Prep Zone

By HSFBCrazy

September 25, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

I think that is a brilliant idea. Dekalb County needs to catch up facilities wise with Gwinnett County and Fulton County schools…and since they won’t build schools with stadiums these community stadiums should be top notch!!!

By Erkel

September 25, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmm, let’s recap…

a new stadium versus keeping the old crumbly dirty concrete monstrosity. This is a real thinker huh? Mr. Sebree knows a deal when he sees one. This is definitely worth fighting over at the County Athletics office. For those of you who don’t know Dekalb football, listen up. We DON’T have any large stadiums on the high school campuses, like Gwinett and Cobb County. Never was a Dekalb policy. All of our HOME games are at Haliford, Adams, Pantherville, Avondale. A new quality stadium, like the ones at other County High Schools is a welcome addition. Tell you what, throw in a rubber track, and we get another Panthersville for county track meets!!!!!!!!!

By Erkel

September 25, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

On the Stadium History thing……

There is no such thing as this wherever people have money. They seem to build new stuff all the time and destroy the old. Three river stadium was my holy grail. I don’t even miss it now. Same as Fulton County stadium. The Hawks in the Civic Center was the place to be. Can’t even tell you where it was located now. The Dome and the Superdome are the bomb. And guess what, there is talk about leveling those. Don’t worship the building. change is good.

By Ernest

September 25, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Jeff, excellent blog topic! You are also hitting on another issue in that with many more HSs and MSs, the wear and tear has taken its toll on these facilities. DeKalb has 5 stadiums (Panthersville, Avondale, Hallford, Adams, and North DeKalb) that serves as home fields for over 35 teams. There is enough justification for simply adding a new stadium and keeping this one. Heck, Hallford is the only one that could accommodate playoff games because of its seating capacity.

The key question is where could they place another facility. One mention has been a golf driving range on North Druid Hills, down the street from North DeKalb Mall. It is said to be in a flood plain hence may not be viable. Another idea has been to place it near the intersection of I-85 and I-285, just inside the perimeter. This would require tearing down an office park and the old hotel however it would provide great access. ML King, Jr. has enough acreage to build a stadium on that site however I would question access along with its proximity to Panthersville.

Whatever happens, it will be interesting to see.

By craig

September 25, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

a new stadium is great. Although Adams stadium have been the peek of our community it is farely old and a new stadium will really be good for the county but it must be a nice stadium much nicer than adams.

By OldCHSdog

September 25, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

I have been able to play/watch/coach games at all of the DeKalb stadiums as a former DeKalb student athlete/spectator/coach and I would hate to see any of them go.

I think that on site stadiums are the true answer but that will never happen because of land issues at several schools.

So, I think the idea of keeping the existing stadiums AND adding another one or TWO (or three for that matter) would make life easier for DeKalb and its schools.

By Jeff Haws

September 25, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

Ernest-

Yeah, it’s definitely a potential issue to find a viable spot for the new stadium. They’re actually already talking about building a new stadium near MLK, as you mention, and so this one would give them 6 stadiums by 2009. Another thing Sebree told me is that they would target a capacity of 10,000 or so for a new stadium, and give it stands on both sides. That would make it DeKalb’s second-largest stadium behind Hallford.

By Dave

September 25, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

Sembler’s offer to build a new stadium is a big plus for the Sembler project. I know the AJC is trying its best to sway public opinion against the development, but under-reported facts like this make it a win-win in my opinion. Tear down a vacant Wal-Mart or strip mall for the new stadium and it’d be a full-circle win-win-win.

By tiger08

September 25, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

i think that improving Adam’s is a good idea but totally demolishing it??

sorry, but i, myself, cannot imagine Tucker Football without Adam’s Stadium.

By former DH Quarterback

September 25, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

I have played and watched high school football games at all five dekalb county schools stadiums and I don’t want to see adams go. Not only would the community lose a historical stadium, it would lose 3 schools in the process, two of those schools being a magnet and preforming arts school. This would be a big blow to the students who attend all three school because they all hold some importance and moving them would cause problems to the students who attends those schools and their parents as well. Adams Stadium is rich in history as well hosting the second most State Playoff Games second only to Halford Stadium who passed Adams the very same year Memorial was renamed Halford. We do not need to compete with the other counties in all this upgading, that is what is wrong with us as a society today. We think about looking better than someone else. Me, as a former Druid Hills Student and a proud member of the Druid Hills Community vote to keep the stadium and the schools. If the company has found new locations for the schools and the stadium, why can’t they find a good place for their little Atlantic Station. To me the only win-win is to keep that area the way it is and if the community wants a state of the art stadium, pay for renevations. Valdosta did it, Lowdens County did it, that is how the other counties have state of the art felicities.

