Community pool proposal floated for APS land in Virginia-Highland
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A proposal to open a community pool on Atlanta Public Schools-owned property in Virginia-Highland is wading into public discussion.
Driving the news: The Virginia-Highland Civic Association is holding a residents-only meeting Tuesday evening to educate the public and solicit feedback on the project.
Catch up quick: In 2024, a private developer John Closs approached residents and APS with a proposal to build a year-round community pool on a vacant parcel near Virginia-Highland Elementary School.
- Under a proposed agreement, APS would lease the land to the Virginia-Highland Pool Association, a non-profit corporation that would manage the pool, for 16 years.
Zoom in: The pool at Virginia Avenue and Ponce de Leon Place, at what the neighborhood calls the "Field of Dreams" property, would offer memberships and day passes for non-members, with different rates for Atlanta and outside-Atlanta residents.
- APS swim teams would have access to the pool for a select number of practices and competitions, and students would be allowed to participate on summer swim teams.
Fun fact: Georgia Power, which operates a facility next door to the parcel, donated the land to APS, according to the VHCA.
What we're watching: Whether APS and Virginia-Highland will be willing to part ways with property the school district could potentially use in the future.
What's next: The VHCA planning committee will meet on May 7, followed by a board vote at a full meeting on May 12.
- The Atlanta Board of Education could decide whether to move forward with the pool agreement at the body's Aug. 4 meeting.