Special Thanks to Adam for the excellent HD video footage

A historic district is an area of a city that includes buildings with special character, historic, or aesthetic interest or value and represents one or more periods or styles of architecture typical of the city they’re located in, city of Marietta urban planner Shelby Little said. “Any property designated as a landmark or located in a designated district is required to receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission before the property owner alters or modifies any part of the building that can be seen from the street or sidewalk.”

Under the approved ordinance, Marietta would be allowed to proceed in creating its first historic district in approximately 30 years, director of development services Brian Binzer said. “The downtown area is the city’s first historic district.”

The approved ordinance would require property owners to get permission from the Historic Preservation Commission to change the outside appearance of their buildings, tear down the buildings or add on. Property owners wouldn’t need permission to repaint the buildings or make minor repairs to their buildings.

Council previously designated Kennesaw Avenue as Marietta’s first historic district, but Mayor Steve Tumlin vetoed the action with Council input to allow City Council an opportunity to revise the ordinance.

The city will conduct public hearings on the ordinance and design guidelines and notify property owners that the city is again considering establishing Kennesaw Avenue as a historic district. The HPC must poll residents and receive at least 60 percent approval before a historic district can be created. Sixty-seven percent approved the first version of the Kennesaw Avenue district.

Honoring Marietta’s past and preserving its history, while striving to create a more effective historic preservation ordinance is a goal City Council established as part of its vision statement.

For more information, call the Department of Development Services at 770-794-5669.

For more information, call 770-794-5671.

I’m all for redesign when it makes sense, but the new proposed look for the Marietta Theatre in the Square next to the Marietta Pizza Company looks just plain bad. Councilman Jim King said it best with, “I can’t treat this any different than anyone else, I can’t think of any business that wouldn’t benefit from a foot and a half.”

Mayor Bill Dunaway defended the request, saying council should make an exception for the theater, which brings many people to the Square.

Even Councilman Van Pearlberg raised concerns over the look of the proposed facade. “It’s not historical looking at all,” Pearlberg said.

It’s yet to be seen what will happen with this redevelopment project, but personally I think some new architects need to be brought in for a redesign.

What do you think?

The recent improvements to Lewis Park in Marietta are complete, but in my opinion, there are a couple unresolved issues. 1. The fencing around the park – the picket fence that was previously in place did a great job of keeping a little one from wandering out of the park to Campbell Hill Street – the new fence is very wide open and has very large gaps where a toddler could easily crawl under or through the fence. 2. The play structure is great but the structure itself reads “Designed for ages 5 and Up” – this is not bad in and of itself, but if you climb to the top of the structure, there are a couple “holes” where the kids can climb to straight from the ground – the openings are probably 2 feet in diameter and a small child could easily take a step and fall straight through the opening. These need to be addressed in my opinion.

The last thing that bugs me about Lewis park is the lack of bathrooms – it’s kind of a pain since there aren’t any facilities to use when your playing tennis at Lewis Park or letting your kids play on the new playground. That’s all I have for now but here’s the city’s official release on the renovation.

Overall, a much needed improvement with only a couple minor things that still need to be addressed asap (imo).

Oh yeah, and if you wonder what happened to the sand, they had to get rid of it since local Cats didn’t know it wasn’t a giant TADAW litter box. We loved the sand, but it had to go for health reasons, obviously.

The city of Marietta has completed a project, worth approximately $193,000, to renovate Lewis Park, 475 Campbell Street near North Sessions Street and Highway 5.

Improvements

• New tennis court fencing
• Expanded playground site with new playground equipment
• New parking lot
• New park fencing adjacent to the parking lot and playground

Funding

Last spring, Mrs. John Carney donated $50,000 to expand Lewis Park in memory of her late husband, who had no children of his own and was beloved by the children who played in the park and their neighborhood, Marietta parks and recreation director Rich Buss said.

