ATLANTA — The Old Fourth Ward hospital could soon transform into a space for "vibrant public life."
A conceptual site plan, commissioned by Atlanta's Department of City Planning, proposes a future for the property along Boulevard, including housing, green spaces, and more.
"The site plan is oriented around a large central greenspace between Boulevard and the façade of the original Georgia Baptist Hospital building, which could be preserved as an artistic and architectural monument and an homage to the site’s history," the report stated.
Councilwoman Liliana Bakhtiari said she's excited by the ideas she's seen. The current moratorium on development for the former hospital site is set to expire in mid-October.
"We did a moratorium to do a study to see how we could best utilize that land, because it's a huge opportunity," she said. "We're in the idea phase. The study has happened. We know what we're dealing with. What needs to happen now — in my opinion — we need to identify which parcel we hope to attain and talk to Wellstar."
The planning document lists the following key features of its conceptual site plan:
- Potential preservation of the AMC west tower as housing, with commercial uses integrated into the ground floors. A future cost/benefit analysis will be required to better understand the potential for adaptive reuse compared with full replacement of the building.
- Preservation of the former wellness center/gym as a community recreation center.
- Incorporation of higher-density housing along Parkway Drive to allow for greater variety in building massing across the site and low-scale residential buffers adjacent to single-family homes.
- Preservation of the original hospital’s Eastern Façade to anchor a large community green space.
Nothing is binding, but this document is the first step to reimagining the site.
"It's not our land, but we are in talks with Wellstar, we are in talks with the neighbors and I do feel that we're headed in a positive direction," she said. "It is very, very, very important that we have something wellness related."
In a statement earlier this month, Wellstar said it has "a responsibility to be good stewards of the property and ensure any plans for the Old Fourth Ward site serve the needs of Atlanta and the neighborhood."
It went on to say that it is "committed to listening to the community and working in partnership with the City on a shared vision for the future.”