Decatur is in negotiations for buying at least a portion the AT&T storage facility that the company vacated earlier this month.
In truth the city’s been talking to AT&T about the site for years, but the company’s moving out could accelerate a sale.
“We knew they were looking to move out, we just didn’t know when,” said Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne. “We are looking at some of it, but we’re not interested in the whole property. As of now all I can say is the future of the site is undetermined, but it will not stay a sea of asphalt.”
The seven-acre property sits in east Decatur, between where New Street deadends and the new Talley Street School, currently under construction. In the past Decatur officials have talked about a storm water detention pond for site and possibly a park along with a trail and a preserved wooded area. A mixed-use development is also possible although the western portion slopes into flood plain where it isn’t buildable.
The city’s master plan has New Street getting extended through site and connecting with Talley Street. It also extends Freeman Street east, running from South Columbia Drive to just south of the AT&T property and connecting with a street recently built behind the Avondale MARTA station redevelopment that’s close to opening.
In May Decatur’s commission approved rezoning 66 parcels, or 45.5 acres, in east Decatur from heavy commercial/light industrial to mixed use, an expanse that includes the AT&T site.
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