potential for simultaneous use of multiple types of development, including a venue for weddings and family events, green space, spill-over space for the Homespun festival, a new connection to the Silver Comet Trail, and an amphitheater.

The 10-acre parcel is part of the J.L. Lester estate. It was originally listed at $350,000. The city negotiated for a final purchase price of $311,780,

One of the historic structures on the land is the former home of Raymond and Nell Lester. Mayor Steve Miller said the elegant home, located between Church, Beauregard and Martin Luther King Jr. streets, will be renamed the “Church Street Manor” and used for wedding events or other family activities.

A fee structure will be developed for the facility similar to that of other buildings now available for public use, Miller said.

A bronze plaque identifying the home as the “Mundy, Young and Lester” home, will be placed on the front of the structure, Miller said. A likeness of the house will be the centerpiece of Rockmart’s 2015 Christmas ornament. Other public facilities featured on the decorative item are Rockmart’s City Hall and The Depot buildings.

Miller believes a portion of the property can be used as green space, a soccer field and for park expansion.

“It borders Seaborn Jones Park and Richardson Field, which are used during the annual Homespun Festival,” he said. “Available space for this event is nearing maximum capacity and more room can be used for this tourist attraction.”

He said the land could also be utilized as an amphitheater, which is becoming a popular asset to regional communities such as Villa Rica and Dallas.

City officials will seek a partnership with the Path Foundation to explore possible uses for the land along the Silver Comet Trail, including a bridge over Euharlee that would allow public access into the area as it is developed.

“We know the benefit that long-range planning can have in a small town,” Miller said. “The vision of past leaders [when Steve Smith was mayor] has proved that it pays. They made the decision to purchase property that is now known as the 101 Industrial Park, location of several industries.”

Manager Jeff Ellis said purchase of the former Lester property is a “win, win” situation for Rockmart citizens. He said the land would eventually benefit many, including visitors arriving along Polk’s transportation arteries or on the Silver Comet Trail.

Source: Cedartown Standard

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