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On Wednesday, February 24, 2010, the Evermore Community Improvement District (CID) Board of Directors held their first meeting at the Stone Mountain Stadium. As soon as the telephone and data lines are installed, the CID office will move its headquarters into the former Olympic tennis venue.

The hope is to transform the entire stadium complex into a multipurpose facility — possibly used as a venue for concerts, large church gatherings and multiple sporting events.

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• Stone Mountain Tennis Stadium News
• Evermore CID

One Response To “Evermore CID Board Meets At Olympic Stadium”

1. Admin Says:
   March 3rd, 2010 at 10:00 AM

   Got to give ‘em props for trying, especially in difficult economic/political times.

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The Evermore CID was awarded a $40,000 grant by the Atlanta Regional Commission yesterday in order to study the viability of transforming the Olympic tennis venue into a multipurpose facility. The desire is for the facility to act as a catalyst for revitalization and economic growth for the Park Place area.

David Stedman, the Evermore Economic Development Director stated that there is a developer interested in a project.

“In this economy, we need to show that we are making an effort to improve the market dynamics of the area in a fundamental way,” he said. “When businesses and developers hear about the vision we have for the area, people get excited.”

More:
• http://corinthhills.org/?s=stone+mountain+stadium
• Gwinnett Daily Post

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Thanks in great measure to a campaign by Lee Baker of the Gwinnett Sports Council and Touchdown Club of Atlanta, the Stone Mountain Olympic Tennis Stadium may yet be saved.

To help bolster the effort, the Evermore CID is planning to move its base of operations from its current location in Snellville to the stadium’s pro shop located next to the stadium.

The stadium, owned by the Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) - a Georgia state authority - had entered into an agreement with Gwinnett County in May 2009 for a $1 per year, 50 year lease to operate the 25 acre facility. Part of the agreement included a provision to demolish the stadium structure itself this month, but the SMMA, citing cash flow problems, has been forced to delay the $1.5 million dollar demolishion to 2011. This budget induced delay has created an opportunity for Evermore to facilitate a salvage of the venue.

Evermore CID had previously commissioned a study that concluded that transforming the structure into a multipurpose facility could bring in over $100 million dollars in new revenue over the span of 10 years as well as creating new jobs. A new feasibility study is to be commissioned in order to determine long-term viability.

Optimism of the planned salvage varies with Curtis Branscome, SMMA CEO stating his lack of optimism due to the capital required and with Baker stating that the project is very viable in his opinion.

Dwight Harrison, of Dwight Harrison VW, and vice-chair of the CID states that the interest in the project is greater than the stadium itself as the venue is the gateway to the CID from the west.

Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau has stated that any project would have to be a private venture and that the county is not prepared to “sink a bunch of money into this thing.”

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The following are comments from members of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) from recent board meetings regarding the status and fate of the Stone Mountain Tennis Center

All SMMA board meeting minutes can be reviewed at StoneMountainPark.org

• A meeting of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association was held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2009, at Evergreen Conference Center, Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

TENNIS FACILITY LEASE WITH GWINNETT COUNTY
Mr. Branscome (Curtis Branscome, SMMA C.E.O.) reviewed the terms of the lease which was provided in the agenda materials. The lease provides for the operation of the tennis facility by Gwinnett County after the stadium is demolished. This is a 50 year lease which is permitted between governmental entities. The SMMA staff recommends the approval of the lease.

Finance Committee Chair Bill Chappell moved for the approval of the lease. Mr. Baxter stated that the Finance Committee has recommended the lease for approval, therefore no second is required. The SMMA Board unanimously approved the tennis facility lease.

• A meeting of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association was held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2009, at Evergreen Conference Center, Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Lee Baker (Lee Baker, Executive Director, Gwinnett Sports Council) addressed his concerns regarding the demolition of the Tennis Stadium. He requested that the SMMA Board reconsider the decision to demolish the stadium. Mr. Baker understands that SMMA has not had any success in utilizing the Stadium over the past years. His belief is that the facility must be transitioned to a multi purpose facility with a roof or a bubble to remove the weather element in order to market it effectively. Mr. Baker listed many events that could take place at the venue if it had a roof. This facility could serve crowds that would not be accommodated by a 2,000 seat high school gymnasium.

