Fire destroys abandoned home; Campbell Road bridge closes

No one was injured during an early Monday morning fire that gutted an abandoned house located on the 2100 block of Dixie Avenue in Smyrna.

According to Cobb County fire personnel on the scene, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. None of the nearby businesses, including Baza Auto Repair at 2121 Dixie Avenue, absorbed any damage.

• What has been a long time coming finally happened Monday as the Campbell Road bridge closed and will remain impassable for approximately 180 days for bridge replacement. The project, approved in the 2005 SPLOST, will involve the replacement of the existing bridge over the CSX railroad. The new bridge will accommodate sidewalks for pedestrian traffic.

City officials have communicated that on either Tuesday or Wednesday, there will be a water main shutdown on Campbell Road to allow contractors to disconnect the water main that crosses the bridge. Those impacted will be notified according to the City, which posted on its website that the temporary water shutdown “may affect Oakley Downs, The Park at Oakley Downs and approximately four houses on Campbell Road.’’

• Monday night, the Smyrna City Council plans to vote on the Urban Redevelopment Plan after a second public hearing is held on the matter. The first was held during the July 18 council meeting.

City officials hope the adoption of the Urban Redevelopment Plan, which will make it possible to establish an Opportunity Zone, will help facilitate job creation and redevelopment.

The State program is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and for business owners in any industry, the program offers the State's maximum job tax credit ($3,500.00 per job for 5 years) at its lowest job creation threshold (2 new jobs).

An Opportunity Zone must be located in either an existing Urban Redevelopment Area or Enterprise Zone.

The proposed Urban Redevelopment Plan applies only to a designated portion of the City, generally defined as commercial properties in North Smyrna.

During the most recent public hearing, Smyrna Redevelopment Coordinator Andrea Hall said, “It simply offers any business another tool in the tool box. They’re not required to take advantage of the program. They’re not forced into it.’’

According to Hall, there are approximately 57 Opportunity Zones located throughout the state.

“Developers are beginning to ask for it when they come looking for locations; they do see it as an advantage,’’ Hall said.

• The council is also expected to approve Kennesaw-based Hibernia Enterprises, Inc., for the abatement of asbestos at the city-owned Hickory Lake Apartments.