Agenda Item # 2
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
04/12/2011
Agenda Report # 625
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: "Old Colored Cemetery" Property Acquisition and Development
INITIATED BY: David Arrington, Deputy City Manager
Recommendation: Approval is requested to negotiate with Norfolk Southern
Railroad for the acquisition or long term lease of approximately 1 acre of
property located at the northeast corner of the intersection of 6th Avenue and
6th Street, commonly referred to as the site of the "Old Colored Cemetery".
Upon completion of the property transaction, further authorize to proceed with
making certain improvements to the site as described in the concept plans
presented to Council on March 29, 2011, attached hereto, in the amount of
$180,000.
Background: In 1828 as part of the original planned city, the Board of
Commissioners appointed by Governor Forsyth created two cemeteries; one for
whites now known as the Linwood Cemetery and one for the colored, a four acre
tract located in the northeast corner of 6th Avenue and 6th Street.
Historical records indicate the 6th Avenue Cemetery was the designated location
for interring of colored persons until the development of the Porterdale
Cemetery in 1836. In 1886, the 6th Avenue Cemetery property was sold to the
Georgia Midland and Gulf Railroad for railroad purposes. The property is
currently owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad and a majority of the property
continues to be used for railroad purposes.
Analysis: In November 2010, the City engaged the consulting firm of
Brockington & Associates to conduct a historical and archeological
investigation of the 6th Avenue site to determine if the site was used as a
cemetery and contained grave sites, if so to delineate the locations of grave
sites. Brockington and Associates conducted extensive historical research and
investigated the site using ground penetrating radar and conducted ground
truthing to determine the presence of grave sites. The scope of the
investigation was limited to one acre out of the original four acre site
planned by the Board of Commissioners in 1828 due to the fact the remainder of
the property continues to be used for railroad purposes. The one acre site
investigated by the consultants had previously been used by the railroad with
one area containing a cattle pen. The property also contains several mature
trees which limited the effectiveness of the ground penetrating radar. The
archeological investigation was not conclusive as to the presence of grave
sites on the one acre tract investigated by the consultant due to the ground
disturbing activities that have occurred on the site over the years. The
historical records indicated the site was clearly designated as the original
cemetery location for colored persons from 1828 to 1836. The consultants
findings and recommendations are the 6th Avenue Cemetery site should be
preserved as the original cemetery site for colored persons.
Financial Considerations: The estimated cost to improve the 6th Avenue site
and develop the location as a passive garden is approximately $180,000. Funds
are available in the Liberty District Account of the 1999 SPLOST.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The estimated annual cost to
maintain the property to include grass cutting and maintenance of landscaping
is $3,600/yr.
Legal Considerations: Council is the approving authority for this resolution.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the City Manager to negotiate with Norfolk
Southern Railroad for the acquisition or a long term lease of approximately 1
acre of property located at the northeast corner of the intersection of 6th
Avenue and 6th Street, commonly referred to as the site of the "Old Colored
Cemetery". And upon completion of the property transaction, to further
authorize the City Manager to proceed with making certain improvements to the
site as described in the concept plans presented to Council on March 29, 2011,
attached hereto, in the amount of $180,000.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE WITH NORFOLK SOUTHERN
RAILROAD FOR THE ACQUISITION OR LONG TERM LEASE OF APPROXIMATELY 1 ACRE OF
PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF 6TH AVENUE AND
6TH STREET, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE SITE OF THE "OLD COLORED CEMETERY".
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROPERTY TRANSACTION, FURTHER AUTHORIZE TO PROCEED WITH
MAKING CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SITE AS DESCRIBED IN THE CONCEPT PLANS
PRESENTED TO COUNCIL ON MARCH 29, 2011, ATTACHED HERETO, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$180.000.
WHEREAS, in 1828 as part of the original planned city, the Board of
Commissioners appointed by Governor Forsyth created two cemeteries; one for
whites now known as the Linwood Cemetery and one for the colored, a four acre
tract located in the northeast corner of 6th Avenue and 6th Street; and,
WHEREAS, historical records indicate the 6th Avenue Cemetery was the designated
location for interring of colored persons until the development of the
Porterdale Cemetery in 1836; and,
WHEREAS, in November 2010, the City engaged the consulting firm of Brockington
& Associates to conduct a historical and archeological investigation of the 6th
Avenue site to determine if the site was used as a cemetery and contained grave
sites, if so to delineate the locations of grave sites. Brockington and
Associates conducted extensive historical research and investigated the site
using ground penetrating radar and conducted ground truthing to determine the
presence of grave sites; and,
WHEREAS, the archeological investigation was not conclusive as to the presence
of grave sites on the one acre tract investigated by the consultant due to the
ground disturbing activities that have occurred on the site over the years.
The historical records indicated the site was clearly designated as the
original cemetery location for colored persons from 1828 to 1836. The
consultants findings and recommendations are the 6th Avenue Cemetery site
should be preserved as the original cemetery site for colored persons; and,
WHEREAS, the archeological investigation was not conclusive as to the presence
of grave sites on the one acre tract investigated by the consultant due to the
ground disturbing activities that have occurred on the site over the years.
The historical records indicated the site was clearly designated as the
original cemetery location for colored persons from 1828 to 1836. The
consultants findings and recommendations are the 6th Avenue Cemetery site
should be preserved as the original cemetery site for colored persons; and,
WHEREAS, based on the Brockington & Associates finding, the City would
like to honor the historical and cultural relevance of the 1828 Colored
Cemetery site on 6th Avenue by developing the site as a tranquil garden, an
area for quiet reflection showing the dignity and respect deserving of this
location.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to negotiate with Norfolk Southern
Railroad for the acquisition or a long term lease of approximately 1 acre of
property located at the northeast corner of the intersection of 6th Avenue and
6th Street, commonly referred to as the site of the "Old Colored Cemetery", and
upon completion of the property transaction, to further authorize the City
Manager to proceed with making certain improvements to the site as described in
the concept plans presented to Council on March 29, 2011, attached hereto, in
the amount of $180,000.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2011 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of
_____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner-Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
________________________ _________________________
Tiny Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
Attachments