John Carney was a two-term City Council member from 1956 through 1963 and a business owner in Marietta for many years.

The city will install sod in some areas when the weather warms up, Buss said. “In the meantime, the park is fully useable.”

Encouraging revitalization of Marietta’s current parks and establishing new parks for active and passive use is a goal City Council established as part of its vision statement.

For more information, call Marietta’s Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.

All 198 guest rooms and public space feature new decor, furniture and accessories including Hilton Suite Dreams beds by Serta, 42-inch LCD flat screen televisions and Serenity Bath Collection packages for all guest bathrooms, which include new stainless steel accessories, fixtures and a selection of Crabtree & Evelyn’s La Source products.

The improvement also includes upgraded high-speed Internet access and refurbishments to the pool and fitness areas. The ballrooms have been extensively remodeled and the hotel is poised to be the premier location to host corporate events and exclusive community and social functions.

The renovation is expected to be completed in the next 60 days.

For more information call 770-427-2500.

Cobb County is accepting nominations from the public for consideration of potential property purchases for public park land. Property owners must be willing to sell their property in order for it to be considered for use as potential park land. Properties in unincorporated Cobb County and its six cities, including Marietta, may be nominated for consideration. Land is not limited to a specific amount of acreage to be considered for potential future purchase.

In the November general election, Cobb residents showed they want to see more park land preserved in the county. More than 65 percent of voters approved issuing a second $40 million bond, which will be used to buy permanent park land throughout the county.

A committee of Cobb citizens will review the nominated properties and send a list of recommended properties to the county. County staff will work with the committee to provide information needed to evaluate each property.

Nominations will be accepted from the public until January 31, 2009, and can be made online.

For more information, call Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 770-528-8800 or visit prca.cobbcountyga.gov.

Santa’s Workshop

The public can visit Santa’s Workshop December 6, 7, 13, 14 and December 17-24. The workshop will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and weekdays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Santa will leave the Square December 24 at 3 p.m. and head back to the North Pole before delivering toys and goodies to all good boys and girls. Shops on the Square will be open with unique gifts and holiday treats.

Santa’s Workshop will be closed each day from 1:30-2 p.m. for lunch.

Free parking is available weeknights and weekends in the Cobb County parking deck on Cherokee Street. Handicapped parking is also available near the Square.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Marietta Business Association sponsor this event each year. For more information, call the Marietta Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.

This year’s Tour spotlights the Northwest Marietta/Kennesaw Avenue Historic District.

For more information or to volunteer, call the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau at 770-429-1115 or visit the Tour’s Web site, mariettapilgrimage.com.
What is the Marietta Pilgrimage?

About the Marietta Christmas Home Tour

The Marietta Pilgrimage is a Christmas Home Tour that takes place in the historic districts around the Marietta Square. The tour, a favorite holiday tradition for over 20 years, showcases 6 private historic homes all lovingly restored and decorated for the season.

When will the Pilgrimage take place this year?
The Pilgrimage is always held the first full weekend in December and this year will take place December 6-7, 2008.

Where will the Pilgrimage take place this year?
This year the home tour will showcase homes in the Whitlock Avenue Historic District.

What houses will be on tour this year?
Please visit our “Tour Homes” page for pictures and histories of the homes on tour this year.

Are only houses on the tour?
No. In addition to the 6 private homes, a number of Historic Public Buildings will be open for tour as well. Please visit our “Public Buildings” page for a description of these buildings.

What types of tours are offered?

The Marietta Pilgrimage offers either a Day Tour or an evening Candlelight Tour. The Day Tour will showcase all 6 homes and public buildings and the Candlelight Tour features 3 of the 6 homes. You may also purchase a combination ticket which allows you to see the public buildings and 3 of the homes during the Day Tour and the remaining 3 homes during the Candlelight Tour.

What times are the tours?
The Day Tour runs Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday from 10am-6pm. The Candlelight Tour is Saturday from 7pm-9:30pm.

