Cornelia City Commissioners are moving forward with plans to develop an outdoor entertainment venue in the downtown area.
Purchasing Property
The commission will consider purchasing property from Johnson Railway Services, Inc., during their Tuesday evening meeting. The property is located at 107 Grant Place, adjacent to the railroad depot.
According to documents provided by the city, the city will purchase the property for $350,000. The city will also accept the lease agreement that Johnson Railway Services has with Norfolk-Southern Railroad.
In the purchase agreement, the city would take ownership of onsite personal property. That includes the shop, track materials, locomotive wheels, and a locomotive called “Dinky.” The property runs north from the railroad tracks downtown along Clarkesville Street to MLK Jr. Drive.
Prior Discussions
In their July meeting, the commissioners discussed the possibility of an outdoor venue in the downtown area that would include a park and an amphitheater.
Discussions were made to secure a grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission to fund the endeavor. Now Habersham has reached out to Cornelia City Manager Dee Anderson to ask if the city has received a grant. Confirmation has not been received at the time of publication.
Old Grogan Chevrolet Dealership
Currently, Cornelia holds concerts that draw large crowds in the parking lot of the old Grogan Chevrolet dealership on South Main Street. This requires the city to provide a shuttle service to and from the venue site.
Having an outdoor venue adjacent to the historic railroad depot would provide free parking just a short walk to events. It would also move events further away from residential areas and closer to the city’s entertainment district.
Venue an Asset
Last summer, Mayor John Borrow remarked, “(This could be) something that would be a great asset to Cornelia. You could have some sort of series that could come through the summer. You could have jazz, bluegrass, and gospel, or whatever. Churches could get together and do something (like) having a National Day of Prayer there. It could be anything.”
