Tucker’s 3M Dollars Pickleball Complex: As the Tucker City Council debates whether to move forward with a $3 million pickleball complex, local residents are urging officials to prioritize historic preservation instead. The Friends of Johns Homestead Park, a community advocacy group, has called on the city to allocate some of those funds to restoring the Johns Homestead, one of the oldest homes in DeKalb County, which is rapidly deteriorating.
“We understand that the city is planning a multi-million dollar pickleball complex, a project that has generated considerable debate among residents. Given the significant investment required for this complex, we urge the city to reconsider its funding priorities and allocate a portion of these funds toward the urgent preservation of Johns Homestead.” – (letter by Friends of Johns Homestead Park)
Johns Homestead: A Historic Site in Need of Repair
Located at 3017 Lawrenceville Highway, Johns Homestead Park spans over 50 acres and is home to a historic one-bedroom wooden frame house believed to have been built around 1829.
The property was acquired through a land lottery following the First Treaty of Indian Springs, and records indicate that enslaved individuals may have lived there. The Friends of Johns Homestead are continuing research efforts to uncover and share the full history of the site.
The city has already invested in park improvements, including:
- $4.7 million on a dam rehabilitation project.
- $160,000 for a trail.
- $51,680 for a preservation plan.
- $22,500 for house and chimney stabilization.
However, Beth Ganga, chair of the Friends of Johns Homestead, says the homestead itself remains neglected.
“So twice we’ve had a grassroots victory to save this historic site from being destroyed, yet now it’s being destroyed through neglect.” – (Beth Ganga)
City Officials Defend Park Investments
Tucker City Councilmember Cara Schroeder acknowledged the importance of Johns Homestead and pointed out that the city has already invested in repairs while waiting for the site to be added to the National Register of Historic Places.
“Once we accomplish that step, we’re eligible for organizing around a plan and hopefully funding.” – (Schroeder)
She also emphasized that Tucker has multiple park projects underway, including a dam repair at Lake Erin and improvements at Fitzgerald Park.
“Someday soon, we’re going to have to start organizing around what’s next for more [parks] revenue,” she added, suggesting that a future bond referendum could help fund additional projects.
“Some day soon, we’re going to have to start organizing around what’s next for more [parks] revenue and perhaps what we need to do is look into the future parks master plan and organize around getting a bond referendum, so we can continue our fast-paced efforts to make our parks and recreation a winning opportunity.” – (Schroeder)
Community Pushes Back Against Pickleball Project
Despite the city’s ongoing park improvements, the Friends group remains frustrated by the lack of action on the homestead.
“We wanted to take advantage of this pickleball controversy and bring light to [this]. That’s a lot of money. That’s millions of dollars. If we have millions of dollars to spend on a pickleball facility that seemingly most people don’t want, why not take some of that money and spend it on historic preservation of this very beloved historic site?” – (Ganga)
With the pickleball project still under consideration, it remains to be seen whether the city council will reallocate funding to prioritize the restoration of Johns Homestead.
News in Brief: Tucker’s 3M Dollars Pickleball Complex
The Tucker City Council is considering a $3 million pickleball complex, but local residents are calling for funds to be redirected to Johns Homestead Park, a historic site in need of restoration. The Friends of Johns Homestead argue that preservation efforts should take priority, while city officials say they are balancing multiple park projects.
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