City officials, led by Mayor Andre Dickens, recently announced plans to renovate a historic Art Moderne-style building located at 143 Alabama St. for the creation of affordable apartment units.
However, amid this preservation effort, Georgia State University (GSU) is advancing its own plans to demolish two iconic structures on its campus.
The first structure facing demolition is Sparks Hall, a white marble-clad building built in 1955 that played a significant role in establishing the college’s reputation.
The second building is a fortress-like brick structure at 148 Edgewood Ave., an old power station that once illuminated the historic Auburn Avenue area.
Georgia State aims to replace these buildings with greenspace to provide students at the urban campus a place to relax.
David Yoakley Mitchell, head of the Atlanta Preservation Center, has lobbied in favor of preserving the Edgewood building, arguing that its destruction would erase a vital part of Atlanta’s heritage and diminish the story of a neighborhood that has significantly shaped the city’s past.
Consequently, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has included the Edgewood property on its “Places in Peril” list for this year, noting its essential role in the local Martin Luther King, Jr. Landmark District as well as the national MLK Preservation District.
Wright Mitchell, CEO of the Georgia Trust, emphasized the importance of this district for understanding Atlanta’s historical narrative.
The Powerhouse on Edgewood not only powered the area but was, according to Mitchell, the “beating heart” of the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District.
During a visit to the GSU campus, I spoke with students, including Tamia Sams, a nursing student employed in the Sparks Building, who expressed her sadness at the prospect of the building’s demolition.
“It’s bittersweet,” Sams said. “I know Georgia State is going to make good changes. But I like Sparks’ oldness, its history. It’s a comfort spot for me.”
GSU executive Jared Abramson defended the university’s decision, stating that demolishing Sparks would create a cohesive space extending towards Hurt Park, revitalized and visibly safer with fewer homeless individuals.
“This entire plan is putting safety first,” Abramson commented, highlighting that a vibrant campus environment was essential for student well-being.
He added that many students had left the university or hesitated to attend due to concerns about safety on campus, asserting the need for a welcoming and secure gathering space.
This envisioned space, dubbed “Panther Quad,” is intended to foster a sense of community downtown for the sprawling urban campus.
Furthermore, the Edgewood property would soon become a pocket park adjacent to a series of fraternity and sorority houses, although Abramson noted that renovating the building would entail significant costs, around $12 million, questioning whether such an expense was justified.
In response to concerns raised by preservationists regarding GSU’s history stewardship, Abramson stated that the university had successfully repurposed more than 20 existing buildings.
“We graduate more Black students than any other not-for-profit university in the country, including HBCUs,” he claimed, emphasizing GSU’s role in bridging divides.
As discussions around preservation intensify, Mitchell recalled public efforts from the 1970s when citizens united to save the Fox Theatre from demolition, which highlights the ongoing struggle between development and historical conservation in Atlanta.
That battle ultimately led to the preservation of a beloved landmark, which holds significance in the city’s cultural landscape.
Mitchell reinforced the point that while Atlanta has had its successes in preservation, the approach remains a bit clumsy, resulting in a mixed record.
Looking back, research revealed that a list of “Most Endangered Historic Places” from 2003 included 14 buildings, five of which have since been demolished, two are abandoned and in disrepair, while the status of another is unknown.
This indicates that Atlanta has not fully succeeded in preservation, with a win-loss record around .500 over the past generation.
For those passionate about heritage, interpretations of this record may vary significantly, and the looming decisions concerning Sparks Hall and the Edgewood building will carry lasting implications for Atlanta’s historical narrative.
image source from：ajc
