A turn-of-the-century Flowery Branch home that had fallen into ruins over the years and is now owned by the city will go the way of the bulldozer.

The city’s Historic Preservation Commission decided Wednesday afternoon to grant the city’s request to demolish the home, which sits at 5202 Railroad Ave., or at the corner of Railroad and Spring streets and across from Hamilton Cabinet Co.

“It’s in really bad shape,” said City Planner James Riker of the house. “It has got penetration in the floor from the foundation, and part of (the house) has collapsed.”

The former owner didn’t repair the home, which sits on one-fourth of an acre, or pay property taxes on it, Riker said.

He added that “some transfer of ownership” recently took place between the owner and the city.

“There is talk that the city may be able to use some funds from the (Georgia Department of Community Affairs) to build a new house (on the site),” Riker said.

He deferred to City Manager Bill Andrew on further details about those efforts. Andrew couldn’t be reached for comment.
Regardless, “this home will be torn down,” Riker said, adding that the work could be done by city crews.

Demolition has not been scheduled yet but probably will occur over the next few weeks, he added.

In other business at Wednesday’s meeting, Riker gave the historic group an update on the city’s $250,000 downtown improvement project, funded by a state Transportation Enhancement grant that required a $50,000 match from the city.

The city is adding streetlights, sidewalks and other touches to Railroad Avenue between Snelling Avenue and Main Street and Church Street between Main and Pine streets.

“We’re just waiting for the lights to be delivered,” Riker said. “(Crews) are doing some sod (work) and (installing) pavers today. If the lights were here, that (project) would be done in two weeks.”

With the completion of the Railroad Avenue project, residents will have a network of sidewalks winding through downtown.