Bid is approved to construct memorial for veterans

City officials approved Monday a bid to construct a memorial honoring Columbia County military veterans.

The Grovetown City Council voted unanimously to award the $120,000 project to Contract Management Inc. on a recommendation from the designing architect from Johnson Laschober and Associates.

"I think (the architect) said he had worked with those people before and they did a good job," said Wayne Newman, the city's Public Works director, at the meeting.

To commemorate the large military presence in Grovetown and Columbia County, the park will feature a double-sided serpentine granite wall inscribed with names of all Columbia County servicemen and servicewomen.

The park, to include a Howitzer cannon already in place, is planned for the corner of Old Wrightsboro Road and East Robinson Avenue, between the Grovetown Museum and the gazebo.

Personnel from as far back as the Revolutionary War will be listed under the insignia of their service branch. City officials are asking for veterans or their family members to fill out a form to have the names included. Forms are available at Grovetown City Hall.

Serving the military during a time of war is not a requirement.

City officials approved the $120,000 bid, which was the lowest of three received. The highest was $259,000.

There is no time line for when construction could begin or when it is to be completed, City Councilman George James said.

The wall will be surrounded by stone pavers and will be connected by short walkways to the picnic shelter, gazebo and city hall parking lot.

The commemorative pavers will go on sale this month for $40 each. They will include three lines of text and can be purchased for or by anyone.

"The money from the pavers will go toward the maintenance of the wall," Mayor Dennis Trudeau said.

For more information, contact Grovetown City Hall at (706) 863-4576.