By tiger08

September 25, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

well said, DH Quarterback, well said

By wolverinepride

September 25, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

it dosent matter wat the stands are like for the fans, is it me or have people forgot the reason why u come to football games is to watch football games. people might complain that the stands are dirty and crumbly and stuff, but so are our practice fields and the players have no problem playing on it. So just come to watch the game and dont complain, or dont come at all

By Ernest

September 26, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

former DH Quarterback:

You said, Adams Stadium is rich in history as well hosting the second most State Playoff Games second only to Halford Stadium who passed Adams the very same year Memorial was renamed Halford. Are you sure about that? It seems the AJC had a chart last year showing the stadiums that have hosted to most playoff games. Hallford was number one followed by the GA. Dome. I think after last year, the Dome may be number 1.
Jeff, think you can place your hands on that chart and post it?

Also to clarify, Kittredge will be moving to Nancy Creek next year. Open Campus and the Jim Cherry Center are scheduled to move to a facility on GA 78 and Stone Mountain Industrial so theoretically, those schools will be vacant. There was a plan to move the International School to the Kittredge site however I understand another facility is available as an alternative.

We shouldn’t keep the stadium simply because of memories from years ago. Ideally it would be good to upgrade it significantly at the current site. Otherwise if DCSS could get another site in the area enabling Druid Hills, Lakeside, and Tucker to share it, they should definitely listen.

By Jenn

September 26, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Valdosta had a little help since the college shares the stadium with them. If you’ve been there you know that the stadium is on the college campus and miles away from the high school.

By John

September 27, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

I’ve only been to Adams one time for a playoff game against Lakeside. Stadiums where all of the seats are on one side should be banned in Georgia, at least for postseason competition. If a school can’t secure a stadium with proper seating on both sides, it should forfeit its right to host a playoff game. I also had a problem with having to go through a metal detector—something I have never seen at any stadium outside metro Atlanta. Build a proper stadium and demolish Adams.

By RY

September 27, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Playoff game against LAKESIDE? Really long time huh? Anyway, I agree with banning one sided stadiums. Second, I attended the game last week against St. Pius. It was my first experience at Adams.

Wow, I must say it was quite exciting. Parking across the street at Target even though I got there long before kickoff, running for my life to get across the street( it was worse after the game). Yep it felt VERY historical alright. Trust me, the new stadium will still be placed in a DECENT area people so relax.

By former DH Quarterback

September 28, 2007 1:26 AM | Link to this

To any one who questions my FACTS

When I said Adams was second I was talking about DCSS but Adams is high on the list with stadiums in the state hosting playoff games and if I had the number I would surely give it to you, and yes I know the GA Dome has the most playoff games hosted. Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is property of Valdosta City Schools. I didn’t know that Valdosta State plays their Home Games there but I do know that Valdosta State University did not pay for the renevations to Cleveland Field at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. The citizens of Valdasta, GA who love Valdosta High School Football and the school district payed for that renevation. There is a USA TODAY article even stating these facts, look it up. This was right after Valdosta hosted the 2003 AAAAA State Championship Game against Camedon County. Also the reason those schools are moving (Kitterage, DSA, and Open Campus) is because of the ongoing attempt to build another “Atlantic Station”. Belive me if this was not in the light, there would be no talk about moving any of these schools. A stadium does not need two sides to be considered a stadium. About the metal dectors, they are use for your safty. They are more recently used at these stadiums due to 9/11, the growing conflicts at school events, and just for your over all safty. I have no complaints. You shold not keep the stadium for just the memories because no on can take those away, TRUST ME but it is apart of the community that you don’t care about (because it seem like you don’t). these kids don’t care if they play in state of the art stadiums, the just want to play. tiger 08 and wolverinepride I say bravo, no explanation needed. Plus that area does NOT need anymore congestion than there already is. I go to the games for the love of football not for $7 coffee or leather seats. When I say that is what wrong with society today I mean that we are selfish, we only care about #1. We are in an unhealthy competion with each other and I fail to see what good could possibly come out of all of this, but I see what will come out of this and it stinks. Adams Stadium will always be Druid Hills REAL Home Field and I am sure Tucker and Lakeside agrees 100% that nothin could replace Adams Stadium.