He has reviewed the structural assessment report prepared by Rosser international which notes deterioration that has occurred but poses no immediate threat to the continued operation of the facility. The report was dated two years ago. To spend $2 million to demolish the stadium is hard to accept.

He asked if SMMA had done a feasibility study on putting a roof on the stadium and what benefits this would have for the area. SMMA’s response has been that this would be pouring good money after bad. Would if be worth verifying with a study, that would cost less than $50,000, to either confirm the decision to demolish or find that a multi-purpose facility could not only sustain itself but bring thousands of new visitors to the Park each year? The Stadium is positioned at the Gateway to the Evermore CID, which would welcome the visitors to the shops, restaurants and hotels in the area. By partnering with the Evermore CID, it could serve as a catalyst for a rebirth of the area.

Mr. Baker understands that an agreement has been signed with Gwinnett County to demolish the Stadium and turn the remaining tennis courts over to them. He is sure the county would reconsider its position on the conversion if an economic impact study shows that benefits would be substantially greater for all than using the area as a tennis park. Mr. Baker asked the Board to reconsider its actions or to share additional documentation that supports the decision. He requested the Board to allow a group led by him to inspect the facility. He has checked with Gwinnett County and they have told him any inspection would be SMMA’s decision.

Mr. Baker requested a reasonable amount of time to follow through with this discovery and make it as public as possible so no one can question what would be in the best interest of the citizens and taxpayers of the area.

Mr. Baker thanked the SMMA Board for allowing him to make the proposal. Mr. Branscome stated that the SMMA Board and the Gwinnett County Commission has approved and executed a fifty year lease on the tennis property with the stipulation that the Stadium be demolished. If Gwinnett County comes to the SMMA Board and requests that the agreement be amended to delete the requirement to demolish the Stadium, then SMMA would consider not spending monies on demolition. The agreement is legally binding and the fate of the facility is solely in the hands of Gwinnett County. Mr. Baker inquired as to whether a study had been done to determine the feasibility of putting a roof on the stadium. Mr. Branscome replied that to his knowledge no study had been performed. Mr. Branscome said that he envisioned that a roof would cost millions of dollars and that if the Evermore CID had funds for this they should present them to Gwinnett County along with their proposal.

Mr. Baker also asked who would need to decide to perform a feasibility study. Mr. Branscome stated that the binding agreement was with Gwinnett County and any study would need to come from them.

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By Camie Young
Senior Writer
Gwinnett Daily Post

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

LAWRENCEVILLE - An Olympic venue will become a county park.

Commissioners agreed Tuesday to operate the Stone Mountain Tennis Center, though the center’s 8,000-seat stadium will be demolished before the county takes over the location.

“That’s the gateway to our county along (U.S. Highway) 78,” Commissioner Mike Beaudreau said. “It’s a really good thing.”

For a decade after the Olympics, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association attempted to bring success to the center, but after a $1.5 million loss on a tournament in 1997 and annual losses of $200,000, it was padlocked two years ago.

Recently, officials attempted to market the stadium as a potential concert venue, but Curtis Branscome, CEO of the association, said there were no takers.

“We just couldn’t make it work, so we wanted to get some use out of it,” Branscome said. “I would rather it be successful and useful and functional.”

Built for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, the stadium had water leakage problems and had a high cost to maintain, Branscome said.

The 15 tennis courts, though, are in good shape, and Branscome said the county parks department, which has experience in running tennis facilities, will be better suited to managing the center.

Commissioners engaged in a 50-year lease with the association, at a cost of $1 a year. Branscome said the 24.5 acres must remain a recreational venue, but the association has approval rights for any further development of a park.

Phil Hoskins, director of Gwinnett’s community services department, said the county will take over the tennis center on Jan. 1, but it would likely open to the public in mid-2010.

