Proposed Avondale Estates soccer complex looking elsewhere

A partnership proposing a temporary soccer complex for a portion of the old Fenner-Dunlop site in Avondale Estates have decided to look elsewhere. One of those partners, former Mayor Ed Rieker, made the decision after meeting with city officials Friday morning.

Using the placeholder name “Pitch 4,” the partnership is planning a complex with four fields, two outdoor and two indoor featuring a fabric-style shelter from weather. The facility would host youth and adult leagues and would remain active until Euramex Management, which owns the property, is ready to build its proposed mixed-use development.

Rieker believed the complex would bring 4,800 visitors a week to downtown, which currently has about 20 under-developed or undeveloped acres.

But the city met earlier this week with Euramex, which finally appears close to making a public presentation of its plans. According to Mayor Jonathan Elmore, there was no discussion about a temporary soccer facility.

Therefore Rieker decided to pull out. But he said Friday he’ still looking at two other sites for the soccer complex in unincorporated DeKalb County, both within a mile of the city.