Historic Deal Means More than 2,000 Acres for Columbus

COLUMBUS, GA-After 11 years of negotiations, delays and studies, an historic deal has been struck. Once the transaction is completed, Columbus, 120 miles southwest of Downtown Atlanta, will have title to 2,156 acres targeted for an industrial park, greenspace and other possible development. The park has long been a dream of city officials.

Through the agreement among the city, the Army and Native American tribes, Columbus will get title to the 2,156-acre tract, according to a published report. In exchange, the city will pay $3.8 million and deed 2,124 acres of land in Chattahoochee County to Fort Benning, a major Army base in the Columbus area that will use the land for training purposes.

The city gets 32 more acres, but is paying $3.8 million extra, essentially for the development potential of the land it will receive in the swap. The Chattahoochee acreage has limited infrastructure and utility support. The tract that will go to the city has access to all utilities and telecommunications.