Anyone who’s been paying attention can tell you a lot has changed in Cornelia in recent years. Habersham County’s largest municipality has been undergoing a gradual facelift, and it shows. This year alone, Cornelia has overseen the completion of its new municipal complex and water plant.
Through a combination of grants and SPLOST funding, city officials have managed to revitalize the town into a destination that locals and visitors alike can enjoy.
Cornelia has successfully repurposed empty buildings and lots that were once eyesores and transformed them into functioning spaces. The city has enhanced its outdoor recreational and wellness opportunities by expanding hiking trails and building a dog park and skate park. And today, pedestrians are safer because the town invested in extending its sidewalk system.
Look around. The signs are everywhere – literally. Cornelia has installed aesthetically pleasing signs directing visitors to stores and restaurants that are reshaping the downtown Cornelia experience.
PlanFirst Community
Cornelia is a town on the move, and others are taking notice. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs recently recognized Cornelia as a PlanFirst Community. The program recognizes and rewards communities that demonstrate an established pattern of successfully implementing their Local Comprehensive Plan.
It’s not an easy designation to obtain. Cornelia has applied and been turned down in the past. City Manager Donald Anderson says the city is “very proud” to have achieved it this year.
“This designation is a testament to having a City Commission that has a vision and allocates the resources to make this vision a reality,” says Anderson. “A lot of cities talk about doing things, and Cornelia was the same way until 2007. This City Commission has been unified for a long time, which makes it possible to get things done.”
“This is a really great distinction. It basically means that we do exactly what we say we’re going to do based on what the public has asked us to do,” says Cornelia Community Development Manager Jessie Owensby.
Without a designated city planner, Cornelia must rely on its staff to stay on track and closely follow its Comprehensive Plan. Owensby says it’s “a lot of hard work.”
The city’s PlanFirst designation proves they’re succeeding.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs recognized Cornelia as a PlanFirst community based on how closely the city fulfilled its 2008 Comprehensive Plan. Completed projects in that plan include:
- Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Project
- Mud Creek Stream Bank Restoration Project
- Level Grove Sidewalk Project Phase 1
- City Park Walking Trail
- Skate Park
- North Fire Station
- New Water Plant
- New Municipal Building
- Dredging of the old reservoir
Eyeing the future
Cornelia is one of only three communities statewide that DCA awarded first-time PlanFirst status to this year – Bainbridge and Sandy Springs are the others. The designation is good for three years, but it’s more than just a pat on the back. PlanFirst status enables communities to take advantage of various grant opportunities and reduced interest loans.
“We are incredibly proud of this designation. It will provide our staff with discounted continuing education, lower interest rates on loans, eligibility for specific loans, and technical assistance through the state of Georgia,” says Owensby. “The benefits are crucial to any city, especially one our size.”
Cornelia city officials already are casting their eyes to 2024 when Cornelia’s PlanFirst designation is up for renewal. They’re diligently working to complete projects in the city’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan. Those projects include the town’s Stormwater Improvement Program, Appletree Alley Streetscape Project (contract awarded 10/7/20), and Phase 2 of the Level Grove Sidewalk project, which, once completed, will connect downtown Cornelia to the U.S. Highway 441 Bypass.
Cornelia has also entered into a public/private partnership with Fenders Diner to transform the parking lot on Irvin Street into a green space. The goal is to enhance the ambiance of the city’s downtown district
As the city works to attract new visitors and improve services, Cornelia is also planning for growth. There are a number of residential projects proposed and underway that will create over 200 new housing units in the city.
