By Alicia B. Hill

HOGANSVILLE – The Hogansville City Council has decided on a company to conduct a historic resources survey of the city.

Council approved VHB to conduct the survey.  Historic resource surveys typically identify and gather information on a community’s historic resources such as buildings, structures, historic districts or other objects eligible for inclusion in the Georgia or National Register of Historic Places.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, a historic resources survey could also potentially increase awareness of historic buildings, aid in preservation and land use planning, help the city gain assistance in preservation efforts and expedite environmental review by governmental agencies.

“Their historic resource survey would be to enter into negotiations to sign a contract with VHB for historic resources survey not to exceed $10,000, which is the amount of the grant plus the grant from the Charitable Trust,” said City Manager James Woods.

VHB is a company that uses engineers, scientists, planners and designers to help their clients “improve mobility, enhance communities and balance development and infrastructure needs with environmental stewardship” according to its website.  They have offices all over the United States, including an office in Atlanta.

Council Member Reginald Jackson expressed a concern regarding hiring companies outside of Troup County for the job, but according to Woods, only one company within Troup County expressed interest in the project, and the company in question did not submit a bid for the project.

“VHB had the most life experience in doing historic surveys,” said Woods of the reason why they chose VHB.

The city plans to pay for the survey using a $6,000 grant along with $4,000 from the Hogansville Charitable Trust.

The city is also approved Allen-Smith as the grant writer for another potential block grant for the city.  This grant would be the fourth the city has applied for with the firm, and so far, the firm has a 100 percent success rate with getting grants for the city.

Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at Hogansville City Hall, 400 East Main St.

Reach Alicia B. Hill at alicia.hill@lagrangenews.com or at 706-884-7311, Ext. 2154.