Fort Oglethorpe’s bowling alley building is being demolished along LaFayette Road.
According to Downtown Development Authority Chairman Jeff Epperson, the demolition will help improve the roadway which will soon see streetscape improvements.
“We are grateful to the Gilberts [owners of the Bank of LaFayette, which owns the lot] for tearing down the bowling alley,” Epperson said at the May 27 DDA meeting.
Contractor Brandon Raines, of LaFayette, is overseeing the demolition. He plans to have the building completely demolished this week. The plan is to create an empty lot that the owners will sell.
The DDA continues to show interest in obtaining the land. However, the Bank of LaFayette intends to sell the property.
In other business:
This is a side view of the Fort Oglethorpe bowling alley that will soon be completely leveled on LaFayette Road.
Photo by Katie Ward HamiltonThe DDA is welcoming newly inducted member Fort Oglethorpe native Byron Anderson. He served in the U.S. Navy for 24 years before moving back to his hometown. He now serves as a social worker and addiction counselor at a local VA Clinic. Epperson said Councilwoman Paula Stinnett recommended him highly.
The City Council is expected to officially approve a second new member, local historian Gerry Depken, at its June 9 meeting. She has a degree in history and math and museum experience. She also authored a book about the city of Fort Oglethorpe. She serves on the Sixth Cavalry Museum board.
Stinnett stepped down from the DDA board in favor of bringing in the new recruits. The now six-member DDA still needs a seventh member to join.
The group plans to have a draft of its Opportunity Zone application to look over at its June meeting. The DDA normally meets the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Fort Oglethorpe City Hall. Call Epperson at 706-861-4168 to confirm meeting dates.
Email Katie Ward Hamilton at kward@timesfreepress.com