Fourth Avenue’s $4.08M forest plan calls for free public use

Atlanta’s proposed purchase of about 15.7 acres on Fourth Avenue NW comes with a public-access requirement: the land would be free to use and retained forever as public forest.⁠[1]

The proposed ordinance limits recreational facilities to passive uses developed and managed for minimal environmental impact. Public use would remain subject to city rules and ordinances. A deed restriction would preserve the forest permanently, and the Department of Parks and Recreation would take responsibility after acquisition.⁠[1]

As we reported in our first look at the purchase proposal, the $4,080,929.62 ceiling would cover more than the land. The Tree Trust Fund would also pay acquisition-related expenses such as surveys, title insurance, appraisals, closing costs, signage and site stabilization.⁠[1]

The ordinance would authorize negotiations with the Conservation Fund, rather than set a final land price. The purchase price could not exceed fair market value established by an appraisal approved by the city’s chief procurement officer or her designee.⁠[1]

Ordinance 26-O-1642 appeared on the Community Development/Human Services Committee’s November 10 first-reading agenda. The agenda and pre-meeting packet reviewed for this account do not establish what the committee did that day or whether the city has completed a purchase.⁠[1][2]