A state takeover of Atlanta's popular Bobby Jones Golf Course won preliminary approval Thursday from the Georgia Building Authority Board, which voted to formally authorize contract discussions with city officials.
The vote came two weeks after the Atlanta City Council approved the deal, which includes an exchange of property that would give the city control of a parking deck and other state-owned land near Underground Atlanta — an area targeted by the city for a massive redevelopment project.
In return, the state would gain control of the golf course along Peachtree Creek in Buckhead, as well parts of Atlanta Memorial Park. The state would also gain control of land near the Underground where the old World of Coke building sits empty and unused. The state bought that building nine years ago for $1.1 million with plans to turn it into a state history museum, but wanted total control of the property — dirt and all — for the project.
The deal still has a ways to go before it is finalized. Steve Stancil, the building authority’s executive director, said state officials needed time to review the contract and work out any differences over details involving the land swap.
