UPSON BOC DELAYS APP FOR SPREWELL BLUFF PARK GRANT

AT THE LAST MEETING—THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BACKED-OUT ON APPLYING FOR A STATE DNR GRANT OF $1.4 MILLION FOR UPGRADES TO SPREWELL BLUFF PARK—THEY CITED TOO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS WHILE FACING AN OCT. 31ST DEADLINE TO APPLY AND THE COUNTY'S GRANT MATCH--$400,000.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE ITEM -- A PEDESTRIAN SUSPENSION BRIDGE OVER THE FLINT RIVER TO THE TALBOT COUNTY SIDE— $420,000. AN AMPHITHEATER FOR $375,000, RESTROOMS AT THE RIVERSIDE RECREATION AREA FOR $140,000, , AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM FOR $100,000 AND NEW PARKING FOR $29,000 --PLUS OTHER UPGRADES FOR CAMPING AND TRAILS.

CHAIRMAN NORMAN ALLEN SAID THE BOARD WAS ADVISED IT WOULD DOUBLE THE ANNUAL OPERATING COST OF THE PARK PLUS THE COUNTY CAN APPLY FOR THE GRANT AGAIN NEXT OCTOBER.