Austell Demolishes Flood-Damaged Homes

At 9 a.m. Friday, the City of Austell demolished the first of 19 severely flood damaged homes it purchased as part of a home buyout program, Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program.

In 2009, the floodwaters picked up the home at 5480 Owens Drive, which had also been flooded in 2005, from its foundation, turned it around before it finally landed about 50 yards away.

Southern Demolition and Environmental of Atlanta was hired to demolish the 40-year-old home and others for $50,195. The business rented a pink excavator for the job, and some of the proceeds from the rental go to help find a cure for breast cancer.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., Carlos Jones Construction also began demolition of some of the 19 homes. Carlos Jones Construction was awarded nine contracts totaling $65,475, and

Two years after the 100-Year Flood, Clarkdale Elementary has broken ground on its replacement school, Legion Park has been restored and the city has demolished some of the severely flood damaged homes.

Mayor Joe Jerkins said, “It’s good to get it on its way. It takes a long time for government to do things.”

The city is also testing for and removing asbestos, which costs the city $100,765, from some of the homes before beginning demolition.