It’s been three months since the Georgia Welcome Center on Interstate-85 South in Lavonia closed for renovations. Now, it appears it will be closed for at least another month. The center was to have reopened in mid-September but the Georgia Department of Transportation, which is in charge of the renovations, says a additional problems surfaced once construction began.
“Major plumbing issues found after work started required the installation of a new water line into the building,” says GDOT District Engineer for Hart County, Brent Cook. “Delays in material deliveries also slowed work.”
Cook says improvements are being made “from the roof to the parking lot” including a new heating and air conditioning system, drywall and painting.
The 16,640 square foot Welcome Center opened in 1996 just before the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. In the 19 years since, it had fallen into a state of general disrepair. When it reopens, not only will the Welcome Center be more welcoming, it will also be more environmentally friendly.
The State is adding low flow, automatic flush valve toilets, LED lighting and occupancy sensors that will automatically turn off indoor lights in unoccupied rooms.
Prime Contractors of Powder Springs originally contracted with the State to do the job for $720,000. Despite the additional work, GDOT spokeswoman Teri Pope says the cost did not change.
The Welcome Center is now scheduled to reopen in November in time for Thanksgiving holiday travel.
In the meantime, motorists are still unable to access the Welcome Center driveway, parking areas or building. The signage pointing visitors to the Welcome Center are covered and the entrance is blocked.
