Morning Metro: Rec Opens and Former Decatur Mayor Passes Away
Decatur Metro | February 6, 2013- Decatur Rec Center with new “The Bill” Gym now open [Be Active Decatur]
- Former Decatur mayor Jack Hamilton passes away [AJC]
- Lawrence Cafe now Open on West College Ave [Patch]
- Decatur architects have highest tax compliance rate of any occupation [Decatur Tax Blog]
- Valerie Wilson backs the Beltline [Saporta Report]
- General Muir now open at Emory Point [CL]
- A high-speed map, just for kicks [CA rail map]
- Leafy greens most frequent cause of food poisoning [NYT]
Photo courtesy of Be Active Decatur blog
The Rec looks awesome!
“The Bill.” Love it.
Great Job. Great space. Great name.
Aside from having to tear up the field, I can’t wait until they get going on Ebster. I’ll actually miss watching games in that old school gym, but it really is time for an upgrade. I think it will be great to honor the history of that location by making it so much more inviting and usable by the community.
It seems that people who have lived here for years are frequently unaware that it even exists as a rec facility. Large parts of it seem to sit unused/under utilized a lot of the time. Think of how much more awareness will be generated as people begin to use the space and learn more about the location!
Ebster or do you mean Beacon Hill?
Now if only the library next door could be updated…
Have they also completed the park behind the rec center? I love taking my kids there.
Scott Park behind the Recreation Center is open and ready for play! Enjoy.
with the opening of Lawrence’s Cafe, I hereby dub thee Hamid Simpson Plaza!
figgin to get busy with some falafel and hummus.
Having just traveled my home state via rail and used rail in LA and SF – Atlanta is pitiful and should be ashamed that the 1 penny tax didn’t pass.
“Atlanta is pitiful and should be ashamed that the 1 penny tax didn’t pass.”
It did pass in “Atlanta” (and in Decatur). Maybe it will get another chance without Atlanta being hogtied to Cherokee, Gwinnett, Fayette, etc. and their road expansion.
That gym is so fancy they should have called it James.
Jack Hamilton was as influential a mayor of Decatur than most people realize. I’m sure that several building projects, including the 1965 Decatur High building, bears his name. A great man of his time is gone. So passes away the glory of yesterday.
What will people say in five, ten or twenty years:
“Hey man, wanna go to the Rec and shoot some hoop?” or
“There is an interesting class being offered at the Bill called “Intro To Bonsai Nurturing. Should we attend or instead, go to the Korova for some Moloko?”
What do I favor? May I offer a toast: “Here’s to the beautiful new and improved Rec. May she always be the destination for a Decatur boy (or girl), a ball, and a dream”.
The Bill? Hmmmmph. It will always be The Palace. Home of Rinehart’s Rascals.
“What will people say in five, ten or twenty years:
“Hey man, wanna go to the Rec and shoot some hoop?””
I’m predicting an increase in hoop playing. It will coincide with the decline in football participation that will occur because of the mounting evidence of permanent brain damage resulting from the sport.
Decatur is a basketball town and has been for a long time. Once in a blue moon you will see a pick-up football game at Winnona or Ebster, but pickup basketball is going on every day. At the Rec, Ebster Gym, outdoor courts, backyard courts you name it. Basketball is also the flagship sport at DHS and has been for a long time. The concussion thing just makes it worse for football.
Had lunch at Lawrence’s cafe yesterday and it was very good. Best falafel I have ever eaten, good hummus and tabbouleh too. Friendly service and convenient parking near the doughnut store for dessert.