If Decatur were successful in purchasing the venerable United Methodist Children’s Home property it would be one of the city’s most intriguing stories in decades.
The 144-year-old UMCH owns 77 acres that would’ve inspired Thoreau with its lake, thick woods and sprawling, pasture-like green space. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s the equivalent of 59 football fields, or 42 percent the size of Piedmont Park.
All this and just a few feet outside one the state’s densest cities (22,000 in 4.2 square miles), which was almost entirely built out by the 1960s.
“That’s a once in a lifetime property,” Bill Adams, an Atlanta-based realtor and occasional advisor to the city told the AJC last month, “It would be a transformative deal. I can’t think of anything inside I-285 with that much land, where the soil’s not contaminated, and where you don’t have to tear a lot down.”
In January Mayor Patti Garrett received a substantive ovation when she announced Decatur’s interest in the UMCH during her annual state of the city address. Garrett said the city envisions the property bolstering its lack of green space with fields, a park, a gymnasium and a pool
But many want to know “how much will our taxes go up?”
For now it’s question no one can answer. An early appraisal priced the property at $35 million. But there is no guarantee Decatur can even purchase the home since there figures to be intense competition from private developers.
As of this week the city needs only the governor’s signature to establish a public facilities authority, which would then have the ability to seek bond funding in buying the property. Unlike a general obligation bond, bonds secured by a PFA don’t require a vote and therefore funding could be achieved faster.
But those bonds would have to be repaid, which may mean using some combination of a public-private partnership, raising the millage, dipping into the city’s reserve fund or using money set aside for green space acquisition. Which may mean an escalation in the city’s already-high taxes.
What do you think about this potential purchase? If indeed taxes are raised, is buying this property worth it? Send comments to communitynews@ajc.com. Responses may be published online and/or in print.
AT ISSUE: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN COBB DOWNTOWNS?
In the six cities of Cobb County, downtowns range from little to intense development. While Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw and Acworth have seen more development through the years, Austell and Powder Springs officials are seeking more development.
Last week we asked readers which cities in Cobb have too much or not enough downtown development? Are there too many or not enough residences, greenspace, restaurants, entertainment or retail offered? Are more studies, public meetings and transparency needed?
Here are some responses:
A bunch of annoyingly trendy hipster restaurants with abstract one-word names like Splash. — Daniel Ogburn
I love Kennesaw. It is somewhat improving, but they need to come up to the 21st Century. — Sharman G. Lawson
A bus for elderly and other people who may have difficulty getting around. — Marc Bovay
Better, more affordable restaurants, with sidewalk sitting. — Christine Jenkins
Be more like Historic Roswell or Woodstock. — Travis Pittman
More pedestrian-friendly areas. — Amanda Davis
Bike lanes, greenways, sidewalks, road diets to slow down cars. Reduced speed limits with police enforcement. — Chris Dusack
More parking. — Glynda Gilbert Blanton
I live in Austell. There is a lack of transportation, and there's not a regular taxi connection. Cobb County is so spread out that you almost need a car to go anywhere. They need more connectivity and bus shuttle services. Downtown Austell at night is dead. The gas station closes at a certain time, and that leaves anyone living in Austell to go to Six Flags Drive or Austell Road and we know how tough those areas are. You got to open up a little bit for everybody. The transportation need is the greatest one of all. With the Braves coming, hopefully that means you will run the buses in Austell so the people can make the connection to the game. — Jerry Washington
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