How much are tickets?
The Day Tour tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the tour.

The Candlelight Tour tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the tour.
The combination ticket is $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour.

Purchase Tickets

Are there group discounts?
Yes, we do offer group discount tickets in advance for groups of 15 or more. The tickets must be purchased before November 26 and paid for in one payment. Group ticket prices are: Day Tour $12, Candlelight Tour $10, combination ticket $15. We’re sorry, but group tickets can not be purchased online.

Do you offer children’s tickets?

No we do not. Due to the nature of the tour, children under 8 are not permitted.

How can I purchase tickets?
You may purchase tickets in person at either the Marietta Welcome Center or Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society. Or, you can download and mail in a ticket reservation form with your check, or buy them online from our website with a credit card. Please visit our “Order Tickets” page for more information. We can not place ticket orders over the phone.

Will you mail my tickets to me?
No, no tickets will be mailed. All tickets purchased by mail or online will be held at the Marietta Welcome Center. You are welcome to pick them up in advance or the day of the tour.

Is transportation provided for the tour?
Shuttle transportation is provided for the Day Tour only, and shuttles run about every 15-20 minutes in a continuous route. The shuttle bus picks up at Mill Street & the railroad tracks outside the Marietta Welcome Center. The tour is also very walkable. There in no shuttle provided for the Candlelight Tour. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing a flashlight for the Candlelight Tour. The candlelight tour houses are in close proximity and are easily walk able.

Where do I park?
Parking is available at the free lots off Mill Street and at the Cobb County Parking Deck off Cherokee Street. There is street parking available around the Square, but it fills up quickly.

Do I have to see all of the homes in one day?

Day tour tickets are good for either Saturday or Sunday. However, the Candlelight ticket is not transferable to any of the day tours.

Do I have to tour the homes in a certain order? Do I have to stay with a group?
No. You are free to tour in homes in any order you chose, and all tours are self-guided. There will be docents inside the homes pointing out special features and the history of the homes.

What are the dates of the 2008 Marietta Pilgrimage?
The tour is always held the first full weekend in December, and next year will take place December 5-6, 2008.

Who sponsors the tour?
The Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour is sponsored by the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau and Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society. We are also proud to have corporate sponsorship. Please show your appreciation by visiting our Sponsors page.

How can I volunteer to be a docent?
Please visit our Volunteer page or you can call the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau at (770) 429-1115 or Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society at (770) 426-4982.

What is the Merry Olde Marietta Tearoom?
The Merry Olde Marietta Tearoom gives guests an opportunity to warm up and enjoy refreshment during the tour. It is conveniently positioned along the tour route and will be held at The Anderson House, c. 1900, 65 Whitlock Avenue.

What other holiday activities are going on in Marietta?
On December 4Santa will arrive in the Square and will help host the Holiday Tree Lighting. The giant Christmas tree will light up the night at 6pm and local choruses will provide entertainment. Santa will visit in the Square until 8pm. For more information call (770) 429-1115.

The Pilgrimage weekend, December 6-7 also marks the opening of Santa’s Workshop on the Marietta Square. Experience the season in Olde Merry-etta & visit with St. Nick in his brightly decorated workshop. Photos with Santa are available. For more information call (770) 429-5601.

Traffic studies come up each time as the city leaders decide what to do about the influx of clogged traffic from Paulding County. When you boil it down, the issue is that everyone lives outside the city of Marietta and needs to travel to the city. Looking back 20 years, the infrastructure wasn’t built to handle anywhere near the load of traffic we see today.

How do you know that Paulding is a contributor? I simply look at the “Vote for Paulding County Sheriff” signs that are stuck in the ground just west on Whitlock Avenue about 1 mile from the Square east on Whitlock Avenue/Dallas Highway. What do you think?

If you head over to the AJC, Mike King has an excellent article on the full proposal for the widening of Whitlock Avenue