The former 14-acre Emory hospital site in Dunwoody could become city-owned baseball fields and park land, if voters favor a bond referendum in November.
The proposed $5.5 million purchase, which includes other parcels and totals 19-acres, is one of many that could be made with one of the $33 million bonds that will be on the ballot this fall. Dunwoody can purchase as much land as they want up to $33 million and make improvements to that land for a grand total of $66 million.
During a meeting earlier this week, the city council authorized City Manager Warren Hutmacher to make an offer on the land -- located at 4553, 4555 and 4575 North Shallowford Road -- contingent upon the November vote.
“If the bond referendum doesn’t pass, the city doesn’t lose any money in the deal,” Hutmacher told the council, referring to money put down to secure the purchase.
Many of the council members hope the authorization will help residents understand the types of purchases that can be made with the bond money.
There will be two referendums on the ballot: one $33 million bond for the purchase of the land, and another $33 million bond to make improvements to any land purchased.
One of the purchases expected with the bond money is a plot of land large enough for the three baseball fields that were removed from the Brook Run Park master plan.
A second purchase was also authorized; 5 acres on North Shallowford Road for $1.4 million, which is expected be used to extend Peachford Road to Dunwoody Park Drive. The extension of the road is part of the transportation and Georgetown master plans, but would not be possible without other land purchases, Hutmacher told the council. The 5-acre purchase will be bought using existing cash reserves and the transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.
A handful of residents spoke for and against the purchases. One said the price wasn’t right, another questions whether environmental factors would limit the usage of the land. But the majority of the council was in favor of both purchases.
Councilman Dennis Shortal, the only dissenting voice, disagreed with the 5-acre purchase, saying it was premature since the other pieces of land needed to extend the road were not in play.
Councilwoman Dr. Adrian Bonser said the purchases could reinvent the Georgetown area and reshape Dunwoody.
“It could become a little economic engine for us,” she said.
But how it will all play out is ultimately in the hands of the voters.
“I hope this gives people a good idea of how we can spend this bond money,” said Councilman Doug Thompson. “With [more than] $27 million left, if the bond passes, we can go shopping.”
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