March 22, 1999

Dear Athens Regional Hospital Board Member:

It is our understanding that Athens Regional Medical Center is about to unveil its new 20-year growth plan. Although we have not seen the plan, we understand that it involves the buyout and demolition of many single-family homes. Until the plan is presented, we cannot comment on its specifics or effectively approve or object to it. However, we would like to comment on the actions already undertaken by the hospital and to present our views on this area's development.

When the decision was made to reposition Athens Regional Medical Center as a regional hospital, it was obviously done with the knowledge that the hospital would grow significantly in the future. It was also obvious that the hospital was surrounded by a significant percentage of the historic, in-town neighborhoods in Athens-Clarke County. The administration and the hospital board made the decision at that time to expand into the historic, single family residential areas that compose its neighborhood. In doing so, hard to resist offers were made to residents to sell their homes to the hospital for up to 10% over market value. This buyout is destroying a vital and desirable neighborhood. It is our view that expansion should occur in compatibly-zoned areas that will have the least impact on the neighborhoods surrounding the hospital. From the perspective of many of ARMC's neighbors, the current pattern of growth through quiet acquisition of residential property is not only insensitive to the neighborhood, but also is not in keeping with the comprehensive plan currently being developed for Athens-Clarke County.

Some of you may have the opinion that these homes are undesirable because of their age. However, the case is quite the opposite. These homes have features unavailable in today's middle-class market: high ceilings, wood floors, solid wood doors, brass hardware, large windows, wide moldings, unique architectural features such as built in china cabinets, arched doorways, large fireplaces, plaster walls, interesting brickwork patterns, and high-pitched roofs. The combination of unique architectural features combined with the benefits of an in-town neighborhood make these homes extremely attractive to young professionals who value the sidewalks, close neighbors, and close proximity to shopping and services.

You may also have the impression that the presence of rental properties makes the neighborhood undesirable. The evolution of the King Avenue/Normaltown area is typical of that experienced by many older neighborhoods throughout the country. Seventy years ago, when many of these homes were built, they were a suitable size for raising a family. In the 1950's, when families sought larger homes, multiple bathrooms and closets, and a large suburban lot, investors moved into the neighborhood. However, in the last 10-20 years we have experienced a renaissance as homeowners came to appreciate the quality, uniqueness, and appeal of older homes in an in-town neighborhood. Many former rental properties were purchased and rehabilitated by "sweat equity" If more of these investment properties came on the market, it is doubtless that they would be purchased by owner-occupants. Normaltown residents are quite loyal to this area. Many former tenants become homeowners because the appeal of this area is so strong. Throughout the country, there has been a trend in urban planning to recreate this type of "traditional" neighborhood because planners have recognized its benefits.

We value the hospital as a partner, neighbor, and health care provider. ARMC has made obvious and appreciated efforts to minimize their presence in the neighborhood by providing such things as landscape buffers. However, while we are sympathetic to the hospital's mission, we find it unacceptable for ARMC to irreparably damage this neighborhood.

We would welcome an opportunity to meet with you and present our concerns at your next meeting on April 27.

Respectfully submitted,
Concerned Citizens of the Normaltown Area
(King, Cobbham, Holman, Talmadge, Oglethorpe and Boulevard neighborhoods)
c: John Stockbridge, Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission
Doc Eldridge, Mayor, Athens-Clarke County