Atlanta

Buckhead leaders want to build park over GA 400

ATLANTA — Buckhead leaders want to create a park out of thin air, and they want to build it on top of Georgia 400.

Bumper to bumper traffic is what most drivers think of when you mention Georgia 400 between Lenox and Peachtree roads, but leaders want to transform the bustling part of Buckhead by building a park on top of the highway.

“This is the big opportunity that we have to actually create a substantial public realm that would be the community living room,” said Jim Durrett, executive director of the Buckhead Community Improvement District.

Durrett said the approximately 2,500 foot long park would cost about $200 million.

It would feature three distinct areas: the commons with space for concerts, the plaza with a restaurant and shops nearby and the gardens.

“That allow for you and I to sit down and share a sandwich and a conversation over lunch,” said Robert Rogers, the park’s architect and urban designer.

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Channel 2's Justin Farmer traveled to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas which sits on top of a freeway.

“We literally built a park out of thin air,” said Klyde Warren Park President Tara Green.

It is similar to what is proposed in Buckhead. The park over Georgia 400 would have MARTA entrances and there would be links to bike and running trails.

Klyde Warren Park features splash pads where children play in the water, reading and game carts, a stage for performances, a restaurant and lots of grass. It draws people from all over Dallas.

“I used to live in Atlanta actually and the weather is great there too. And it’s just a great place in the middle of Dallas that you can come and enjoy the skyline,” said park visitor Kayla Billington.

Green says Klyde Warren Park cost $97 million dollars to build, but private donors contributed more than half of the price tag.

Supporters say the park has gotten people in Dallas walking and resulted in $2 billion in development.

“We don’t have beachfront property, we have park front property in Dallas.  And several of our commercial real estate friends have said they never imagined prices being what they are in Dallas,” said Green.

John Zogg who works in commercial real estate and is on Klyde Warren Park’s board is helping to sell Atlanta leaders on building the park over 400.

“I told them to think bigger than they’re actually thinking because these things change cities. They really do,” said Zogg.

The park over 400 still needs a name, funding plan and a champion to make it a reality.

“I think it’s really important to have a champion who is respected and has the gravitas to attract interest from people with means,” said Durrett.

Buckhead leaders estimate it would cost about $2 million a year to operate the park over 400.

To help with the operating budget there would be tasteful corporate sponsorship similar to what we found at Klyde Warren Park.

Designers say the park over 400 is meant to be a new jewel in Atlanta’s crown.

“People will come to Atlanta and say have you been to the Buckhead park? You have to go and check it out,” said Rogers.