Cobb commissioners approve a slate of transportation contracts, condemn-at-declaration authorization and grant application

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 12 approved a package of transportation items brought by county DOT staff, including authorizations for condemnation by declaration on one parcel, a GDOT grant application for a pedestrian bridge, and multiple construction and consultant contracts for drainage, trails, bridge replacement and traffic signals.

Key approvals (motions carried unanimously 5-0):
- Authorization to commence condemnation proceedings by declaration of taking for one parcel on Du West Road at Antioch Road (Project B2302), as recommended by DOT and approved subject to a resolution in form substantially similar to the attached document.
- Authorization to submit a Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) application for FY26 to the Georgia Department of Transportation for Cobb Parkway, Pedestrian Bridge North (Project TR535) and related budget transactions.
- Construction contracts and consultant agreements (board-approved amounts):
- D and H Construction Co.: drainage repairs on Farmcrest Point — not to exceed $177,992.50 (Project B22163).
- Chatfield Contracting Inc.: drainage repairs on Valley View Circle — not to exceed $120,531.94 (Project B22168).
- Stantec Consulting Services Inc.: preliminary engineering for the George Busby Parkway corridor trail — not to exceed $774,827.72 (Project B2438).
- Pond & Company: preliminary engineering for Oakdale Road complete streets bridge replacement — not to exceed $593,412.98 (Project B2449).
- Lisonbee Enterprises LLC: Canton Road at Piedmont Road improvements — not to exceed $861,297.25 (Project B2312).
- Glasson Enterprises LLC: traffic signal installation on Marsail Road at Giles Road / Hill Road — not to exceed $559,653 (Project B2576).
- The board approved the recommended ranking of firms for preliminary engineering of the Austell–Powder Springs Road Trail and authorized negotiations with the top-ranked firm (BCC Engineering doing business as Heath and Lineback) for scope and fees.
- The board also approved a revised budget and schedule for the 2022 Transportation Improvements Program funded primarily by the 2022 SPLOST.

Why it matters: The actions permit DOT to proceed with design, right-of-way and construction activities across several corridors and pedestrian projects; the condemnation authorization is a preliminary legal step allowing the county to acquire a needed parcel if negotiations cannot secure it. The approved consultant and construction contracts move multiple projects from planning to execution phases.

Discussion vs. decision: DOT staff presented the items; commissioners moved and seconded the motions. The board’s votes were recorded in aggregate as 5-0 for each motion. The condemnation item explicitly referenced state law authority to proceed by declaration of taking.

Taper: Staff will proceed with negotiation, contracting, construction scheduling and necessary right-of-way actions. Specific contractor notices to proceed, construction timelines, or right-of-way closings were not detailed in the meeting record.