Community Feedback | Our Cheney

“We have lived on a little street by the track for nine years. We love the track and love when it brings people to our neighborhood for a good reason. I love the concept of the indoor track facility and the idea of turning Ami and Bass into pedestrian-only walkways.

“I have concerns about how the field has been locked up from us the entire time we’ve lived here. I’m even more concerned with turning it into a parking lot when there is an unused church parking lot right next door and many other parking options nearby, including MLK Middle. I want them to get more creative with parking.

“I also think they need to give back to this community. I see on the New York facility’s webpage that they have a foundation focused on serving the community it is in, with fitness classes, summer camps, and more. I would love to see similar community investment here in Summerhill.”

“I hate the public-private deals behind closed doors, lack of transparency, and disregard for public life. Parks provide such an important free third space to communities, specifically historically undermined and under-resourced ones like Summerhill.”

“As an 11-year resident of Summerhill on Martin Street, I am very against any surface parking proposed in the neighborhood. Please add me to the list of people who oppose Atlanta Track Club’s plan as presented.”

“This is a bad idea for a community already mitigating flooding and displacement. We need the Connally Storage Vault to mitigate flooding.”

“The project as developed to date is very ill-conceived, with no community input. Input should start with a blank slate, not a design to react to.”

“Part of the reason we moved to Summerhill was the amazing concentration of greenspace in the middle of the neighborhood. The combination of Phoenix Park II, Phoenix Park III, and Cheney Field all together is such a contrast to the urban sea of commercial redevelopment and surface parking lots, just 1/3 mile down the road. Cheney Field never seemed like an opportunity for financial gain; it has been used as passive open space and a place for pick-up sports for decades. We thought APS ownership provided protection for our community space, but that trust has quickly collapsed.

“Summerhill has a history of displacement and disenfranchisement that has occurred decade after decade due to regional opportunity and interests. Replacing acres of public greenspace, a rare resource in this city, with completely impervious surfaces just blocks north of a major stormwater relief project is egregious and completely counterintuitive to positive community planning and resiliency. Furthermore, the context of such a facility right in the middle of the residential heart of our neighborhood makes hardly any sense. Roughly 35% of the neighborhood is being redeveloped into a urban commercial hub, whereas only 8% of the neighborhood consists of public greenspace or parks. We would loose at least 32% of the neighborhood’s greenspace if this project goes through.

“While I understand why ATC wants to build in this space for their gain, this proposal couldn’t be further removed from the neighborhood’s interests. If ATC wants to build this facility in Summerhill, by all means do it, but place it on one of the vacant or surface parking lots by the interchange.”

“My biggest concerns are related to the parking lot:

Summerhill is completely covered in empty parking lots—from the ridiculous paid (and therefore unused) lot on Georgia avenue, to empty lots surrounding the stadium, to empty church parking lots. Additionally, there's almost never an issue finding parking along Connally, Ami, or Martin.

If existing parking is not sufficient for events at the envisioned indoor track, then the thousands of unused spaces in the neighborhood should find purpose. If existing lot and street parking is not sufficient for the type of events/daily use at the facility, then this is likely not a good match for the area.

Questions:

1. Would proposed plans rely on permeable pavers or gravel, to offset the environmental damage to our currently green surface? As of 2016, Summerhill was already 58% impervious ground. What is the current status and how is the paved surface parking contributing to it?

2. What aspects of the plan are in place to prevent an increase in flooding south of the proposed lot?

3. What happened to Phase 3 of the Southeast Atlanta Green Infrastructure Initiative and the Connally Storage Vault?

4. Would any mature trees currently growing in the proposed parking area be destroyed in the process, or would the plan work around them?

5. How wide would the green buffer be between parking and either Martin or Ami streets? Would the plan include bordering the lot with trees to shield neighbors from the eyesore?

6. What is the latest hour the parking lot would remain lit on non-event nights? Lighting is a huge concern.

7. It would obviously be inappropriate for youth and adults from the neighborhood to be required to pay to use the proposed structure on public property. How will that be managed?”

“I want to do anything and everything in my power to prevent the development of an indoor track facility.”

“My son plays soccer at Cheney - having this space in our neighborhood is such a gift. We’ve been here for 20+ years and this area didn’t feel safe for a long time before Summerhill redeveloped - so glad to finally be able to have youth sports without having to drive to Decatur, VaHi or Buckhead. Would love to see ATC build an underground deck with fields on top or just move the parking to the already massive empty parking lot up the street. Or rent lot space from APS on off hours. Or anything but taking this green space in an area where it is lacking!”

“Modify parking lot size.”

“I live on the Grant Park side of Connally Street SE and run at the track multiple times a week. I’m interested in working toward some sort of equitable settlement, if possible, with Atlanta Track Club. If we can’t, however, I’d rather fight to maintain the current status quo. I would love to learn how to get involved.”

“My son's soccer team practices on the field that may turn into a parking lot. This team has been renting from APS and wanted to secure a 10 year lease and make improvements to the field. This team (path academy fc) is important to the community, and i would like to see practice and game facilities for this team incorporated into any of the plans for this area.

