A group of Avondale Estates artists have proposed a temporary “pop-up” park on the former site of the Avondale Pizza Café.
The brainchild of David Newburn, he and his collective envision a space of roughly 50 feet by 25 feet that includes walls constructed of recycled pallets, work tables also made of recycled materials, a gallery for artwork, a movie screen and a performance area/stage.
The park would remain active until the city was ready to develop the property. The pizza building was torn down two years ago leaving a vacant, weed-infested lot.
Newburn said it would be the first park of its type in Atlanta or Georgia. He pointed out similar pop-ups in Venice Beach, Ca., Wichita, Kan. and New Kensington, Pa. have attracted pedestrians and new businesses to previously blighted areas.
Avondale commissioners generally favored the project, though several expressed caution.
“The things that worry me are safety and security issues,” said Mayor Pro Tem Terry Giager. “We have to review the budget and liability issues, and this is a process that won’t go fast.
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