County Eyes Civic Center Repairs After Wreck

MARIETTA — The Cobb Board of Commissioners is considering bankrolling over $116,000 in repairs to the Civic Center after a driver crashed into the building's entrance last month.

The female driver — whose name has not been disclosed — reversed her Toyota minivan into the front entrance of the building on the morning of June 5, one day before the 19th biennial Georgia Celebrates Quilt Show began at the center.

County spokesman Ross Cavitt told the MDJ on the day of the crash it appeared the woman, who was an exhibitor in the show, hit the wrong pedal, sending her sailing backwards into the building. Cavitt said the woman did not suffer serious injuries.

The incident did, however, cause serious damage to the building's lobby doors, window and structure that requires prompt repair. The commission will vote on a one-time expenditure of $116,445 to fund the fixes.

Commissioner Monique Sheffield told the MDJ Monday she is not sure if the driver, or her insurance company, will be responsible for refunding the county for any of the costs associated with the repairs.

"It may be some discussion with the insurance company of the driver on the backside, but in the meantime, we have to get it fixed. We can't wait for any insurance claims to come in, and I'm not even sure if that's what's being worked on, at this point, but we have to get it fixed," Sheffield said.

According to the agenda item, any reimbursement that the county's Risk Management Department receives will be put back into the general fund.

The commission will vote on approving funding for the repairs at its 7 p.m. meeting Tuesday, at 100 Cherokee Street in Marietta.