Hogansville council votes to move forward with bathrooms at lake, amphitheater
Published 8:53 pm Thursday, March 8, 2018
The Hogansville City Council voted to move forward with adding public bathrooms at Lake Jimmy Jackson and at the Hogansville Amphitheater during Monday night’s meeting.
City Manager David Milliron had presented a two-bathroom model for the lake, but the council decided to instead move forward with three bathrooms at each location. No official vote was made to approve plans or payment for the restrooms Monday night.
Milliron asked the council for guidance to move forward with the project, which has been discussed thoroughly at each of the last few meetings with little traction.
The two-bathroom model has an estimated cost of around $100,000, while the three bathroom is $140,000.
Council members had concerns about whether two bathrooms would be enough at the lake.
“We could have folks that need to change clothes at the Lake Jimmy Jackson facility though,” said councilwoman Theresa Strickland. “My concern is if we only two bathrooms. Is there any space in there to add a changing room or two in that model?”
Milliron said there was not space to add a changing room. However, water fountains were added to each location after feedback from the council.
Councilman George Bailey brought a motion for a two-bathroom model at the amphitheater and three bathrooms at the lake — the opposite of what Milliron originally presented.
“Then the amphitheater is then undersized,” Milliron said. “If the council thinks in 20 years that lake is going to be much bigger, then you’ll have a decision at that point. Either say, I wish we had a three bathroom now or at some point you add additional bathrooms.”
Councilman Marichal Price made the motion to move forward with three bathrooms at each location and the council voted unanimously to proceed.
The bathrooms have been an ongoing discussion at Hogansville meetings for the last three months. In December, the council voted to reject all bids for renovations to the amphitheater and lake because they came back well over budget. The restrooms were part of the high cost, so Milliron has worked with the Public Restroom Company in Nevada, and the estimates have been more in line with what the city was hoping for.
In February, the council had voted to table the discussion until after its council retreat, which occurred Feb. 12. SPLOST money would be used for the bathrooms.