History:
• Stone Mountain Tennis Center Improvements Cut - CorinthHills.org March, 2009
• RaiseTheRoofGwinnett.com - CorinthHills.org December, 2007
• Stone Mountain Tennis Center - Wikipedia

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3 Responses To “Gwinnett Acquires Stone Mountain Tennis Center”

1. circlek71 Says:
   May 20th, 2009 at 9:29 AM

   I wish they could make the tennis center an amphitheater like in Suwannee with a nice park surrounding it. I am just not sure how much space is around the center.

2. Admin Says:
   May 21st, 2009 at 8:33 AM

   I meant to include this in the history segment:

   ATLANTA — (SportsWire) — June 9, 1999

   The NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons have signed a letter of intent to pursue moving the team’s headquarters and training facilities from Suwanee, Georgia, to Stone Mountain Park in suburban Atlanta. The agreement was made between the Falcons and Silver Dollar City, Inc., and includes responsibilities from Knoxville-based developer Partners & Associates, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association, and DeKalb County. The facility would open for the 2000 season.

   The move would make the Falcons the first professional sports team to house its offices and practice facilities at a major attraction. Stone Mountain Park attracts four million visitors annually, making it Atlanta’s (and Georgia’s) most popular attraction. The Park is owned by the State of Georgia and operated by Silver Dollar City, Inc., through a long term lease with the Stone Mountain Memorial Association. The commitment to the Falcons is part of an effort to upgrade the attractions within the park and build attendance to six million.

   “We believe a move to Stone Mountain Park could provide Atlanta with the showcase facility in the NFL,” Falcons president Taylor Smith said. “Having a setting that already attracts four million people gives us some unique marketing opportunities. Also, to be located in a natural setting at the base of one of the world’s natural wonders provides a very dramatic setting for our home.”

   The initial plan is for a 70,000 square-foot building that will include the Falcons offices as well as locker rooms and workout facilities. The site will also include three outdoor fields and one domed practice area. A Falcons/NFL museum and other Falcons related attractions are also being considered as a part of the sports complex.

   Under the terms of a proposed contract, the team would lease a 30-acre tract of land that was formerly part of the old Stone Mountain Airport, which has been closed since 1996. The site is between West Park Place and Bermuda Road, near the Olympic Tennis Center, and within the boundaries of the Stone Mountain Park.

   The letter of intent provides for a period of time for the developer to meet a selection of objectives, including successfully marketing sponsorships and naming rights. Says John Russell, vice president & project manager of Partners & Associates,” The combination of the Atlanta Falcons and Stone Mountain creates unique and unusual marketing opportunities that can be leveraged to benefit promotionally oriented businesses. Sponsorship contracts will, in turn help to finance the construction of the facility.”

   Silver Dollar City, Inc. won the long-term lease of Stone Mountain Park in a State conducted competitive bid process completed in 1997. In addition to significant capital improvements to the property that have already been completed since the acquisition of the lease, Silver Dollar City officials estimate that an additional $50,000,000 to $75,000,000 will be invested at the property by their company over the next three to five years. “We are obviously very committed to this property,” says Ned Stancliff, Senior Vice President of Silver Dollar City. “We believe that Stone Mountain has the potential to be a national caliber destination attraction, and our association with Falcons can help us to achieve that goal.”

   Silver Dollar City’s landlord agrees. “We are excited about the partnership between Silver Dollar City and the Falcons” says Curtis Branscome, chief executive officer of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association. “It is one that can be good, not only for SDC and the Park, but also for the Stone Mountain community, DeKalb County and the City of Atlanta.”

   In addition to SDC and SMMA, DeKalb County was instrumental in the negotiations resulting in the Letter of Intent.

   “I am delighted that the Falcons are considering DeKalb County as the home for its new training facility,” said DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Liane Levetan. “We would welcome the Falcons as part of our DeKalb family. Their presence at Stone Mountain Park will certainly add to this outstanding, world-class park and its current attractions.”

