From the City of Decatur…
On August 16, 2017 the sale of approximately 77 acres of property owned by the United Methodist Children’s Home of the North Georgia Conference to the Decatur Public Facilities Authority was completed. The process of acquiring the property took almost nine months and was made possible through the cooperation and support of many people and agencies.
City of Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett said, “We appreciate all of the assistance we have received in making this project a success. We have had a wonderful working relationship with the Board, staff and others affiliated with the UMCH.” She added, “all of this would not have been possible without the help of Georgia General Assembly, particularly Senator Elena Parent and Representatives Drenner, Mosby, Oliver and Shannon who were instrumental in establishing the Decatur Public Facilities Authority.”
“This property acquisition is an exciting legacy opportunity for the City of Decatur and the Decatur Public Facilities Authority has been glad to assist in making this happen,” said Authority Chair Meredith Struby. Ms. Struby noted that “the community support for this project has been exciting and through late fall, 2017 the United Methodist Children’s Home will be transitioning to a new location in Tucker.
City Manager Peggy Merriss stated, “There are facilities on the property which will be used by the City to meet the current demand for Active Living programming, including significant upgrades to the playing fields.” Ms. Merriss thanked the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority for their assistance is securing a very low interest loan that allowed for more than 22 acres of the property to be dedicated for use as permanently protected conservation area.
In January, 2018 the City will begin a community-based master planning effort to determine the future use of the property.