One of the steps needed to start on the city of Hinesville’s townhome project is about to commence.
Council members approved a bid from SEC Sitework to replace failing sewer lines on Court Street and Bagley Avenue. Both of those lines have collapsed, said city engineer Paul Simonton, and those lines are the original concrete pipes, which may be close to 80 years old.
“It’s saving us from having massive cave-ins along both those roads in the near future,” Simonton said of the work.
As part of its match with the state Department of Community Affairs grant for the townhomes project’s infrastructure, the city is chipping in $651,000 in work.
“Replacing the sewer was one of the things we had to do with the match for getting that project,” Simonton said.
As city crews were preparing plans for the Court Street townhomes infrastructure, they found a problem with the lines going to a duplex under construction on Bagley. That work was included in the bid and both lines from Main Street to Welborn Street will be replaced, at a cost of just under $854,000.
The funding for the project will come from the city’s water and sewer fund.
Simonton said his estimate to replace the lines on Court and Bagley was close to $1.2 million.
There also are hazardous materials involved, and Simonton said there will be a final inspection conducted on those pipes. That work was not included in the bid awarded to SEC Sitework.
Council members approved a rezoning back in March for the 31-unit townhome development, which is geared toward providing more affordable housing.
Under the provisions of the state funding for the townhome development, the city has until December 2026 to complete those 31 townhomes.
“That has to go before we can do any of the other stuff,” Simonton said of the sewer work. “All of those things will begin to happen in a hurry.”
SEC Sitework also was awarded a bid to replace failing drainage infrastructure on five roads in the city at an estimate of nearly $508,000. The work includes replacement of a drainage pipe on Sequoia Circle, the drainage system behind the old Coca-Cola building, a failed pipe on Fox Haven, a failed pipe on Byrum Drive, a failed pipe on Flora Ellen and drainage and pavement repair on San Patel Circle.
Liberty County, through District 5 Commissioner Gary Gilliard and District 6 Commissioner Eddie Walden, is contributing more than $232,000 to the work, with the city’s share of just over $275,000 from special purpose local option sales tax and transportation special purpose local option sales tax proceeds.
Council members also approved a final plat and accepted dedications for 65 townhome lots of phase 1B in Heritage Point off Flemington Village Boulevard. The first phase had 40 townhomes, giving the development a total of 105 townhomes.