SOUTH FORSYTH -- Some Forsyth County roadways will soon be a little more pleasant to look at.

Forsyth County commissioners voted unanimously at a work session this week to approve several beautification projects in Forsyth County, totaling nearly $70,000.

Commissioners approved seven roadway beautification grants worth over $50,000 to the Peachtree Parkway Improvement District for grass and plants on medians along Peachtree Parkway (Hwy. 141). Some of those funds were from last year’s budget.

“I would like to recognize the Peachtree Parkway Improvement District for their aggressive work in beautification,” District 2 Commissioner Rick Swope said.

In 2016, commissioners approved spending up to $50,000 per district to improve the look of medians and public right of way.

“The grant funds allow us to raise funds to compliment those, so that sometimes commissioners do the plants, sometimes the grass and then we get local HOAs and businesses to help,” said Kristen Morrissey with the group. “So, the $50,000 per year can end up being so much more.”

Morrisey said the group has raised hundreds of thousands for projects.

“We have raised $270,000 total now, of which $48,000 was from you all, $43,000 was from the state and the rest was all businesses and HOAs,” she said.

Projects along Peachtree Parkway are: $8,417 for plants around South Forsyth High School; $2,775 for grass at Creekside Church; $7,190 for grass at The Orchards at Stoney Point; $9,806 for plants at Peachtree Court north; $2,564 for grass at Longlake subdivision; $10,578 for plants at Bridle Ridge Drive south; and $10,015 for plants around the Paddocks subdivision and Martin Marietta Quarry.

A subcontractor will be hired to do the improvements.

In a separate item, improvements were also discussed and/or approved for landscape beautification projects in Districts 3 and 5.

For District 3, all projects were for medians and were: $3,600 for Mullinax Road from Hwy. 9 to Fowler Road; $1,800 for Bethelview Road from Hwy. 9 to Castleberry Road; and $5,400 for Castleberry Road from Bethelview Road to Hutchinson Road.

The only project in District 5 is for medians along Buford Highway (Hwy. 20 east) from Market Place Boulevard to Samples Road. The project will cost $7,000. 

Funds for those projects will go toward design for potential future landscaping projects. Commissioners will decide later on final installation with or without funds from the community.

Morrissey said Hwy. 20 was planned to be in the Georgia Department of Transportations’s 2018 annual budget, meaning the state would handle mowing, fertilization and clean-up. 

All of the projects will be handled by Foresite Group.