Concept plans and a tentative budget for the Lowry Mill project were approved Tuesday night by the Euharlee City Council. The tentative budget for the mill's construction, start to finish, is $1,367,000 and will come from Euharlee's Urban Redevelopment Agency. Pennant Construction of Cartersville was approved as project manager. Pfau Engineering of Euharlee was named as the structural engineer for the site, with a $12,500 fee.

While discussing the motion, council members expressed personal support and support they had heard from the community. "There is a lot of excitement about the Lowry Mill project," council member Craig Guyton said. "I've not heard one negative comment about it. It fits without history. It is part of our history and it can be a big part of our future."

The council's approval of the concept and plans allows the permit process to begin.

Joe Cowan Park was also on the agenda. The council approved a motion calling for the completion of phases one and two of construction. Ron Goss, the city's Planning and Zoning Administrator, stated that the park can be finished by the end of the year if the weather cooperates and that the fields could be usable by Feb. 2013.

Concepts for the Dobson Drive parking area were discussed and approved. The parking area will not have parallel parking for trailers, as it conflicted with county regulations. However, the area will be large enough to allow vehicles with trailers to turn around.

The council approved a number of other measures and motions including the decision to sell bonds for the 2014 SPLOST, setting the dates for the Fall Festival to Oct. 26, 27 and 28 and increasing the charge for towed vehicles to $125.

The next council meeting is scheduled for May 5, and a work session is scheduled for April 17. Both meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m.