The Losing Georgia: Interactive Tour has been updated with a new file structure for overlay images. The overlay folder has been broken down into three sections: Commercial, Residential, and Other. You can download the kmz file or head over to the overview page if you are unfamiliar with the Interactive Tour. Below is a complete list of overlays available for viewing.

Commercial

1. Chapel Hill Centre Site Plan
2. Douglasville Marketplace Site Plan
3. The Shoppes at Deer Creek (Publix)

Residential

1. Brookmont Site Plan
2. Fox Creek Site Plan
3. The Haven at Slater Mill Site Plan
4. The Tributary Master Plan
5. The Tributary - The Village Site Plan
6. The Tributary - River Banks Site Plan
7. Wolf Creek Aerial
8. Wolf Creek Demographic

Other

1. Boundary Waters Recreational Park Demographic
2. City of Douglasville - Future Land Use Map
3. City of Douglasville - Zoning Map
4. Dog River Park Demographic
5. Douglas County - Future Land Use Map
6. Douglas County - Industrial Parks
7. Douglas County - Zoning Map
8. Highway 92 Relocation Project Proposal Plan
9. Interstate 20 HOV Project Proposal Plan

There were some errors on the Home Builder List and Details pages which have been corrected. More home builders have been added to the list making a total of 33 that have been documented. Small updates were made on developments and expect a new Interactive Tour sometime tomorrow.

The Support Page is now available to further explain the financial need for the Project to continue. A small amount of funds have already been generated by the banner ads which will help pay for server. Losing Georgia will pursue to provide information for the public that is note worthy. Where the newspapers fall behind expect to see more from the Project.

Anybody that drives on Chapel Hill Road these days will notice a small white building sitting atop a hill at the First Baptist Church of Chapel Hill. That white building is the Chapel Hill Courthouse, used last around the 1980s as a place for voting. Today the building sits unattended, more like a storage shed than a historical place.

The Douglas County Tourism and Historical Commission (DCTHC) have designated the landmark as historical property. At one time the little courthouse was almost demolished after its facilities were no longer needed. Let’s take a closer look at the Chapel Hill Courthouse.

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Slater Mill Creek flows near the heart of Douglas County, winding it's way south around granite until meeting up with Little Anneewakee Creek. The waters are cool to the touch, clear to see in places where one can rest on a rocky ledge. History tells us at one time the moving waters powered a grist mill near Timber Ridge Drive, a road traveled by many.

The recent years that have passed are showing signs of a neglected creek, one that has been damaged far too long by the purpose of progress. This post was originally an article done a few months ago, but due to site structural changes it will now be easier to access. Let's take a walk down Slater Mill Creek.

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Today users can now view Home Builder information collected by the Losing Georgia Project. Each home builder's profile includes contact information and developments associated with the builder. Though the list and information provided is somewhat limited, the Project is working hard to attain more information. Some time in the future the Project plans to provide information concerning fines and disputes against each Home Builder.

The Resource Page has been restructured to accommodate the release of future information. One of the next new features will be called the Filing Cabinet - a place where documents, maps, diagrams and more will be easily accessible. It will work in conjunction with each development listed with the Project.

The Losing Georgia Project is also working on some stories, both big and small, that concern the Community. Some of the stories will be about historical places like the Carnes Homestead and Chapel Hill Courthouse. Interesting views on SPLOST, Impact Fees, and a suggestive restructure. The big story has to deal with something on a Federal level and neglect from the City of Douglasville. I can not comment about it at this time due to the confidential material, but Losing Georgia will break the story when authorized.

Sorry about the slow news this week, I'm out looking of a job while combating around a college class.

The Douglas County Sentinel ran a story today about the Development Authority’s new website that informs developers about land opportunities in Douglas County. The story suggested that this was the Development Authority’s first website, however it is not as a prior website was online since March 8, 2005.

The website follows contemporary styles, unlike its predecessor, providing better information, documents, maps, and images for the developers and the public. Underneath the glitzy color is a different story that the Sentinel won’t mention. For one, the Development Authority does not actually authorize developments. Does that you have thinking?

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Copyright Georiga DOT/Croy-MSE, LLC

With the Interstate 20 HOV Project just now underway I thought it would be a good idea to explain the Highway 92 Relocation Project. The purpose of the project is to ease traffic flow and congestion on State Route 92 coming into/out of Downtown Douglasville. Many residential and commercial properties will be affected by the new construction to create the new bypass.

There will be three phases of construction across two miles to establish a direct link from State Route 92 (Dallas Highway) to Highway 78 (Fairburn Road). The Relocation Project is part of the overall reconstruction of Highway 92 which will go all the way to Nebo Road in Paulding County. Expect many months of traffic woes in 2007 as major road construction will be steaming forward.

Downloadable diagrams and information packets at the end of the post.

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Today marks the 120^th development, The Reserve at Chapel Hill, counted by the Losing Georgia Project since June 2005. The picture above is a white door from a nearby house being demolished that reads, "No Trespasing You will go to Jail!". Yes, there is a "s" missing in trespassing. At the house more spray paint text appears: "Keep Out! You will go to jail!" and "Private Property".

This new subdivision is located on Warren Road directly across the street from Brighten Academy - which is next to Brookmont subdivision. The area around Brookmont is increasingly being developed upon with the anticipation of 4,200 people living in the mega subdivision. The remaining part of Warren Road from Bomar Road is still gravel, but rest assured it will be paved and widened in the future with two developments in the area.

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The Losing Georgia: Interactive Tour has been updated with 1 new development with photos. You can download the kmz file or head over to the overview page if you are unfamiliar with the Interactive Tour. Below is a list of additions and updates which also reflects the database and Live View:

New Developments

1. The Reserve at Chapel Hill

Added Photos

1. The Reserve at Chapel Hill
2. Demolished House - The Reserve at Chapel Hill
3. Texaco - Fairburn Road - Government Property
4. Island Flavas - Government Property

You may have noticed a slight change to the Losing Georgia website. Today the Project is stepping ahead to make attempts to fund itself through advertisements using Google AdSense. Whatever amount of money that is generated by the ads will help pay for server fees and upkeep. I personally did not want ads on this website, but the only way to keep the Project alive is through funds. Depending on your browser configuration you may not see the ads at all.

The reason I chose to use Google AdSense was its simple textual ads that won't deter away from the content and the ability to integrate Google Search. Now you can search the whole Losing Georgia site unlike before. The reason being is that I custom coded a lot of pages to avoid problems with WordPress. And yes I do use a number of Google Products on this website, but I am no way affiliated with Google, Inc nor have I ever been employed with them.

Many residents have e-mailed me on the great work I have done on the website, educating the public on newsworthy stories that don't make it to the papers or on local government websites. What became telling a story through photographs over a year ago has turned into a resource for everyone. I am fully dedicated to continuing this project on the sole basis that the information provided is useful, open to the public without restraints, and helps create awareness in the community.

I will not pocket any money from the ads or from any other source of fund raising with the exception to artwork. Being that I am an artist, not only am I selling my creative skill but my name as well. Sales from artwork that are affiliated with Losing Georgia will be split 50/50. It takes money to make money and trust me I've spent my share.

A support page is in the works that will explain the financial situation, different ways to contribute and where all the money will go. If the Losing Georgia Project has helped you out in any way, please make a donation, big or small, by clicking the donation button at the top right corner. If you are interested in advertising on Losing Georgia, please click the "Advertise on this site" link at the top advertisement.

Thank you,
Andrew A. Powell