By SU

September 28, 2007 4:19 AM | Link to this

THE ONLY WAY DEKALB COUNTY CATCHES UP TO GWINNETT COUNTY IS TO HAVE STADIUMS AT EVERY SCHOOL. I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH DEKALB, BUT THEY JUST RECENTLY PUT GYMS AT ALL THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THAT IS BEYOND ARCHAIC. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IS ABOUT REPRESENTING YOUR COMMUNITY. CAN YOU IMAGINE BROOKWOOD AND PARKVIEW PLAYING AT A NEUTRAL SITE?? THERE IS NOTHING LIKE GOING TO A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME AND NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK CLOSE TO THE FIELD AND HAVING TO PARK ALONG THE STREET IN THE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD. SCORES OF PEOPLE HUSTLING TO GET TO THE GAME BEFORE KICKOFF. PAINTED FACES AND BODIES, PAINTED CARS SIGNIFYING THEIR TEAM OR SPECIFIC PLAYER. THIS IS WHAT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IS ABOUT. PLAYING GAMES AT NEUTRAL SITES DESTROYS HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE. WHAT ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF GOING TO SOMEBODY ELSE’S HOME FIELD AND SILENCING THE CROWD WITH A STUNNING UPSET ON THEIR HOME TURF. I HATE TO SAY IT BUT DEKALB IS ROBBING THEIR STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE REAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE…IT’S TIME TO JOIN THE MODERN ERA AND PUT STADIUMS AT ALL THESE SCHOOLS…

By Dekalb Seqouyah Grad

September 28, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

WE football players at Dekalb County’s Seqouyah HS would hate to see where so many teams like Cedar Shoals, Peachtree, Henderson, Briarcliff, Those swine at Cross Keys, we still hate them after 25 years, we liked Coach Edinfield though, Druid Hills, Tucker, Lakeside, Cedar Grove, Clarskton, we kicked yalls but everywhere on that field except the scorebaord. We may have lost, but your asses got hit didnt you, and you hurt the next day. Dont tear down that stinkin stadium, you how many times we had to endure a losing speech from Phil Russell. “O” and 10, never again!!!!!

By Newbie

September 28, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Where did Mr. Sebree get his information regarding Sembler’s paying for replacement of the stadium?

This is the first and only time I have seen that Sembler’s offer includes replacement of the stadium. This is not included in the minutes of any of the DC School Board meetings, nor is it an any of the documentation of the discussions Sembler has conducted with the school administration or DeKalb County.

By DD

September 28, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

Sembler is offering $ to DeKalb for the three schools and Adams Stadium that will barely cover the cost of building one new HS. There is NO property were Adams could be replaced except where it stands. The three schools are slated to move anyway. In ten years the DCSS will be paying ten times the amount they were paid for the property to build new schools. Keep the property-rebuild Adams on this land…So it will take another SPLOST to afford it. So what. If the BOE sells the property they are wasting taxpayers $!!!

By Mr. Rational

September 29, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this

If Mr. Sebree, our county athletic director wants a new stadium, he needs to think about how to pay for it. The cost will be anywhere from $5million to $17 million. I bet the cost of new turf and a JumboTron upgrade at Adams would be less than $3 million. Adams could use a new parking lot and street access—land for that exists right there on-site. The Dekalb School Board ought to try investing in the assets they already own. It is clear they have not put a dime into either Adams, Chamblee, or Avondale stadiums in 20 years. How much stadium planning and design (and finance) did Sebree take majoring in phys ed?

By SaveOurSchools

September 29, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this

I can’t speak to the historic value of Adams, but I can speak to the impact on my property tax bill if the school system sells the property and then in 5 years finally admits Central DeKalb needs more classroom space(we need/deserve it now) and has to buy land to build a new High School. They won’t do it. If they’re getting $64M in a down market for land that has buildings that need to be removed, BIG buildings that is, imagine what buildable land will cost in this area in 5 years ?!? The front-running suggestion from Sembler is to put a new stadium up at I85/I285 near the old Presidential Hotel. So folks from Druid Hills, Tucker & Lakeside HS’s get to take the interstate to get to their home games at rush hour on Thurs.(jv) and Friday nites. Not a bright idea.

Upgrade Adams, tear down Briarcliff HS (if an independent evaluation indicates it can’t be remodeled) and then build a new, LEED-certified school. A true “GREEN” High School, unlike the Arabia environmental joke that required some 32,000 sq. ft. of stream buffer variances. Building an environmental high school in the stream buffer. Yeah, now I see why Pat Pope defended the driving range/floodplain site.That’s how its done in DeKalb Schools…Riiiight…

By John

September 29, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Tear down Adams Stadium but build its replacement stadium on the same site. That would save the cost of land acquisition elsewhere.

While they’re at it, they could figure a way to squeeze a second field adjacent to the new Adams Stadium.

By Ernest

September 29, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

Newbie, would you really expect all the various scenarios and discussions about the negotiations would be made public? Once realtor’s get wind that any school system or it agent is interested in a site, the price would surely go up, which is not good for taxpayers.

