CORNELIA — The Cornelia City Commission on Tuesday unanimously awarded a nearly $2.8 million construction contract for the city’s downtown amphitheater, clearing the way for work to begin as early as June on one of the city’s largest ongoing public projects.
City Manager Donald Anderson said the city received four bids for the project, ranging from $2,779,431 to more than $3.47 million. The bids were reviewed by Carter & Sloope, the city’s consulting engineers, who evaluated pricing, qualifications and capacity to complete the work.
“After evaluation, Charles Black Construction appears to have adequate experience, technical abilities, and financial capabilities to complete this project, has successfully completed similar projects, and submitted a bid within the construction budget,” the engineering review stated.
Based on that recommendation, Anderson said the firm was selected as the low bidder.
“We did receive four bids for the amphitheater project,” Anderson said during Tuesday’s meeting. “They’ve verified the low bidder, that their bid is accurate and valid, and based on this, they are recommending that you award the project to Charles Black Construction for $2,779,431.”
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the contract.
Following the meeting, Anderson said the city remains on track with its construction timeline.
“We should be seeing the construction start early June,” Anderson told Now Georgia. “There’s a 300-day buildout. So we should be right there.”
The amphitheater is part of the city’s broader downtown development effort tied to the Donald Anderson Park project, which officials have previously described as a long-term investment in public gathering space and community programming.
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