People move out of the City for just this type of reason. Our community is not being prioritized and we can’t give our kids the kind of life they deserve. Please keep Cheney operational as is. Our neighborhood, and our kids, deserve it.”

“My concern is that this will permanently change the neighborhood for the worse. Two green-spaces will be ruined for a large warehouse and a parking lot to support it. The view from my house will change from a soccer field to a concrete lot, and a brightly light empty parking lot at night.”

“I am a regular user of the park area around Cheney. I love the track - it's such a tremendous community asset. On any given evening, you can find an athletically diverse set of neighbors using the space, from former Olympians to old dudes like me slogging through the miles to stay in good enough shape to play with our kids.

Converting a significant portion of the park green space into a parking lot seems like a huge downgrade. There is so much space nearby in Summerhill already dedicated to parking. I think that any equitable plan should leverage this land already dedicated to parking so that the desires of the ATC and the neighbors who live near and use the park can be balanced.”

“I am against the removal of any green space as well as the proposed removal of Ami St. As a resident of Little St, I rely on Ami St as a crucial thoroughfare for traffic, and it also provides street parking that is already extremely limited between Martin St and Grant Terrace.

Countless vehicles use Ami St daily, and removing it would push that traffic and parking demand onto neighboring streets.”

“Preserve the park!

Auto-focused projects have harmed our neighborhood enough. We cannot privilege parking over people.”

“The green space is extremely important - It’s an investment in the community and the kids and families in this neighborhood. It’s Exponentially more valuable than another blanket of asphalt.”

“I strongly oppose ATC‘s proposal to build a parking deck near Phoenix Park and Summerhill. This green space is vital to our neighborhood. It serves as a Hub for athletics, leisure, general play, and recreation, while adding essential beautification to our streets.

Maintaining accessible parks, allows our diverse community to exercise, unwind, and connect right outside our front doors.

There are numerous opportunities for parking lots and nearby locations within 12:452 mile from this park; unused spaces that reduce the beauty of our community. I would strongly encourage ATC to use those locations when considering placement of a parking lot or deck.

crucially, having a local park, prevents the need to drive to other neighborhoods like Virginia Highland, Buckhead, or Piedmont Park, or to distant regional parks that require a car to access.

paving over this green space for a parking structure goes against the goals of workability, equity, and environmental health and Summerhill and surrounding communities.

please protect this part and reject the plans for a parking lot or deck. And, continue to include neighbors from this community i upcoming discussions about projects that would affect our community.”

“I'm a Little St. resident, and I'm strongly opposed to the proposed indoor track facility at Phoenix Park. This plan would pave over Summerhill's largest public green space, a place kids use for soccer and the whole neighborhood uses for outdoor activities. At a time when green space and shade are already scarce and temperatures keep climbing, that's a bad trade, especially when there's already a well-used outdoor track nearby.

The plan to cap off Ami Street is just as concerning. I depend on Ami St. to get out of the neighborhood and for street parking that's already tight in front of my home. Closing it would push that traffic and parking demand straight onto our other narrow residential streets.

This facility is designed to host large regional meets, which means regular surges of traffic and parking pressure in a neighborhood that can't absorb it. Many of my neighbors feel the same way and want Chaney Field protected. I'm asking Atlanta Track Club to drop this proposal or find a location that doesn't require destroying our only major green space and closing a residential street.”

“For the new construction: can you just build your 1 building north of the track with its own underground parking deck, and leave the greenspace to the west of the track alone? Please?”

“I don’t think we should give up our outdoor park space for a private indoor facility. Local families use that space for soccer and gatherings. There are plenty of other space in the SE that could be fantastic fits for the indoor facility including along the interstate next to the stadium. Why use a well-used, loved park space for an indoor facility. It’ll create a traffic nightmare in a small community as well.”

“I am very concerned about the removal of green space in Summerhill. Cheny Field is situated between narrow residential streets surrounded by homes. Placing a large building into the middle of our park will result in traffic that the streets are not designed for, removal of green space for our community to use, flooding issues that we all desperately want to avoid. There are plenty of other locations that are a better fit for these type of development. We very much hope the Atlanta Track Club hears the neighborhood wishes and reconsiders this development.”

“Bury parking underground, or update the surface Summerhill Retail Lot to be a garage that also serves the track.

Also if we had to have an indoor facility, it would be way more beneficial, and lacking in-town, to have an ice skating rink than a track. It could give in-town kids an opportunity to explore ice sports that they didn't have before. Add some shade and fans to the outdoor track, and it could become an awesome sports complex for all.”

“I love Cheney and green space it provides. I use the track weekly and my kids have run cross country races there. There are always people out training for a variety of events. It's truly a place for community. We have a city that is both a vibrant downtown and close knit neighborhoods full of homes, yet we continue to try to push the big projects into the small neighborhoods for some unknown reason.”

“I do not support an indoor track and losing more greenspace.

