Few images of Athens are more iconic than the Trail Creek Trestle, which appears on the back of band REM’s album Murmur. The trestle is one part of the old Georgia Railroad, now the site of a partially finished multi-use path called the Firefly Trail.
The trail lacks a three-mile stretch north of Winterville, where the government plans to use eminent domain to purchase land from property owners. This week, District 1 Commissioner Patrick Davenport moved to pump the brakes on the project over concern for the property owners—who he says are mostly elderly and do not want to see their land seized. The potential pause has led to outcry from those who want to see the trail finished.
Lauren Blais is the chair of the Athens in Motion Commission and a supporter of the trail. She sat down with WUGA’s Emma Auer at the nonprofit Bike Athens to discuss her concerns about the local government’s latest move.
Commissioner Patrick Davenport could not be reached for comment.