   The arrangement was actively endorsed by the Atlanta Sports Council, the Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the DeKalb County Development Board, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, the DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

3. bwilson Says:
   May 22nd, 2009 at 5:17 AM

   I don’t understand Beaudreau. He appears to be the only decent one of the bunch, but I still don’t know if I’ll vote for him again. He claims that he struggled with his decision to vote for the stadium project. I want a commissioner that goes with his gut. Mr. Beaudreau, how much is this tennis center project going to cost us? Demolition, maintenance? Beaudreau recently fought the BoC on another greenspace purchase and was the only opposing vote. He seems to be all over the place.

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One of the casualties of Gwinnett’s 2009 budget cuts was the takeover and management of the Stone Mountain tennis center. The Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) who currently controls the venue had been negotiating with Gwinnett County for a $1 per year long-term lease. The 2009 Gwinnett budget had provisions for $300,000 in improvements for the old Olympic stadium, but this was slashed due to the current deficit situation.

Phil Hoskins, the director of Gwinnett County Community Services stated that despite the funding cuts negotiations would continue.

=== History ===
In June of 2007 Curtis Branscome, SMMA CEO, stated that SMMA has completed discussions with DeKalb County administration regarding an acceptable agreement. The agreement has not been presented before the DeKalb County Commissioners. There is a constitutional provision that states one county cannot operate a facility or provide a service in another county physically without the consent of that county. A Gwinnett County District Commissioner is not in favor of the agreement and this impacts approval from Gwinnett. Mr. Branscome sought guidance from the committees on the future of the tennis facility. The preferred option to date has been for DeKalb County to assume operation and full responsibility for maintenance of the facility.; Next, there is a good possibility that if the stadium were demolished, Gwinnett County would be willing to operate the fifteen courts and pro shop. Mr. Branscome’s recommendation has been consistent over the last few years. He has advocated demolishing the stadium and planting trees. However, after receiving information from engineers, he has changed his mind. The demolition is estimated at $2 million. The breakdown on the estimate is $750,000 for demolition and $33 per ton or $1.3 million to dispose of all the concrete and steel in a dry landfill. The land is about 23 acres and current value is about $100,000 per acre or $2.3 million for the parcel. Based on these prices, this does not make economic sense and the best course of action may be to lock up the property and let it sit if SMMA cannot negotiate an equitable deal. The on-going operating costs are negligible, but the stadium will continue to deteriorate. Another option would be to put the property on the open market for a long-term land lease with a developer.Page 3

Mr. Branscome stated that he had received regulations last week regarding creating a dry landfill. Commissioner Holcomb stated that it would be difficult for the Association to create a landfill based on the location of the facility. DeKalb County would like to have a dry run at the facility for the Blues and Jazz Festival in July. Mr. Branscome has agreed to let them use the facility “as is, where is”. Mr. Baxter inquired about Gwinnett County and any interest they may have regarding the facility. Mr. Branscome stated that he has talked with the administrative staff at Gwinnett and they will take direction from the Board of Commissioners. However, Gwinnett is only interested in the facility if the stadium is not included. The stadium presents a liability issue and they do not need that type of facility. Mr. Baxter inquired if there was any land that could be separated from the facility. Mr. Branscome stated that there is enough space between courts to double the size to thirty courts. Georgia Perimeter College has expressed interest in the facility for their tennis program. But, there is an issue of whether they can afford to operate and maintain the facility. The committees concluded with further discussion regarding demolition. Mr. Baxter suggested that perhaps Gwinnett County might be willing to participate with landfill availability to dispose of the debris. Mr. Branscome said he would wait to see how the DeKalb County agreement works out with Gwinnett County. If that fails, then he will talk with Gwinnett about their interest in operating the tennis courts, but that SMMA will not demolish the stadium without their participation in that effort, and if that option does not work out, he will present the committees with a demolition proposal to return the property to trees. The committees agreed with this plan.

…well, at least we have the Gwinnett Braves and all that they will bring to our humble little community,… right?…

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Website: RaiseTheRoofGwinnett.com

This is the organization that has its eyes on the the old Olympic tennis venue next to Target. A quote from their website, “Revitalizing Gwinnett’s 8,200 seat Stone Mountain Stadium, Atlanta’s 1996 Olympic Tennis Center. Thus creating a year-round event campus producing new jobs and positive economic development.” Lots of interesting reading on their website…

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