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Hostile Architecture, Clayton Street on Commission Agenda

Linda Nylind

The Athens Clarke County Mayor and Commission will meet today at 5:30 for their monthly work session.

Commissioners are expected to hear from several county staffers at this evening’s meeting. At the top of the list is a dense and detailed look at the current budget for employee and retiree benefits, as well as projections for the next year. This comes as the county’s budgeting process marches on. According to the presentation, claims are up and county staffers say the level of claims this early in the year is a point of concern.

So-called “hostile architecture” will also be on the agenda. Hostile, or defensive architecture uses design elements to restrict access to certain types of people, such as the homeless or skateboarders. Commissioners will hear a discussion focused primarily on bench design and seating options in public places, including designing seating options for older people.

Commissioners are also expected to hear an update on SPLOST-funded improvements to Clayton Street. ACC staff will recommend that a number of planters originally intended to dot the streetscape be eliminated as a cost-saving measure. Officials estimate that the current number of planters would require an additional full-time employee and a budget increase for ongoing maintenance. Proposed revisions to the plan would reduce costs by planting fewer annuals in favor of plants that don’t require replanting each year, as well as using contractors for planting and maintenance.

Commissioners will also get an update on another SPLOST-funded project – the creation of access to the Middle Oconee River near Macon Highway, part of the SPLOST 2020 Water Trails Project. The full meeting can be live-streamed at ACC Gov's YouTube channel.

From the ACC Gov website: 

Martin Matheny is WUGA's Program Director and a host and producer of our local news program 'Athens News Matters.' He started at WUGA in 2012 as a part-time classical music host and still hosts WUGA's longest-running local program 'Night Music' which is heard on WUGA and GPB Classical. He lives in Normaltown with his wife, Shaye and dog, Murphy.
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