ARMC/CHN meeting
June 30, 1999

Neighborhood Tour

Present:

1. The committee:

a. CHN: Amy Andrews, David Lynn, Clint McCrory, Gwen O'Looney, Jim Hawkins

b. ARMC: Carl Nichols, Helen Mills (Jack Drew, Al Stone, and Ed Graham were absent)

c. At-large: Keith Oelke, Tal DuVall, Dianne Adams, Stuart Thomas (fifth member not yet named)

2. Other ARMC: Julian Franklin, Authority chairman; Elaine Cook, corporate communications director; Larry Emmelhainz, facilitator; Tom Lawrence, EDAW consultant

3. CHN representatives: Milton Leathers, Laura Straehla, Mike Geyer, Tom Reynolds

4. Flagpole reporter: Mary Jessica Hammes

5. ACC staff: absent

Homes visited:

Margie Spalding, 749 Cobb St.

Laura Hall, 390 King Ave.

Jane Russell, 395 Pine Needle Rd.

Clint McCrory & Sue Custance, 245 Oglethorpe Ave.

Mike & Christy Todd, 295 Oglethorpe Ave.

The rain hampered the start of the tour, and we proceeded by van to Margie Spalding's house with Milton Leathers serving as tour guide. He gave a brief history of Athens and Cobbham, and described the history of Margie's home. We proceeded to Laura's house by van, as it was still raining. Mike Geyer, a local realtor, addressed the group about the increasing home values in Normaltown and the incredible demand for homes in the area affected by ARMC's proposed 20-year plan. The next stop was Jane Russell's home on Pine Needle. Tom Reynolds, a local contractor, addressed the group about the construction merits, amenities, and hardscapes uniquely characteristic of the older homes in this area.

The rain had stopped at this point, and we proceeded by foot on Normal Avenue to Oglethorpe Avenue. We toured a home being restored by Mike and Christy Todd. They planned on using the floor plan already provided in the house of a central hallway flanked by three large rooms on either side to split the home into two apartments. Their prospective tenants were both graduate students. This led to a discussion of rental property in the area and its

contribution to community diversity. CHN members pointed out our neighborhoods were undergoing a very typical cycle of new, decline, and ultimately renewal. Milton remarked that Cobbham had become almost boring without the eclectic mix of residents to be found when there was still inexpensive rental property.

We ended the tour at Clint McCrory and Sue Custance's house on Oglethorpe. Laura Straehla, director of the Athens Heritage Foundation, spoke on the Oglethorpe Historic District and the fact that the six houses on Oglethorpe Avenue, slated to be removed by ARMC in its 20 year plan, contributed to the district and their removal would negatively affect the historic district.

At each stop, Mr. Nichols asked the homeowners how the hospital affected their daily lives. Responses ranged from the amount of traffic (the most identified problem), light pollution, and the noise created by the cooling towers on King Avenue.

After the tour a small group convened to discuss subsequent meetings. Although CHN recommended a continuation of discussions past September 1 if the business of the committee was not complete, ARMC wanted to conclude the meetings by September 1, adding additional meetings before that time if necessary. Following the July 27 meeting, we will make a decision regarding additional meetings. Elaine Cook will contact committee members to set up contingent dates, possibly adding Saturdays as an option.

The meetings will be open to the public, but observers will be asked to remain silent.