City, state prepare Bobby Jones/Underground Atlanta property deals
And some Buckhead links lovers are not pleased
On Wednesday, Mayor Kasim Reed outlined why he’s bullish on a land swap that would see Georgia take over the old golf course in Buckhead, along with Bitsy Grant Tennis Center and Atlanta Memorial Park, while the city would get hold of a state-owned parking lot and property near Underground.
For one, Reed said the state is contemplating a $25 to $50 million investment in the course, which would make it a better place for the golfing public. But for two, the deal could finally close the deal when Underground gets rebuilt into a mixed-use development. Reed told the city council’s Finance/Executive Committee that the grocery store lined up for the site wanted more parking, and that the residential component of the build is now larger than when council first heard of it.
“We tried to do the deal without the parking deck. So the reason the deal changed is because of the demands of the potential tenants in the building,” Reed said. He said getting the parking lot “will help make possible the Underground transaction thats been on hold for about nine months. Every other element of the deal is in place.”
Reed also told the committee that appraisers value the golf course at about $12.7 million and the parking deck land at about $10.85 million. He said WRS, Underground’s South Carolina-based buyer, would pay the difference between the two, not the city.
The members of the public at the meeting clearly came to talk about the golf course, not the moribund retail and restaurant district that was once a bustling nightlife spot. Many were excited about what they hope will be a place where young golfers especially, including college teams, can work on their games.
Others expressed concern that a rebuilt golf house might be off-limits to the public and that cutting the course from 18 holes to nine will just make it a less enjoyable play. One said the city was not getting fair market value for the land, and that the ordinance “will authorize giving away this green jewel of the city.” Others said wondered if the new owners might not protect big trees or contribute to helping keep Peachtree Creek clean. Reed said the state agreed to a conservation easement on the land that could protect it from future development.
Councilwoman Yolanda Adrean said she has not been approached by the state with any plan for the course.
“We, the community, have not had any contact with the state,” she said. Adrean said a public meeting on the deal is planned on June 3 at 3 p.m. at the golf course. She said the state has been invited.
Councilwoman Mary Norwood expressed concern that the sale was not going through the NPU approval process. Councilman Howard Shook, however, said a bigger issue was being overlooked: “I want to get rid of Underground so bad I can taste it, and I’ll bet everyone out there does too.”
The Finance/Executive Committee voted to send the land-swap legislation to the full council “without recommendation” to the full city council, which is expected to take up the issue on June 6.