Historic land spurs interest for new park

From the Marietta Daily Journal on Thursday, December 21, 2006, by MDJ staff writer Amanda Casciaro

EAST COBB - An $1.8 million parcel in east Cobb that recently landed on the market has sparked the attention of county commissioners, including one who says the historic property could be a welcome addition to the Cobb park system.

Commissioner Tim Lee, who represents northeast Cobb, said 4.2 acres off Sewell Mill Road near East Cobb Park now up for sale by Bob and Dale Mehlhouse has been added to a long list for the parks citizens committee members to consider when expending a $40 million bond next year.

The property, which was put on the market for the last time this summer, contains some remains of the historic Sewell Mill, a corn and sawmill built in the 1840s.
Mrs. Mehlhouse "approached Bob Ash, (director of Cobb County Public Services), and he came and talked to me about the property," Lee said. "Bob and I went out and looked at it, and it's a beautiful piece of property she wants to sell to the county."
The couple, who have lived on the property for more than nine years, live in a two-story home among the mill remnants.

They decided to sell when a degenerative muscle disease Bob Mehlhouse suffers from progressed, making stairs difficult to ascend.

Despite their desire to sell, finding the perfect buyer is more important, Mrs. Mehlhouse said.

"We had it put on the historic register," she said. "When we moved here nothing had been done as far as preserving it, and that was one of my husband's goals, to make sure we did our part to try and protect the property."

It's a mission they want to continue, even after they move.

"We've had a lot of interest, but obviously, we're trying to get the right person," Mrs. Mehlhouse said. "It takes a little more work than if it was just a piece of property you didn't care anything about."

Jimmy Gisi, director for the Cobb Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, said he is keeping a running list of nominated properties for the parks committee to consider.

Although about 20 tracts have been identified, "we don't intend to share the list," Gisi said.

"The nominated properties are for preliminary consideration and we have not yet verified that they are from willing sellers. Also, these properties need to be presented to the citizens committee in advance of any public release," he said.

The 4.2-acre tract on Sewell Mill Road, just off Old Canton Road, is it's own wooded hideaway.

Apart from being beautiful, it could provide connectivity with East Cobb Park through another piece of county property nearby, Lee said.

The 15-member citizens advisory committee, appointed by commissioners last month, will meet beginning in January.

Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens has said the first tracts of land, which the county hopes to distribute evenly throughout Cobb, probably will be purchased in March or April.

acasciaro@mdjonline.com