The unmarked graves were found near one of the entrances to Legacy Park. (FOX 5)
DECATUR, Ga. - The Decatur City Commission has voted to make changes to its South Columbia Drive multi-use path project after the discovery of unmarked graves.
Unmarked graves found on city path
What we know:
The commission voted on a $35,919 change order for additional design work on the northern section of the route on Monday night.
City officials recommended the approval of the contract amendment with AECOM, raising the total contract amount to $160,919. The redesign became necessary after unforeseen site conditions required a realignment of the entrance driveway and path at Decatur Legacy Park, as well as stormwater improvements to handle runoff at the revised site.
Officials say the changes were necessary after work crews found 33 unmarked graves believed to belong to children at one of the entrances to Legacy Park. The redesign will avoid disturbing the area around the graves.
The park was once the grounds of a 19th-century orphanage. (City of Decatur)
According to the city, the new scope includes updated engineering plans, stormwater infiltration designs to treat a 1.5-inch rainfall event over 24 hours, erosion control measures, and landscape and lighting revisions. The changes could extend the overall project schedule by up to three months, pending approval from the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission and coordination with the city arborist.
Funding for the change order will come from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. The total construction budget for the South Columbia Drive multi-use path remains $2.1 million.
Decatur school zone speed enforcement
Dig deeper:
The city also approved a $56,500 contract with engineering firm AtkinsRealis to relocate school zone speed enforcement equipment along Clairemont Avenue. The city plans to move the devices out of pedestrian pathways to improve safety along the narrow, high-traffic corridor.
The work includes traffic analysis, a corridor survey at Clairemont Avenue and Lamont Drive, a proposed site plan for the new pole locations, and submission to the Georgia Department of Transportation for a required special encroachment permit. The city estimates the GDOT review process could take six to eight weeks.
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Funding for the camera relocation project comes from the city’s School Zone Safety Camera Fund for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The total project budget is set at $65,000.
Other agenda items at Monday's meeting included a resolution to acquire easements for stormwater improvements, reclassification of a civil engineering position, and upcoming meeting announcements for city boards and authorities.
The Source: The details in this article were provided by the city of Decatur.