Depending on who you believe, the Fulton County School System moved its plans for a high school off Freemanville Road after community complaints from deep-pocketed neighbors, or because a preferred parcel - unavailable two years ago - suddenly became available.
Regardless of the version, the school system formally purchased a 64-acre parcel of land at southeast corner of Bethany Bend and Cogburn Road late last week, where it will build the new high school.
The 117-acre parcel it also owns on Freemanville Road, previously planned for the high school, will now house only a future middle school, with any unneeded acreage eventually sold off once final site plans are developed. The high school is scheduled to open in August 2012, followed by the middle school opening in August 2013.
The new high school site at Cogburn/Bethany sits directly across from Kings Ridge Christian School, and not far from St. Francis High School. Hopewell Middle School and Cogburn Elementary School are about a half-mile south of the the intersection at Cogburn and Windward Parkway.
The Bethany/Cogburn parcel was purchased from developer David Chatham for just under $20 million, according to sources, and is already in the early stages of development with considerable clearing and turn lanes already in place. Chatham had planned to develop the parcel for residential properties, but apparently had a change of heart likely due to the slump in the housing market.
Alpharetta School Board member Katie Reeves said the Chatham property was a top consideration when the board searched for property a few years back, but was not pursued for a number of reasons.
"When we purchased the property on Freemanville, the site at Bethany and Cogburn was considered," maintains Reeves. "At that point, given the economy of the moment, we did not have a willing seller. With the property being actively developed [at that time], it was thought not to be in the best interest of the system or its taxpayers to pursue that route."
That route would probably have included condemnation proceedings and other legal action to wrest away the property, whereas the Freemanville site had a willing seller.
Reeves said circumstances developed in the past six months to change the situation. The Freemanville parcel was purchased with the intent of placing a high school and middle school on the site, similar to the set-up for Milton High and Northwestern Middle. But after viewing site plans developed by the architect, it became apparent topography concerns limited usable land.
"In order to build our prototype middle school, we would have had to build a three-story high school, which was just unacceptable," said Reeves.
At about the same time, the Chatham property became available, providing the perfect solution. In addition, the budget for Fiscal Year 2009 included funding for land, allowing the board to buy the site without dipping into reserves. Reeves said it was a win-win for everyone – the community and the school system.
"The Bethany/Cogburn site allows for access from two different streets – a huge plus for a high school campus. It is also in close proximity to a major highway and central to our target search area.
"The fact that it is one of few sewered sites large enough to accommodate a high school campus is a plus as well," said Reeves.
It's proximity to Ga. 9 and Ga. 400, as well as its sewer access, all made it prime property for the school system.
Labels: bethany road, city of milton, cogburn road, Freemanville Road, New High School
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 6:45 AM
