DOUGHERTY COUNTY, GA -
The Flint Riverquarium and Thronateeska Heritage Center are trying to make the most of their money. That's why they're asking commissioners to reallocate thousands of dollars in SPLOST revenue.
Construction is in full swing at the Thronateeska Heritage Center.
Officials are working to save the Tift Train Depot, a historic landmark built in 1857. But the project is adding up and that's why Executive Director Tommy Gregors asked commissioners during Monday's meeting to reallocate more than $90,000 in SPLOST funding.
"As we've gotten into the Depot project, expense has been a little greater than we anticipated. So what we're looking to do is just reallocate some funds from the trains over to the depot to carry us through this phase of work," said Gregors.
They'll have to sacrifice the train car restoration project for a little longer, but Gregors says it's worth it. "The work that we've done on our trains can wait. It's at a point, there's not any additional cost incurred if we just delay that work another six to nine months."
And folks at the Riverquarium are also taking another look at their SPLOST funding. Emily Jean McAfee, the interim CEO, asked commissioners to reallocate more than $200,000 in SPLOST funding to replace a leaky roof, pumps and compressors.
"Anytime you have mechanical systems running 24/7, 365, they have a limited life. And we find ourselves with some compressors and some heating elements and cooling elements that are just not sufficient at this point," said McAfee.
McAfee says the money was originally set aside for a gopher tortoise exhibit, which will be no more.
"If you have an amount of money to work with, you need to make very sure that you're utilizing that, prioritizing that in a manner that you're going to have a sustainable future with your particular building or your particular capital project that you're working on," said Jeff Sinyard, the Dougherty County commission chairman.
Projects that will help these attractions thrive and enhance Dougherty County.
Commissioners are expected to vote on reallocating the funds during their regular meeting Monday, March 18th.
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