MARTHA MILLS PROPERTY DEAL IS OFF

THE THOMASTON-UPSON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAS ENDED ITS PURSUIT OF THE OLD MARTHA MILLS PROPERTY AT 325 GOODRICH AVE OVER AN ACREAGE DISPUTE.

IDA DIRECTOR KYLE FLETCHER SAYS SHE SPOKE WITH VIRGINIA ATTORNEY JOHN RUSSELL WHO REPRESENTS THE PROPERTY OWNERS TUESDAY FOLLOWING MONDAY'S IDA MEETING. RUSSELL ORIGINALLY WANTED $362,000 FOR 31.57 ACRES BUT RUSSELL THEN REVISED IT TO 28.47 ACRES AS HE WANTED TO SELL 3.1 ACRES TO JIM FRANKLIN WHO OWNS A BUSINESS AT THE FAR END OF THE SITE. HOWEVER, RUSSELL REFUSED TO REDUCE THE SELLING PRICE FOR LESS ACREAGE. DIRECTOR FLETCHER SAYS HER DIRECTIVE FROM THE IDA BOARD WAS TO PAY FOR THE ORIGINAL TRACT AND CLOSE WITHIN 14 DAYS BUT RUSSELL WAS NOT WILLING TO DO THAT. RUSSELL TOLD MS. FLETCHER IN THAT CONVERSATION TUESDAY, THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY IS OVER.

CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS HAD ATTEMPTED TO PURCHASE THE SITE BUT EFFORTS FAILED--AND MS. FLETCHER MANAGED TO GET RUSSELL TO THE TABLE AGAIN BUT IT HAS NOT WORKED OUT.