The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at its June 21 regular meeting to approve a $3,599,247 contract for design-build services regarding the renovation of Mickie D. Cochran Park in Stockbridge.

The contract was awarded to McDonough-based J.R. Bowman Construction Co. and the work will be funded by the county’s SPLOST. The park is on the District IV SPLOST project list. The county’s purchasing department solicited bids through several platforms before designating a Henry County company as the winning bidder.

Major upgrades planned for the park include a new design to the concession, restroom and scorer’s building; new bleacher pads and basketball courts;  a quarter-mile paved loop trail; large and small pavilions; a local art installation; a large playground; an outdoor fitness area with shade covering; and a multi-purpose sports field.

A representative of J.R. Bowman Construction Co. estimated 3-4 months for the design phase and 6-8 months for construction, meaning the entire project would likely be complete a year from now.

In other business, the board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Clayton County for resurfacing and base improvements to Bouldercrest Road at up to $30,000 as well as a contract with Heath and Lineback for Rabbit Run Road bridge design in the amount of $135,380.

An agreement to share Henry County government’s FCC radio license with the Stockbridge Police Department was also approved.

The board approved a $266,051 Community Service Block Grant Program contract with the Georgia Department of Human Services for the 2023 federal fiscal year. No local match is required.

New street light district requests were approved for Hawthorne Ridge subdivision on Mount Carmel Road and Southern Hills subdivision (Phase 1A) on Walker Drive. A request was approved for the addition of three lights to an existing street light district for the Ivys and Arbors at Westridge subdivision on Hwy. 20 West.

The board approved the use of $5,056 in state seized funds for Henry County Police Department Major Joseph Smith to attend the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va.  Also approved was the acceptance of a grant awarded from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia in the amount of $10,000 for safety items in efforts to reduce workers’ compensation claims.  

A $69,954 purchase of technology equipment utilizing Capital Improvement Plan funds was approved, as was the $96,238 purchase of a 16-passenger bus utilizing a Federal Transit Administration Cares Act grant.

A memorandum of understanding to launch the Handle with Care Program was signed into action the same day as the Board of Commissioners meeting. It is a partnership between the Raise Me Up Foundation, Henry County government, the public school district and the county’s public safety agencies. The initiative aims to alert schools before a child returns to school that the child has been involved in a traumatic experience and aims to assist children in coping with the experience. 

The foundation, a local 501-c-3 nonprofit, introduced and sponsored the launch of the program, which is one of the first in the state of Georgia. Commissioners, school board Members, county leadership, foundation board members and public safety officials were all present for the signing ceremony.