DALTON, Ga. — Construction could begin on Burr Park in downtown Dalton in May if City Council members approve the concept.

David Aft, president of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia that is overseeing a $1 million donation from Dalton resident Jeanne Burr to help build the park, presented council members with a preliminary design for the park at their work session Monday night. The plan calls for a covered stage for performances as well as seating and an earthen berm that will be both esthetically pleasing and help buffer some of the sound from the nearby railroad.

Council members agreed to review the plan with the city’s public works department and other agencies and to vote on the concept at their next meeting. Council members expressed approval of the concept and said that absent any issues raised by public works or others they expect to approve it.

Aft said that after the council approves the concept the next step will be to finalize the design. If there are no problems, he says, there will be a downtown celebration for the park in May and construction would begin shortly after that. The park would be open in spring of 2018.

Last year, Burr, who has long been active in the local theater and arts communities, donated $1 million to support the arts in Dalton by helping to provide a performance venue. In return, the city was asked to designate the former site of the Lee Printing building at 101 S. Hamilton St. as a permanent park.

Burr’s donation will provide $300,000 for physical improvements at the site, including the construction of a “first class” performing stage and associated facilities. It also provides for a $500,000 endowment that will support events and performances at the facility. The remaining $200,000 will be held for additional support.