THIS IS THE PROPOSED LAYOUT of the new nursing home to be built on the North end of Grady General Hospital. Much of the new facility will be built over what is now 11th Avenue S.E. The Grady County Hospital Authority and Archbold Medical Center, d/b/a Grady General Hospital, has requested the city proceed with the legal abandoning of the street to make way for construction of the 75-bed facility to begin.
The construction of a new 75-bed skilled nursing center in Cairo is moving toward reality and the Grady County Hospital Authority has requested the city uphold its 2018 agreement to abandon 11th Avenue S.E. between Fifth Street S.E. and Sixth Street S.E. to make way for the construction of the new facility.
A Certificate of Need for the new nursing home was issued by the Georgia Department of Community Health last September ending a 16-month quest to earn a C.O.N. for the endeavor.
The project, estimated to cost $19 million and create approximately 89 new jobs, will be built on the vacant lot north of Grady General Hospital and will connect to the existing structure.
Chris Addleton, Cairo city manager, said the facility will be positioned on the lot to take advantage of the shape of the property as well as to provide for possible future expansion. A large section of the new facility will be constructed over what is now the existing city street.
“From what I understand, the plan is to begin work later this summer so, they are requesting the city take action to abandon the street,” Addleton said.
The council voted unanimously 4-0, Councilman Demario Byrden was absent, to authorize city attorney Thomas L. Lehman to move forward with the legal process of abandoning the street.
Crystal Wells, Grady General Hospital administrator, told The Messenger last fall that the new facility will provide short-term and long-term subacute services including rehabilitation services, wound management and skilled nursing.
In other business Monday night, the council:
‰Approved the rezoning of property on 20th Street S.E. from I-1 Light Industrial District to C-2 Highway Commercial District at the request of PJBJ, LLC/Phillip Drew.
‰Adopted the budget ordinance for fiscal year 2020-2021.
‰Approved renewal of an alcoholic beverage license for The Wine Rack & Package, 1020 U.S. 84, June Knight and April Hester – applicants.
‰Heard concerns voiced by Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Cox concerning properties in the city that have not been repaired from hurricane or tornado damage in 2018 and 2019. One property in particular he noted was located behind the former seafood market on South Broad Street. According to Addleton, a demolition permit for the particular property had been purchased by the property owner. The city manager says those permits expire after six months.