I love the idea of Summerhill becoming more walkable and bike friendly. We want more green and public spaces with better transit for all.

An indoor track with a massive parking lot does not do that.”

“I think the idea is great, but not here!!!

1. Consider flood impacts. Impervious services. And try not to cut down trees.
2. Around the corner are endless parking lots sitting empty due to the Braves moving, put the facility there.
3. Im an avid runner, and Atlanta is one of the few cities I've lived in where the tracks are not always open to the public. This includes the Cheney outdoor track - it sits empty and locked majority of the time which does not put forth vibes of community involvement. Let's start with making that track PUBLIC AT ALL HOURS. light the track too. Cameras if needed. Add restrooms and water in the vicinity, as those things invite the community in and cost way less than an entire indoor facility.

There are many places to build an awesome indoor facility, but dont take the greenspace and small neighborhood space to do so. Use somewhere nearby that is already empty and underutilized. And...make it public all day every day (outside of events). Let the community actually use the community built space. Host events, camps, clinics. Work with GSU and GT, and neighborhood businesses. Make it a true community space. Add a coffee shop or smoothie place. Make it free or a cheap ($25 a year) membership fee to not push people out.

And geez put the parking underneath or again...millions of empty parking lots over by GSU. Pleasse no more massive empty parking lots.

And fix the outdoor track while you are at it, it is bubbling.

Or for events people park there at GSU and are shuttled over however I still believe it is a great idea...just not at Cheney.

Something else to consider is that running at the current Cheney track provides a picturesque city back drop...which will be ruined for runners and homeowners if you build on the beautiful green space.”

“I’m actually excited to see what this could become, particularly because ATC is engaging with the community from the beginning. APS could have leased this property to an organization that was much less interested in neighborhood impacts, so I appreciate ATC’s willingness to listen and make changes.

“I’m also glad that the current proposal does not encroach on our existing public parks. I’m open to the project as long as the final design actually reflects what they learn through due diligence and community feedback on their preliminary plans/ideas. They're doing traffic, parking, stormwater, tree, and other studies, and has been clear that the results will inform the design. I've already noticed that feedback is being incorporated, for example, the ATC rep mentioned on August 12 that they’re considering different options for the parking atea. I hope this kind of iterative, community-informed process continues.”

“We just moved to Summerhill because of the green space. We are tired of living in places that prioritizes parking over people, and one of the best parts of Summerhill is how green and walkable it is. There’s already so many empty lots and underutilized land that can be used without destroying precious green space.”

“Keep Atlanta green and public spaces preserved! The proposed parking lane in particular are egregious”

“Neighbor on Martin St. would love to stay informed of what’s going on. Not sure i have a full opinion yet on the proposal, I don’t love the parking lot that they are proposing.”

“Using now, public property to build a structure which costs money and labor to maintain thus, not being free seems wildly inappropriate.”

“Green space is already precious and I extremely limited in the neighborhood and city. It is already difficult for youth sports to find venues to practice and play. The idea of converting such a rare community resource into a parking lot and a large building is troubling and leads one to question why this would even be a consideration. This should remain with the public. This should also be more widely publicized and have more community input. There are plenty of private options available in this city that could serve the desired purpose without eliminating public green space. Rare public green space should not be sacrificed to the benefit of private entities.”

“As a local resident I am disturbed that 30% of Summerhill greenspace would be reduced, and that this would be transfer public land to a private org.

Additionally, I have major infrastructure concerns regarding storm water and sewage, as well as traffic.

This project would dramatically reduce quality of life for residents.”

“As a resident of this area I strongly oppose this project. Public greenspace is one of the best things about our neighborhood. We do not have the infrastructure to support the level of waste and traffic this will bring and we do not want this venue here.”

“surface parking doesn't make sense for such an urban infill location, seek alternate. $5,600 p/month in rent for such a massive facility(s) seems incredibly low, I bet most retailers on Georgia ave. pay similar. Maybe I'm missing some economic trade-off details but the rent is absurdly low. Profit sharing seldom works in these scenarios; there's incentive to increase expenses to the benefit of ATC (use it or loose it) and no expectation/penalty from the APS for doing so. There should also be a "major event" fee - when X number of folks are expected/paid event etc. there is a fee paid to offset extra costs to the city/neighborhood. ATC will make there's no doubt via paid parking etc. on those occasions.”

“My husband and I love the idea of an indoor track. (We are Little St residents). Would love to hear more thoughts on: parking and possibly an underground parking deck and mitigation flooding during and after construction. We would also like the indoor track facility to be aesthetically integrated into the community, without looking like a massive warehouse.”

“Biggest issue is the parking lot they plan to build on current green space, which continues to be stripped away from this neighborhood due to prioritizing vehicles instead of people. I strongly believe there are other options to accommodate track visitors that haven’t been explored by Atlanta track club. Examples using the church parking lots/partnership there, using King Middle lot, using GSU lots and shuttling. There is also ample street parking, but understand that might not be ideal for residents around the park.”

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