Hall County Government’s Public Works Department was the recipient of two statewide awards last week for projects that were heralded for their positive impact on the environment and technical innovation.
The Candler Road Landfill Phase 1 Cells 1-4 project received the 2017 American Public Works Association (APWA) - Georgia Chapter SCRC Environmental Project of the Year Award. The project included moving solid waste, reshaping slopes and screening existing soil at the landfill, which ultimately resulted in the postponement of construction of a new landfill cell.
“By postponing the construction of a new cell, we’re adding several years to the life of this landfill which translates into millions of dollars in savings,” Hall County Public Works Director Ken Rearden said. “It is an honor to see that accomplishment recognized in this way at the state level.”
In addition to the Environmental Project of the Year Award, Hall County, along with the City of Oakwood and the University of North Georgia—Gainesville, received the APWA- Georgia Chapter Technical Innovation Award for their Interstate 985 Exit 17 Park and Ride Lot/Sidewalk Initiative. The initiative was a multi-organization effort to transform an underutilized and blighted park-and-ride lot into a more heavily utilized and environmentally friendly community asset.
Rearden said he was pleased to see the partnership between UNG, the City of Oakwood and Hall County recognized.
“These various entities worked together to make the lot more suitable for student parking and shuttle service to the university,” he said. “We also constructed an ADA-accessible sidewalk from the lot to tie into the existing sidewalk system on the UNG campus. What was once an eyesore is now an integral part of the community’s infrastructure.”
The APWA Georgia Chapter Awards Ceremony was held during group’s annual conference in Jekyll Island July 25- 28. The awards are intended to bring meaningful recognition to excellence in the public works profession throughout the State of Georgia and bring to light the public works accomplishments that ultimately help keep cities, counties, and the entire state running smoothly and effectively on a daily basis.