What Next For Fort Mac?
The Base Closing Commission has recommended closing Fort McPherson!
Now, assuming this happens, what will become of the land? Clearly, Fort Mac could be one hot property.
It’s right next to the hot suburb of the moment, East Point, and having a tract of land that large could be incredibly attractive to developers and to the state.
One direction it could go it that for Fort McClellen in Alabama . There, the national guard was to take over half the space and the other half was to go to civilian use. Large parts were also slated to be a wildlife conservation area.
Another direction this could go is to make an intense effort to make the area a manufacturing and headquarters facility. Plants need serious infrastructure and a military base has it. Rail access? You got it. Helo-pad? You bet. Housing for workers and visiting execs? Already built. Now that Hyundai has a plant in Alabama, perhaps we can court Kia to put a plant here and move it’s North American headquarters to Georgia.
Another option would be to make this a cultural park. This is another location where you could put the NASCAR Hall of Fame and build a brand new racing track for people to use! Add a true transportation museum, relocate Sci-trek, and build a true civil war museum, and bam! You’ve got a great cultural campus with great access to a MARTA station.
Finally, if no one else can use it, make this affordable housing. Hire Charles Brewer to do the development and build great homes and plans that people can afford. Set a maximum salary range on it and you might even add incentives to sell to people who work for non-profits or people in public service. Make it first time home owners or retirees only.
Hopefully, the City of Atlanta, State, and Federal Government are already coordinating on how this is to be used. Hopefully they will have public hearings, and hopefully they will not build another mall.
August 24th, 2005 at 12:37 pm
Excellent points,there is enough room to accomadate most of if not all of the suggestions.
There is a very capable individual,Mr.Felker Ward,appointed by Mayor Franklin who will lead the discussions on the future of Ft.Mac.I believe that his leadership will go a long way in insuring that the outcome of the base cloing,should it occur,will be a win-win proposition.
PS. Have read a press account that there is some thought being given to the idea of re-locating the Atlanta zoo to Ft. Mac.