Official groundbreaking held for Lankford Corner

Note: The following item was provided by the City of Cedartown for publication – KtE

Though it only took a few seconds for the golden shovels to make a dent in the dirt, today’s official Lankford Corner groundbreaking signifies the beginning of a project that’s been nearly a decade in the making.

Residents can expect to see a marked change in the coming months at the corner of Main and Ware streets. Today, crews will start to turn the years-vacant grassy lot into what will become an impossible to miss downtown landmark.

With hopes of creating a positive transformative effect on the south end of town, Lankford Corner will be a striking facility designed to make heads turn.

Situated along the Silver Comet Trail – a recreational asset that already pulls thousands of visitors to downtown Cedartown annually – Lankford Corner will be an impressive 6,000 square-foot structure of glass, brick, and exposed timber.

The landscape and hardscape include streetscaping, a butterfly garden, an event lawn, and a corresponding asphalt parking lot – taking up a full acre of land.

The facility’s name honors the memory of the Lankford family, specifically Jim and Jean, stalwart supporters of small business, downtown Cedartown and the Silver Comet Trail.

The Lankford family donated the land to the City of Cedartown with one condition: the land, and any structure built upon it, would be community use and the greater good of downtown Cedartown.

As such, the Lankford Corner aims to be a premiere, state of the art event center, capable of hosting groups from 50 to 300-plus. Built-in, advanced technology would allow for businesses, industries, and other large organizations to hold trainings and business development seminars.

The building’s architectural features, catering kitchen, and storage room full of tables and chairs will provide stunning set ups for private parties such as weddings and celebrations.

Landscaping and ample parking will allow for outdoor, family-friendly events, while the facility’s large doors, roll-up bays and towering glass panels make moving from outside to indoors a seamless transition. Simply put: It’s a thoughtfully designed venue with an artisan aesthetic.

“This building is a tribute to the memory of Jim and Jean Lankford and their love for Cedartown and the Silver Comet Trail,” said Cedartown City Commissioner Dale Tuck. “Following in her parents’ spirit of giving to the community, Amy Bradley and her husband Mike will be establishing a butterfly garden on the premises to be filled with the flowers her mom and dad especially loved. We are so grateful for the patience and support of the Lankford family.”

Construction of the facility is being funded via grant money. In 2022, the City of Cedartown was selected to receive a $750,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. ARC funding has been paired with contributions from the W.D. Trippe Foundation.

“Lankford Corner at The Silver Comet is the centerpiece of the City of Cedartown’s effort to revitalize the southern section of Downtown Cedartown,” explained City Manager Edward Guzman. “This project will usher in a new era of daily activity for the southside of our city.”

Lankford Corner will foster economic growth through the generation of income, encouragement of downtown occupancy and will increase walkability in the downtown corridor. The facility will bridge the gap between the City’s downtown district and the scenic and well-traveled Silver Comet Trail.

Design aspects are being led by Rome-based CEVIAN Design Lab. Duffey Southeast is the project’s contractor. The anticipated completion date is spring 2025.

“It was definitely a 100-percent team effort on this grant, from the early beginnings to approval,” Guzman said. “I would like to thank City staff, the Cedartown City Commission, the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and Governor Brian Kemp. We’re excited to see what this project has in store for our community.”

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