Cornelia firefighters were among those who signed their names to the last beam hoisted atop the new Cornelia Municipal Complex. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)
A small crowd of area residents, business and community leaders gathered Friday in Cornelia to celebrate ‘topping off’ the new Cornelia Municipal Complex. They watched as construction crews installed the last structural component of the new building’s roof system. Before the final truss was hoisted atop the structure, people were allowed to sign it.
The topping off ceremony was held at the site on Foreacre Street where the old Cornelia municipal building and fire station once stood. They were torn down this past spring to make way for the new complex.
“That fire station was also a library, it was also a city hall at some point,” said Chris Ritchie. “It served the community for 70 plus years, so, as symbolic as this spot is, that’s why we kind of chose to have this ceremony here.”
Ritchie serves as Director of Field Operations for Cooper & Company General Contractors which is overseeing construction of the $8.9 million facility. It’s the same construction firm that built Habersham County’s new Administration Building in Clarkesville.
Amanda Groover is the company’s director of marketing and development. She’s also a native of Habersham County. During Friday’s ceremony, Groover spoke of growing up in the area and said “to see the history in the making of the next generation in Cornelia is very special to me.”
“This building is really getting us into the 21st century and it’s going to carry us for the next 50 years,” Cornelia City Manager Donald “Dee” Anderson said. “It’s going to meet all the ADA requirements – everything that we’re lacking right now in our 1965 library building we’ll make up for here.”
Calling the topping off a “significant milestone” for the city, Cooper & Company Vice-President Jim Cooper said it’s also a milestone for the Cumming-based construction firm. This is the first project to be managed out of the company’s new North Georgia office in Cornelia.
“Several months ago we were trying to figure out a location for another office. We knew that North Georgia is a perfect growing area,” he said. “So, it’s extremely special to us and, just everybody, we want to let you know you’re getting our best effort for this project. It’s personal pride for us just as it is for you all.”
The multi-million dollar facility consists of two buildings. One will house City Hall and the Cornelia Police Department while the other will house the Cornelia Fire Department. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
Photos by Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham (click to enlarge)
Photos by Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham
