City Manager Ty Ross

DALTON, Ga. -- Having a design for two farmer's markets, one in Dalton and one in Whitfield County between Dalton and Chatsworth, officials will begin a discussion to see if the plans can be implemented, City Manager Ty Ross said.

The markets, with solar panels on the roof and open greenspaces, were designed by Archway Partnership students. One was designed to be placed in downtown Dalton on county-owned property near the post office on Thornton Avenue, and the second would be on Chatsworth Highway.

The Chatsworth Highway design includes a playground, while the one in downtown would have an open area that could be used as a small music venue.

Kevin Herrit, the county planner, presented the designs to City Council members during their meeting Monday evening. Herrit previously had shown the County Commission the plans.

"With the designs out there we can work to flesh out the details and found out if it is actually feasible," Ross said after the presentation.

Herrit said the design plans did not include a cost estimate.

Dalton does have an open-air market, the Downtown Dalton Saturday Market, where vendors set up in a city park next to the courthouse. A farmer's market would provide a permanent structure for the vendors, Ross said.

Archway students also designed beautification plans for four Interstate 75 interchanges in Whitfield County.

Contact Mariann Martin at mmartin@timesfreepress.com or 706-980-5824.

In other business, City Council members approved adding $79,000 to the general fund to cover various expenses, including more than $44,000 to cover the salary and benefits for a new recreation director. The city spent $12,490 in expenses for about 40 people visiting from Dilbeek, Belgium, Dalton's city sister.