Mirror Lake Connector project will face renewed scrutiny at Villa Rica City Council meeting

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Published  December 9, 2024 5:37pm EST
FOX 5 Atlanta
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New roadway could demolish history neighborhood

The Mirror Lake Connector project could force several families from a historic neighborhood in Villa Rica. The latest on the controversial roadway.

The Brief

    • The Villa Rica City Council will revisit the contentious Mirror Lake Connector Project after failing to identify alternative routes that avoid the use of eminent domain.
    • Interim city manager Diana Desanto mentions eminent domain isn't a definitive option for the project, indicating division among council members.
    • Legal counsel has informed Villa Rica it is bound by contract to complete the road project linking the Douglas and Carroll County portions of the city.
    • A potential court order may compel the city to construct the connector road if it's not voluntarily built.

VILLA RICA, Ga. - The Mirror Lake Connector Project in Douglas County, which sparked significant protests over the last year, will once again be on the Villa Rica City Council’s agenda on Tuesday.

The city halted the project to look for alternative routes that would not involve eminent domain. However, because no alternative routes could be found, the city may decide to resume the project.

"Eminent domain is a conversation," says interim city manager, Diana Desanto. "I don't think it’s on the table for all of the council."

Villa Rica has been advised by its attorneys that it cannot get out of its contract to complete the road project that would connect the Douglas County part of Villa Rica to the Carroll County part of downtown Villa Rica.

"If a connector road is not built, a judge will force the city to build a connector road," says Desanto.

PREVIOUS REPORTS:

Property owners in the path of the project are fearful of losing parts of their property or their home.

"It couldn't be a dollar amount that the city could ever offer me the memories here," says homeowner Pam White. "This is our heritage."

White says her home has been in her family for more than 70 years. Whether eminent domain is used or not, she does not want to go. She and neighbors hope to find lawyers to fight the project.

The Source: FOX 5 Alanta spoke with Villa RIca City Manager  Diana Desanto for this original report. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports were also used for this article with their linked embedded above.

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