FWIW, I did hear last year during the initial conversations that Sembler would help identify a site for a possible replacement stadium. This was my first hearing that they might pay for it also.

By Newbie

September 30, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Earnest - Why would any increase in the price of a site be bad for the taxpayers if Sembler is paying for it? Unless, of course, you are referring to the rumored TAD, which would very much affect the taxpayers… To my knowledge, there has been NO mention of Sembler’s either paying for the site or paying for a new stadium. The other two potential buyers of the site specifically mentioned replacing structures (e.g. building a k-12 arts school or a performing arts center on site), but Sembler did not.

By Ernest

September 30, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Newbie, I believe you misunderstood me. I was referring to a possible new site for a football stadium, if it came to that. My point was if the current property holder got wind it was being considered for a government entity, I believe the price of that property would go up significantly.

I stand by my earlier statement, I recall hearing IF there was a deal with Sembler, they would be involved in finding a replacement site for a new stadium. Admittedly, that can be interpreted different ways. Remember, everything that is discussed won’t necessarily appear in Board minutes…

By Newbie

September 30, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

I did understand - perhaps my tongue was too far in my cheek. Ms. Pope stated that there are “four or five” sites under consideration, but only mentioned the driving range by name; a sorta transparent diversionary tactic, I think.

I also recall hearing that Sembler would be involved. It’s hard for me to imagine, though, that they would put much effort into considering the interest of the locals whose kids attend the affected high schools.

Everybody, please check out other recent articles in this paper and others regarding this project.

By Voldemort

September 30, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

Why doesn’t Sembler do something with Toco Hils? It’s 80% unused asphalt, anyway.

By Newbie

September 30, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

What about Northlake? It’s already a mall, so the zoning is in place. There would doubtless be infrastructure and road issues, but they are closer to addressable than they are at the Briarcliff site.

I would really like to know what it is about this site that is so very attractive - is it cheaper, closer to Buckhead, easier to get - what?

By Ernest

October 1, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this

Voldemort and Newbie:

I’m asking this question for sake of this discussion. Could the Toco Hills location be a good site for a combined stadium and perhaps Performing Arts HS? On another blog, I’ve heard several people suggest they might consider this if we tore down an existing strip mall or apartment complex.

By Newbie

October 1, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

In theory, Toco would be an OK site for a stadium and HS, except that the morning traffic carried on the 4 surrounding streets (Clairmont, N. Driud, Lavista and Houston Mill) is already very heavy.

The other point is that Toco is A)owned by two separate owners ans B)pretty completely occupied, as far as I can tell. Why would they sell out to the school system, who probably would not want to pay top bucks? Toco is also part of Emory’s “Big Vision” for the area, and may be looking forward to Emory help in development = deeper pockets.

It would not be a good site for something Sembler-size, because of the afore-mentioned road constraints.

By Ernest

October 1, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Thanks for following up with me on that. I’ll admit I’m not that familiar with the area hence the question.

Reading in today’s AJC about the new person over at Emory and their aggressive expansion plans, that probably wouldn’t be a good site for a stadium. It does make one wonder how Emory will address the infrastructure concerns expressed by the community if the have construction plans in mind.

Lastly, if there was a MARTA station going to that area, I think these discussions would be moot. I agree that the impact transportation will have on the locals in the primary issue at hand.

By Benevolous

October 1, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

I am a Lakeside graduate, have 4 kids that will attend Lakeside, and live down the road from Adams. I would like a new stadium for the community. The stadium is shared by Tucker, Lakeside, and Druid Hills, so the replacement stadium needs to be between the 3. I think the ideal location is Henderson Park, which is 114 acres and owned by Dekalb County. A portion of the site already has a number of large soccer fields and would simply need to be updated and expanded.

By Ernest

October 1, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

Benevolous, welcome to the discussion. Interesting proposal you make. Can I assume that you wouldn’t have a problem with a stadium that is not in close proximity to a school? Again, listening to others around cyberspace, that point has come up IF Adams Stadium is relocated.

BTW, given your history, who is Adams stadium named after?

By Benevolous

October 2, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Ernest, Yes, I would have a problem with a stadium that is not in close proximity to a school. However, Henderson Park is actually a little more central than Adams Stadium. Tucker High is currently the farthest from Adams stadium at 7.7 miles, but if it was moved to Henderson Park the farthest would be Druid Hills at 7.6 miles.

Don’t know who Adams was, but I assume he was a former Superintendent.

By Ernest

October 2, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

FWIW, Stand Up DeKalb and others presented some fairly convincing arguments at the DCSS BOE meeting on 10/1. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on the property not being sold.