housing solutions, with Martin reporting interest in “a little over a hundred single-family homes and about a hundred townhomes.” Martin emphasizes the broader strategic approach: “We’ve applied again to the Georgia Institute for Community Housing to get some technical assistance in how to facilitate development of authority-owned property or other properties that we might be able to procure and then create attainable or workforce housing to give people a start in our market.” The goal is to create housing options that serve working families rather than just students. BUILDING TOMORROW’S FOUNDATION Dahlonega’s infrastructure projects reveal the hidden complexity of modernizing a historic mountain town. Beneath the charming streetscapes lies a centuryold utility system that requires careful replacement while preserving the character that attracts visitors and residents alike. “We are replacing literally over a century-old infrastructure under one of our primary residential streets in our town,” Mayor Taylor explains. “If you can picture clay pipes for your wastewater that are over a hundred years old, that says it all.”The project affects a street lined with historic properties, creating engineering challenges that require balancing modern utility needs with preservation requirements. Beyond underground utilities, the city is addressing pedestrian safety through major capital 62 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10
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