Road work continues, but NGCSU's final plans for Radar Ridge still uncertain
From Dahlonega Nugget
Published on: March 11, 2009
By Matt Aiken
A change of plans hasn't stopped construction on the North Georgia College & State University Radar Ridge roadway, which is currently climbing up a wooded slope off Morrison Moore Parkway.
The $1.7 million project was originally drawn up with the intention that the emerging road would lead to a future dorm room community or a National Guard training facility.
Now these plans are up in the air.
"Everybody agreed what they liked the best about North Georgia was the fact that it's a compact campus." said Physical Plant director Julio Canseco. "So we switched gears."
Now, once it is completed, the project will technically be a road to nowhere.
"It will just end up at the top of the hill," said Canseco.
This won't last forever however.
North Georgia College & State University officials plan to one day expand to the 200 acre stretch of wood known as Radar Ridge. What this project will be remains to be seen at the moment.
"The road will be prepped for future utilities. It will have a pipeline for future sewer, gas and water. The only utility that will be active now is power," said Canseco.
Since the project was funded through bonds it was already stipulated for that purpose before the shift in strategies. As a result construction needed to continue.
"The pot of money was set aside for building a road to Radar Ridge," said Canseco. "Each pot of money is used for one project and one project alone."
Extra funding for the project will also be used to extend and expand the nearby walking trail which borders the soccer and softball facility. What was once a narrow path on the steep ridge will soon provide a longer walk to the waters of Cane Creek.
"We're gonna widen it to about six foot wide and we're gonna pave it for the benefit of the students and the communty at large," said Canseco. "That will be for the use of anybody that wants to take a walk."
Meanwhile, planning for the future dorm project remains in the works.
"There is a plan to obtain funding by means of bonds in the same manner. They're starting back right now as we speak and the expectation is to build a couple of dorms," said Canseco.
It's likely that the expansion will remain on the school's main campus and tucked between existing buildings.
"For military dorms we expect they will happen somewhere between Gaillord Hall and Highway 9," he said. "The civilian dorms will most likely be located just west of our Health and Natural Science building at the top of the hill."
In the meantime, the Radar Ridge roadway will remain ready and waiting for any future plans.
From www.thedahloneganugget.com/articles/2009/03/11/news/07%20ridge.txt
